8 Days Shira Route

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Tour overview

An 8-day climb of the Shira Route on Mount Kilimanjaro offers a challenging yet rewarding trek through diverse landscapes, including rainforest, heath, alpine desert, and glaciers. This route follows the same initial path as the Lemosho Route but diverges near Shira Plateau. Here’s a suggested itinerary for an 8-day climb of the Shira Route:

Day by day itinerary

Day 1: Londorossi Gate to Shira 1 Camp

Start at the Londorossi Gate (2,100 meters/6,890 feet), where you’ll register with park authorities and begin your trek.
Drive to the Shira Gate (3,200 meters/10,499 feet) to start the hike.
Trek through lush rainforest, spotting diverse flora and fauna along the way.
Arrive at Shira 1 Camp (3,505 meters/11,499 feet), your first overnight stop. Set up camp, enjoy dinner, and rest for the night.

Day 2: Shira 1 Camp to Shira 2 Camp

Continue ascending through the rainforest, gradually leaving the treeline behind.
Enter the heath and moorland zone, with views of the surrounding valleys and peaks.
Arrive at Shira 2 Camp (3,850 meters/12,631 feet), your overnight stop. Take in the panoramic vistas and prepare for the next day’s trek.

Day 3: Shira 2 Camp to Moir Hut

Trek across the Shira Plateau, a vast and otherworldly landscape with expansive views of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Ascend gradually through the alpine desert terrain, passing by the Shira Cathedral rock formation.
Arrive at Moir Hut (4,200 meters/13,780 feet), your overnight stop. Rest and acclimatize to the increasing altitude.

Day 4: Moir Hut (Acclimatization Day)

Spend a rest day at Moir Hut to acclimatize to the altitude and allow your body to adjust to the thinner air.
Optional acclimatization hike to explore the surrounding area and enjoy the breathtaking views.
Rest, hydrate, and prepare for the next day’s trek.

Day 5: Moir Hut to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp

Continue ascending through the alpine desert, with occasional steep sections and rocky terrain.
Reach Lava Tower (4,630 meters/15,190 feet), a prominent volcanic formation, for acclimatization purposes.
Descend to Barranco Camp (3,950 meters/12,960 feet), passing through the scenic Barranco Valley and its iconic “Breakfast Wall.”
Arrive at Barranco Camp, your overnight stop. Rest and prepare for the next day’s trek.

Day 6: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

Tackle the challenging Barranco Wall, a steep scramble that offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.
Traverse through alpine desert terrain, ascending and descending several ridges.
Arrive at Karanga Camp (3,995 meters/13,107 feet), situated on a rocky ridge with panoramic vistas. Rest and prepare for the next day’s ascent.

Day 7: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

Ascend through rocky and barren terrain, approaching the high camp at Barafu.
Arrive at Barafu Camp (4,600 meters/15,091 feet), your basecamp for the summit push. Rest, hydrate, and prepare for the challenging ascent ahead.

Day 8: Summit Day (Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp)

Begin the summit attempt in the early hours of the morning, usually around midnight.
Trek up steep and challenging switchbacks on the rocky scree slope, ascending to Stella Point (5,756 meters/18,885 feet) on the crater rim.
Continue along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (5,895 meters/19,341 feet), the highest point in Africa.
Descend back to Barafu Camp for a brief rest and meal, then continue descending to Mweka Camp (3,100 meters/10,171 feet) for the night.

Day 9: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate

Descend through the rainforest, enjoying the lush vegetation and abundant wildlife.
Arrive at Mweka Gate (1,640 meters/5,380 feet), where you’ll receive your summit certificates and celebrate your achievement.
Transfer back to your accommodations in Moshi or Arusha, marking the end of your Kilimanjaro climb.