Phone:
+255 755 879 484

Email:
info@kilitwende.co.tz

Address:
P.O.Box 2122 Moshi - Tanzania

  • KiliTwende
  • KiliTwende
  • KiliTwende

Kilimanjaro Trek 7 Days Shira Route

Special Tour 7 days
Umbwe Route, Tanzania Tour Guide: KiliTwende

Trek Overview:

Very similar to Lemosho route, however it starts at 3,600m/12,100ft and is therefore not ideal for trekkers who have little or no experience of high altitude trekking.

On the first day you will drive to Londros Gate for registration and continue drive to Murom starting point before joining the Lemosho Route at Shira Camp 2. The high starting point is however a major negative for this route as many experience altitude sickness from day one without enough time to acclimatize.

The route over the Shira Plateau has several possible variations. After Shira Camp 2 the route joins the Machame Route via Lava Tower, and then descends to the Barranco Camp via the Southern Circuit. Ascent to Uhuru Peak is made via Barafu Camp and up the southern slopes of Kibo.

The route is seldom used by other trekkers and so your initial two days on the mountain are less crowded than on most other routes.

Trek Highlights

  • Arrival
  • Day 1: Starting Point (3,600m/12,100ft) – Shira 1 Camp (3,500m11, 500ft)
  • Day 2: Shira 1 Camp (3,500m11, 500ft) – Shira 2 Camp (3,900m/12,800ft)
  • Day 3: Shira 2 Camp (3,900m11, 500ft) – Lava Tower (4,600m/15,090ft) – Barranco Camp (3,900m/12,800 ft)
  • Day 4: Barranco Camp (3,900m/12,800 ft) – Karanga Camp (3,995m/13,100)
  • Day 5: Karanga Camp (3,995m/13,100ft) to Barafu Camp (4,673m15, 330ft)
  • Day 6: Barafu Camp (4,673m/15,330) – Uhuru Peak (5,895m/19,350ft) – Millennium Camp (3,950m/12,950ft) –Mweka Camp (3,100m/10,200ft)
  • Day 7: Mweka Camp (3,100m/10,200ft) – Mweka Gate (1,650m/54,200ft) – Moshi (900m/2,950ft)
  • End

Inclusions

  • Pick up and drop off at Kilimanjaro International Airport
  • Pre & Post Trek accommodation at the standard hotel in Moshi
  • Park fees, camp fee, rescue fees with newly government enforced 18% VAT from July 1st 2016
  • Transfers to/from the mountain gates
  • Expert guides, cook, assistant guides, and porters
  • Three meals a day during the climb
  • Bottled water on the first day of the climb boiled and filtered on the mountain
  • Entry fees, Camping fees, rescue fees and crew fees
  • Mountains 4 Season sleeping tents double occupancy
  • Sleeping mattress, foam, 1.5 inches thick
  • Mess tent, table, chairs and lanterns
  • Oxygen tank in case of emergency
  • Portable flush toilet with a toilet tent
  • Crew salaries (Guides, cook and porters)

Exclusions

  • Airfare
  • Beverages and food at hotel
  • Personal trekking gear
  • Laundry Services
  • A doctor for the group
  • Tips for porters, guides, cook and assistant guides

Day 0: Arrive Moshi/Tanzania

Upon arrival, you will meet and picked at Kilimanjaro International Airport with a KiliTwende Adventures representative followed by transferred to a hotel in Moshi, where you will meet with a Kilimanjaro Trekking guide for the Pre trekking briefing and equipment check up, then rest until the next morning for the starting trek.

Day 1: Starting Point (3,600m/12,100ft) – Shira 1 Camp (3,500m11, 500ft)

Distance: 4km
Environment: Moorland
Time: 1 to 2 hours

Start in the morning from the lodge in Moshi; you will make a way to the Londorossi Gate on the Western side of Mt. Kilimanjaro (the drive takes 3 hours). Arrive at the gate then complete all the park entry formalities.  Enjoy lunch which will be served before continue drive for about 1hrs 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.

