SHIRA

The Shira route is a difficult but scenic route on Kilimanjaro. The Shira route begins with a long drive to the Shira ridge, a high starting point. The route crosses the plateau and traverses the southern side of the mountain, before summiting via Barafu. The descent is by Mweka.

The Shira route is a beautiful route with a high success rate.

The Shira route measures 30 miles (49 km) in distance and takes 8 days total.

ITINERARY
DAY 1
Arrive anytime in Arusha, Tanzania.
DAY 2
We take a ride to Londorossi National Park gate to complete the necessary registration formalities, before driving a short distance on a steep track through farmland and plantations (9,200 ft). We continue climbing steadily on foot through shrub forests and stands of giant heather to reach the rim of Shira Plateau (11,000 ft). The views across the surrounding plains open up as we approach our first camp, Simba Camp (11,600 ft).
[4-5 hours walking]
DAY 3
Today is an easy day to help acclimatisation and to explore the grassy moorland and volcanic rock formations of the plateau. We walk to the summit of Shira Cathedral (12,300 ft), a huge buttress of rock surrounded by steep spires and pinnacles. There is a tangible sense of wilderness here, especially when the afternoon mists roll in. From our camp nearShira Hut (12,600 ft), we take in the unforgettable views of Mt. Meru as she floats among the clouds.
[4-5 hours walking]
DAY 4
The morning walk is a steady climb away from the moorland of Shira Plateau to reach the broad upland desert beneath the Lent Hills, with expansive views in all directions. After lunch in our camp close to Moir Hut (13,800 ft), there is the option of a more strenuous afternoon walk to reach the summit of the Lent Hills (15,400 ft). We can explore the area beneath the Northern Icefields, a remote place rarely visited by tourists, with unusual views of Kibo. Few visitors get to this remote corner of Kilimanjaro.
[3-6 hours walking]
DAY 5
We enjoy a morning of gentle ascent and panoramic views, walking on lava ridges beneath the glaciers of the Western Breach.  After lunch at our camp at Lava Tower (14,900 ft), there is a steep but spectacular afternoon walk on the rocky lower slopes of the Western Breach. This afternoon excursion is highly recommended for acclimatisation purposes and for the superb views of hanging glaciers on both sides of the Breach.
[4-6 hours walking]
DAY 6
A steep descent into the bottom of Barranco Valley (12,800 ft) leads us to the famed Barranco Wall and its steep climb. At the top the undulating trail crosses the flanks of Kibo with superb vistas of the Southern Icefields. The terrain is volcanic scree, with pockets of vegetation in sheltered hollows, and a powerful sense of mountain wilderness. Our next camp is at Karanga Camp (13,100 ft), the last water point on the approach to the summit.
[5-7 hours walking]
DAY 7
We follow an easy path on compacted scree with wide views that gains altitude unrelentingly to reach Barafu Hut (14,800 ft) for lunch. There is a short acclimatisation hike to the plateau at the bottom of the southeast valley (15,700 ft). The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the early morning final ascent.
[3-5 hours walking]
DAY 8
We start our ascent by torchlight about 1 a.m. so that we can be up on the crater rim by sunrise. The steep climb over loose volcanic scree has some well-graded zig-zags and a slow but steady pace will take us to Stella Point (18,800 ft), in about five or six hours. We will rest there for a short time to enjoy the sunrise over Mawenzi. Those who are still feeling strong can make the two-hour round trip from here along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak(19,345 ft), passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area. The descent to Barafu is surprisingly fast, and after some refreshments, we continue to descend to reach our final campsite, Millenium Camp (12,500 ft).
[11-15 hours walking]
DAY 9
A sustained descent on a well constructed path takes us through a lovely tropical forest alive with birdsong and boasting lush undergrowth with considerable botanical interest. Our route winds down to the Kilimanjaro National Park gate at Mweka (5,400 ft); and on through coffee and banana farms to Mweka village, where we are transferred to Arusha.
[4-6 hours walking]
DAY 10
After breakfast, we can arrange for a private transfer or taxi to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO).

Pros:

  1. Great scenery
  2. Great acclimatization profile
  3. High success rate
  4. Moderate foot traffic

Cons:

  1. Converges with crowded Machame route
  2. High cost

Climb Kilimanjaro on the Shira route.

rongai

Rongai

machame

Machame

marangu

Marangu

shira

Shira

northern circuit

Northern

lemosho

Lemosho

 

Route Pros and Cons Days Distance
Northern Circuit Newest route on Kilimanjaro. Best acclimatization profile. Highest success rate. Most scenic path. Long access drive to trailhead. Very low foot traffic. Longest route. Expensive. 9 90 kilometres (56 mi)
Lemosho & Shira
Great scenery. Great acclimatization profile. High success rate. Long access drive to trailhead. Moderate foot traffic. Longer route. Expensive. 7-9 56 kilometres (35 mi)
Machame
Very popular route. Great scenery. Good acclimatization profile. Moderate success rate. Good option for shorter trek. Lowest cost of the camping routes. 6-7 49 kilometres (30 mi)
Marangu
Original route on Kilimanjaro. Very popular and crowded route. Less difficult trekking. Beautiful rainforest section. Sleep in hut shelters. Uses less porters. Lowest cost. Limited scenery. Poor acclimatization profile. Low success rate. 5-6 64 kilometres (40 mi)
Rongai
Remote route. Low foot traffic. Less difficult trekking. Long access drive to trailhead. Fair acclimatization profile. Moderate success rate. 6-7 65 kilometres (40 mi)