Shira Route

7 DAYS, 6 NIGHTS. SHIRA ROUTE

Day 0: Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport, where you will be met by a Robelia Kilimanjaro Adventures representative and transferred to your hotel in Moshi. A briefing will be conducted in the evening at the hotel to prepare you for the climb ahead, followed by group dinner, an opportunity for the group to get to know each other before the climb.

No hut accommodation.
Camping accommodation available at all camps.

DAY 1

Shira Gate to Simba Camp
Elevation (ft): 11,800 ft to 11,800 ft
Distance: 4 km
Hiking Time: 1-2 hours
Habitat: Heath

The starting point for the Shira Route is the Londorossi Gate, where equipment and supplies will be prepared and the park registration paperwork is completed. The path begins up a 4WD track through the rain forest; keep an eye out for the Colobus monkey and possibly an elephant or buffalo. The trail follows the Ngarenairobi River as we leave the forest and enter the next habitat zone: health. Here the trail winds through a landscape of giant heather and shrubs until we reach camp.
DAY 2

Simba Camp to Shira 2 Camp
Elevation (ft): 11,800 ft to 12,500 ft
Distance: 6 km
Hiking Time: 2 hours
Habitat: Heath

After breakfast we begin the trek to Shira 2 Camp. The hike is a steady climb towards the Morum Hill and Morum Barrier, where the where the Shira Plateau begins. The terrain is mostly flat across the plateau. From camp the views of the Western Breach and its glaciers are stunning.
DAY 3

Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
Elevation (ft): 12,500 ft to 15,190 to 13,044 ft
Distance: 10 km
Hiking Time: 7-8 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert

From Shira 2, we continue east and gain more than 2,500 ft in elevation as we make our way towards Lava Tower, called the "Shark's Tooth." Shortly after, we come to the second junction which brings us near Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 16,000 ft. We descend to Barranco Hut at an altitude of 13,044 ft. The trek through Barranco Valley's Senecio forest is one of the most scenic paths on all of Kilimanjaro.
DAY 4

Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
Elevation (ft): 13,044 ft to 13,106 ft
Distance: 5km
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert

Our first challenge is a climb and scramble over the volcanic rock of the 1,200 ft Barranco Wall. On reaching the top, we have a well earned lunch break and enjoy fantastic views of Barafu and Mount Meru. We continue across the ridges and valleys to the Karanga Valley campsite. This is a short day meant for acclimatization.
DAY 5

Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
Elevation (ft): 13,106 ft to 15,331 ft
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 Barafu Hut. At this point, we have completed the Southern Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy an early dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are visible from this site.
DAY 6

Barafu Camp to Uhuru Point to Mweka Hut
Elevation (ft): 15,331 ft to 19,341 ft to 10,065 ft
Distance: 17 km
Hiking Time: 7-8 hours ascent, 4-6 hours descent
Habitat: Arctic

Very early in the morning (midnight), we put on many layers of clothing and begin our climb to the summit. We head in a northwesterly direction 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), we stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see. From Stella Point, we have just one more hour before reaching the summit. At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. 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. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.
DAY 7

Mweka Camp to Moshi
Elevation (ft): 10,065 ft to 5,380 ft
Distance: 10 km
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest

After breakfast, we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. From the gate, we continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to hotel in Moshi.
END OF TREK

Recommended Tipping Guidelines:

Those who have climbed Mt Kilimanjaro before know that without the hard work and strength of the mountain crew, one would not be able to fully experience the magnificence of the mountain. At Tanzania Star Adventures, we pay our crew more than the salary suggested by the Kilimanjaro National Park and Tanzania Tour Operator Association. However, many crew also heavily depend on tips to support their families. The following are recommended daily rates for the entire group to tip per staff member:

    Senior guide - $20 – 30 / day
    Assistant guide - $15 – 25 / day
    Cook - $12 – 15 / day
    Waiter - $10 – 12 /day
    Porter - $8 – 10 / day
    Summit porter - $12 – 15 / day
    Toilet crew - $10 – 12 / day

In general for all Kilimanjaro routes except Marangu you will have*:

    1 Climber: 1 senior guide, 1 cook and 3 porters
    2 Climbers: 1 senior guide, 1 assistant guide, 1 cook and 6 porters
    3 Climbers: 1 senior guide, 1 assistant guide, 1 cook and 9 porters
    4 Climbers: 2 senior guide, 1 assistant guide, 1 cook, 1 waiter and 9 porters

For Marangu you will have*:

    1 senior guide and 1 cook for each 8 climbers
    1 additional assistant guide for each 3 climbers
    2 Porters per climber

* These are estimates and actual numbers may vary depending on the needs of the group.

It is ideal to have a tipping ceremony with the climbers and crew on the last day on the mountain. Ideally tips should be given to the individual crew members directly to ensure the full amount of the tip is received.