8 Days Kilimanjaro Trek – Shira Route

Tour Overview

Day-by-Day Itinerary

1. 1
   Day 1 Londorossi Gate → Shira 1 Camp

   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. Then you drive up the mountain on a rough road.
   The hike starts at a high altitude. You walk for a short time through open land with small plants and volcanic rocks.
   Because you start high, you may feel the altitude early. Walk slowly and drink a lot of water.
   You arrive at Shira 1 Camp quickly. The area is open, with wide and beautiful views.

   • Trekking from Londorossi Gate → Shira 1 Camp

   B, L, D Shira 1 Camp (3,500m)
2. 2
   Day 2 Shira 1 Camp → Shira 2 Camp

   Elevation: 3,500 m → 3,850 m
   Distance: 7 km
   Hiking Time: 3–4 hours
   Accommodation: Shira 2 Camp (tents)
   
   Today you walk across the Shira Plateau. The trail is gentle and not very steep.
   You enjoy open views of the mountain and the surrounding land. The weather may be cooler.
   This day helps your body start adjusting to the altitude. Walk slowly and take breaks.
   You arrive at Shira 2 Camp in the afternoon and relax.

   • Trek to Shira 1 Camp → Shira 2 Camp

   B, L, D Shira Camp (3,850m)
3. 3
   Day 3 Shira 2 Camp → Moir Hut

   Elevation: 3,850 m → 4,200 m
   Distance: 9–10 km
   Hiking Time: 5–7 hours
   Accommodation: Moir Hut (tents)
   
   This is a special acclimatization day. You leave the main trail and take a quieter path.
   The trail goes up slowly, with great views of the mountain and open land.
   You may take a short extra hike near Moir Hut to help your body adjust better.
   The camp is quiet and less crowded, which makes the experience more peaceful.

   • Trek to Shira 2 Camp → Moir Hut

   B, L, D Moir Hut (4,200m)
4. 4
   Day 4 Moir Hut → Lava Tower → Barranco Camp

   Elevation: 4,200 m → 4,630 m → 3,960 m
   Distance: 10–11 km
   Hiking Time: 6–8 hours
   Accommodation: Barranco Camp (tents)
   
   You climb up to Lava Tower, a high point on the mountain. The air is thinner, so you walk slowly.
   After reaching Lava Tower, you rest and have lunch.
   Then you go down to Barranco Camp. This helps your body adjust to altitude (“climb high, sleep low”).
   Barranco Camp is very beautiful. You can see the Barranco Wall and amazing mountain views.

   • Moir Hut → Lava Tower → Barranco Camp

   B, L, D Barranco Camp (3,960m)
5. 5
   Day 5 Barranco Camp → Karanga Camp

   Elevation: 3,960 m → 4,035 m
   Distance: 5 km
   Hiking Time: 4–5 hours
   Accommodation: Karanga Camp (tents)
   
   You start the day by climbing the Barranco Wall. It looks steep, but it is safe and manageable. Your guide will support you.
   After the wall, the trail goes up and down across valleys.
   This is a shorter day, so you arrive early at Karanga Camp. You have time to rest and recover.

   • Trek to Barranco Camp → Karanga Camp

   B, L, D Karanga Camp (4,035m)
6. 6
   Day 6 Karanga Camp → Barafu Camp

   Elevation: 4,035 m → 4,673 m
   Distance: 4 km
   Hiking Time: 3–4 hours
   Accommodation: Barafu Camp (tents)
   
   Today you walk slowly to Barafu Camp, your base camp for the summit.
   The environment is dry, rocky, and windy. You arrive early and rest.
   Your guide will give a briefing about the summit climb. You eat an early dinner and go to sleep early.

   • Trek to Karanga Camp → Barafu Camp

   B, L Barafu Camp (4,673m)
7. 7
   Day 7 Barafu Camp → Uhuru Peak → Mweka 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 using a headlamp. It is very cold, and the climb is slow and steep.
   After several hours, you reach Stella Point at sunrise. Then you continue to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) — the highest point in Africa.
   You take photos and celebrate your success.
   After that, you descend to Barafu Camp for a short rest, then continue down to Mweka Camp.
   This is the longest and most challenging day.

   • Trek to Barafu Camp → Uhuru Peak → Mweka Camp

   B, L, D Mweka Camp
8. 8
   Day 8 Mweka Camp → Mweka Gate

   Elevation: 3,100 m → 1,640 m
   Distance: 10 km
   Hiking Time: 3–4 hours
   
   After breakfast, you descend through the rainforest. The air is warmer, and walking is easier.
   At Mweka Gate, you receive your summit certificate.
   Your driver will take you back to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha. This is the end of your adventure.

   • After breakfast, you descend through the rainforest.

   B, L End of Tour

Meals: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner

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