7 Days Trekking Shira Route

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Overview

Duration:7 days 6 nights
Tour Type:Daily tour
Language:English, French, German, Italian

Route Description

The 7 Days Shira Route is one of the most scenic and rewarding ways to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. Approaching the mountain from the west, this route begins with a drive to the Shira Plateau, allowing trekkers to start at a higher altitude and enjoy wide-open landscapes from the very first day.

The Shira Route shares similarities with the Lemosho Route but is slightly shorter. With proper acclimatization and a well-paced itinerary, it offers excellent summit success. Trekkers experience diverse ecological zones, from heath and moorland to alpine desert, before reaching the summit via the southern circuit.

Duration: 7 Days Difficulty: Medium Acclimatization: Medium Traffic: Medium Scenery: Excellent

Highlights

Scenic approach across the expansive Shira Plateau
Less crowded than Marangu and Machame routes
Diverse landscapes and ecological zones
Good acclimatization profile with a full 7-day itinerary
Summit attempt via Stella Point to Uhuru Peak
Descent through the Mweka Route

Includes/Excludes

Airport transfers (pick up & drop off)
Transport to/from Marangu Gate
Park entry fees & camping/hut fees
Rescue fees
2 nights accommodation in Moshi/Arusha (before & after the climb)
Accommodation in mountain huts during the trek
Professional mountain guide(s), cook & porters
All meals on the mountain
Drinking water during the trek
Salaries for the crew
Government taxes
Certificate of achievement

International or local flights
Visa fees
Travel insurance
Tips for guides, porters, and cook
Mountain gear (can be rented)
Snacks & personal items
Additional accommodation or meals outside the itinerary
Alcoholic or soft drinks during the trek

Day to Day Section

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Day 0: Arrival and Pre-climb Briefing

Program Summary: Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport JRO (time to be confirmed) , you will be met and transferred for overnight accommodation – B&B. Your head guide will meet you for your briefing, and gear check, and arrange for you to hire any equipment you may need.

Accommodation: La Mama Hotel or Panama Hotel

Day 1: Londorosi Gate – Shira 1 Camp

Program Summary: After a 4 hour drive from Moshi to Londorosi Gate for registration, you continue to drive to Morum Barrier. The hike begins at high altitude, trekking through heather and moorland to Shira 1 Camp

Elevation: 3,407m/11178ft to 3,610m/11,843ft
Stats: Duration: 3 hours. Altitude gained: 203m. Distance: 6 km. Zone: Moorland
Accommodation: Shira 1 camp

Day 2: Shira 1 Camp – Shira 2 Camp

Program Summary: We explore the Shira plateau for a full day. It is a gentle walk east toward Kibo’s glaciered peak, across the plateau which leads to Shira 2 camp on moorland meadows by a stream. Shira is one of the highest plateaus on earth.

Elevation: 3,610m/11,843ft to 3,850m/12,631ft
Stats: Duration: 3-4 hours. Altitude gained: 240m. Distance: 10 km. Zone: Moorland/Alpine Desert.
Accommodation: Shira 2 camp

Day 3: Shira 2 Camp – Lava Tower - Barranco Camp

Program Summary: Although you end the day around the same elevation as when you began, this day is very important for acclimatization. From Shira Plateau we continue east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the Kibo peak before we then continue South East towards the Lava Tower (elevation 4600m/15,091ft) . We join the circuit trail before we start the ascent towards Lava Tower. We then continue to descend overnight at Barranco Camp.

Elevation: 3850m/12631ft to 3900m/12795ft
Stats: Duration: 6-8 hours. Altitude gained: 750m. Loss: -700 Distance: 10 km. Zone: Alpine Desert.
Accommodation: Barranco camp

Day 4: Barranco Camp - Karanga Camp

Program Summary: We begin the day by scrambling up the great Barranco wall (using your hands and feet),the view from the top is spectacular. We continue down to Karanga Valley the stop at Karanga camp for overnight.

Elevation: 3900m/12795ft to 3995m/13106ft
Stats: Duration: 4 hours. Altitude lost: 95m. Distance: 6 km. Zone: Alpine Desert.
Accommodation: Barranco camp

Day 5: Karangu Camp – Barafu Camp

Program Summary: We continue up toward Barafu Camp, and once reached you have now completed the South Circuit, which offers a variety of breathtaking views of the summit from many different angles. An early dinner and rest as we prepare for summit night.

Elevation: 3,995m/13,106ft to 4,673m/1533ft
Stats: Duration: 4 hours. Altitude gained: 678m. Distance: 4 km. Zone: Alpine Desert.
Accommodation: Barafu camp

Day 6: Barafu Camp – Summit (Uhuru Peak) – Mweka Camp

Program Summary: We wake at 11:30 PM for tea/biscuits and begin the steep climb passing Stella Point to Uhuru Peak. After a brief photo opportunity, we descend back to Barafu Camp for a rest and lunch, then continue down to Mweka Camp.
Elevation: 4,673m/1533ft to 5,895m/19,341ft to 3,100m/10,200ft
Stats: Duration: 10-14 hours. Altitude gained: 1,222m. Altitude lost: 2,795m. Distance: 5 km up / 12 km down. Zone: Arctic/Alpine Desert/Moorland.
Accommodation: Mweka camp

Day 7: Mweka Camp – Mweka Gate – Moshi

Program Summary: After a good night’s rest and a hearty breakfast, we make the final descent to Mweka Gate. We will sign out, and a certificate of achievement will be given to you by the National Park. We then drive back to Moshi.