Day 2: Shira 1 Camp (3,500m11, 500ft) – Shira 2 Camp (3,900m/12,800ft)

Distance: 10km
Environment: Moorland
Time: 5 to 6 hours

On this day, you’ll get to cross the Shira Ridge by traversing its rocky ground, low grasses, and shrubs. You’ll find that the walking is much more easy and leisurely as the terrain is comparatively flatter. You’ll enjoy the views of the Great Rift Valley and nearby Mount Meru.

Reach the junctions between Moir and Shira 2 camp and continue to the main trail and get to Shira 2 Camp.

Arrive at the camp for lunch then depending on the weather, acclimatization hikes can be arranged in the late afternoon followed by dinner and overnight.

Day 3: Shira 2 Camp (3,900m11, 500ft) – Lava Tower (4,600m/15,090ft) – Barranco Camp (3,900m/12,800 ft)

Distance: 12km
Environment: Moorland
Time: 6 to 7 hours

After having your breakfast, you’ll start an important day for acclimatization by ascent to Lava Tower Today. In the distance, you can get sightings of Kibo which will encourage you to continue uphill. After making it to the Lava Tower at 4600 meters, you’ll have lunch break and acclimatize properly with the altitude. Then a downward journey to Barranco Camp will follow.

This method of climbing high but sleeping low allows your body to acclimatize to the differing altitudes and gives you a good idea on how your body reacts to changes in Altitude.

As you ascend, you’ll notice a sharp change in scenery and suddenly you’ll be surrounded by giant Senecias and relatively smaller Lobelia plants.

The Trek will lead you to beautiful and green Barranco Camp. From here, you can get a good view of the surrounding snow-capped mountains.

Day 4: Barranco Camp (3,900m/12,800 ft) – Karanga Camp (3,995m/13,100)

Distance: 7 km
Environment: Alpine Desert
Time: 4 to 5 hours

Today the Barranco Wall stands before you to conquer. Some stages will require you to use your hands for a better grip, but no actual climbing is necessary and your guide will be with you every step of the way to provide a helping hand.

The route with its numerous ascents and descents allow you a chance for further acclimatization, before reaching the mountain ridge. Walking along the ridge you can take in the beautiful landscape with its stunning contrasts of desert and vegetation, before finally reaching the cloudy

Karanga Camp. Your trek will take between 4 to 5 hours, leaving more than enough time to rest and play a game of rummy.

Day 5: Karanga Camp (3,995m/13,100ft) to Barafu Camp (4,673m15, 330ft)

Distance: 4km
Environment: Alpine desert
Time: 4 to 5 hours

Awakening to the sunlight dancing off the Kibo Summit, you will enjoy an energetic breakfast before setting out to today’s destination – the Barafu Camp. Most of the day will be spent walking through very dry deserted terrain, with Kibo ever present on your left side.

After 3-4 hours you will reach Barafu Camp, where you will have an early dinner and overnight as the highlight of your trip is only a few short hours away.

Day 6: Barafu Camp (4,673m/15,330) – Uhuru Peak (5,895m/19,350ft) – Millennium Camp (3,950m/12,950ft) –Mweka Camp (3,100m/10,200ft)

Distance: 18 km
Environment: Alpine desert/stone scree/ice-capped summit/Montane forest
Time: 14 to 16 hours

You will start early, around 11 pm or midnight.  Ascend to the Stella Point which is located at the rim of Kilimanjaro’s crater. From there, you can see the sun rise over the peak of Mawenzi, and after a short break, you’ll ascend further to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa.

Descending from the peak will lead you to Barafu camp for a short rest, after the meal and some rest, and then continue down to Mweka camp to sleep overnight.

Depends with how you will be feeling, you will sleep at Millennium camp instead, so less descent today, but means more descent tomorrow.

Day 7: Mweka Camp (3,100m/10,200ft) – Mweka Gate (1,650m/54,200ft) – Moshi (900m/2,950ft)

Distance: 10km
Environment: Montane forest
Time: 3 to 4 hours

The final ascend of your amazing Kilimanjaro trekking adventure begins after your last breakfast on the mountain followed by a traditional farewell ceremony from the mountain crew. Then a gentle 3 to 4 hours’ descent through the rainforest continues to Mweka Gate, where your transferring driver will be waiting for you to drive back to the Hotel accommodation in Moshi and after a warm shower, the rest of the day is free to rest, relax at the pool or celebrate your achievement.

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