8 Days Shira Route Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing

8 Days Shira Route takes you through the less used trail that of mount kilimanjaro that begins near Shira Ridge,It was the original route of Lemosho, before the currently modified one. It is also the perfect route for climbers avoiding large crowds, and passes through the best parts of the forest, winding across the Shira Plateau

8 days Shira Route Day By Day Itinerary

DAY 1 – Shira Gate to Simba Camp

Elevation: 11,800 ft to 11,800 ft

Hiking Time:  1-2 hours

Distance: 4 km | 2 miles

Habitat: Health

You will be picked from Moshi, then take a 4 hour drive to Londorossi Gate,  where all documenetation for Mount Kilimanjaro climbing will be done, as well as meeting with the crew with whom you will climb the mountain. Thereafter, you will proceed up upwards by car to the starting point at Shira gate. The trek then continues through  shrubs, then giant heather  you reach Simba Camp for dinner and overnight.

DAY 2 – Simba Camp to Shira 2 Camp

Elevation: 11,800 ft to 12,500 ft

Hiking Time: 2 hours

Distance: 6 km | 4 miles

Habitat: Health

Have breakfast early, and set off through the grassy moorland, & volcanic rock formations on the plateau. Continue with the hike to a beautiful path, to reach the Shira Cathedral, as well as large buttress of rocks surrounded by steep spires & peaks and finally settle at Shira Camp 2. The treks on day 2, is less stranous, which provides enough time for the body to acclimate to the altitude.

DAY 3 –  Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp

Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower

Elevation: 12,500 ft to 15,190 ft

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

Lava Tower to Barranco Camp

Elevation: 15,190 ft to 13,044 ft

Hiking Time: 2-3 hours

Distance: 7 km | 4 miles

Habitat: Alpine Desert

Distance: 3 km | 2 miles

Habitat: Alpine Desert

Begin your trek very early in the morning after breakfast, and head along the east ridge, over to the southeast to the Lava Tower, at 300 ft tall volcanic rock formation. From here, you will then trek downwards to Baranco Camp throu an odd but scenic

Senecio Forest to an altitude of 13,000 ft. This trek starts and return at the same elevation, to allow ample time for acclimatization, during the higher altitude climbing.

DAY 4 – Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

Elevation: 13,044 ft to 13,106 ft

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

Distance: 5 km | 3 miles

Habitat: Alpine Desert

Start your day by trekking down into the Canyon at the foothills of the Great Barranco Wall. Then continue upwards through the non-technical but steep, cliff at 900 ft cliff.  You will then  cross over several hills & valleys, from the Barranco Wall until you descend steeply into the Karanga Valley. The trek then proceed through another  sharp climb up to Karanga camp. The short trek, on this day offers  enough time for acclimatization.

DAY 5 – Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

Elevation: 13,106 ft to 15,331 ft

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

Distance: 4 km | 2 miles

Habitat: Alpine Desert

Depart Karanga, and trek to the junction which joins the Mweka Trail. Then  head up the rocky section to Barafu Hut, to complete the Southern Circuit, which offers breathtaking views of the summit from numerous angles. It is at this camp that you will have dinner and rest early  so as to prepare for the summit day.  The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo can also be seen from this position.

DAY 6 –  Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp

Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak

Elevation: 15,331 ft to 19,341 ft

Hiking Time: 7-8 hours

Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp

Elevation: 19,341 ft to 10,065 ft

Hiking Time: 4-6 hours

Distance: 5 km | 3 miles

Habitat: Arctic

Distance: 12 km | 7 miles

Habitat: Rain Forest

Set off in the dark, by midnight for the summit. This is the most mentally and physically strenuous part of the trek. The wind and cold at this elevation  are at really to the peak. The ascent continues  for a couple of many hours, alongside taking short brakes, until you arrive at Stella Point (18,900 ft),  so as to enjoy the most incredible view of the sun rising over Mawenzi Peak.  Then proceed to Uhuru Peak- the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and Africa at large.

From the summit, descend down to Mweka  hut campsite, with enroute stopover at Barafu for lunch.  The trail is composed of rocks, which makes a little challenging to trek. Therefore, trekking poles are helpful. Mweka Camp is located in the upper forest and mist or rain can fall at any time in the evening.  The last dinner will be served then later an overnight

DAY 7 – Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate

Elevation: 10,065 ft to 5,380 ft

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

Distance: 10 km | 6 miles

Habitat: Rain Forest

After breakfast, descend further through wet & muddy trail to Mweka Gate, where you will be awarded certificates of successful climbing to Uhuru peak. From the gate, proceed for another hour to Mweka Village, where the driver guide will be waiting to pick you up, for a transfer to Moshi.