.jpg)
6 Days – Kilimanjaro Climbing - Shira Route
6 Days / 5 Nights Days
Arusha or Moshi, Tanzania (hotel pickup) → Mweka Gate, then hotel in Arusha or Moshi
Why Choose This Safari?
The Shira route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the west, with a 4WD track that lets vehicles drive high onto the mountain. You walk across the Shira Plateau, one of the highest plateaus in the world, with beautiful views of Kibo’s Western Glaciers, and pass the rock buttress of Shira Cathedral. There are several fine minor summits on the plateau, and the Shira Needle can be reached by a short scramble for a great viewpoint. From Lava Tower the route joins the scenic southern circuit through Barranco and Karanga, giving you good acclimatisation before the summit push via Stella Point to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m), the highest point in Africa.
Safari Highlights
- US$ 2,270 per person sharing
- Extra days on the Mountain: US $ 325 per person per day
- Minimum 2 Pax
- Tour above can be customized based on your needs or requirements. You can add with Wildlife Safari, Beach Holidays etc...
Destinations to Travel
Londorossi Gate · Shira trailhead · River Camp · Shira Cathedral · Shira Plateau · Lava Tower · Barranco Camp · Karanga Camp · Barafu Camp · Stella Point · Uhuru Peak (Mount Kilimanjaro) · Millennium Camp · Mweka Gate
Itinerary
Day 1 — Arusha or Moshi to Londorossi Gate and River Camp
You drive from Arusha or Moshi to Londorossi Gate on the western side of Kilimanjaro to register with the park. A 4WD track then takes you up to the Shira trailhead, from where you walk to River Camp at about 3,050 metres. Your crew sets up camp, and you have dinner and spend the night under the stars.
Trek: 7 km (4.4 mi) · about 4 hours · gain of about 950 m to 3,050 m
Day 2 — River Camp to Shira Camp via Shira Cathedral
You walk across the Shira Plateau, one of the highest plateaus in the world, passing the rock buttress of Shira Cathedral. The plateau is very beautiful, with fine views of Kibo and its Western Glaciers. You spend the night at Shira Camp (3,850 m).
Trek: 12 km (7.5 mi) · 6 to 8 hours · gain of 800 m to 3,850 m · moorland
Day 3 — Shira Camp to Barranco Camp via Lava Tower
You climb east to Lava Tower (4,640 m), a 90-metre volcanic plug, and then descend into the Barranco Valley to Barranco Camp (3,985 m). Climbing high and sleeping lower like this is one of the best ways to acclimatise. You spend the night at Barranco Camp beneath the Great Barranco Wall.
Trek: 9 km (5.6 mi) · 6 to 8 hours · up 790 m to 4,640 m, down to 3,985 m · alpine desert
Day 4 — Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
The day starts with a scramble up the Barranco Wall, a steep but non-technical climb with great views from the top. You then follow a path of ridges and valleys beneath Kibo’s southern glaciers to Karanga Camp (4,040 m). This short day helps your acclimatisation.
Trek: 5.5 km (3.5 mi) · 4 to 5 hours · gain of 55 m to 4,040 m · alpine desert
Day 5 — Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
You climb steadily over rocky ground to Barafu Camp (4,680 m), the base camp for the summit. After an early dinner you rest and prepare for the summit attempt, which starts around midnight.
Trek: 3.5 km (2.2 mi) · 4 to 5 hours · gain of 640 m to 4,680 m · alpine desert
Day 6 — Summit to Uhuru Peak and Descent to Millennium Camp
Around midnight you begin the summit attempt from Barafu Camp, climbing steep scree by headlamp to Stella Point (5,752 m) on the crater rim, where you are usually greeted by sunrise. From there it is about an hour along the rim to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m), the highest point in Africa. After photographs at the summit you descend to Barafu for a short rest and then continue down to Millennium Camp (3,820 m), or to Mweka Camp, for dinner and a well-earned sleep.
Trek: Up 5 km (3 mi) · 6 to 8 hours to Uhuru Peak · Down 10 km (6.2 mi) to 3,820 m · 5 to 6 hours · 10 to 16 hours in total
Day 7 — Millennium Camp to Mweka Gate and Arusha or Moshi
After breakfast you descend through moorland and rainforest to Mweka Gate (1,640 m), where you collect your summit certificate. You are then transferred to your hotel in Arusha or Moshi.
Trek: 20 km (12.5 mi) · about 5 hours · descent to 1,640 m · moorland and forest
What's Included
Rate Includes
- Transport To And From Mountain Gates.
- All Parks Entry Fees.
- All Camping Fees.
- Rescue Fees.
- Guide and Porters Fees.
- Guide and Porters Salaries.
- All Accommodations on the Mountain Based On Three Meals A Day.
Cook and All Kitchen Utensils.
Rate Excludes
- International And Domestic Flights (We Can Arrange On Request)
- Accommodation On The First Night Upon Your Arrival Before Climb And On The Last Day
- After Climb (Book With Us)
- Airport Transfers (Book With Us)
- Tips, Drinks And All Items Of Personal Nature
- Hard And Soft Drinks And Tips
- Sleeping Bags But We Can Provide For Hire On Request.
- All Mountain Gears (We Can Arrange Hire Of This)
Best Time to Go
This trek can be taken all year round. In general, the dry seasons from about January to March and June to October are the most popular times to climb Kilimanjaro, with clearer skies. The wetter months from about April to May and November to December bring more rain and cloud, which can hide the Western Glaciers and the views from the Shira Plateau. Our team can advise on the best dates for your trek.
Pricing
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the trek start and end, and how long is it?
It starts at Londorossi Gate on the western side of the mountain, reached by a drive from Arusha or Moshi, and ends at Mweka Gate on Day 7, with a transfer back to your hotel. The trek lasts seven days and six nights on the mountain.
Which route is this?
This is the Shira route. It crosses the Shira Plateau past Shira Cathedral, climbs to Lava Tower, and joins the southern circuit through Barranco, Karanga and Barafu before the summit attempt via Stella Point to Uhuru Peak. You descend on the Mweka route.
Is there a 4WD track?
Yes. A 4WD track on the Shira route lets vehicles drive high onto the mountain, so you start walking at a higher altitude than on most routes. Because of this, a slow pace in the first days is important for acclimatisation.
Can we climb the Shira Needle?
The Shira Needle can be reached by a short scramble and gives a fine viewpoint. It is not part of the day-by-day itinerary, so please ask our team whether it can be added and what experience is needed.
Where do we sleep?
You sleep in tents at public campsites: River Camp, Shira Camp, Barranco Camp, Karanga Camp, Barafu Camp and Millennium Camp. Your crew carries and sets up the tents and prepares all your meals.