6 DAY SHIRA ROUTE: KILIMANJARO TREKKING

📌 Shira Route 6-Day Trekking Overview

The 6-Day Shira Route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the west. Unlike Lemosho, this itinerary drives participants directly up to the high-altitude Shira Gate (3,600 m), offering dramatic plateau scenery right from the first step. The route crosses the magnificent Shira Plateau before joining the Southern Circuit via Lava Tower and Barranco Wall, culminating in a summit push via Barafu Camp and descending down Mweka Gate.

Route Summary

● Approach: West via Londorossi / Shira Gate, descending south via Mweka Gate.
● Highlights: Shira Plateau, Cathedral Point, Lava Tower, Barranco Wall, Karanga Valley, Uhuru Peak.
● Unique Feature: Rapid initial altitude gain by vehicle, driving straight to high alpine moorlands.
● Acclimatization: Moderate to High (Requires pre-trek preparation due to starting high at 3,600 m).
● Arrival: Direct transfer from Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) to Moshi for briefing and gear checks.

Detailed Trekking Itinerary

Detailed Day-by-Day Itinerary

Arrival Day

Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) where your African Traces team meets and transfers you to your hotel in Moshi. Meet your head guide for a detailed briefing, health check, and gear assessment before starting your expedition.
Meals: No Meals Included.

Day 1: Moshi to Londorossi Gate / Shira Gate – Trek to Shira 2 Camp

Distance: 8 km / 5 mi | Trekking Time: 4–5 hours | Elevation: Shira Gate (3,600 m) → Shira 2 Camp (3,850 m / 12,630 ft)
Drive to Londorossi Gate for registration, then proceed up to Shira Gate. Begin trekking across the vast moorlands of the Shira Plateau. Enjoy stunning western vistas as you hike gently up toward Shira 2 Camp.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Trekking Tip:
● Take it very slow ("Pole Pole") today as you begin at a higher starting altitude.
● Hydrate well to adjust to the instant elevation gain.
● Keep thermal jackets handy; temperatures drop rapidly on the open plateau.

Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp

Day 2: Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower → Descend to Barranco Camp

Distance: 10 km / 6.2 mi | Trekking Time: 6–7 hours | Elevation: Shira 2 Camp (3,850 m) → Lava Tower (4,630 m) → Barranco Camp (3,960 m / 12,992 ft)
Ascend eastward across the high desert terrain to the famous Lava Tower landmark (4,630 m) for acclimatization and lunch. Afterward, descend into the lush Barranco Valley to overnight at Barranco Camp.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 3: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

Distance: 5 km / 3.1 mi | Trekking Time: 4–5 hours | Elevation: Barranco Camp (3,960 m) → Karanga Camp (3,995 m / 13,106 ft)
Begin the morning by scrambling up the thrilling Barranco Wall. At the top, take in breathtaking views of Heim and Kersten Glaciers. Traverse valleys and ridges into Karanga Camp for lunch and afternoon rest.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 4: Karanga Camp to Barafu High Camp

Distance: 4 km / 2.5 mi | Trekking Time: 3–4 hours | Elevation: Karanga Camp (3,995 m) → Barafu Camp (4,673 m / 15,331 ft)
Hike up rocky ridges through the alpine desert toward Barafu Camp. Arrive early to rest, gear up, eat a hot early dinner, and prepare for the upcoming midnight summit climb.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Summit Push to Uhuru Peak and Descend to Mweka

Day 5: Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) → Descend to Mweka Camp

Distance: 5 km ascent / 12 km descent | Trekking Time: 11–13 hours total | Elevation: Barafu Camp (4,673 m) → Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) → Mweka Camp (3,100 m)
Begin your summit climb around midnight, trekking up steep scree slopes toward Stella Point (5,756 m) and on to Uhuru Peak—the Roof of Africa—at sunrise! After celebrating, descend back to Barafu for a quick break before continuing down to Mweka Camp.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 6: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate → Transfer to Moshi

Distance: 10 km / 6.2 mi | Trekking Time: 3–4 hours | Elevation: Mweka Camp (3,100 m) → Mweka Gate (1,640 m)
Descend through the lush rainforest to Mweka Gate. Receive your summit certificates, bid farewell to your crew, and transfer back to your hotel in Moshi.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Day 7: Departure / Onward Journey

Transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) for your flight home, or continue on a Tanzanian wildlife safari or Zanzibar beach extension.
Meals: Breakfast Included

Short Summary

Day 1: Drive to Shira Gate – Trek to Shira 2 Camp

Distance: 8 km / 5 mi | Trekking Time: 4–5 hours | Elevation: Shira Gate (3,600 m) → Shira 2 Camp (3,850 m)

Day 2: Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower → Descend to Barranco Camp

Distance: 10 km / 6.2 mi | Trekking Time: 6–7 hours | High Point: Lava Tower (4,630 m) → Barranco Camp (3,960 m)

Day 3: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

Distance: 5 km / 3.1 mi | Trekking Time: 4–5 hours | Elevation: Barranco Camp (3,960 m) → Karanga Camp (3,995 m)

Day 4: Karanga Camp to Barafu High Camp

Distance: 4 km / 2.5 mi | Trekking Time: 3–4 hours | Elevation: Karanga Camp (3,995 m) → Barafu Camp (4,673 m)

Day 5: Summit Push to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) → Descend to Mweka Camp

Distance: 17 km total | Trekking Time: 11–13 hours | High Point: Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) → Mweka Camp (3,100 m)

Day 6: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate → Return to Moshi

Distance: 10 km / 6.2 mi | Trekking Time: 3–4 hours | Elevation: Mweka Camp (3,100 m) → Mweka Gate (1,640 m)

Day 7: Departure / Onward Journey

Airport transfer to JRO or departure for Safari / Zanzibar extensions.

What is Included

Kilimanjaro National Park entry fees, camping fees, and rescue fees
Professional, certified, English-speaking mountain guides
Dedicated support team of mountain porters and professional cook
All high-quality camping equipment (mountain tents, sleeping mats, mess tent, chairs)
3 full fresh meals daily on the mountain (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Purified and boiled drinking water provided throughout the trek
Airport pick-up and drop-off transfers (JRO)
Round-trip ground transport from Moshi to the park gates
Pulse oximeter daily health checks & emergency oxygen tanks
Official Mount Kilimanjaro summit certificate

What is Excluded

International and domestic flights
Tanzania Entry Visa fees ($50 to $100 depending on nationality)
Personal trekking gear (sleeping bags, warm clothing, hiking boots, trekking poles)
Tips/gratuities for guides, porters, and cooks (recommended standard rate)
Travel & medical insurance (covering high-altitude trekking up to 6,000m)
Hotel accommodation in Moshi before and after the trek (can be arranged upon request)
Meals and drinks in Moshi town outside of the mountain trek
Personal expenses (laundry, soft drinks, alcohol, souvenirs)
Portable chemical toilet rental (available as an optional add-on)