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Shira route Description
The Shira Route is a difficult route that begins in the west, at Shira Gate. What is unque about Shira is that the first section of the trail is not hiked, but rather driven. Therefore, climbers using Shira will miss out on hiking up one of Kilimanjaro's ecological zones, the rain forest.
An off road vehicle transports climbers to the Shira gate, located at 11,500 feet, where the hike begins to Simba Camp. This is a sizable altitude gain for someone who slept at Moshi or Arusha on their previous night. Complications from altitude can occur due to failed acclimatization. The route takes six days minimum to complete, although seven days is recommended. The descent is down Mweka, in the south-east. Because the starting point is far from Moshi and Arusha, it is more expensive to climb this route due to the added transportation cost of getting climbers to the gate. Scenically, Shira is beautiful because it crosses the spectacular Shira Plateau, and then combines with the Machame route to share its viewpoints around the southern circuit. Shira has low traffic until it combines with Machame. Shira is ideal for those who are confident in their ability to acclimatize to altitude, and to walk over steeper paths for extended periods. Day to Day Itinerary DAY 1: Shira Gate (2300m) 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) for dinner and overnight in tents. Hiking Time: 5-7 hour DAY 2: Shira Camp (3,840m) Early in the morning after breakfast you have a full day to explore the Shira plateau, trekking slowly eastward towards Kibo's glaciered peak. The Shira plateau is one of the highest plateaus on earth, averaging 12,500 ft. The total trekking time is approximately three hours. Dinner and overnight at the Shira 2 (Fischer's) camp (3900 m).Walking time: 5-7 hour. DAY 3: Barranco Camp (3,860m) The pace should always be slow when in Kilimanjaro for the success. After breakfast in the morning proceed steadily upwards over vast ridges to "Lava Tower "for lunch take approximately 4 hours. In the afternoon, you descend the steep trail into the Great Barranco Valley. Barranco Camp is set in a valley enclosed on 3 sides with the massive walls of the valley itself and the massif of Kibo. For about 6 to 7 hours thereafter dinner and overnight at the Barranco camp (3976 m). DAY 4: Barranco Camp (3,860m) Early morning breakfast then afterward start trekking for about 3 to 4 hours to Karanga Valley for a hot lunch and then proceed in the afternoon to Barafu Camp (4673 m). You will have dinner and a sleep before working up at the midnight for the Uhuru Peak attempt DAY 5: Barafu Camp (4,600m) During the midnight walking up call for the Uhuru Peak followed with a cup of hot chocolate, Tanzania coffee or tea. Don't be nervous and taking it slowly as the trekking will start around 1 a.m. At this stage the weather range from somewhat 0 to -12 degree isn't it lovely in the tropical climate to find this. Always the target is to reach the Roof top of Africa (5895 m) before dawn. After taking some pictures you will descend to Barafu Camp for a rest and then en route to Millennium camp for dinner and overnight. DAY 6: Mweka Camp (3,100m) After breakfast descends slowly to Mweka gate via Mweka Campsite which is about four hours walk. At the gate you will be awarded a certificate of competence from the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority office for the successful attempt of Uhuru Peak. At Mweka gate you will meet our 4WD vehicle waiting for you for a transfer at the hotel in Moshi for hot lunch, dinner and overnight. It also depend with the itinerary you might be proceeding to the Tanzania wildlife and birdlife parks, to the beach or giving a goodbye hand back home |
Route
Marangu route
Machaame route Rongai route Lemosho route Umbwe route Shira route |
Description
Very popular tourist route, approaches from southeast, easy, gentle gradients, beautiful rain forest section and moorlands, comfortable but basic hut shelter, poor acclimatization profile, descent on same trail.
Second most popular route, approaches from south, very scenic route with southern traverse, difficult route but very good for acclimatization, camping. Long access drive to trailhead, approaches from north, remote, less frequented, easy, gentle gradients, beautiful alpine desert section, good alternative to Marangu, camping, fair acclimatization profile, camping Long access drive to trailhead, approaches from west, remote, less frequented, beautiful heath section, very scenic with southern traverse, camping, difficult route but excellent for acclimatization, camping.
Least used trail, approaches from south, shortest and steepest route, spectacular ridge, scenic with southern traverse, difficult route with poor acclimatization profile, pre-acclimatization is recommended, camping. Almost same as Lemosho, approaches from west, long access drive to trailhead, trail starts at 11,800 ft, remote, less frequented, beautiful heath section, very scenic with southern traverse, camping, difficult route but excellent for acclimatization if ok at 11,800 ft, camping. |
Distance
72 km
62 km 73 km 70 km 53 km 56 km |
Days
5-6
6-7 6-7 7-8 5-6 7-8 |
Among the differences between these routes:
- The routes have starting points located on multiple sides of the mountain.
- The routes vary distance and accordingly so do the completion times.
- There are relatively easy trails, difficult routes, and even dangerous ones.
- Certain routes are favorable for altitude acclimatisation due to their route profile.
- There are routes that are better when climbing during the rainy season.
- One route offers hut accommodations while the rest are camping routes.