Kilimanjaro Trekking Shira Route
About 6 Days Shira Route
Scenicaly, Shira is beautiful because it crosses the spectacular Shira Plateau, and then combines with the Machame route to share its viewpoints around the southern circuit. Shira has low traffic until it combines with Machame.
Shira is ideal for those who are confident in their ability to acclimatize to altitude, and to walk over steeper paths for extended periods..
ITINERARY:
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Arrival:
You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro international airport and transferred to your hotel in Moshi town, you will meet your guide who will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. The missing gear can be rented on this day.
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DAY 1: Drive To Kilimanjaro National Park Shira Gate, Hike To Shira 2 Camp
• Elevation: 1830m/6000ft to 3850m/12,600ft, • Distance: 8km/5mi, • Hiking Time: 4-5 hours, • Habitat: Montane Forest
The drive from Moshi to the trailhead takes about 3 hours. We hike through the rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge. At lower elevations the trail can be muddy and slippery. Gaiters and trekking poles are a good idea here. We continue a short distance until we reach the Shira Camp. An overnight at Shira 2 Camp. -
DAY 2: Hike Shira 2 Camp To Lava Tower To Barranco Camp
• Elevation: 3850m/12,600ft to 4000m/13,000ft, • Distance: 10km/6mi, • Walking Time: 5-6 hours, • Habitat: Semi-desert
From the Shira Plateau we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth” (elev 4650m/15,250ft). Shortly after the tower we come to the second junction which goes to the Arrow Glacier. We now continue down to the Barranco Camp. Although you end the day around the same elevation as when you began, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day. An overnight at Barranco Camp. -
DAY 3: Hike Barranco Camp To Karanga Camp
• Elevation: 4000m/13,000ft to 4050m/13,250ft; • Distance: 5km/3mi; • Hiking Time: 34 hours; • Habitat: Alpine Desert
After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley and the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. An overnight at Karanga Camp. -
DAY 4: Hike Karanga Camp To Barafu Camp
• Elevation: 4050m/13,250ft to 4700m/15,350ft; • Distance: 4km/2mi; • Hiking Time: 3-4 hours; • Habitat: Alpine Desert
We continue up to the Barafu Camp. You have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. An overnight at Barafu Camp. -
DAY 5: Hike Barafu Camp To Summit, Down To Mweka Camp
• Elevation: 4700m/15,350ft to 5895m/19,340ft Down to 3090m/10,150ft; • Distance: 5km/3mi up / 13km/8mi down; • Hiking Time: 5-7 hours up / 5-6 hours down; • Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit;
Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction 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 you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit.
From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. Once at Uhuru Peak you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa!
From the summit we begin our descent by continuing straight down to the Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You may want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. We arrive at Mweka Camp and enjoy our last evening on the mountain. An overnight at Mweka Camp. -
DAY 6: Mweka Camp To Mweka Gate
• Elevation: 10,065 ft to 5,380 ft; • Distance: 10 km; • Hiking Time: 3-4 hours; • Habitat: Rain Forest
On our last day, we continue the descent to Mweka Gate and collect the summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. From the gate, we continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet us at Mweka Village to drive us back to the hotel in Moshi.
PRICE INCLUDES
Private transport to & from Kilimanjaro International Airport to your accommodations in Moshi.2 nights of accommodation in Moshi.
Transportation to & from the Kilimanjaro gate.
Park entry fees.
Camping fees.
Team Kilimanjaro Rescue fees.
18% VAT on tour fees & services.
4 Season mountain tents.
Double layered Sleeping Mats.
Friendly and professional mountain guides, cook and porters. 3 hot meals daily while on the mountain.
Enough treated & filtered drinking water throughout the trek.
Hot water for washing.
Fair wages for the mountain crew as approved by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA), Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (KIATO).
Government taxes.
Portable oxygen tanks & ox meter. Emergency first-aid kit.
PRICE EXCLUDES
Lunches, dinners and drinks at your hotel before and after climb.Travel insurance.
Portable flush toilet with a toilet tent is available for extra charges $ 170 for the entire trek(Can be shared up to 3 people).
Flights.
Laundry (Available at hotel).
Personal items and toiletries.
Tips for guides, porters and cook (this is a guide to tipping on the mountain).
Price:
- GROUP SIZE
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PRICE
- Solo Trekker
- $ 2000
- 2 - 4People
- $ 1900
- 5 - 7 People
- $ 1800
- 8 - 10 People
- $ 1700
- 10++
- $ 1650
