6-Day Mt Kilimanjaro Climbing via Shira Route

• You'll be collected from the airport.
• Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

Drive to Kilimanjaro National Park - Shira Gate

Elevation: 1830m/6000ft to 3850m/12,600ft

Distance: 8km/5mi

Hiking time: 4-5 hours

Habitat: montane forest

The drive from Moshi to the trailhead takes about 3 hours. We hike through the rainforest on a winding trail up a ridge. At lower elevations, the trail can be muddy and slippery. Gaiters and trekking poles are a good idea here. We continue a short distance until we reach the Shira camp. Overnight at Shira 2 camp.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• Lunch & dinner (Breakfast not included)
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Hike Shira 2 camp - lava tower - Barranco camp

Elevation: 3850m/12,600ft to 4000m/13,000ft

Distance: 10km/6mi

Walking time: 5-6 hours

Habitat: semi-desert

From the Shira plateau, we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the southeast towards the lava tower, called the “shark’s tooth” (elev 4650m/15,250ft). Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction which goes to the Arrow Glacier. We now continue down to the Barranco camp. Although you end the day around the same elevation as when you began, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day. Overnight at Barranco camp.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Hike Barranco Camp - karanga camp

Elevation: 4000m/13,000ft to 4050m/13,250ft

Distance: 5km/3mi

Hiking time: 34 hours

Habitat: alpine desert

After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco wall to the Karanga valley and the junction which connects with the mweka trail. Overnight at Karanga camp.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Hike Karanga Camp - Barafu Camp

Elevation: 4050m/13,250ft to 4700m/15,350ft

Distance: 4km/2mi

Hiking time: 3-4 hours

Habitat: alpine desert

We continue up to the Barafu camp. You have completed the south circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. Overnight at Barafu Camp.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Hike Barafu camp - summit, down - mweka camp

Elevation: 4700m/15,350ft to 5895m/19,340ft

Down to 3090m/10,150ft

Distance: 5km/3mi up / 13km/8mi down

Hiking time: 5-7 hours up / 5-6 hours down

Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit

Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella's point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. At Stella's point, you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit.

From Stella's point, you may encounter snow on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. Once at Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa!

From the summit we begin our descent by continuing straight down to the mweka camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Hike Mweka camp to Mweka Gate, drive to Moshi

Elevation: 3090m/10,150ft to 1680m/5500ft

Distance: 10km/6mi

Hiking time: 3-4 hours

Habitat: 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. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and T-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).

From the gate, continue another hour to mweka village. A vehicle will meet you at mweka village to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (about 30 minutes).

Main Destination:

Moshi (Town)

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
• Non-alcoholic drinks

• Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
• You'll be dropped off at the airport.