7 Days Shira Route + 2 Nights in Hotel

All trekkers need to organize their own flight to Kilimanjaro international Airport [JRO]. From JRO you will be met by our staff and transferred to Moshi in the peaceful surrounds of our comfortable pre and post trek accommodation from where there are great views of the mountain. You can relax by the pool before your briefing with the Guides, who will provide the essential information for your trek to the roof of Africa.

Parkview Inn Hotel

Panama Garden Resort

Weruweru River Lodge

We depart Moshi for Londorossi Gate, which takes about 4 hours; here we will complete entry formalities while guides and porters prepare equipment. We then continue to drive up a steep path to the Shira Gate where we will begin the hike. The trek starts through shrubs and giant heather until we reach Simba Camp.

• Elevation: 11,800 ft to 11,800 ft
• Distance: 4 km
• Hiking Time: 1-2 Hours
• Habitat: Heath

Today is a fairly easy day to help with acclimatization. We begin by exploring the grassy moorland and volcanic rock formations on the plateau. Then we take a scenic path to the Shira Cathedral, a huge buttress of rock surrounded by steep spires and pinnacles, before settling at Shira 2 Camp.

• Elevation: 11,800 ft to 12,500 ft
• Distance: 6 km
• Hiking Time: 2 hours
• Habitat: Heath

We continue to the east up a ridge and then head southeast towards the Lava Tower – a 300 ft tall volcanic rock formation. We descend down to Barranco Camp through the strange but beautiful Senecio Forest to an altitude of 13,000 ft. Although you begin and end the day at the same elevation, the time spent at higher altitude is very beneficial for acclimatization.

• Elevation: 12,500 ft to 15,190 ft
• Distance: 7 km
• Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
• Habitat: Alpine Desert

Lava Tower to Barranco Camp

• Elevation: 15,190 ft to 13,044 ft
• Distance: 3 km
• Hiking Time: 2-3 hours
• Habitat: Alpine Desert

We begin the day by descending into a ravine to the base of the Great Barranco Wall. Then we climb the non-technical but steep, nearly 900 ft cliff. From the top of the Barranco Wall we cross a series of hills and valleys until we descend sharply into Karanga Valley. One more steep climb up leads us to Karanga Camp. This is a shorter day meant for acclimatization.

• Elevation: 13,044 ft to 13,106 ft
• Distance: 5 km
• Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
• Habitat: Alpine Desert

We leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the rocky section to Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the Southern Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest and enjoy an early dinner to prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are viewable from this position.

• Elevation: 13,106 ft to 15,331 ft
• Distance: 4 km
• Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
• Habitat: Alpine Desert

• Elevation: 15,331 ft to 19,341 ft
• Distance: 5 km
• Hiking Time: 7-8 hours
• Habitat: Arctic

Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp

• Elevation: 19,341 ft to 10,065 ft
• Distance: 12 km
• Hiking Time: 4-6 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.

• Elevation: 10,065 ft to 5,380 ft
• Distance: 10 km
• Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
• Habitat: Rain Forest

Depart Tanzania

This day left for your next destination. If you have safari, then might be used to beginning your safari or fly to Zanzibar or fly back home. Our vehicle will be ready to take you to the airport at your time.

Meals:Breakfast Included