The Shira Route is a little used trail that begins near Shira Ridge. It is nearly identical to the Lemosho route. In fact, Shira was the original route and Lemosho is the improved variation. Although Shira is a varied and beautiful route, it is less favorable than its successor due to the relatively high altitude of Shira’s starting point, which is accessed quickly by vehicle. It is possible that climbers will experience some altitude related symptoms on the first day while camping at 11,800 feet.
The route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the west, beginning with a long drive from Moshi to Shira Ridge. The vehicle bypasses the rain forest zone and the hiking trail begins on Shira Ridge. The Shira route crosses the entire Shira Plateau from west to east in a pleasant, relatively flat hike. Then the route traverses underneath Kilimanjaro’s Southern Ice Field on a path known as the Southern Circuit before summiting from Barafu. Descent is made via the Mweka route.
Included in the price:
• Guarantee price/guarantee trek on confirmation
• Transfer to and from the base of the mountain
• Full board accommodation whilst on the trek.
• Meal plan as detailed: B=Breakfast, L=Lunch and D=Dinner
• Accommodations in camps/huts as per the itinerary
• All park entrance fees to include government taxes
• Service of an English speaking professional guide, porters and skilled cook
• Treated water on the trek.
• On completion, successful climb Certificate
• Start and finish Nairobi
Excluded:
• Laundry, sleeping bags, beverages/Drinks, accommodation before the trek and climbing gears
• International flights
• Visas to Kenya
• Items of personal nature
• Any other extras not detailed in the above itinerary
Day 1: Moshi – Shira hut
Leave hotel after breakfast to shira gate, all the way driving. After we finish with the park gate, start hiking to shira plateau for 4hrs, dinner and over night in the camp.[3000m
Day 2: Shira plateau – Shira hut
Early hike will start after breakfast to shira hut which is 5-6 hrs, lunch will be on the way. Dinner and over night in the camp.[3700m]
Day 3: Shira hut – Lava tower
This day we will not start very early because the hike is only for 3hrs. so we sleep at [4400m] the camp is lava tower.
Day 4: Lava tower – Barranco
This is a very short day and as well is going down to Baranco camp which is [3800m] and this one will help you very much for acclimatizing for the summit. Dinner and over night in the camp.
Day 5: Barranco – Karanga valley
After breakfast, we face the breakfast wall, on our way to Karanga valley for lunch, dinner and over
night.[3900m]
Day 6: Karanga valley – Barafu
Because we have problem of the water in the other camp, we have to carry water all the way from Karanga valley, by this, lunch is on route. Dinner and over night in Barafu camp.[4600m] In this camp we arrange our gears for the summit. We start hiking for the summit at mid night, so we wake up at 11.00pm.We will be in the Uhuru peak at 6.30am.
Day 7: Barafu – mweka hut
After breakfast at Barafu camp descend to Mweka camp for dinner and over night.
Day 8: Mweka hut – Mweka gate
We take breakfast at 8.30am and then walk down to Mweka gate, then cash our transport to Moshi or your destination