7 Days Shira Route – Mosha Climbing Tours

Overview

The Shira Route is another popular trail for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, offering a diverse range of landscapes and stunning views.The Shira Route starts at a higher altitude compared to other routes, around 3,600 meters (11,800 feet) at the Shira Gate. This means that climbers may experience altitude-related issues earlier in the trek, but it also allows for a more gradual acclimatization process.the Shira Route offers a fantastic trekking experience for those seeking a more remote and varied route up Kilimanjaro. With proper preparation and acclimatization, climbers can enjoy the stunning scenery and achieve the summit of Africa’s highest peak

Day 1 : Shira Gate to Simba Camp

- Elevation: 11,800 ft to 11,800 ft
- Distance: 4 km
- Hiking Time: 1-2 hours
- Habitat: Heath

We depart Arusha for Londorossi Gate, which takes about 4 hours; here we will complete entry formalities while guides and porters prepare equipment. We then continue to drive up a steep path to the Shira Gate where we will begin the hike. The trek starts through shrubs and giant heather until we reach Simba Camp.

Day 2 Simba Camp to Shira 2 Camp

- Elevation: 11,800 ft to 12,500 ft
- Distance: 6 km
- Hiking Time: 2 hours
- Habitat: Heath

Today is a fairly easy day to help with acclimatization. We begin by exploring the grassy 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.

Day 3 : Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower – Lava Tower to Barranco Camp

- Elevation: 12,500 ft to 15,190 ft
- Distance: 7 km
- Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
  - - Elevation: 15,190 ft to 13,044 ft
    - Distance: 3 km
    - Hiking Time: 2-3 hours
    - Habitat: Alpine Desert

We continue to the east up a ridge and then head southeast towards the Lava Tower â€“ 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 begin and end the day at the same elevation, the time spent at a higher altitude is very beneficial for acclimatization.

Day 4 : Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

- Elevation: 13,044 ft to 13,106 ft
- Distance: 5 km
- Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert

We begin the day by descending 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 Barranco Wall we cross a series of hills and valleys until we descend sharply into Karanga Valley. One more steep climb up leads us 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
- Distance: 4 km
- Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert

We leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue 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 the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are viewable from this position.

Day 6 : Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak – Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp

- Elevation: 15,331 ft to 19,341 ft
- Distance: 5 km
- Hiking Time: 7-8 hours
- Habitat: Arctic
  - - Elevation: 19,341 ft to 10,065 ft
    - Distance: 12 km
    - Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
    - Habitat: Rain Forest

Very early in the morning (around midnight), we begin our push to the summit. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. The wind and cold at this elevation and time of 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, we arrive at Uhuru Peak- the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa.

From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. The trail is very rocky and can be quite hard on the knees; 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, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.

Day 7 : Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate

- Elevation: 10,065 ft to 5,380 ft
- Distance: 10 km
- Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
- Habitat: Rain Forest

On our last day, we continue the descent to Mweka Gate and collect the summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. From the gate, we continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet us at Mweka gate to drive us back to the hotel in Arusha.

Included/Exclude

National park permits
Camping / hut fees
Rescue service
All meals while on the mountain
Guides and Porters wages
Round trip airport transfers between Arusha and JRO
Round trip transfers between Arusha and mountain gates
Hotel stays in Arusha for pre and post trek (2 nights in total) on bed and breakfast
Sleeping mats 2-inch form
Private portable toilet
Wash basins with hot water each morning and evening
Treated drinking water 3L or more everyday

International or Local flights
Rental gears
Tips for guides, porters and other staff
Meals and drinks at the hotel in Arusha
Travel Insurance, Visa and Medical Insurance

          
   Walter + Jasmin 
 2022-12-14
 
 
   Just the best 😊😊🏔️😊😊
Very excellent guides for the Kilimanjaro and the Safari. We recommend mosha tours. Brilliant, excellent, they make the best job... Just the best. Thanks a lot for working together
  
 
 
       
   Paul-Sebastian 
 2019-06-30
 
 
   Mosha Climbing Tours Kilimanjaro Feb 2019
We climbed the Kili in February on the Lemosho route. Seraphin and his team did a great job: tasty food, some detours where there were no other tourists, no headache, and amongst the first on the peak that day. Since the ascent took us one day less than planned, Seraphin arranged a short-trip to Ngorongoro national park for us, too. Very happy with Mosha Climbing Tours, highly recommendable, especially if you plan to summit in the least “touristic” way possible.
  
 
 
       
   Navigate463332 
 2018-10-12
 
 
   Unvergessliches Erlebnis!
Unserer Tourguides waren von Anfang bis Ende immer stets Bemüht! Wir wurden wie vereinbart vom Flughafen abgeholt. Unsere Begleiter waren sehr freundlich, pünktlich und zuvorkommend. Wir sind ein älteres Ehepaar (Anfang 60) und hätten diese Tour ohne Hilfe der tollen Guides nicht geschafft. Nach der ersten Nacht merkten wir das wir viel zu dünne Schlafsäcke mitgenommen haben, nach kurzer Rücksprache mit unseren Guides haben sie wie selbstverständlich Ihre sehr guten und warmen Schlafsäcke mit unseren getauscht!! Unsere Guides sind auch immer auf unsere Sorgen und Bedürfnisse so gut als möglich eingegangen und haben uns geholfen. Wir würden diese Tour jedem Weiterempfehlen und freuen uns schon auf unsere nächste Reise (Safari Tour) mit unseren Mosha Freunden! Liebe Grüße aus Wien Marianna & Tomasz
  
 
 
       
   Armando F 
 2018-02-22
 
 
   An amazing safari trip
We had a safari trip to tarangire and manyara national park. It was an amazing trip. Or tour guide abu was very professional kind and informational. Thank a lot for a beautiful experience
  
 
 
       
   diggaditch 
 2017-12-27
 
 
   The Best Guides on Kilimanjaro
We climbed Kilimanjaro and hit the summit after 5 days, our guides were second to none they were brilliant they kept us alive on the mountain for sure. I can thoroughly recommend Moshi Climbing Tours, if you are serious and want to summit listen to these guys and do what they say and you will have the thrill of a lifetime..
  
 
 
       
   Corrine M 
 2017-12-26
 
 
   Mosha Climbing Tours Jan 2017
Mosha Climbing Tours is a very professional and informative touring company. I had an experience of a lifetime during safari as well as hiking Kilimanjaro and felt safe, informed and very much watched after during the trek. Plus my entire group of 10 friends reached the summit under Seraphin's guidance. I'd highly recommend all my friends/family to sign up with Mosha Climbing Tours.
  
 
 
       
   Pablo P 
 2017-11-22
 
 
   Excellent experience
Excellent experience with this company. Mountain, Safari and beach in Tanzania. Really kind people who did all what they said before booking the tour.
  
 
 
       
   Alexandru V 
 2017-11-21
 
 
   Climbing Kilimanjaro
Climbing Kilimanjaro is a must for everyone who wants to test his abilities in mountaineering. There are so many things you need to know, plan and do in order to be successful and still nothing is guaranteed. Must say we were afraid of so many do's and don'ts and prepared accordingly. But then when it all started we had the most interesting experience. Mosha Climbing Tours guys were awesome, from the moment we landed till we left we were taken care of, advised in every matter, supported and trained. But most of all our communication was great so we haven't felt lost in any way. If we would knew all that it would've made everything much more simpler, starting with all the food we carried, equipment, etc. Our experience was absolutely amazing and that's why I can only recommend Mosha Climbing Tours for the professionalism and incredible experience they offered us. Thank you Seraphin and all the team. See you next time at Safari ;) Alex
  
 
 
  
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