A scenic western route that skips the rainforest by vehicle and starts on the Shira Plateau. Choose 6 or 7 days with local guides from Moshi.
Get a free quoteSee itinerariesThe Shira Route approaches Kilimanjaro from the west and is nearly identical to the Lemosho Route. In fact, Shira was the original route on this side of the mountain. Lemosho starts at Londorossi Gate and walks through the rainforest to Shira 1 Camp. Shira bypasses that section: a vehicle takes climbers to Shira Gate, near the Shira Ridge, and you begin walking on the plateau.
On day one you start from about 3,400 m and end at Shira 1 Campsite at about 3,500 m. From there the route follows the southern circuit, passing beneath the Southern Icefields, and most climbers summit from Barafu. Some experienced climbers choose the Western Breach instead. Ask us whether it is open and suitable for you.
Because you skip the forest, Shira is quicker and offers wide, open scenery from the first step. The trade-off is altitude. Starting above 3,000 m gives your body less time to adjust, so choose the 7 day plan, take it slowly and consider a Mount Meru climb first.
| Stage (7 day plan) | Altitude | Distance | Walking time | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drive to Shira Gate, walk to Shira 1 Camp | ~3,400 to 3,500 m | ~4 km | 2–3 hrs | Moorland plateau |
| Shira 1 to Shira 2 Camp | 3,500 to 3,840 m | ~7 km | 3–4 hrs | Shira Plateau |
| Shira 2 via Lava Tower to Barranco Camp | 3,840 to 4,630 to 3,950 m | ~10 km | 6–8 hrs | Semi-desert |
| Barranco to Karanga Camp | 3,950 to 3,995 m | ~5 km | 4–5 hrs | Barranco Wall, alpine |
| Karanga to Barafu Camp | 3,995 to 4,673 m | ~4 km | 3–4 hrs | Alpine desert |
| Barafu to Uhuru Peak, down to Mweka Camp | 4,673 to 5,895 to 3,100 m | ~5 km up, ~12 km down | 10–15 hrs | Arctic summit |
| Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate | 3,100 to 1,640 m | ~10 km | 3–4 hrs | Rainforest |
Distances and times are approximate and vary with pace and conditions. The 6 day plan skips the separate night at Karanga. The drive to Shira Gate takes several hours on day one.
A quick western climb for fit, well-acclimatised trekkers.
Day 1: Drive to Shira Gate, walk to Shira 1 Camp.
Day 2: Shira 1 to Shira 2 Camp.
Day 3: Shira 2 via Lava Tower to Barranco Camp.
Day 4: Barranco over the Wall to Barafu Camp.
Day 5: Summit night to Uhuru Peak, descend to Mweka Camp.
Day 6: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate.
Our recommended option. An extra night at Karanga for better acclimatisation.
Day 1: Drive to Shira Gate, walk to Shira 1 Camp.
Day 2: Shira 1 to Shira 2 Camp.
Day 3: Shira 2 via Lava Tower to Barranco Camp.
Day 4: Barranco to Karanga Camp.
Day 5: Karanga to Barafu Camp.
Day 6: Summit night to Uhuru Peak, descend to Mweka Camp.
Day 7: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate.
Confirm the exact inclusions for your booking when you request a quote.
The driest and clearest months are January to March and June to October. The long rains fall from about March to May and short rains in November. The plateau is exposed, so it can be cold and windy at night in any season. Dry-season dates fill up early, so book ahead.
Wide open views across the Shira Plateau, the acclimatisation walk to Lava Tower at 4,630 m, the Barranco Wall scramble and a route passing beneath the Southern Icefields before the summit push from Barafu.
You leave Barafu around midnight and climb slowly through scree to Stella Point on the crater rim, then continue to Uhuru Peak for sunrise. It is very cold. Because Shira starts high, altitude sickness is more likely. Walk “pole pole” (slowly), drink plenty and tell your guide about any headache, nausea or dizziness.
Layered clothing, a warm summit jacket, waterproof shell, broken-in boots, gloves, hat, headlamp, trekking poles, a sleeping bag rated to about –10°C and a 2 to 3 litre water system. Tents and mats are provided, but bring your own sleeping bag.
Shira approaches Kilimanjaro from the west and is nearly identical to Lemosho. Instead of walking through the rainforest, climbers are driven to Shira Gate near the Shira Ridge and start walking on the plateau.
Lemosho starts lower and walks through the rainforest to Shira 1 Camp. Shira skips that section by vehicle, so it starts higher and is shorter, but gives less time to acclimatise. See our Lemosho Route page.
Starting at about 3,400 m increases the risk of altitude sickness. We recommend the 7 day itinerary and good preparation, such as a Mount Meru climb first.
We recommend 7 days. The extra night gives your body more time to adjust at altitude.
January to March and June to October are driest. Book early for these seasons.
You are driven to Shira Gate on the western side and start walking to Shira 1 Camp. The route follows the southern circuit and usually finishes at Mweka Gate.
Tell us your dates and group size and we’ll send an itinerary and quote.
Request a quoteCall +255 765 470 565