Shira Route starts at 3,600 meters and is therefore not ideal for trekkers who have little or no experience of high altitude trekking. The Shira Route is practically identical to the Lemosho Route. In fact, Shira was the original route before Lemosho was created to improve the route start point. Whereas Lemosho Route starts at the Londorossi Gates, the Shira Route bypasses this and begins further north and higher up at the Shira Gate.
On the first day hikers trek from Shira Gate to Simba Camp which is at a very similar altitude, allowing trekkers to acclimatise before joining the Lemosho Route on day two at Shira Camp 2.
The high starting point is however a major negative for this route and some trekkers experience altitude sickness from day one as their bodies haven’t had enough time to acclimatise.
After Shira Camp 2 the route joins the Machame Route via Lava Tower, and then descends to the Barranco Camp via the Southern Circuit. Like the Machame, Umbwe and Lemosho Route, ascent to Uhuru Peak is made via Barafu Camp and up the southern slopes of Kibo and descent is via the Mweka Route.
You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to hotel in Arusha or Moshi town. Where you will meet your guides who will brief you on your upcoming trek and an equipments check to make sure you have all necessary Mountain gears and if there is anything which will be missing can be rented on this day
Early in the morning after breakfast you will be picked up at 8:30 am ready for Mount Kilimanjaro departure to the Londorossi gate by our 4WD land cruiser (or any jeep) about three and half hours. After all park registration formalities we proceed driving to near Simba campsite where you will have your lunch, Then afterwards you start trekking through heather and moorland to the first camp (about 1-2 hrs) to Shira 1 camp ( 3610m a.s.l )
Early in the morning after breakfast you have a full day to explore the Shira plateau, trekking slowly eastward towards Kibo’s glaciered peak. The Shira plateau is one of the highest plateaus on earth, averaging 12,500 ft. Here is where sometime you might be able to see some wild animals like Buffalo, some antelope species,
Shira 2 Camp (3850m a.s.l) to Lavar Tower (4600m a.s.l) then down to Barranco Camp (3915m a.s.l)
The pace should always be slow when in Kilimanjaro for the success. After breakfast in the morning proceed steadily upwards over vast ridges to ” Lava Tower ” for lunch take approximately 4 hours. In the afternoon, you descend the steep trail into the Great Barranco Valley. Barranco Camp is set in a valley enclosed on 3 sides with the massive walls of the valley itself and the massif of Kibo. For about 6 to 7 hours thereafter dinner and overnight at the Barraco camp (3900m a.s.l ).
Early morning breakfast then afterward start trekking for about 3 to 4 hours to Karanga Valley for a hot lunch and then for those who feeling strong will go for a mid-afternoon acclimatization as it’s recommended to climb higher sleep lower they might be able to go up to around 4200m then descend back to the camp for dinner and overnight
After a good night’s rest and breakfast we set off on our walk to Barafu camp at (4672m a.s.l). The climb will take us across desolate scree slopes with no vegetation around us at all. It’s a tough step walk made more difficult by the altitude.
After reaching the camp we eat and spend the afternoon resting as we prepare for a long night and day ahead. It is important to keep hydrated and warm. We normally have an early dinner and then try to get some sleep as we will be getting up at between 11pm or 12 pm midnight to start the climb to the Summit
During the midnight walking up call for the Uhuru Peak followed with a cup of hot chocolate, Tanzania coffee or tea. Don’t be nervous and taking it slowly as the trekking will start around 1 a.m. At this stage the weather range from somewhat 0 to -10 degree isn’t it lovely in the tropical climate to find this. Always the target is to reach the Roof top of Africa,Normally the hike to Summit or Uhuru Peak take us 6-7 hours that means From Barafu camp to Stella point may take us 5-6 hours then stella point to Uhuru peak 1 hour
After getting to Uhuru peak what is advised to do there is to take some quick photos then start to descend back to base camp ( Barafu camp) for Lunch and one hour rest before you start going down to Mweka hut ( 3100m )or high camp
After breakfast descends slowly to Mweka gate (1640m a.s.l )which is about three to four hours walk. At the gate you will be awarded a certificate of competence from the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority office for the successful attempt of Uhuru Peak. At Mweka gate you will meet our 4WD vehicle waiting for you for a transfer at the hotel in Arusha or Moshi.
| 1PAX | 2 – 4PAX | 5 – 7PAX | 8 & Above |
| $ 2150 | $ 1940 | $ 1760 | $ 1640 |
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