7 Days Shira Route

Day 2: From Hotel to Londoros Gate to Morum Picnic Site

In the morning, your guide will pick you up from your hotel and drive you directly to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park via the Londorosi gate, passing through the cultivation zone and mountain forest. This day will involve a lengthy drive from the hotel to the starting point at the gate. Once there, tourists can take advantage of a designated resting area while they wait for registration permits and luggage to be weighed. After completing these formalities, we’ll pack up our gear and continue driving to the Morum Picnic Site, where we will commence our hike.

• Morum picnic site -3407m/11177ft
• Shira 1 camp -3610m/11844ft
• Altitude gain -203m/667ft
• Distance -4km/2.5mls
• Hiking time -1/2hours
• Climatic zone -moorland
• Difficult no easy

We will have a short walk passing through shrubs and giant heather until we reach at Shira 1 camp for overnight.

Accommodation: camping
Meals: evening tea, dinner and breakfast

Day 3: From Shira 1 Camp to Shira 2 Camp Via Carthedro Point

• Shira 1 camp -3610m/11844ft
• Shira 2 camp -3900m 12795ft
• Altitude gain -290m/951ft
• Distance -10km/6mls
• Hiking time -5/6hours
• Climatic zone -moorland
• Difficult – medium

Following a breakfast with stunning views of the northern ice fields and snow-capped Kibo Peak in the distance from the western side of the mountain, we’ll begin our trek from Shira One to Shira Two. The route will take us through the Moorland, where we’ll make a stop at Cathedral Point (3872m/12421ft) for acclimatization. This is the site of the first volcanic eruption on Mount Kilimanjaro. Upon arriving at Cathedral Point, we’ll take photos and revel in the panoramic views and untold beauty of Shira Plateau. Next, we’ll descend through Helipad before ascending to the Shira 2 campsite, where we’ll spend the night.

Accommodation: mobile tent (camping).
Meals: lunch, evening tea, dinner and breakfast.

Day 4: From Shira 2 to Baranco Wall Camp, Via Lava Tower.

• Shira 2 camp -3900m/12795ft
• Lava tower – 4630m/15190ft
• Baranco wall -3960m/12960ft
• Altitude gain -730m/2395ft
• Altitude loss -670m/2230ft
• Distance – 10km/6.2mls
• Hiking time – 5 -7hours
• Climatic zone – Moorland
• Difficult – medium

After breakfast, we’ll set off from Shira Two camp towards Baranco Wall via Lava Tower (4630m/15190ft) – the highest point of the day – with spectacular views of Shira Plateau and the snow-capped Kibo Peak. This will be a long hike, and you may begin to feel some discomfort due to the altitude. Therefore, it’s important to spend an hour at Lava Tower to allow your body to adjust to the altitude. During this time, we’ll stop for a hot lunch.
Following lunch, we’ll begin the hike towards Baranco Wall by descending through the strange yet beautiful garden of giant senecio and lobelia flowers, which can grow up to five meters high. Baranco Wall is one of the most striking geographical features along the trail and serves as a meeting point for three routes: Machame, Umbwe, and Lemosho. We’ll spend the night at the Baranco Wall campsite.

Accommodation: mobile tent (camping ).
Meals: evening tea, dinner and breakfast.

Day 5: From Baranco Wall Camp to Karanga Camp

• Baranco wall – 3960m/12992ft
• Karanga camp – 4043m/13264ft
• Altitude gain – 83m/272ft
• Distance – 5.5km/3.3miles
• Hiking time – 3-4hours
• Climate zone – Moorland
• Difficult – yes.

Following breakfast, we’ll embark on a short but steep hike from Baranco camp through Kissing Rock. This section of the trail is challenging as it requires hikers to use all four limbs, with no walking poles. However, our experienced guides will select the appropriate path and pace to ensure your safety. Many climbers find this part of the trek enjoyable and memorable due to the stunning views of Kibo Peak on the left and a distant view of Mount Meru on the right, especially after reaching the top of Baranco Wall (4240m/13911ft).
From the top of Baranco Wall, there will be several ascents and descents. The last significant descent will lead us to Karanga Valley, which is the final watering point on this route. The last 20 minutes of the hike to Karanga camp will be spent ascending the steep trail from the Karanga Valley watering point.

Accommodation: camping.
Meals: lunch, evening tea, dinner and morning breakfast

Day 6: From Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

• Karanga camp – 4043m/13264ft
• Barafu camp – 4640m/15223ft
• Altitude gain – 597m/1959ft
• Distance – 4km/2.4miles
• Climate zone – Alpine desert
• Difficult – medium

We will continue our climb towards the Barafu camp after breakfast, passing through the Alpine desert with Kibo peak looming in the distance. Once we arrive at Barafu camp, we will be welcomed by the sight of Kibo peak, which will be our destination for the summit. After settling in, we will be served a hot lunch and have ample time to relax before the summit night. In the evening, the stunning view of Mawenzi peak can be seen from the camp. A relatively early dinner will be served, followed by a short briefing from the guide. We will rest for a few hours before waking up at midnight for the final ascent to the summit.

Accommodations: mobile tent (camping)
Meals: lunch, evening tea, dinner, midnight breakfast.

Day 7: From Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak to Millenium Camp

• Barafu camp – 4640m/15223ft
• Uhuru peak – 5895m/19340ft
• Millennium camp – 3820m/12532ft
• Altitude gain- 1255m/4117ft
• Altitude loss – 2075m/6807ft
• Distance -15km/9.3miles
• Climate zone – Arctic to Alpine desert to Mountain forest.
• Difficult – yes

We will set off just before midnight for the final summit attempt, which is the most difficult part of the climb due to the high altitude, extreme cold, and strong winds. It requires perseverance and determination to reach the summit. Our guides will be responsible for two climbers each, ensuring that their physical and mental well-being is closely monitored throughout the climb.

Upon reaching Stella point, we will take a short break and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee before continuing to Uhuru Peak, which we will reach in approximately one hour. At Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa, we will witness an incredible sunrise and experience a sense of euphoria despite our exhausted bodies. After taking photos to capture this unforgettable moment, we will celebrate before descending to Barafu Camp for a two-hour rest and lunch.

After lunch, we will continue our descent to Millennium Camp for dinner and overnight stay.

Accommodations: camping.
Meals: evening tea, dinner and morning breakfast.

Day 8: From Millenium Camp to Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate

• Millenium camp – 3820m/12532ft
• Mweka gate – 1676m/5500ft
• Altitude gain – 2144m/7032ft
• Distance – 12km
• Climate zone- forest
• Difficult – easy

After breakfast, we will begin our descent from the mountain through Mweka camp (3100m/10170ft) and the beautiful mountain forest. As we approach the gate, our mountain crew will welcome us with traditional songs and dances, celebrating our accomplishment of reaching the top of Africa. Those who succeeded in reaching Uhuru peak will be awarded mountain certificates. After tipping our mountain crew, we will be transferred to Moshi town for lunch. After lunch, we will take you to your hotel for dinner and overnight stay, either at Mbugani hotel in Moshi town or at Green Mountain hotel in Arusha city. It’s a great way to wrap up an amazing journey!

Day 9: Kilimanjaro Airport.

On this day, you have the option to either be transferred to the airport for your flight back home or to continue your journey by choosing from various options such as a day trip, safari with RASHAD ADVENTURE, or a beach holiday in Zanzibar. The choice is entirely up to you.