The Shira Route is a tough route that initiated in the west. What is unique about Shira is that the first section of the trail is not hiked, but somewhat driven. Therefore, climbers will miss out on hiking up one of Kilimanjaro’s biological zones, the tropical rain forest.
An off road vehicle transports climbers to the Shira gate, where the climb begins to Simba Camp. This is a substantial altitude gain for someone who slept at Moshi or Arusha on their previous night. Complications from altitude can occur due to failed acclimatization.
The route takings six days minimum to comprehensive, though seven days is acclaimed. The descent is down Mweka, in the south east. Because the preliminary point is far from Moshi and Arusha, it is more expensive to climb this route due to the added transportation cost of getting climbers to the gate. Scenically, Shira is beautiful because it crosses the spectacular Shira Plateau, and then combines with the Machame route to share its viewpoints around the southern circuit. Shira has low traffic until it combines with Machame.
Day 1: Pick up from Lodge/Hotel — Moru Hill – Shira Camp 1 <<4km, 2hrs
Transfer to Londosi gate collect the permit then drive inside the National Park to Moramu Hill then start walking to Shira 1 Camp for about 4hrs followed by dinner and overnight.
Day 2: Shira 1 Camp 3600m – Shira 2 Camp 8kms 3 — hrs up 200m
Today we follow a relaxed path to the summit of Shira Cathedral before attainment the next camp at Shira Hut. As this camp is quite bare, it can be considerably colder than the prior night, with temperatures dropping to well below freezing
Day 3: Shira Camp 2 — Moir Camp 2- 3hrs,
Acclimatization: Lent Hills in the afternoon
In the morning we cross part of the plateau finished lush of heather and moorland then into exclusive high Savannah desert beforehand reach moir hut in the alpine zone. For extra acclimatization one can take walk around for the higher lands around the camp; views are superb. Lunch will be served at Fisher camp
The afternoon will be the acclimatization walk up onto the Lent Hills, the summit of which is at 4,700 metres.
Day 4: Moir camp — Lava Tower 2- 3hrs
Acclimatization: Arrow Glacier
Today we walk on a gentle ascent and panoramic views. We traverse the southwest side of Kilimanjaro, passing underneath the Lava Tower and the final section of the Western Breach and after hot lunch the bottom of the Lava Tower <<4,600m>>. we descend to the bottom of the Great Barranco valley <<3,900m>>>
Day 5: Lava Tower — Karanga Camp 4hrs,
Acclimatization in the afternoon
A steep climb up the eastern wall leads us just below the Heim Glacier, where we may have some remarkable views of Kilimanjaro. We then take a steep exit up the Great Barranco Wall, which divides us from the southeastern slopes of Kibo, the trail continues down into the alpine desert of the Karanga Valley, finally we have a steep climb up to Karanga Camp
Day 6: Karanga Camp 3963m — Barafu Camp 4kms 3 to 4hrs up 650m
Today we take the Traverse Route that takes up the Barafu Ridge, we walk up fairly slowly to the final camp before your last ascent day to the summit. The rest of the day is spent relaxing in preparation for the final ascent before a very early night
Day 7: Barafu Camp — UHURU PEAK 5895M —- Millenium Camp 12- 14hrs
Wake up beforehand midnight in the shelter of darkness. We begin a steep climb over loose volcanic scree has some well graded zig zags and a slow but steady pace will take us to rim of the main crater, Stella Point, at 5,735m. We will rest there for few minutes to relish the sunrise over Mawenzi. Those who are still feeling good can continue slowly to make the two hour round trip from here along the crater rim to main Uhuru Peak 5,895 m, which is the highest point in Africa. After a few minutes to rise your accomplishment we descend to Barafu is amazingly fast, and we stop at Barafu Camp for some refreshment, we continue to descend to reach Millennium Camp.
Day 8: Millennium Camp 3730m — Mweka Fate 1660m 13kms 5&345; 6 hrs —- Transfer to Lodge/Hotel
A gentle walk takes us down through the rainforest to Mweka gate successful climbers will receive their summit certificates. After lunch we drive back to Moshi or Arusha at Hotel Moshi or Hotel/lodge of your choice.
Included in price package
• Private transport to & from Kilimanjaro International Airport to your accommodations in Moshi.
• 2 nights of accommodation at Park view inn or Kilimanjaro Wonders Hotel
• Transportation to & from the Kilimanjaro gate
• Park entry fees,
• Camping fees
• Team Kilimanjaro Rescue fees
• 18% VAT on tour fees & services
• 4 Season mountain tents
• Double layered Sleeping Mats
• Friendly and professional mountain guides, cook and porters
• 3 hot meals daily while on the mountain
• Enough treated & filtered drinking water throughout the trek
• Hot water for washing
• Fair wages for the mountain crew as approved by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA), Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (KIATO)
• Government taxes
• Portable oxygen tanks & ox meter
• Emergency first-aid kit
Not Included
– Lunches, dinners and drinks at your hotel before and after climb.
– Travel insurance
– Portable flush toilet with a toilet tent is available for extra charges $ 70 for the entire trek.
– Flights
– Laundry (Available at hotel)
– Personal items and toiletries
– Tips for guides, porters and cook (this is a guide to tipping on the mountain
Tipping on Kilimanjaro from the trekking group (not per climber):
• Guides: $20/day/guide
• Cook: $15/day
• Porter: $10/day/porter
Kelly M - Level 4 Contributor
YES!!!!!
We booked our 9 day Northern Circuit climb with Jiwe after searching many other companies. We were clear about the purpose of our trip – safe, only 2 of us, and efficient. We had an amazing positive experience, with 8 porters, 2 guides, and 1 cook. One porter, David, was assigned to be our “waiter”, something which we did not expect. He was helpful, kind, and courteous. David’s English was also very good. The cook, Liberache, was amazingly creative with hot soups, huge healthy meals, and a wide variety of everything to eat. The guides were very well experienced- GoodLuck and Jackson. We were so blessed to have them help us, laugh a lot, tell us what to expect, and truly be real and “present” with us. They helped us every step of the way, and worked together to provide a positive experience. The entire team, crew, etc was amazing. Edgar, the manager, always answered questions via email before the trip in a timely way. From the moment we landed until the moment we flew away we were happy with everything!!!! THANK YOU JIWE!!!!