7 Days Shira Route

Shira Route starts at 3,600 meters and is therefore not ideal for trekkers who have little or no experience of high altitude trekking. The Shira Route is practically identical to the Lemosho Route. In fact, Shira was the original route before Lemosho was created to improve the route start point. Whereas Lemosho Route starts at the Londorossi Gates, the Shira Route bypasses this and begins further north and higher up at the Shira Gate,

On the first day hikers trek from Shira Gate to Simba Camp which is at a very similar altitude, allowing trekkers to acclimatise before joining the Lemosho Route on day two at Shira Camp 2.

The high starting point is however a major negative for this route and some trekkers experience altitude sickness from day one as their bodies haven’t had enough time to acclimatise.

After Shira Camp 2 the route joins the Machame Route via Lava Tower, and then descends to the Barranco Camp via the Southern Circuit. Like the Machame, Umbwe and Lemosho Route, ascent to Uhuru Peak is made via Barafu Camp and up the southern slopes of Kibo and descent is via the Mweka Route.

LONDOROSSI GATE(2,100 METERS) STARING POINT (2,389/7838FT ) MTI MKUBWA CAMP(2,785/9137FT)

Altitude gained: 396m
The Northern Circuit Route begins at Londorossi Gate (2,100 meters) in the West, the same start point as the Lemosho Route. The drive to Londorossi Gate takes approximately two hours from Moshi and considerably longer from Arusha. Registration with the Kilimanjaro National Park authorities occurs at the gate and then you will be driven further up the mountain to the trailhead starting point. Most tour operators serve lunch here before the short first-day trek to MtiMkubwa Camp (2,785 meters) begins. You may get lucky and spot large wildlife like elephant and buffalo that sometimes emerge from the rainforest onto the path as you trek towards your first camp. Dinner will be served when you reach MtiMkubwa Camp.

Distance: ~4.8km / 3 miles
Trekking time: 3-4 hours
Zone: Rainforest

Early in the morning after breakfast you will be briefed about the Mount Kilimanjaro with the guide before the departure to the Londorossi gate by our 4WD land cruiser (or any jeep) about three and half hours. After all park registration formalities we proceed driving to near Simba campsite. Then lunch afterwards you start trekking through heather and moorland to the first camp (about 1-2 hrs) to Shira 1 camp (3505 m)

Meals
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included.

Accommodation
2-people per tent, Accommodation is on sharing basis.

Shira 1 Camp (3500m / 11483ft) to Shira 2 Camp (3900m / 12795ft)
Today you will get the chance to view the Northern Ice fields from the western side of the mountain with some unusual views of Kibo, Our steady climb across the moorland of the Shira Plateau will help with acclimatization and we enjoy great panoramic views. Our destination today is the Shira 2 Camp, In the afternoon you will take an acclimatization walk then head back to camp for dinner and overnight.

Distance
8km / 5mi

Duration
5 – 6 hours

Meals
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included.

Accommodation
2-people per tent, Accommodation is on sharing basis.

Shira 2 Camp (3900m / 12795ft) to Barranco Camp (3960m / 12992ft)
Your trek starts with an ascent with far-reaching panoramic views, walking in to the climatic zone of the upland desert and on the lava ridges beneath the glaciers of the Western Breach. You will reach the distinct pinnacle of the Lava Tower (4640 m), our high point for the day and a great place to enjoy your lunch. In the afternoon we make a steep descent to our camp for the night, located in the base of the Great Barranco Valley (3960 m), sheltered by towering cliffs but with extensive views of the plains below.

Distance
10km / 6.2mi

Duration
6 – 7 hours

Meals
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included.

Accommodation
2-people per tent, Accommodation is on sharing basis.

Barranco Camp (3,972m / 13,031ft) to Karanga Camp (3963m / 13,002ft)

Our day starts by descending into the start of the Great Barranco, a huge ravine. We then exit steeply, up the Great Barranco Wall, which divides us from the southeastern slopes of Kibo. It’s a climb over rock, not technical but long and tiring. Passing underneath the Heim and Kersten glaciers, we head towards the Karanga valley; from here we have a steep climb up from Karanga valley to our night’s camp at Karanga camp, set at 3963m. For those feeling strong we will go for a mid-afternoon acclimatization trek up to around 4200m before descending back to camp for the night.

Distance
5.5km / 3.4mi

Duration
5 – 6 hours

Meals
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included.

Accommodation
2-people per tent, Accommodation is on sharing basis.

Karanga Camp (3963m / 13,002ft) to Barafu Camp (4,640m / 15,223ft)

After a good night’s rest and breakfast, we set off on our walk to Barafu camp at 4640m. The climb will take us across desolate scree slopes with no vegetation around us at all. It’s a tough steep walk made more difficult by the altitude, on arriving at camp we eat and spend the afternoon resting as we prepare for a long night and day ahead. It is important to keep hydrated and warm. We have an early dinner and then try to get some sleep as we will be getting up at between 11pm and 12pm to start the climb to the summit.

Distance
3km / 1.9mi

Duration
3 – 4 hours

Meals
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included.

Accommodation
2-people per tent, Accommodation is on sharing basis.

Barafu Camp (4640m / 15,223ft) to UHURU PEAK (5895m / 19,340ft) & down to Millennium Camp (3790m / 12,434ft)

We start off at around midnight, and walk steeply upwards to the summit glaciers. We will be climbing scree for 4 to 5 hours but gain incredible height over a short distance. The views are spectacular. We should be on the crater rim at Stella Point (5739m) as the first rays of the sun hit us. Spectacular ice cliffs within the crater surround us and the views to jagged Mawenzi peak and beyond are breathtaking. Another hour’s walking takes us to the summit, Uhuru Peak (5895m). We begin our descent by returning to Stella Point and then descending on scree slope and track back to Barafu Camp for breakfast, before finally heading down to Millennium Camp for a long well-earned rest.

Distance
13.4km / 8.3mi

Duration
12 – 15 hours

Meals
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included.

Accommodation
2-people per tent, Accommodation is on sharing basis.

Trek Millennium Camp (3790m / 12,434ft) to Mweka Gate (1630m / 5,348ft)

A gentle trek takes us down through the rain forest to Mweka Gate, where we complete park formalities and receive certificates, which you can hang up with pride! We are then met by our vehicles and return to the hotel in Moshi, where you can treat yourself to a welcome shower (and a cold beer or two!) before our big celebration.

Distance

12.1km / 7.5mi

Duration

6 – 7 hours

Meals

Breakfast & Lunch Included.

Accommodation

Accommodation is at the Lindrin Lodge or Panama Hotel on Bed & Breakfast basis. Alternative accommodation of the same standard will be provided if the primary accommodation option is unavailable

*For those on a lower budget, you can request for alternative accommodation at a lower price or no accommodation as part of the package.

The day is left free to wind down after the trek before your flight home. Depending on flight times you could go and explore Moshi town and grab some souvenirs before heading to the airport.

*Safari and Zanzibar add-ons are available if you wish to continue exploring Tanzania Meals Breakfast Included.