Quick Summary

Kilimanjaro Climb 6-Day via Shira Route is a 6 days tour in Tanzania via the Shira route route, starting from USD 1500. Below you'll find the latest itinerary, inclusions & exclusions, and how to book.

Duration
6 days

Route
Shira route

From
USD 1500

Operator
Kitano Tours & Safaris

ABOUT Kilimanjaro Climb 6-Day via Shira Route

The Shira route is another path that approaches Kilimanjaro from the west, and it is nearly identical to the Lemosho route. In fact, Shira was the original route and Lemosho is the improved variation. While Lemosho starts at Londorossi Gate and treks through the rain forest to Shira 1 Camp, the Shira route bypasses this walk by using a vehicle to transport climbers to Shira Gate, located near the Shira Ridge.

Duration: 6 days
Route: Shira route
Starts at: USD 1500

Overview

Itinerary

include & exclude

Highlights for Kilimanjaro Climb 6-Day via Shira Route

Day 1: Shira gate to shira camp 2
Day 2: Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower
Day 3: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
Day 4: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
Day 5: Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak
Day 6: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate

Itinerary Overview

Day	Title
Day 01	Shira gate to shira camp 2
Day 02	Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower
Day 03	Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
Day 04	Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
Day 05	Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak
Day 06	Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate

Day 01: Shira gate to shira camp 2

>> After breakfast and a briefing from your guide, leave Moshi and drive for several hours to the Shira Gate on the western side of Kilimanjaro, register with the national park. Begin hiking, and enter the rain forest immediately. Your walk through the rainforest is on a winding muddy trail up a ridge. At these lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy, so gaiters and trekking poles will help. Stop halfway for lunch, and reach the Shira Camp in the afternoon. Unpack, rest, and have some tea or coffee. Dinner is served during the early evening at 7 PM.

Time: 8-10hrs
Meals: Lunch & dinner (Breakfast not included) Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Accommodation: Budget camping

Day 02: Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower

>> We continue to the east 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.

Time: 8-10hrs
Meals: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Accommodation: Budget camping

Day 03: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

>> 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. One more steep climb up leads us to Karanga Camp. This is a shorter day meant for acclimatization.

Time: 8-10hrs
Meals: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Accommodation: Budget camping

Day 04: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

>> 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.

Time: 8-10hrs
Meals: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Accommodation: Budget camping

Day 05: Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak

>> Very early in the morning (around midnight), we 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, then back to mweka camp.

Time: 8-10hrs
Meals: All meals included Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Accommodation: Budget camping

Day 06: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate

>> On our last day, we continue the descent 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.