Kilimanjaro · Shira Route

7 Days Shira Route

Duration: 7 Days
Route: Shira Route
Highest point: 19,341 ft
Price: From $1,850

Tour Overview

The 7 Days Shira Route comes at Mount Kilimanjaro from the west and starts high up on the Shira Plateau. It’s closely related to the Lemosho Route. The main difference is that Shira skips the rainforest: you drive up to 3,400 meters to begin. That makes it best for climbers who are already acclimatized or who handle a quick gain in altitude well.

The trail crosses the open Shira Plateau, joins the Machame Route near Shira 2 Camp and follows the well-used Southern Circuit. On the way you pass Lava Tower, the Barranco Wall and Karanga Camp, then climb to Uhuru Peak (5,895m) via Barafu Camp and Stella Point.

This 7-day version leaves plenty of time to acclimatize. You get wide views, few other hikers in the first days and a good overall chance of reaching the summit.

Good for:

Climbers who are already acclimatized or experienced
Anyone who wants a scenic, less crowded western approach
Climbers who want a shorter alternative to Lemosho without the rainforest

Shira Route Map – Scenic Western Kilimanjaro Trek with High-Altitude Start — Route map · open full size

Itinerary

Ascent profile, in feet: Shira Gate 11,800 ft to Barafu Camp 19,341 ft. Select a point to read that day.

Pre day Arriving in Tanzania

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.

The Hotel we are using is between these

Parkview Inn Hotel

Panama Garden Resort

Weruweru River Lodge
Day 1 Shira Gate to Simba Camp
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.
- Hiking Time: 1-2 Hours
Elevation
11,800 ft to 11,800 ft
Distance
4 km
Habitat
Heath
Day 2 Simba Camp to Shira 2 Camp
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.
- Hiking Time: 2 hours
Elevation
11,800 ft to 12,500 ft
Distance
6 km
Habitat
Heath
Day 3 Shira 2 Camp To Lava Tower
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.
- Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
- Hiking Time: 2-3 hours
Elevation
12,500 ft to 15,190 ft
Distance
7 km
Habitat
Alpine Desert
Elevation
15,190 ft to 13,044 ft
Distance
3 km
Habitat
Alpine Desert
Day 4 Barranco Camp To Karanga Camp
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.
- Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Elevation
13,044 ft to 13,106 ft
Distance
5 km
Habitat
Alpine Desert
Day 5 Karanga Camp To Barafu Camp
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.
- Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Elevation
13,106 ft to 15,331 ft
Distance
4 km
Habitat
Alpine Desert
Day 6 Barafu Camp To Uhuru Peak
Very early in the morning (around midnight), we begin our push to the summit. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. The wind and cold at this elevation and time of day can be extreme. We ascend in the darkness for several hours while taking frequent, but short, breaks. Near Stella Point (18,900 ft), you will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see coming over Mawenzi Peak. Finally, we arrive at Uhuru Peak- the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa.

From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. The trail is very rocky and can be quite hard on the knees; trekking poles are helpful. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.
- Hiking Time: 7-8 hours
Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
- Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Elevation
15,331 ft to 19,341 ft
Distance
5 km
Habitat
Arctic
Elevation
19,341 ft to 10,065 ft
Distance
12 km
Habitat
Rain Forest
Day 7 Mweka Camp To Mweka Gate
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.
- Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
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.
Elevation
10,065 ft to 5,380 ft
Distance
10 km
Habitat
Rain Forest
Meals
Breakfast Included

Places on This Trip

Mountain Kilimanjaro National Park

Include

Days 6 Nights Shira Route
Private transport from Kilimanjaro International Airport to your accommodations in Moshi.
Private transport to Kilimanjaro International Airport after trek to catch your flight back home
Transportation to & from the Kilimanjaro gate
National Park entry fees, camping fees, rescue fees
18% VAT on tour fees & services
4 Season Mountain tents with comfortable Sleeping Mattress
2 nights of your hotel stay before and after trek in Moshi.
Friendly and professional mountain guides, cook and porters [average ratio of support staff to climber is 4:1 in a group]
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

Exclude

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 $ 100 for the entire trek shared in a group.
Flights
Laundry (Available at hotel)
Personal items and toiletries
Tips for guides, porters and cook (this is a guide to tipping on the
Mountain: http://www.kiliporters.org/tipping_recommendations.php
Guides: $20/day/guide
Cook: $15/day
Porter: $10/day/porter

Prices

Standard Package Price For 7 Days Shira Route + 2 Nights in Hotel Route

People in Group	1-2	3-5	6-8	9+
Standard Package	$2,048	$1,980	$1,890	$1,850

Prices in US dollars.

Trekking Preparation

Testimonials

What Our Travelers Say About Our Tours

Highly Experienced and Wonderful Crew
The 7 days Lemosho route Kilimanjaro trek exceeded our expectations. The route is so beautiful and we enjoyed tackling the mountain with experienced guides - Bakari and Nickson. They were supportive from start to finish in all the aspects of the trek, starting with the technical strategy on the speed, rests and ensuring that we were healthy through regular checks.
SteveRead on TripAdvisor (Steve’s review)
Absolutely Beautiful Memories For My Family
Traveling with my 6 members of my family of ages between 8 and 73 is always a complex task with many moving parts. We had to arrange for Mama and Poppas dietary restrictions, accommodations, easy access for Mama and off-course places with a pool and kids activities for Lil Poppa and his teenage sister Anna.
Martina_EaghanRead on TripAdvisor (Martina_Eaghan’s review)
Awesome Trekking
My bothers and I shared one of the most incredible experiences in Tanzania as we trekked up Kilimanjaro. Our host Naick of Kilisa Tours & Safaris is the man behind our success.
TobiasRead on TripAdvisor (Tobias’s review)
Fun & Adventure On Our Christmas Vacation
Our safari to Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro and Serengeti with Kilisa Tours and Safaris for exceeded all our expectations in every way. We were impressed by the high standards set right from our pickup at the airport, during the trip to the good byes. Nothing was left to chance as every detail had been well planned for.
MauriceRead on TripAdvisor (Maurice’s review)
The Best Experience Absolutely
We could not have asked for a better experience on Kilimanjaro. Everything about this trip with this local operator was top notch. Starting with the booking with Naick who made it smooth and easy with his timely responses and advice. Payment was easy and they took care of all the logistics that all we had to do was present ourselves at the KIA.
LokiRead on TripAdvisor (Loki’s review)
Hike Mt Kilimanjaro
We have visited Tanzania before, but this was our first time trekking Kilimanjaro. We are truly thrilled with our decision to choose Kilisa Tours & Safaris for our adventure, as they provided exceptional support throughout the trek.
Tephia SRead on TripAdvisor (Tephia S’s review)