KILIMANJARO – SHIRA ROUTE – 7 DAYS

You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) and transferred to your hotel in Moshi town. Today you will be introduced to your guide who will be around to answer any questions you may have. Briefing and equipment check can either be done today or tomorrow according to your travelling dates. For any lack of mountain trek equipments, a replacement can be made for hire at the earliest convenient.

Your Kilimanjaro adventure starts in Moshi, where you depart for Londorossi Gate to handle park entry formalities. After that, a scenic drive takes you up a steeper path to Shira Gate, the official starting point for your trek. Today’s hike begins with a gentle climb through fields of shrubs and giant heather, eventually reaching Simba Camp for the night.

Ease into your trek with a relaxed day focused on acclimatization. Explore the vast grassy plains and unique volcanic rock formations scattered across the Shira Plateau. The trail takes a scenic turn as you approach Shira Cathedral, a massive rock formation, before reaching your campsite at Shira 2 Camp.

Distance:  7 km / 4.4mi

Duration: 4 – 5 hours

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included.

Accommodation: Spacious 2-person tents. Accommodation is on sharing basis.

The trek continues eastward on day three. Climb a prominent ridge towards the Lava Tower, a towering 300-foot volcanic rock formation. Your descent takes you through a strange but beautiful forest known as the Senecio Forest before arriving at Barranco Camp. Even though you start and end the day at similar elevations, the time spent at higher altitudes is crucial for acclimatization.

Distance: 10km / 6.3mi

Duration: 5 – 6 hours

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Accommodation: Spacious 2-person tents. Accommodation is on sharing basis

Day four prioritizes acclimatization. Begin by descending into a deep valley at the base of the Great Barranco Wall. The challenge comes next with a steep climb up this nearly 900-foot cliff face, though it requires no technical skills. After conquering the wall, traverse a series of hills and valleys before a final climb leads you to Karanga Camp for the night.

Distance: 10km / 6.3mi

Duration: 6 – 7 hours

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included.

Accommodation: Spacious 2-person tents. Accommodation is on sharing basis.

Leaving Karanga Camp, join the Mweka Trail and continue your ascent on a rocky path towards Barafu Camp. Reaching Barafu Camp marks the completion of the Southern Circuit, offering incredible panoramic views of the mountain from various angles. Here, you’ll rest up, enjoy an early dinner, and prepare yourselves for the exciting summit push the following day

Distance: 6km / 3.8mi

Duration: 3 – 4 hours

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included.

Accommodation: Spacious 2-person tents. Accommodation is on sharing basis.

Summit day arrives! We begin our challenging climb to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa, very early in the morning. This climb tests both your physical and mental strength as you navigate darkness and extreme cold. As we near Stella Point, we’ll be rewarded with a breathtaking sunrise over the majestic Mawenzi Peak. Finally, we reach the summit – Uhuru Peak! From the peak, we descend all the way down to Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu Camp for lunch. Expect cooler temperatures and possibly mist or rain in the late afternoon.

Distance: 4km / 2.5mi

Duration: 3 – 4 hours

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included.

Accommodation: Spacious 2-person tents. Accommodation is on sharing basis.

Our final ascent will commence at midnight at around 11pm to 12pm respectively. We will begin with a hike along a steeply upward trail across the summit zone where you can catch a glimpse of the spectacular views of the Kilimanjaro glaciers. We should be on the crater rim at Stella Point (5,739m) before the first rays of the sun find us. Our hike will last for about 5 – 6 to reach to the Stella Point, gaining an incredible height over a short distance. Another hour’s walking takes us to the summit, Uhuru Peak (5895m). Amazing ice cliffs amidst the crater surrounds us and the spectacular views of the Mawenzi peak and beyond are mind-blowing. Reaching to the Uhuru Peak 5,895m, you will take a few pictures with the signboard to keep the memory of your heroic achievement then descend down the same trail back to Stella point and down to the Barafu Camp for a hot meal and a little relaxation. After a short rest we will proceed in our descent down to Millennium Camp for a long well-earned rest.

Distance: 13.5km / 8.4mi

Duration: 12 – 15 hours

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included.

Accommodation: Spacious 2-person tents. Accommodation is on sharing basis.