7 Days Mount Kilimanjaro Hike Via Shira Route
This 7 Days Mount Kilimanjaro Hike Via Shira Route is one of the most incredible routes to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, on this route you will encounter Shira Plateau which is one of the most scenic and most fascinating areas of Mount Kilimanjaro and offers magnificent views of Mount Meru and the Great Rift Valley.
This route is only offered to climbers who are already acclimatized at 4000 m, depending on the weather conditions, it is possible to driver by 4×4 or walk for ½ hours to Shira Hut (4000m). lookout for sights of animals and the scenery as it changes from forest, grassland, heath to moorlands.
The fast ascend by vehicle to about 4000 m will require additional acclimatization after which it will be possible to ascend Uhuru Peak either via the Western Breach or via Barafu Hut.
DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 1: Airport pick-up- Drop off at Hotel
Uon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be welcomed and received by our representative and transfer you to a hotel in Moshi. You together with other climbers will be given a short briefing for the climb the next day and also check all the equipment and kits necessary for the climb.
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Sg Resort
Day 2: Moshi – Shira Two Camp
Altitude range: 1,500 meters (4,900 ft) – 3,850 meters (12,600 ft)
- Hiking time: 1 hour •Distance: 3 km •Habitat: Rain Forest
After breakfast, you will drive to Lemosho Gate where you will complete all the necessary registration. Afterwards, continue to travel up to the Shira Plateau heading to the trailhead. You will have a short hike through the rain forest heading to Shira Two Camp where you will pitch your tent and stay overnight.
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Shira Two Camp
Day 3: Shira Two Camp – Lava Tower – Barranco Camp
Altitude range: 3,850 meters (12,600 ft) – 4,600 meters (15,100 ft) – 3,950 meters (12,950 ft)
- Hiking time: 7 hours approx •Distance: 14 – 15 km’s (9 miles) •Habitat: Semi desert and rocky terrain
From Shira camp, this route turns east towards Kibo and you will hike through semi-desert up to the fairly rocky conditions that surround Lava Tower at 4,600 meters (15,100 ft).
After lunch, descend approximately 650 meters to Barranco camp, along the way you will have good views overlooking Western Breach and Breach Wall. You will spend the night at Barranco Camp which is located in a valley just below the Breach and boasts an impressive view of the Great Barranco Wall.
From Shira Camp, the route turns east towards Kibo and you will find yourself hiking through semi-desert up to the fairly rocky conditions that surround Lava Tower at 4,600 meters (15,100 ft). After lunch, we descend approximately 650 meters to Barranco Camp. Along the way, you will have good views overlooking Western Breach and Breach Wall. Tonight’s camp is located in a valley just below the Breach and gives an impressive view of Great Barranco Wall.
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Barranco Camp
Day 04: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
Elevation (ft): 13,000ft to 13,100ft •Distance: 5km
- Hiking Time: 4-5 hours •Habitat: Alpine Desert
This day is generally short and is meant for acclimatization, take on a route the heads down through the Karanga Valley over intervening ridges and valleys, and then joins up with the Mweka route. Take a turn left up the ridge and after another hour or so, you would have reached Barafu Hut.
Along the route, you will have the last water stop at the Karranga Valley. Note that there is no water available to Barafu Camp, Barafu is a Swahili word meaning ice and it is a bleak and inhospitable camping area to spend the night. The tents are pitched on a narrow, stony and dangerous ride, to avoid accidents make sure you familiarize yourself with the terrain before dark.
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Karanga Valley Campsite
Day 05: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
Elevation (ft): 13,100ft to 15,300ft •Distance: 4 km
- Hiking Time: 4-5 hours •Habitat: Alpine Desert
After breakfast, leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. Continue up to the Barafu Hut and at this point you will have completed the South Circuit which offers magnificent views of the summit from many different angles.
The camp will be made here, rest, enjoy dinner and prepare for the summit. From this position, two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are seen.
Day 06: Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Hut
Elevation (ft): 15,300ft to 19,345ft (and down to 10,000ft) •Distance: 5 km ascent / 12 km descent
- Hiking Time: 7-8 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent •Habitat: Arctic
Wake up early at 2am and start you hike to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers, head in a northwest and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is most challenging portion of the trek mentally and physically.
At Stella Point (18,600 ft), you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise that is if weather permits. From the Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on the 1-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru peak, you will have reached the highest point of Mount Kilimanjaro as well as Africa as a continent.
Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit.
From the summit, you will now make descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut campsite, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will want to have gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel as you go down.
Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected more especially in late afternoon. Later in the evening, enjoy you will enjoy your last dinner on the mountain and sleep.
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Mweka Hut
Day 07: Mweka Camp to Arusha
Elevation (ft): 10,000ft to 5,400ft •Distance: 10 km •Hiking Time: 3-4 hours •Habitat: Rain Forest
After breakfast, continue with the descent down to Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. It can be muddy and wet at the lower elevations so you need gaiters and trekking poles. From the gate, continue another hour to Mweka village where you will meet your waiting driver guide and drive you back to the hotel in Arusha.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Sg Resort
End of 7 Days Mount Kilimanjaro Hike Via Shira Route
