The Shira Route to Mount Kilimanjaro

The Shira Route, which approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the west, is not far from the Lemosho route. Few hikers who travel to climb Mount Kilimanjaro use the trail because the better Lemosho path has largely taken its place. Although it is located downstream from the Lemosho route, most hikers regard them as the same route because they all converge at Shira Camp. The path is used as a rescue route and is accessible quickly and easily by automobile, as well as perhaps by hard-skilled climbers who prefer to remain in remote locations. Lemosho begins at Londorossi Gate and travels through the rainforest to Shira One Camp. The Shira route avoids Lemosho by using a vehicle to carry climbers directly to Shira Gate, which is located just a few meters from the Shira Ridge. The Shira route’s first trip begins at an elevation of 11,800 feet, or 3,600 meters, above sea level. You continue hiking at this elevation until you reach Simba Camp, where you spend the first night.

The Shira Route to Mount Kilimanjaro is connected to the Lemosho route on the southern circuit after passing Simba camp. The drive up to the gate in the lonely heathland, which occasionally becomes difficult during the wet season due to muddy patches, requires adequate acclimatization the day before the trek because it starts at a high altitude. The toughest walk presents the hikers with their biggest challenge on day seven. The majority of climbers experience altitude sickness at this point. Due to time constraints and being the 56-kilometer quickest route to the peak, Shira has a poor success rate. A full day of acclimatization time is secured by adding extra days, which increases the likelihood of reaching the peak. The Shira route travels through various vegetation zones, including the Shira plateau, heath, and alpine regions covered in a strange plant that shrieks from 5 m tall columns of daisy-flowered giant groundsel, flowering bulbs, red-hot pokers, and tussocky white everlasting flowers, among other bizarre plants. Because different plants adapt to different height levels, there are diverse vegetation zones as a result of altitude changes.

The Shira Route to Mount Kilimanjaro connects to other trails at Barranco Camp, where you are given a day to acclimate while exploring the beautiful mountain views, lava towers, steep ridges, and most importantly, the Barranco Wall. At the top, above all of Africa, at 5685 meters above sea level, you will have a magnificent view of the African sunrise.

Shira Travel Routes 6 Days of Climbing including 2 Hotel Nights: You can walk the mountain while taking in the breathtaking heights of Tanzania and Kilimanjaro National Park on this route to the mountain’s summit.

Day 1: Moshi (890 m/2,920 ft): When clients arrive at the Kilimanjaro International Airport or the Dar es Salaam International Airport on the first day of the amazing Shira Route, you will be met at the airport by our representatives and transferred to the hotel or clients’ preferred residential home for the night. Any day and any month of the year is a good time to begin your adventure!

Day 2: Shira Camp 2 (3,840 m/12,600 ft) from Shira Gate (1,830 m/6,000 ft) in Moshi (890 m/2,920 ft). 5-7 hours, 18 km, Montane Forest: On the Shira route, hikers will rise at six in the morning and eat breakfast between six thirty and seven thirty. Drive from Moshi to the Shira Gate on the western side of Kilimanjaro for a few hours to register with the national park. Start hiking and enter the jungle; due to the high altitude, you must arrive at the camp early to get acclimated to the local weather along the Shira Route. A meandering, muddy trail leads you through the rainforest and up a ridge. Gaiters and trekking poles will be useful because the terrain might be muddy and rainy at these lower elevations. After a midway lunch break, continue to the Shira Route Camp in the late afternoon. Take a break, unpack, and have some tea or coffee. At Shira Camp 2, you will have dinner and spend the night.

Shira Camp 2 (3,840 m/12,600 ft) to Barranco Camp (3,950 m/12,960 ft) via Lava Tower (4,630 m/15,190 ft) on day three.7 hours and 15 km of semi-desert: On the third day of the Shira Route climb, get up at 6:30 in the morning, eat breakfast, and then begin hiking at around 7:30 in the east up a steep trail over the tallest vegetation toward Kilimanjaro’s looming mass. After several hours, you finally arrive at the well-known landmark known as Lava Tower at 4,630 m (15,190 ft) after trekking through a rocky environment. The trail runs directly underneath this massive remnant of Kilimanjaro’s past volcanic activity, which is several hundred feet high. The agile can climb to the tower’s summit for extra credit. To reach Barranco Camp at 3,950 m (12,960 ft.), descend for two hours below the lower cliffs of the Western Breach and Breach Wall after a lunch break close to Lava Tower. This climb offers a lot of photo opportunities, particularly if the walls are covered with ice. Barranco Camp is located in a valley below the Breach and Great Barranco Walls, so while you wait for dinner, you should be able to enjoy a breathtaking sunset. You will have dinner and spend the night in Barranco Camp in the evening.

Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp (4,200 m to 13,780 ft) on Day 4 Alpine Desert: 7 kilometers, 4 hours: After breakfast, we proceed down a narrow slope to the massive Barranco Wall, which is simpler to climb than it appears. You can now fully appreciate Kilimanjaro’s beauty as you reach the mountain’s peak just below the Heim Glacier. You descend into the verdant Karanga Valley to the Karanga Valley campground as Kibo’s glaciers peak above you. Looking east from the camp, you can see Mawenzi’s rough peaks sticking out into the continent’s sky. Your afternoon is at your leisure to relax or explore following a nice lunch at the camp. This brief day is crucial for your acclimatization after two lengthy ones because your summit push is about to begin. You’ll spend the night at Karanga Camp following dinner.

5th day: Barafu Camp (4,550 m/14,930 ft) to Karanga Camp (4,200 m/13,780 ft) In the Mountain Desert, it takes 8 hours and 13 miles: You set out in the morning to climb east over peaks and valleys to connect with the Mweka Route, which will serve as your descending path. To reach the Barafu Hut, where you will be served a cooked lunch, turn left in the direction of Mount Kilimanjaro and trek up the ridge through a sparse environment for another hour. Although Barafu is the Swahili word for “ice,” the last water on the trail is in the Karanga Valley; there is no water at Barafu Camp. Near the mountain’s peak, high above Barafu Camp, are the famous Kilimanjaro snowfields. Make sure to familiarize yourself with the area before it gets dark to prevent any mishaps since your tent will be set up on a constrained, stony, wind-swept ridge. Prepare your supplies and warm attire for your summit trek, and be sure to hydrate well. After a leisurely dinner, retire to bed to get some much-needed sleep.

Summit Day is on Day 6! Uhuru Peak (5,895 m/19,340 ft) to Mweka Camp (3,100 m/10,170 ft) to Barafu Camp (4,550 m/14,930 ft) 23 miles down, 7 km up, 8 hours of sleep per night. Seasonal scum and snow: The most difficult portion of the route for most climbers is your 6-hour ascent northwestward through thick scree between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers to Stella Point on the crater rim. Around 05:30 in the morning, you will arrive at Stella Point (5,685 m/18,650 ft), where you will pause for a brief rest and have the opportunity to witness an extraordinarily joyous sunrise. You join the upper portion of the Marangu Route at Stella Point, but do not linger too long here since it will be very challenging to begin. Depending on the time of year and recent storms, you might come across snow on the last portion of your journey around the rim to Uhuru Peak. At the summit, you can celebrate your achievements and be confident that you are making a day you will never forget. After a well-earned but brief rest following your three-hour descent from the peak down to Barafu Camp, gather your belongings, and climb to Mweka Camp (3,100 m/10,170 ft) by following a path cut through rock and scree. Because this camp is in the upper forest, rain or mist in the late afternoon or evening is to be expected. There will be prepared dinner and washing water, and the camp office offers drinking water.

Day 7: Moshi (890 m/2,920 ft) from Mweka Camp (3,100 m/10,170 ft) to Mweka Gate (1,980 m/6,500 ft) 3 hours and 15 km of forest: After a well-earned breakfast, the 3-hour journey back to the park gate is quick and picturesque. Don’t tip your porters until you and all of your equipment have arrived at the gate safely, but don’t forget to tip the employees there. You can sign your name and enter your information in a register at Mweka Gate. Successful climbers can also pick up their summit certificates here. Some climbers prefer to pick up their certificates at the hotel or place of accommodation, celebrate with supper and drinks with their porters and guides, and then have the certificates presented to each member of the group in person for a good memory after realizing their dream. Climbers who reach Stella Point receive green certificates, and gold awards with green accents are given to climbers who reach Uhuru Peak. If the road is too muddy for vehicles, it may be a muddy, 3-kilometer, 1-hour hike from the Mweka Gate to the Mweka Village. After receiving a sumptuous hot lunch in the Mweka Village, you will be brought back to Moshi for a much-needed hot shower and a cozy night in a hotel or other type of accommodation.

Day 8: Moshi: Depart for the airport or one of the locations in Kenya or Tanzania: A trip to Zanzibar’s beaches is a great way to unwind. We can set up many affordable excursions and safaris in and around Moshi, Dar es Salaam, and Zanzibar.

Costs of the Shira Route to Mount Kilimanjaro Include:

• Transfers to and from the airport, as well as lodging at the hotel, two nights of half board.

• governmental levies

• Climbing Kilimanjaro, as well as all camping supplies and utensils

• Luggage porters, tour guides, assistance guides,

• Transportation from the base hotel to the climbing’s starting point and back is provided. Transfers are included in the price of the climbing tour.

Prices of Shira Route to Mount Kilimanjaro do not include:

• Staff Advice: Provide drivers and guides with personal climbing equipment such as warm jackets, walking sticks, and warm gloves.

• Hotel personnel, international flights to Tanzania and back,

• Any outings, sodas, laundry, ironing, pedicures, manicures, and massage services of a personal nature.

• Pay for porters, tour guides, and office expenses.
• All meals on the mountain. Lunch, breakfast, and dinner