6 Day Kilimanjaro climbing Shira route

Overview

The Shira Route is a little used trail that begins near Shira Ridge. It is nearly identical to the Lemosho route. In fact, Shira was the original route and Lemosho is the improved variation. Although Shira is a varied and beautiful route, it is less favorable than its successor due to the relatively high altitude of Shira’s starting point, which is accessed quickly by vehicle. It is possible that climbers will experience some altitude related symptoms on the first day while camping at 11,800 feet.

The route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the west, beginning with a long drive from Moshi to Shira Ridge. The vehicle bypasses the rain forest zone and the hiking trail begins on Shira Ridge. The Shira route crosses the entire Shira Plateau from west to east in a pleasant, relatively flat hike. Then the route traverses underneath Kilimanjaro’s Southern Ice Field on a path known as the Southern Circuit before summiting from Barafu. Descent is made via the Mweka route.

Day to Day Itinerary

On arrival in Tanzania.

Arrival Location: Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)
Upon arrival, your guide will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel in Moshi for dinner and overnight. A pre-climb briefing and gear check will be conducted in the evening to ensure you are fully prepared for the adventure ahead.

DAY 1: Drive to Kilimanjaro National Park – Shira Gate, Hike to Shira 2 Camp

• Elevation: 1830m / 6,000ft to 3850m / 12,600ft
• Distance: 8 km / 5 miles
• Hiking Time: 4–5 hours
• Habitat: Montane Forest

After a 3-hour drive from Moshi to Shira Gate, the trek begins through a beautiful rainforest trail that can be muddy and slippery—gaiters and trekking poles are helpful here. Continue hiking up a ridge until you reach Shira 2 Camp.
Overnight at Shira 2 Camp.

DAY 2: Hike Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower, Down to Barranco Camp

• Elevation: 3850m / 12,600ft to 4000m / 13,000ft
• Distance: 10 km / 6 miles
• Hiking Time: 5–6 hours
• Habitat: Semi-desert

Today’s trek takes you east across the Shira Plateau, then up to Lava Tower (4650m), known as the “Shark’s Tooth.” After a rest at Lava Tower, descend into the Barranco Valley. Though today ends at a similar elevation as you started, it’s vital for acclimatization.
Overnight at Barranco Camp.

DAY 3: Hike Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

• Elevation: 4000m / 13,000ft to 4050m / 13,250ft
• Distance: 5 km / 3 miles
• Hiking Time: 3–4 hours
• Habitat: Alpine Desert

Climb the iconic Barranco Wall and trek through the scenic Karanga Valley. This is a shorter hike, giving you time to rest and adjust to the altitude.
Overnight at Karanga Camp.

DAY 4: Hike Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

• Elevation: 4050m / 13,250ft to 4700m / 15,350ft
• Distance: 4 km / 2 miles
• Hiking Time: 3–4 hours
• Habitat: Alpine Desert

Trek to Barafu Camp, completing the South Circuit with panoramic views of the summit from various angles. After arrival, rest and prepare for the midnight summit push.
Overnight at Barafu Camp.

DAY 5: Summit Day – Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak, Descent to Mweka Camp

• Elevation: 4700m / 15,350ft to 5895m / 19,340ft (Uhuru Peak), then down to 3090m / 10,150ft
• Distance: 5 km / 3 miles (ascent) + 13 km / 8 miles (descent)
• Hiking Time: 5–7 hours up / 5–6 hours down
• Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit

Begin the summit attempt between midnight and 2 am. Ascend to Stella Point (5739m) through steep scree, then continue to Uhuru Peak—Africa’s highest point! Enjoy breathtaking views before descending to Barafu for lunch, then continue down to Mweka Camp.
Overnight at Mweka Camp.

DAY 6: Hike Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate – Drive to Moshi

• Elevation: 3090m / 10,150ft to 1680m / 5,500ft
• Distance: 10 km / 6 miles
• Hiking Time: 3–4 hours
• Habitat: Forest

Descend through the lush rainforest to Mweka Gate, where you’ll receive your summit certificates. From here, continue to Mweka Village, where your driver will transfer you back to your hotel in Moshi.

Inclusion

• Pick-up and drop-off at Kilimanjaro International Airport;
• Transfer to the trailhead - entry gate to Kilimanjaro National Park;
• Pick-up at the exit from Kilimanjaro National Park and transfer to the hotel;
• All park fees collected by the Kilimanjaro National Park ( conservation fees, camping fees, crew fees, vehicle fee, rescue fee and all other fees collected by the Tanzania National Parks Authority).
• One night at Salinero hotel before the expedition and one night after; The hotels have everything for your comfortable stay - caring staff, nice rooms, reliable Wi-Fi, restaurant );
• Tented accommodation on Mount Kilimanjaro (modern, comfortable 4-Season tents North Face VE-25 or Almighty Kilimanjaro Tents).
• Breakfast in the hotel before and after the hike;
• All meals on the hike. Our Kilimanjaro diet includes energy-rich and highly nutritious meals prepared by our professional high-altitude cooks.A typical diet on Kilimanjaro includes different soups, garnishes, several types of fish and meat, fresh fruit and vegetables; vegetarian/gluten-free/halal options are available at no extra cost;
• All drinks on the hike (coffee, tea, hot chocolate and water).
• 4-inch (10-cm) thick and comfortable sleeping mats;
• All group equipment (spacious and comfortable dining tent, camping table and chairs, crockery and cutlery);
• Oxygen cylinders and oximeters;
• GPS-tracking service;
• Complete medical kits.
• Professional guides, licensed by Kilimanjaro National Park. All our guides are the holder of Wilderness First Responder or Wilderness First Aid certifications. All our guides have 10+years of successful mountaineering experience;
• Dedicated support crew (assistant guides, camp master, porters, cooks, etc.).

Exclusion

• Pick-up and drop-off at Kilimanjaro International Airport;
• Transfer to the trailhead - entry gate to Kilimanjaro National Park;
• Pick-up at the exit from Kilimanjaro National Park and transfer to the hotel;
• All park fees collected by the Kilimanjaro National Park ( conservation fees, camping fees, crew fees, vehicle fee, rescue fee and all other fees collected by the Tanzania National Parks Authority).
• One night at Salinero hotel before the expedition and one night after; The hotels have everything for your comfortable stay - caring staff, nice rooms, reliable Wi-Fi, restaurant );
• Tented accommodation on Mount Kilimanjaro (modern, comfortable 4-Season tents North Face VE-25 or Almighty Kilimanjaro Tents).
• Breakfast in the hotel before and after the hike;
• All meals on the hike. Our Kilimanjaro diet includes energy-rich and highly nutritious meals prepared by our professional high-altitude cooks.A typical diet on Kilimanjaro includes different soups, garnishes, several types of fish and meat, fresh fruit and vegetables; vegetarian/gluten-free/halal options are available at no extra cost;
• All drinks on the hike (coffee, tea, hot chocolate and water).
• 4-inch (10-cm) thick and comfortable sleeping mats;
• All group equipment (spacious and comfortable dining tent, camping table and chairs, crockery and cutlery);
• Oxygen cylinders and oximeters;
• GPS-tracking service;
• Complete medical kits.
• Professional guides, licensed by Kilimanjaro National Park. All our guides are the holder of Wilderness First Responder or Wilderness First Aid certifications. All our guides have 10+years of successful mountaineering experience;
• Dedicated support crew (assistant guides, camp master, porters, cooks, etc.).