Tour Overview
The Shira Route is a beautiful and quiet route on Mount Kilimanjaro. It starts at a higher altitude, which makes the first days a bit challenging, but it offers amazing views and fewer crowds.
This 7-day trek gives your body enough time to adjust to the altitude, which increases your chances of reaching the summit.
You will walk through different landscapes, including open moorland, rocky desert, and alpine areas. Along the way, you will enjoy wide views of the mountain and the famous Shira Plateau.
The route follows a good acclimatization plan by climbing high during the day and sleeping at a lower altitude. This helps your body adapt slowly.
The highlight of the trip is reaching Uhuru Peak (5,895 m), the highest point in Africa. After the summit, you descend through the rainforest to the exit gate.
Accommodation: Camping (tents)
Difficulty: Moderate to challenging
Best for: Fit climbers who want a quiet and scenic route
Itinerary
Elevation: 2,100 m → 3,500 m
Distance: 4–5 km (plus driving)
Hiking Time: 1–2 hours
Accommodation: Shira 1 Camp (tents)
You start with a drive from your hotel to Londorossi Gate for registration. After that, you continue driving on a rough road up the mountain.
The hike starts at a high altitude. You walk for a short time through open land with bushes and volcanic rocks.
Because you start high, you may feel the altitude early. Walk slowly and drink water.
You reach Shira 1 Camp quickly. The views are wide and beautiful. You can see the Shira Plateau and sometimes Mount Meru in the distance.
Activities
Trekking from Londorossi Gate → Shira 1 Camp
Elevation: 3,500 m → 3,850 m
Distance: 7 km
Hiking Time: 3–4 hours
Accommodation: Shira 2 Camp (tents)
Today is a gentle walking day across the Shira Plateau. The land is open, with low plants and volcanic rock.
The trail is not very steep, so it is good for acclimatization. You walk slowly and enjoy the views of Kibo Peak.
You may start to feel altitude changes like a mild headache or tiredness. This is normal. Drink water and rest well.
You arrive at Shira 2 Camp in the afternoon and relax.
Activities
Trek to Shira 1 Camp → Shira 2 Camp
Elevation: 3,850 m → 4,630 m → 3,960 m
Distance: 10 km
Hiking Time: 6–8 hours
Accommodation: Barranco Camp (tents)
This is an important acclimatization day.
You climb slowly up to Lava Tower, which is a high point. The air is thinner, so you walk slowly.
After reaching Lava Tower, you rest and have lunch.
Then you descend to Barranco Camp. This helps your body adjust to altitude (“climb high, sleep low”).
Barranco Camp is very beautiful. You will see the Barranco Wall and amazing views of the mountain.
Activities
Trek to Shira 2 Camp → Lava Tower → Barranco Camp
Elevation: 3,960 m → 4,035 m
Distance: 5 km
Hiking Time: 4–5 hours
Accommodation: Karanga Camp (tents)
Description:
You start by climbing the Barranco Wall. It looks difficult, but it is safe and not technical. Your guide will help you.
After the wall, the trail goes up and down. You cross small valleys and enjoy great views.
This is a shorter day, so you arrive early at Karanga Camp. This helps your body rest and prepare for higher altitudes.
Activities
Climb Barranco Camp → Karanga Camp
Elevation: 4,035 m → 4,673 m
Distance: 4 km
Hiking Time: 3–4 hours
Accommodation: Barafu Camp (tents)
Today is a short but important day.
You climb slowly to Barafu Camp, which is your base camp for the summit.
The area is dry and rocky, with strong winds. You arrive early, have lunch, and rest.
You eat an early dinner and sleep early because the summit climb starts at midnight.
Activities
Trek to Karanga Camp → Barafu Camp
Elevation: 4,673 m → 5,895 m → 3,100 m
Distance: 5 km up + 12 km down
Hiking Time: 10–14 hours
Accommodation: Mweka Camp (tents)
You wake up around midnight and start climbing in the dark. It is very cold, and the walk is slow and steep.
After many hours, you reach Stella Point at sunrise. Then you continue to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa.
You take photos and celebrate your success.
After that, you descend back to Barafu Camp for a short rest, then continue down to Mweka Camp.
This is the longest and most challenging day.
Activities
Trek to Barafu Camp → Uhuru Peak → Mweka Camp
Elevation: 3,100 m → 1,640 m
Distance: 10 km
Hiking Time: 3–4 hours
After breakfast, you walk down through the rainforest. The air becomes warmer, and breathing is easier.
At Mweka Gate, you receive your summit certificate.
Your driver will take you back to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha.
Activities
- Descent from Mweka Camp
- Transfer to hotel
