Shira Route Trekking, 8 Days

Itinerary Summary

Get to the top of Africa via Shira Route. It is a difficult route that begins in the west Kilimanjaro at Shira Gate (Londorosi Gate). It is an ideal choice for experienced climbers who are confident about their ability to trek the great Kilimanjaro via the most difficult and challenging route. You must obtain enough acclimatization to altitude, and to walk over steeper slopes for extended period of time.

Itinerary Details

Day 1:   Registration at Londorossi  Gate

1. Carrying out the essential registration procedure at Londorossi gate
2. Take up a steep path within the national park to reach Shira Barrier (3,300m) where the hike starts.
3. Trek the Shira Plateau with outstanding outlook across to the main top.
4. First camp is in the center of the plateau at “Shira One” (3,550 m.)

Day 2:   At Shira Hut

1. Explore the lush moorland and the volcanic rock formations of the Shira plateau
2. Hike to the summit at 3,750 m, a huge structure of rock surrounded by steep spires and pinnacles.
3. Experience the wilderness and the view of Mt. Meru floating on the clouds

Day 3:   At Little Lent Hill

1. Dig-out the lower part of the Northern Icefields with an extraordinary views of Kibo.
2. Walk in the mourning steadily trek further from the moorland of Shira Plateau to reach the broad upland desert beneath the Lent Hills,
3. Lunch  at the camp close to Moir Hut (4,200 m)

Day 4:   At the old hut at Arrow Glacier

1. Tender climb with panoramic outlook
2. Pass through the lava ridges under the glaciers of the Western Breach.
3. Lunch and walk on the rocky lower slopes of the Western Breach to reach the ruins of the old hut at Arrow Glacier (4,800 m).
4. Afternoon excursion recommended for acclimatization purposes and for the well views of the hanging glaciers on both sides of the Breach. [3-6 Hrs]

Day 5:   At Karanga Camp

1. Go down to the Great Barranco valley (3,900 m)
2. A short climb up Barranco
3. The wall will then guide us to an undulating trail on the south-eastern flank of Kibo, with superb vistas of the Southern Icefields.
4. The terrain is volcanic scree, with pockets of vegetation in sheltered hollows, and a powerful sense of mountain wilderness.
5. The next camp is at Karanga (4,000 m), the last water point on the approach to the summit. [5-7 Hrs]

Day 6:   At South-East Valley

1. Follow an simple trail on compacted scree with large views that gains altitude unrelentingly to reach the Barafu campsite (4,600 m)
2. Short acclimatization walk to the plateau at the bottom of the South-East valley (4,800 m).
3. The rest of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent before a very early night. [3-5 Hrs]

Day 7:   At Uhuru Peak  and Millennium Campsite

1. Climb by torchlight about 1 a.m. so that we can be up on the Crater rim by sunrise.
2. Steep trekking over volcanic scree
3. Rest there for a short time to enjoy the sunrise over Mawenzi.
4. Optional four climbing  two hour round trip from here along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (5,896 m)
5. Descent to Barafu is wonderful and fast
6. Continue to descend to reach our final campsite (3,800 m) Millenium. [11-15 Hrs]

Day 8:   At Mweka Gate

1. Retrace via the tropical forest alive with birdsong and boasting lush undergrowth with considerable botanical interest.
2. The climb will end up at the Mweka gate (1,650 m)
3. Pass through coffee and banana farms to Mweka village.
4. The shower, the beer, and the swimming pool are tantalizingly close! [4-6 Hrs]