8 Days Shira Route
Duration
8 Days
Max People
10
Tour Type
Climbing
Kilimanjaro
The Shira Route starts high on the mountain near Shira Ridge. It crosses the wide Shira Plateau and joins the Southern Circuit trail. This route skips the rainforest zone and begins in open moorland. It has fewer climbers, great views, and a peaceful trail. The summit is reached from Barafu, with descent through the Mweka route.
- Starts high on Shira Ridge, skipping the rainforest hiking section.
- Crosses the wide, scenic Shira Plateau with gentle, steady walking paths.
- Follows the Southern Circuit trail with amazing views of Kibo Peak.
- Good for quiet trekking with fewer climbers on the trail.
- Begins at high altitude, helping with early mountain acclimatisation.
- Summit from Barafu, then descend through the Mweka forest trail.
Arrival Day: Welcome to Tanzania
Upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you’ll be picked up and transferred to your hotel in Moshi. Spend the rest of the day relaxing and preparing for the trek. In the evening, you’ll attend a pre-climb briefing with your mountain guide, who will check your equipment, help with gear rental if needed, and walk you through the entire climb plan.
Accommodation:
Client-selected: Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury hotel in Moshi
Dinner: Served at the hotel or a local restaurant
Day 1: Shira Gate to Shira 1 Camp
After breakfast, we drive to the Londorossi Gate to complete the national park registration. Then, we continue by vehicle through farmland and plantations before entering the shrub forest. The 4wd drive ends at Shira Gate, where your trek begins.
From here, the trail climbs gently through open moorland across the western slope of the mountain. After 3–4 hours of hiking, we reach Shira 1 Camp at 3,550 meters (11,646 feet) on the Shira Plateau.
- Elevation: 3,500m to 3,550m
- Hiking Distance: ~4 km
- Time: 3–4 hours
- Habitat: Moorland
Day 2: Shira 1 Camp to Shira 2 Camp
Today’s trek takes you through open moorland filled with unique volcanic rock formations. The route is mostly flat and crosses the wide Shira Plateau. You’ll also pass the impressive Shira Cathedral, one of Kilimanjaro’s three main volcanic cones.
This part of the mountain is peaceful and rich with mountain wilderness. You’ll arrive at Shira 2 Camp at 3,847m (12,622ft) after 4–5 hours of walking.
- Elevation: 3,550m to 3,847m
- Hiking Distance: 6 km / 4 miles
- Time: 4–5 hours
- Habitat: Moorland
Day 3: Shira 2 to Moir Hut (via Lava Tower)
Today’s trek includes two parts: an uphill trek to Lava Tower, followed by a descent to Moir Hut. First, you climb gradually through an alpine desert to Lava Tower at 4,630m (15,419ft), a stunning volcanic rock formation that marks a major acclimatisation point.
After lunch at Lava Tower, you descend into a remote valley and reach Moir Hut at 4,200m (13,779ft). This climb-high, sleep-low strategy helps your body adjust to the altitude.
- Elevation: 3,847m → 4,630m → 4,200m
- Hiking Distance: 11 km total
- Time: 6–8 hours
- Habitat: Moorland / Alpine Desert
Day 4: Moir Hut to Barranco Camp
After breakfast, you begin your day by trekking across the upland desert and rocky lava ridges. You’ll enjoy great views of the surrounding mountains. The trail passes under the Western Breach and through scenic high-alpine landscapes.
After lunch at Lava Tower, you descend to Barranco Camp, located at 3,976m (13,044ft), beneath the great Barranco Wall. The campsite is set in a sheltered valley with views of the ice fields above.
- Elevation: 4,200m to 3,976m
- Hiking Distance: ~7 km
- Time: 6–7 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
Day 5: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
This morning, you face the dramatic Barranco Wall. Though it looks steep, the climb is not technical, and you’ll find it fun and manageable. At the top, you’ll be above the clouds with stunning views of the Southern Ice Fields.
The trail then goes up and down through alpine valleys, ending at Karanga Camp at 3,995m (13,107ft). This day is shorter and great for acclimatisation.
- Elevation: 3,976m to 3,995m
- Hiking Distance: 5 km / 3 miles
- Time: 4–5 hours
- Habitat: Moorland / Alpine Desert
Day 6: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
You’re now getting very close to the summit. Today’s hike is a steady ascent over barren, rocky slopes toward Barafu Camp at 4,673m (15,331ft). You’ll enjoy clear views of the summit above.
The trail is not too steep, and after 3 hours, you’ll arrive at camp in time for lunch. The rest of the day is for rest and preparation. Your guide will brief you about the summit the night before.
- Elevation: 3,995m to 4,673m
- Hiking Distance: 4 km / 2 miles
- Time: 3 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
Day 7: Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
Summit day begins at midnight. You’ll hike uphill through scree and rock in the dark, stopping briefly at Stella Point (5,735m) around sunrise. Then, continue along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (5,895m/19,341ft), the highest point in Africa!
After celebrating your achievement, you descend to Barafu for rest, then continue down to Mweka Camp (3,068m/10,066ft) where you spend the night. Expect a long, challenging day.
- Elevation: 4,673m → 5,895m → 3,068m
- Hiking Distance: 17 km (5 km up / 12 km down)
- Time: 12–16 hours
- Habitat: Arctic to Rainforest
Day 8: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate & Departure
After breakfast, begin your final descent through the lush rainforest. This last section takes about 3 hours and ends at Mweka Gate (1,640m), where you receive your summit certificate.
You’ll then be driven back to Moshi for a well-earned hot shower and transfer to the airport, marking the end of your Kilimanjaro adventure.
- Elevation: 3,068m to 1,640m
- Hiking Distance: 10 km / 6 miles
- Time: 3 hours
- Habitat: Rainforest
- Purified drinking water
- Professional guides and cooks
- Four-season sleeping tents (twin-sharing)
- Mess tent with chairs and a table
- Park fees and camping fees
- Sleeping mattress
- All meals during the trek
- Rescue and conservation fees
- Emergency oxygen
- Kilimanjaro summit certificate
- Salaries for guides, porters, and cooks
- Transfers to/from the mountain
- VAT (18% Tanzanian Government Tax)
- Large, healthy meal portions
- Hotel stay (available as an add-on)
- Tanzania visa
- Drinks like beer and soda
- Surcharge for online payment of advance and balance (5% on each payment)
- Online payment surcharge (5%)
- Laundry, calls, or personal items
- Airport transfers (add-on option)
- Tips for the crew
- Flights (international/domestic)
- Meals not shown in the itinerary
- Travel insurance
- Rental gear (boots, clothes, bags)
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