The Shira Route Kilimanjaro climb (6 nights | 7 Days)

Hotel to Shira One Camp

After breakfast, we begin a long drive to Londorossi Gate where you may total the necessary registration. A short time later, we proceed with our travel up the Shira Plateau to the trailhead. You may have a brief climb through the moorland to Shira one Camp where your tent will be pitched.

Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Shira One Camp

Shira one – Shira two camp

(12,628 ft.)
Hike time: 5 to 6 hrs Elevation change: +240 M
Elevation distance: 5 km Final elevation: 3,850
After breakfast continues the hike east across the Shira Plateau pass the Shira Cathedral towards Shira Two camp. We only gain 700 feet in elevation – this allows us to acclimatize slowly to the altitude. The views of the plateau are nothing less than spectacular.

Shira two camp – Barranco hut

(12,956 ft.)
Hike time: 5 hrs.
Elevation change: + 100m
Estimated distance: 6km
Final elevation: 3950m

Today is the last of the “easy days”. It is about a 7-hour hike. We pass the Lava Tower, around the southern flank of Kibo, and slowly descend into the spectacular Barranco Valley, interspersed with lobelia and giant senecia plants. After arriving at our most spectacular campsite, everyone stands in awe at the foot of Kibo Peak, looming high above, on our left. Our camp is only 465 feet higher than where we were last night, but during the day, we will have climbed to just over 14,000 feet. This is one of our most valuable days for acclimatization.

Barranco hut – Karanga valley

(13,743 ft.)
Hike time: 3.5 hrs, Elevation
change: +240m (787 ft);
Estimated distance: 4km,
Maximum elevation: 4190m,
Final elevation: 4000m

On the eastern side of the valley, across the stream is the Barranco Wall-a 950ft. barrier of volcanic rock. Although it is tall and looks steep, it is very easy to climb. This is our first challenge of the day. The views from the wall are nothing less than magnificent. The rest of the day was spent skirting the base of Kibo peak over our left shoulder. We descend down into the Karanga Valley, where we rest up for the night before the tough climb up to Barafu hut.

Barafu Camp

After breakfast starts with a steady walk ascent up to the ‘Second Cave’ (3,450 m). Start seeing Kibo Peak and the Eastern ice fields on the crater rim. Leave the main trail and strike out across the moorland on a smaller path toward the jagged peaks of Mawenzi. The campsite is in a sheltered valley near Kikelewa Caves (3.600 m) (15km, 5-7 hrs of trekking

Barafu – Uhuru peak – Mweka camp – Summit Day

(19,340 ft.)(9,550 ft.) Summit time: 7 hrs,
Elevation change: +1300m
Estimated distance: 5km,
Final elevation: 5896m
Descent time: 5 hrs,
Elevation change: -2800m
Estimated distance: 12km,
Final elevation: 3100m
Dress warmly, because we start climbing around midnight, on the steepest and most demanding part of the mountain. The moon, if out, will provide enough light, and we will reach the crater rim by sunrise, after a 7-hour hike, to welcome a new dawn. From the crater rim, rugged Mawenzi Peak is a thrilling sight, with the Kibo saddle still in darkness beneath you, and the crater’s ice walls looming ahead. We now continue to Uhuru Peak(1-2hrs.) This is the highest point in Africa, and the world’s highest solitary peak (19,340 ft). It is the best view in Africa!
The descent is invigorating. It is a good idea to have a little rest once in a while as you continue down back to Barafu camp (4 hours), and then down the Mwekaroute to Mwekacamp(5 hours). This is where we spent our last night on the mountain.

Arusha

Descent time: 4 hrs,
Elevation change: -1250m
Estimated distance: 10km,
Final elevation: 1828 M. In the morning we walk down to the road head. This takes about 3 – 31/2 hours. After a welcome lunch, it is time to say “Kwa Heri” to the porters. We then get a transfer back to Arusha to your suggested hotel or onward connection.