Shira route
The route that starts at 3400m
Another route not recommended for people who are not experienced with trekking. Although it uses the same trails as Lemosho route, this one starts at a much higher altitude which usually poses challenges for people as there is no room to acclimatize.
You can go for its quietness and amazing views.
Highlights of Shira route
Very scenic
You enjoy most of the views just as you do Lemosho route. except that you won't trek through the rain forest.
Minimum trekking days
You can do it in 7 days. We recommend you do it in 8 days to allow your body to acclimatize well.
Barranco Wall
This is a 257 meters rock wall that you scramble to climb it. It is one of the best experience on Kilimanjaro.
Choose wisely
It is doable but very challenging for some people on day 1 as you go straight to a higher elevation.
Why Trek with Kili Quests
Your success on climbing Kilimanjaro largely depend on your mental strength and physical stamina. Equally important is the crew that will take you there. That’s why you need to choose Kili Quests:
- We've experience of over 25 years
- Our guides are medically trained
- Attention to details and you have ability to customize your trek
What You Get
Your trek package includes the following:
- Wages of all mountain crew members
- Tents, foam mattress, tables and chairs
- All park fees, meals, rescue fee and bottled oxygen
- Oximeter, airport transfers and transport to and from Kilimanjaro gates.
- Pre and post climb accommodation (Two nights total)
THE ITINERARY
A NOTE ON THE FLEXIBILITY OF THIS ITINERARY
- Please note that our itineraries are flexible and we customize them according to your needs.
- Airport pick up and drop off are optional, meaning if you are already in Moshi or Arusha or you can arrange your own airport transfers, we can take them out of the price for this tour.
- Pre and post trek accommodations are optional.
We will drive to Moram Barrier which is 3400meters ready for the start of the trek. After registration for the climb, you will hike for a short time to 3610 meters, to a camp called Shira 1.
Distance: 3km
Trekking time: 1 – 1.5 hours
Zone: Heath and Moorland
Altitude gain: 210 meters
After breakfast, you will start a long and tough trek leaving the Shira plateau towards the Moir Hut Camp. Before reaching the Moir Hut Camp, you will enjoy great views of the Shira plateau and Shira caldera. This is one of those days where you will have great scenery for photo taking. Prepare your camera!. The hike is long so your lunch will be dished between Shira 1 and Moir Hut, and it will be hot lunch.
Distance: 10 km
Trekking time: 6-8 hours
Zone: Low Alpine Desert zone/ High Alpine Desert zone
Altitude gain: 590 meters.
We start the day climbing up a ridge and then head southeast towards the Lava Tower – a 300 ft tall volcanic rock formation. We descend down to Barranco Camp through the strange but beautiful Senecio Forest to an altitude of 13,000 ft. Although you begin and end the day at the same elevation, the time spent at higher altitude is very beneficial for acclimatization.
Moir Hut to Lava Tower -Elevation: 13,800 ft to 15,190 ft
Distance: 7 km/4 miles -Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Lava Tower to BarrancoCamp -Elevation: 15,190 ft to 13,044 ft
Distance: 3 km/2 miles -Hiking Time: 2-3 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
We begin the day by descending into a ravine to the base of the Great Barranco Wall. Then we climb the non-technical but steep, nearly 900 ft cliff. From the top of the Barranco Wall we cross a series of hills and valleys until we descend sharply into Karanga Valley. Once more steep climb up leads us to Karanga Camp. This is a shorter day meant for acclimatization. Baranco is among most of climber’s memorable area.
Barranco Camp to KarangaCamp -Elevation: 13,044 ft to 13,106 ft
Distance: 5 km/3 miles -Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
We leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the rocky section to Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the Southern Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest and enjoy an early dinner to prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are viewable from this position.
Karanga Camp to BarafuCamp -Elevation: 13,106 ft to 15,331 ft
Distance: 4 km/2 miles -Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Very early in the morning (around midnight), The Wildmasters Guide awake you to begin our push to the summit. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. The wind and cold at this elevation and time of day can be extreme. We ascend in the darkness for several hours while taking frequent, but short, breaks. Near Stella Point (18,900 ft), you will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see coming over Mawenzi Peak. Finally, we arrive at Uhuru Peak- the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa.
From the summit, we now make our descend continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. The trail is very rocky and can be quite hard on the knees; trekking poles are helpful. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.
Barafu Camp to UhuruPeak -Elevation: 15,331 ft to 19,341 ft
Distance: 5 km/3 miles -Hiking Time: 7-8 hours
Habitat: Arctic
Uhuru Peak to MwekaCamp -Elevation: 19,341 ft to 10,065 ft
Distance: 12 km/7 miles -Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest
On our last day, we continue the descend from Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate and collect the summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. From the gate, we continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet us at Mweka Village to drive us back to the hotel in Moshi.
Mweka Camp to MwekaGate -Elevation: 10,065 ft to 5,380 ft
Distance: 10 km/6 miles -Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest
And here will be end of your Kilimanjaro mountain trek.
Inquire Shira route trek
Our Shira treks start at $2600 per person. Inquire for a quote below.
