Kilimanjaro - Shira route Trip highlights:

The Shira Route *****
The Shira route is another path that approaches Kilimanjaro from the west, and it is nearly identical to the Lemosho route. In fact, Shira was the original route and Lemosho is the improved variation.
While Lemosho starts at Londorossi Gate and treks through the rain forest to Shira 1 Camp, the Shira route bypasses this walk by using a vehicle to transport climbers to Shira Gate, located near the Shira Ridge.
On the first day on the mountain, climbers begin their hike from 11,800 feet (3,600 m) and spend their first night at the same elevation at Simba Camp.
Then, the route merges with Lemosho and follows the southern circuit route.
Although Shira is a varied and beautiful route, Lemosho is recommended over Shira due to the relatively high altitude of Shira's starting point, which is accessed quickly by the vehicle.
It is possible that climbers will experience some altitude related symptoms on the first day while camping at 11,800 feet.
A nine-day variation that includes an overnight at Crater Camp is available as a private climb by special request..

Package Itinerary:

• Day 0 : Arrival Day

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  You will be picked up from the airport by a Bushmen representative and conveyed to your accommodation in Arusha or moshi where you will overnight, relax, and prepare in anticipation of the adventures to come.
• Day 1 : Shira Gate to Shira 1 Camp

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  Trekking from Starting Point to Shira 1
  Shira Gate (2,250m/7,381ft) to Shira 1 (3,610m/11,843ft)
  Hiking distance: 4km
  Hiking time: 1–2hrs
  Habitat: Moorland
  you depart Moshi/Arusha for Londorossi Gate, which takes about 4hours, where you will complete entry formalities while guides and porters prepare equipment. After lunch at the gate, drive for about 2hrs further up to where you’re hiking trail begins (Starting Point). The trek starts through shrubs and giant heather until you reach Shira 1 Camp.
  Overnight: Shira 1 Camp (All meals included)
• Day 2 : Shira 1 to Shira 2 Camp

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  Trekking from Shira 1 to Shira 2 Camp Via Cathedral point
  Shira Camp 1(3,610m/11,843ft) to Shira 2 (3,850m/12,795ft) via Cathedral Point (3872m/12703)
  Hiking distance: 7km
  Hiking Time: 3-4 hrs
  Habitat: Moorland
  You explore the Shira plateau for a day. It is a gentle walk east toward Kibo’s glaciered peak, across the plateau, which leads to Shira 2 camp on moorland meadows by a stream.
  Shira is one of the highest plateaus on earth. You will cross Shira Cathedral for acclimatization and if the weather permits, Mount Meru (the fifth summit of Africa) is clearly seeing from Shira 2.
  Overnight: Shira 2 Camp or Moir Camp (All meals included)
• Day 3 : Shira 2 to Barranco Camp via Lava Tower

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  Trekking to Barranco Camp via Lava Tower
  Shira 2 (3,850m/12,795ft) to Barranco Camp (3,900m/12,960ft) via Lava Tower (4,600m/15,190ft) Hiking Distance: 12km
  Hiking Time: 6-7hrs
  Habitat: Moorland
  From the Shira Plateau, you continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As you continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth.”
  Shortly after the tower, you come to the second junction that brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 16,000ft. You now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of almost 13,000ft.
  Here you will rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight.
  Although you end the day at the same elevation as you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.
  Overnight: Barranco Camp (All meals included)
• Day 4 : Baranco Camp to Barafu Camp

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  Trekking Baranco Wall to Barafu Camp
  Baranco Camp (3,900m/12,960ft) to Barafu Camp (4,667m/15,311ft)
  Hiking Distance: 13km
  Hiking Time 7- 8hrs
  Habitat: Alpine Desert
  This is a great mountain day. You descend into the start of the Great Barranco and then exit steeply up onto the southern slopes of Kibo. You pass beneath the Heim and Kersten glaciers and head up to the Karanga Valley, the last place where you can find water below the summit.
  You will pass Karanga campsite and the junction of the Mweka Trail before a final push across some scree to the Barafu campsite.
  From here you can see both the peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo.
  Overnight: Barafu Camp (All meals included)
• Day 5 : Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak down to Mweka Camp

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  Summit Day!
  Barafu Camp (4,667m/14,930ft) to Uhuru Peak (5,895m/19,340ft) down to Mweka Camp (3,100m/10,170ft)
  Elevation (ft): 15,300ft to 19,345ft (and down to 10,000ft)
  Hiking Distance: 15.5km
  Hiking Time: 8hrs up and 7-8hrs down
  Habitat: Ice Cap
  At 11:30 PM, you will wake up to steaming tea and biscuits. You will then take off into the night. Your 6-hour climb northwest through heavy scree between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers to Stella Point on the crater rim is the most challenging part of the route for most climbers. At Stella Point (5,685m/18,650ft) you stop for a short rest and a chance to see an outstanding sunrise. You cannot stop for long, as it will be extremely difficult to start again due to fatigue and cold.
  Depending on the season and recent storm activity, you may encounter snow on the remaining part of your hike along the Uhuru Peak rim.
  On the summit, you can enjoy your accomplishment, knowing you are creating a day you will remember for the rest of your life.
  After a 3-hour descent from the summit back to Barafu Camp, you will have a well-earned but short rest, collect your gears, and hike down a rock and scree path to the moorland below and enter the forest to Mweka Camp (3,100m/10,170ft). This camp is in the upper forest, where you can expect rain and mist in the late afternoon.
  Overnight: Mweka Camp(All meals included)
• Day 6 : Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate

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  Descend to Mweka Gate
  Mweka Camp (3,100m/10,170ft) to Mweka Gate (1,980m/6,500ft) Hiking Distance: 12km
  Hiking Time: 3hrs
  Habitat: Montane forest
  After breakfast, you will take a short scenic 3-hour hike back to the park gate.
  At Mweka Gate, you can sign your name and add details in a register. This is also where successful climbers receive summit certificates. Climbers who reached Stella Point are issued green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak receive gold certificates.
  From the Mweka Gate, you will continue down to Mweka Village for Hot Lunch with your Mountain Crew and a small celebration before your drive to your hotel for warm shower and leisure.