7 Kilimanjaro Climb – Shira Route

$

1359

/person

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7 Kilimanjaro Climb - Shira Route

Shira route approaches Mt. Kilimanjaro from the west near Shira Ridge. It is the perfect choice if you want to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro with no crowds. The route is challenging as hikers will start at high altitudes of around 11,800 feet. The Shira route crosses the Shira Plateau, one of the highest plateaus in the world. In this 7-day Kilimanjaro hike, you will enjoy the scenic views of Mt. Kilimanjaro.

After breakfast, we drive to the great Serengeti through the Naabi Hill entrance. You may stop at Olduvai Gorge (the cradle of mankind). It is an important historical site, where the Leakeys excavated the remains of the early hominids said to have lived 3.7 million years ago.

We arrive at the camp at lunchtime. After lunch, enter the wild for a late afternoon game drive. Return to the camp for sundowner, bush dinner, and rest at night.

Meet our mountain guide at the airport and transfer to the hotel in Moshi. Shortly after arriving at your hotel, you will be given a short brief about your hike. You will also check for the availability of some essential gear and other items included in the Kilimanjaro packing list. You will then eat a delicious dinner and sleep overnight.

After a morning meal, we leave Moshi for Londorossi Gate. As the porters and guides prepare equipment, we complete registration with park officials. Afterward, we drive up a steep path to the Shira Gate to start the hike. We then hike through shrubs and giant heather and finally, we arrive at Simba Camp.

· Elevation: 11,800 ft to 11,800 ft

· Distance: 4 km

· Hiking time: 1-2 hours

· Habitat: Heath

As the chef prepares a hot coffee for a break, you prepare for the hike. After breakfast, we hike through a trail leading to Kibo. You enjoy the scenic views of the Kibo and Mawenzi peaks. We then hiked on a trail and finally hit the Second Cave Camp. We relax and have a delicious meal. We then continue hiking southeastwards to the jagged peak of Mount Kilimanjaro. We walk through the moorland while enjoying the views of Mt. Kilimanjaro until we arrive at Kikelewa Camp.

· Elevation: 9300ft – 11,811ft

· Distance: 12 km

· Hiking time: 7-8 hours

· Habitat: Heath

After breakfast, we explore the grassy moorland and volcanic rocks on the plateau. We catch a scenic trail heading to the Shira Cathedral, which is a huge buttress of rock with steep spires and pinnacles surrounding it. Then we settle at Shira 2 Camp.

· Elevation: 11,800 ft to 12,500 ft

· Distance: 6 km

· Hiking time: 2 hours

· Habitat: Heath

On this day, we hike eastwards up a ridge and then southeast toward the Lava Tower (15,190 ft). Lava Tower is a 300-ft volcanic rock formation. The hike starts to descend to Barranco Camp. You relax, enjoy dinner, and sleep overnight.

· Elevation: 12,500 ft to 15,190 ft then to 13,044 ft

· Distance: 10 km

· Hiking time: 6-7 hours

· Habitat: Alpine Desert

The climb will start with a descent into a gully to the base of the massive Barranco Wall. We then face a 900-ft cliff and cross a series of hills and valleys on the top of Barranco Wall. We arrive at Karanga Camp and eat dinner and spend dinner there.

· Elevation: 13,044 ft to 13,106 ft

· Distance: 5 km

· Hiking time: 4-5 hours

· Habitat: Alpine Desert

We start our hike after a buffet breakfast and cross the junction connecting to the Mweka trail. The hike continues up to the rocky section and finally, we arrive at Barafu Camp. Your chef will prepare an early dinner and you will go to bed early to prepare for the summit attempt.

· Elevation: 13,106 ft to 15,331 ft

· Distance: 4 km

· Hiking time: 4-5 hours

· Habitat: Alpine Desert