Shira Route

Shira Plateau is one of the most scenic and fascinating areas of Kilimanjaro and offers magnificent views of Mt. Meru and the Great Rift Valley. The Shira route is only offered to hikers who are already acclimatized to 4000m. Depending on weather conditions, you can drive by 4x4 or walk for 1/2 hours to Shira Hut (4000m). Game is often sighted and the scenery changes from forest, grassland, and heath to moorland. The fast ascend by vehicle to about 4000m will require additional acclimatization, after which it will be possible to ascend Uhuru Peak either via the Western Breach or via Barafu Hut.

Day 1: Airport pick-up- Drop off at the Hotel.

You will be picked up by the staff of Afrima Luxury Travel from Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) and driven to your accommodation in Moshi. Participants will be given a short briefing for the climb the next day. Kits and the necessary equipment will be checked as well.

Meals: Dinner

Accommodation: Kilimanjaro Wonder Hotel.

Day 2: Hotel - 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, we start a long drive to Lemosho Gate where you will complete the necessary registration. Afterward, we continued our travel up the Shira Plateau to the trailhead. You will have a short hike through the rainforest to Shira Two Camp where your tent will be pitched.

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 (9 miles) •Habitat: Semi-desert and rocky terrain 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 the Western Breach and Breach Wall. Tonight’s camp is located in a valley just below the Breach and gives an impressive view of the 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 is a short day meant for acclimatization. We take on a route that heads down through the Karanga Valley over intervening ridges and valleys and then joins up with the Mweka route. We turn left up the ridge and after another hour or so, we would have reached Barafu Hut. The last water stop on the route is the Karranga Valley, as there is no water available at Barafu camp. Barafu is the Swahili word for “ice” and it is a bleak and inhospitable camping area to spend the night. Totally exposed to the ever-present gales, the tents are pitched on a narrow, stony, and dangerous ridge. Make sure that you familiarise yourself with the terrain before dark to avoid any accidents.

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, we leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this position.

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 At 2 am, we start our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. We head northwest and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. At Stella Point (18,600 ft), you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise (weather permitting). From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way to your 1-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point of Mount Kilimanjaro. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit. From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. 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 have a well-earned 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, we continue the descent down to Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. From the gate, we continue another hour to Mweka Village where our vehicle awaits to drive us back to the Hotel in Arusha.

Meals: B,L,D

Accommodation: Planet Lodge Arusha.