8-Day Shira Route

A seldom used trail called the Shira Route starts off close to Shira Ridge. It resembles the Lemosho route very closely. In actuality, Lemosho is an improved version of Shira, which was the original route. Shira is a beautiful and varied route, but because it begins at a relatively high altitude and is easily reached by car, it is less desirable than its successor. On the first day of camping at 11,800 feet, climbers may experience some altitude-related symptoms.

The journey begins with a lengthy drive from Moshi to Shira Ridge as it makes its way toward Mount Kilimanjaro from the west. The hiking trail starts on Shira Ridge after the vehicle passes through the area of rain forest. The Shira route is a pleasant, mostly flat hike that traverses the entire Shira Plateau from west to east. Before summiting from Barafu, the route then follows the Southern Circuit beneath Kilimanjaro’s Southern Ice Field. The Mweka route is used for the descent.

Day by Day Overview

DAY 1 – Shira Gate to Simba Camp

Elevation: 11,800 ft to 11,800 ft

Hiking Time: 1-2 hours

Distance: 4 km | 2 miles

Habitat: Health

In about 4 hours, we travel from Moshi to Londorossi Gate, where we will complete entry procedures while our guides and porters prepare our gear. After that, we carry on driving up a challenging path until we reach the Shira Gate, where the hike will start. We begin the trek through bushes and enormous heather in order to get to Simba Camp.

DAY 2 – Simba Camp to Shira 2 Camp

Elevation: 11,800 ft to 12,500 ft

Hiking Time: 2 hours

Distance: 6 km | 4 miles

Habitat: Health

To aid in acclimatization, today is a fairly easy day. The grassy moorland and volcanic rock formations on the plateau are the first places we look. Before settling at Shira 2 Camp, we follow a picturesque path to the Shira Cathedral, a sizable rock buttress surrounded by sharp spires and pinnacles.

DAY 3 – Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp

Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower

Elevation: 12,500 ft to 15,190 ft

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

Lava Tower to Barranco Camp

Elevation: 15,190 ft to 13,044 ft

Hiking Time: 2-3 hours

Distance: 7 km | 4 miles

Habitat: Alpine Desert

Distance: 3 km | 2 miles

Habitat: Alpine Desert

We continue eastward along a ridge before turning southeastward in the direction of the 300-foot-tall Lava Tower, a volcanic rock formation. We descend to an elevation of 13,000 feet before entering the strange but lovely Senecio Forest. Even though you start and end each day at the same elevation, spending time at a higher altitude helps your body adjust to the higher altitude.

DAY 4 – Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

Elevation: 13,044 ft to 13,106 ft

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

Distance: 5 km | 3 miles

Habitat: Alpine Desert

We start the day by making our way down a ravine to the Great Barranco Wall’s base. Then we ascend the nearly 900-foot cliff, which is not technically difficult. We travel through a number of hills and valleys after leaving the top of the Barranco Wall before making a sharp turn into the Karanga Valley. We have one more steep ascent before we reach Karanga Camp. Acclimatization is the goal of today’s shorter day.

DAY 5 – Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

Elevation: 13,106 ft to 15,331 ft

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

Distance: 4 km | 2 miles

Habitat: Alpine Desert

After leaving Karanga, we arrive at the intersection where the Mweka Trail joins it. We keep going up the rocky slope to Barafu Hut. You have now finished the Southern Circuit, which provides views of the summit from a variety of angles. We set up camp here, take a nap, and eat a leisurely dinner before the summit day. From here, one can see Mawenzi and Kibo, the two peaks.

DAY 6 – Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp

Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak

Elevation: 15,331 ft to 19,341 ft

Hiking Time: 7-8 hours

Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp

Elevation: 19,341 ft to 10,065 ft

Hiking Time: 4-6 hours

Distance: 5 km | 3 miles

Habitat: Arctic

Distance: 12 km | 7 miles

Habitat: Rain Forest

We start the ascent very early in the morning (around midnight). The hardest part of the trek both physically and mentally is this section. At this altitude and time of day, the wind and cold can be very strong. We climb in the dark for several hours, stopping frequently but only briefly. You will be rewarded with the most breathtaking sunrise you are ever likely to see approaching Mawenzi Peak close to Stella Point (18,900 feet). Finally, we reach Uhuru Peak, which is both Mount Kilimanjaro’s and Africa’s highest point.

We now begin our descent from the summit, going straight down to the Mweka Hut campsite while stopping at Barafu for lunch. Trekking poles are helpful because the trail is very rocky and can be quite taxing on the knees. Due to its location in the upper forest, Mweka Camp may experience late-afternoon mist or rain. We have our final meal on the mountain later in the evening before a well-earned rest.

DAY 7 – Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate

Elevation: 10,065 ft to 5,380 ft

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

Distance: 10 km | 6 miles

Habitat: Rain Forest

We continue the descent to Mweka Gate on our final day, where we pick up the summit certificates. It might be muddy and wet at lower altitudes. We travel another hour to Mweka Village from the gate. We’ll be picked up by a car at Mweka Village and taken back to our Moshi hotel.