Shira Route
Shira Route is a little used trail of Mount Kilimanjaro, the route begins at 3,600 meters near the Shira Ridge and it is nearly identical to the Lemosho route. Because of Shira Route starts at 3,600 meters, it is not ideal for trekkers who have little or no experience of high altitude trekking.
Like already stated, Shira Route is practically identical to the Lemosho Route and in fact, it was the original route before Lemosho route was created to improve the route’s start point.
Although Shira Route 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 quicklyby vehicle, it is possible that climbers will experience some altitude related symptoms on the first day while camping at 11,800 feet.
Whereas the Lemosho Route starts at the Londorossi Gates in the beautiful Kilimanjaro rainforest, the Shiora Route by passes this and begins further north and higher up at the Shira Gate.
On the first day hikers trek from Shira Gate to Simb Camp which is at a very similar altitude allowing trekkers to acclimatize before joining the Lemosho Route on day 2 at Shira Camp 2.
The high starting point is however a major negative for this route route and some trekkers experience altitude sickness from day one as their bodies haven’t yet had enough time to acclimatize.
After Shira Camp 2, the route joins the Machame Route via Lava Tower and then descend to the Barranco Camp via the Southern Circuit. Like the Machame, Umbwe and Lemosho Route, ascent to Uhuru Peak is made via Barafu Camo and up the Southern Slopes of Kibo.
Shira 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 Mweke route.
Map of Mount Kilimanjaro’s Shira Route
Shira Route can be completed in six, seven and eight days.
Detailed itinerary of Shira Route (7 Days)
DAY 1 – Shira Gate to Simba Camp
Elevation: 11,800 ft to 11,800 ft
Hiking Time: 1-2 hours
Distance: 4 km | 2 miles
Habitat: Health
You will be picked from either Moshi or Arusha and transfer to Londorossi Gate on a drive of about 4 hours, you will complete entry formalities while guides and porters prepare equipments. Then continue to drive up a steep path to the Shira Gate where the trek starts from through shrubs and giant heather until we reach Simba Camp where you will have dinner and stay overnight.
DAY 2 – Simba Camp to Shira 2 Camp
Elevation: 11,800 ft. to 12,500 ft.
Hiking Time: 2 hours
Distance: 6 km | 4 miles
Habitat: Health
Day 2 is a fairly easy day to help with acclimatization, we begin by exploring the grass moorland and volcanic rock formations on the plateau, then we take a scenic path to the Shira Cathedral – a huge buttress of rock surrounded by steep spires and pinnacles before settling at Shira 2 Camp where you will have dinner and stay overnight.
DAY 3 – Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower
Elevation: 12,500 ft to 15,190 ft
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
Elevation: 15,190 ft to 13,044 ft
Hiking Time: 2-3 hours
Distance: 7 km | 4 miles
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Distance: 3 km | 2 miles
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Day 3, the trek continues to the east up a ridge and then head southeast towards the Lava Tower – a 300 ft tall volcanic rock formation, we descend down to Barranco Camp through the strange but beautiful senecio Forest to an altitude of 13,000 ft. Although you being and end the day at the same elevation, the time spent at higher altitude is very beneficial for acclimatization.
DAY 4 – Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
Elevation: 13,044 ft. to 13,106 ft.
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Distance: 5 km | 3 miles
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Day 4 on Shira route, descend into a ravine to the base of the Great Barranco Wall, then we climb the non-technical but steep, nearly 900 ft. cliff. From the top of the Burranco Wall were we cross a series of hills and valleys until we descend sharply into Karanga Valley. One more steep climb up leads to Karanga Camp. This is a shorter day meant for acclimatization.
DAY 5 – Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
Elevation: 13,106 ft to 15,331 ft
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Distance: 4 km | 2 miles
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Day 5 on Shira route – leave Karanga and hit the junction which connect with the Mweka Trail, we connect up to the rocky section to Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the Southern Circuit which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest and enjoy an early dinner to prepare for summit day, the two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are viewable from this position.
DAY 6 – Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak
Elevation: 15,331 ft. to 19,341 ft.
Hiking Time: 7-8 hours
Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
Elevation: 19,341 ft. to 10,065 ft.
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Distance: 5 km | 3 miles
Habitat: Arctic
Distance: 12 km | 7 miles
Habitat: Rain Forest
Day 6 on Shira Route ,wake up very early in the morning around midnight, start pushing to the summit. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek on Shira Route, the wind and cold at this elevation and time of the day can be extreme. We ascend in the darkness for several hours while taking frequent but short breaks. Near Stella Point (18,900 ft.) you will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see coming over Mawenzi Peak. Finally at Uhuru Peak – the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and on the continent of Africa.
From the summit, the descent continues straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, make a stop at Barafu for lunch. The trail is very rocky and can be quite on knees, this trekking poles are helpful. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening you will enjoy your last dinner on Mount Kilimanjaro and a well –earned sleep.
DAY 7 – Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate
Elevation: 10,065 ft to 5,380 ft
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Distance: 10 km | 6 miles
Habitat: Rain Forest
On the last day of the trek, continue the descent to Mweka Gate where you will be rewarded with summit certificates, at lower elevations it can be wet and muddy. From the gate, continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka Village to drive you back to the hotel either in Moshi or Arusha.
The Altitude Profile of Mount Kilimanjaro’s Shira Route
Here’s what the Shira route altitude profile looks like
