SHIRA ROUTE

Shira Plateau is one of the most scenic and most fascinating areas of Kilimanjaro and offers magnificent views of Mt. Meru and the Great Rift Valley. Shira route is only offered to hikers who are already acclimatized to 4000m. Depending on weather conditions, you can drive by 4x4 or walk for 1/2 hours to Shira Hut (4000m). Game is often sighted and the scenery changes from forest, grassland, heath to moorland. The fast ascend by vehicle to about 4000m will require additional acclimatization, after which it will be possible to ascend Uhuru Peak either via the Western Breach or via Barafu camp.

0 Day;Pre -Trekking Briefing

If you have opted for the optional airport transfers, we will pick you up from Kilimanjaro Airport or Arusha airport and transfer you to your hotel in Arusha,Pre-trek briefing at your Arusha hotel. You should be planning to arrive at least one day before the start of the trek. Today we will spend in having a pre-trek briefing. We will also review your equipment and rent any equipment which is needed.

1 Day; Arusha - Londorossi Gate - Morrum Barrier - Shira 1 Camp

"After breakfast and briefing in Arusha, you will be driven to Londorossi Gate, where our guides will help you register with the Kilimanjaro National Park authorities. After registration at the gate, you will be driven to the Morrum Barrier where the hike will begin.

From the Morrum Barrier, you will trek through land dominated by heather and moorland until you reach Shira Camp 1(3500m).

Dinner and overnight accommodation at Shira Camp 1 (3500m)."

Elevation; 2250m - 3300m - 3500m
Habitat; Montane Forest / Lowe Alpine
Distance; 4 KM
Hiking Time; 2 - 3 hours

2 Day; Shira 1 Camp - Shira 2 Camp

"On this day the trek will be a fairly easy one; the goal is to help you acclimatize. You will explore the moorlands and volcanic rocks before reaching Shira Cathedral, which is a massive rock surrounded by steep spires and pinnacles. From Shira Cathedral, you will trek to Shira Camp 2 (3850m) where lunch will be served. The remainder of the day will be spent resting.

Dinner and overnight accommodation at Shira Camp 2 (3850m)."

Elevation; 3500m - 3850m
Habitat;Moorland & High Alpine
Distance; 14 KM
Hiking Time; 5-7 hours

3 Day; Shira 2 - Lava Tower -Barranco Camp

"After breakfast at Shaira Camp 2, you will head east past a ridge and then you will head southeast towards the Lava Tower(4600m). As you approach the Lava Tower, the landscape gradually becomes barren. Lunch will be served at Lava Tower.

After lunch, the terrain will descend through the Barranco valley all the way to Barranco Camp(3900m) which almost at the same altitude as Shira Camp 2(3850m) where you spent the previous night. This ascent to the Lava Tower and then descent to Barranco Camp helps your body acclimatize to altitude changes.

Dinner and overnight accommodation at Barranco Camp (3900m)."

Elevation; 3850m - 4600m - 3900m
Habitat; High Alpine
Distance; 12 KM
Hiking Time; 6-7 hours

4 Day; Barranco Camp - Karanga Camp

"After breakfast at Barranco Camp, you will head towards the Barranco Wall which is a steep rock face standing at approximately 260 m. This wall is steep and in some parts of the ascent you may be forced to use all your four limbs for a better grip. After the strenuous ascent up the Barranco Wall, you will be rewarded by stunning views of the southern glacier of Kibo.

The next trek will take you through ups and downs all the way to Karanga Camp(4000m), where you will reach around lunch time. After lunch, you will spend the remainder of the day resting at Karanga Camp.

Dinner and overnight accommodation at Karanga Camp (4000m)."

Elevation; 3900m - 4000m
Habitat; High Alpine
Distance; 7 KM
Hiking Time; 4 hours

5 Day; Karanga Camp - Barafu Camp

"On this day you will trek along a trail that goes through an alpine desert until reaching Barafu Camp(4673m). On this trek, you will experience strong cold winds blowing from the ever closer icy Kibo summit. Lunch will be served at Barafu Camp; after lunch, you will spend the rest of the day relaxing in preparation for the coming summit night.

Dinner will be served early so you can catch a few hours of sleep before midnight. If possible, get to bed around 7 PM because you will be awoken just before midnight to start the final push to the summit (5895m). You should also take some time to prepare your climbing equipment and clothing before going to bed."

Elevation; 4000m - 4673 m
Habitat; Alpine Desert
Distance; 6 KM
Hiking Time; 4 hours

6 Day; Barafu Camp - Summit - Mweka Camp

"At 2am, we start our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. We head in a northwest and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.

At Stella Point (18,885 ft -5,756 m), you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise (weather permitting). From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point of Mount Kilimanjaro. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit.

From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and have a well-earned sleep."

Elevation; 4673m - 5895m - 1640m
Habitat; Glacial Zone
Distance; 4.5KM up - 11KM down
Hiking Time; 6-8 hours up - 5-8 hours

7 Day; Mweka Camp - Mweka Gate

"After breakfast at Mweka Camp, you will embark on a leisurely descent through the rainforest as you head to Mweka Gate(1640m). At Mweka Gate, you will be presented with certificates if you made it to Stella Point or Uhuru Peak.

Our drivers will be waiting for you at the gate ready to drive you to your hotel in Arusha where you will take a long warm shower and celebrate your success."