The Shira Route

Trek Overview

Day 1 — Shira Gate (3,600 meters) to Simba Camp (3,600 meters)
Day 2 — Simba Camp (3,600 meters) to Shira Camp 2 (3,840 meters)
Day 3 — Shira Camp (3,850 meters) to Lava Tower (4,600 meters) and then Barranco Camp (3,900 meters)
Day 4 — Barranco Camp (3,900 meters) to Karanga Camp (3,960 meters) (and then Barafu Camp – 4,680 meters)
Day 5 — Barafu Camp (4,680 meters) to Uhuru Peak (5,895 meters) and then Mweka Camp (3,100 meters)
Day 6 — Mweka Camp (3,100 meters) to Mweka Gate (1,640 meters)

ITINERARY

Day 1

Shira Gate (3,600 meters) to Simba Camp (3,600 meters)

Following an early breakfast and briefing from your guide, our staff will drive you several hours from your hotel to the western side of Kilimanjaro. You will stop at the Londorossi National Park Gate, where your guides and porters will prepare your equipment and supplies. Kilimanjaro Park registration will be completed here. After registration, you will continue driving up a steep path to the gate where you will begin your ascent. You'll start your trek through the shrubs and giant heather until you reach Simba Camp, which has more open views.

Day 2

Simba Camp (3,600 meters) → Shira Camp 2 (3,840 meters)

Day two starts with a gradual hike through the final stretch of the rain forest and then gets steeper as you approach the low alpine moorland zone. The trek is a long one that stops briefly for lunch at Shira Camp 1 which is on the western edge of the Shira Plateau; just over 8km from your starting point. You then continue on your hike across and up the Shira plateau to Shira Camp 2 at 3,850 meters. Here you will join trekkers from the Machame Route whilst enjoying stunning view across the valley below and Western Breach of Kilimanjaro above. The plateau is exposed so be prepared for a cold night.

Day 3

Shira Camp (3,850 Meters) → Lava Tower (4,600 Meters) → Barranco Camp (3,900 Meters)

On day three you will start trekking due east from the Shira Plateau, passing through the ‘Garden of the Senecios’ which also features many giant lobelias. The landscape rapidly becomes desert-like as you approach Lava Tower and the Shark’s Tooth formation at 4,600 meters. You will have lunch at Lava Tower before joining the Southern Circuit trail (see map above) which descends to Barranco Camp 3,900 meters where you will spend the night at a very similar elevation as the night before. Climbing high and sleeping low is a good way to acclimatize the body to altitude.

Day 4

Barranco Camp (3,900 Meters) → Karanga Camp (3,960 Meters) / (Barafu Camp – 4,680 Meters)

On day four you will be presented with the relatively steep Barranco ‘Breakfast’ climb, a 257 meter scramble up the Barranco Wall. Be prepared to use all four limbs as you traverse the wall to the top of the Karanga Valley. From here you will follow a path that sojourns through many inclines and declines to Karanga Camp (3,960 meters). For those on an eight day hike, this will be your camp for the night. Six and seven day trekkers will stop here for a brief lunch before continuing on through the barren desert landscape that leads to the Mweka trail and up to Barafu Camp (4,680 meters). At Barafu you will have an early dinner and then get some much needed rest before your summit attempt which begins at midnight. Please make sure that you have organised all your gear for the summit. You will be awoken in the dark and searching for your headlamp or camera at this time is not a good way to start your summit attempt.

Day 5

Barafu Camp (4,680 Meters) → Uhuru Peak (5,895 Meters) → Mweka Camp (3,100 Meters)

Day five starts at midnight with hot tea, biscuits and a long and zigzagging hike up the heavy scree that covers the steep slopes of Kibo. The going is slow and very tough. You will need to dig deep and ensure you maintain a consistent pace to push yourself up to the crater rim. After about 4-6 hours hiking you will reach Stella Point (5,739 meters) where you will have a chance to rest and watch dawn break across the Tanzanian landscape. It is a good idea to have some hot tea or hot chocolate at this point as you will need to muster the energy to continue for another 1-2 hours around and up the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (5,895 meters). Remember to keep your momentum moving forward. Over 60% of climbers stop at Stella Point but most can make it to the summit if they are able to find the metal strength to push through. Obviously if you are experiencing severe AMS symptoms you should descend immediately. Your time at Uhuru Peak will be brief. Take as many pictures as you can, savour your accomplishment and then start heading back to Stella Point. Many trekkers slide down the scree slopes of Kibo to Barafu Camp, where you will have a chance to rest before continuing on to Mweka Camp (3,100 meters). In total you will be trekking between 12-16 hours on day 5 so it is really important that you pace yourself and remain hydrated.

Day 6

Mweka Camp (3,100 Meters) → Mweka Gate (1,640 Meters)

The final day on the mountain is a short one, but nonetheless tiring as your body will be exhausted and your knees will likely be sore from the previous day’s descent. Go slowly and enjoy the wonderful rain forest scenery as you head towards Mweka Gate (1,640 meters). At the gate you will need to sign-out with the authorities and will also receive your certificate, either for Stella Point or for Uhuru Peak. It is customary to pay your tips to your trekking team before you depart back to your hotel.

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Trek Overview

ITINERARY

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