Everything To Know About Mount Kilimanjaro Shira Route

Everything To Know About Mount Kilimanjaro Shira Route : The Shira Route begins at 3,600 meters, making it unsuitable for hikers with little to no expertise at high altitudes. The Lemosho Route and the Shira Route are virtually identical. In actuality, Lemosho was developed to enhance the route start point, although Shira was the original route before that.

The Shira Route skips here and begins farther north and higher up at the Shira Gate, while the Lemosho Route begins at the Londorossi Gates in the breathtaking Kilimanjaro rainforest. Trekkers can acclimatize before beginning the Lemosho Route on day two at Shira Camp 2 by hiking the first day from Shira Gate to Simba Camp, which is at a very similar altitude.

Although this route has a high starting point, some hikers develop altitude sickness right away since their bodies haven’t had time to acclimate.

 The path descends to the Barranco Camp via the Southern Circuit after leaving Shira Camp 2 and joining the Machame route via Lava Tower. The ascent to Uhuru Peak takes place via Barafu Camp and up the southern slopes of Kibo, just like the Machame, Umbwe, and Lemosho Routes while on your Tanzania hiking safari

SHIRA ROUTE FAQs: EVERYTHING TO KNOW ABOUT SHIRA ROUTE

What is the Shira Plateau?

On the western slope of Mount Kilimanjaro, a 13-kilometer-long area of land is known as the Shira Plateau. One of the highest plateaus on the globe, it is located at a height of roughly 3,800 meters. About 500,000 years ago, an ancient caldera (volcanic crater) that had been eroded through time to create a plateau at the bottom of the volcanic pit gave rise to the Shira plateau.

Everything To Know About Mount Kilimanjaro Shira Route : Should I hike the Shira Plateau route?

The Shira path should be avoided for two reasons. First off, the elevation of the starting site (3,600 meters) leaves little time for acclimatization and increases the likelihood of developing symptoms of altitude sickness. Second, the Shira route begins in an area that is largely arid and unattractive, avoiding the magnificent rainforest on the western side of Kilimanjaro.

Everything To Know About Mount Kilimanjaro Shira Route : Which route should I take instead of the Shira Route?

An excellent substitute for the Shira Route is the Lemosho Route. Although it begins in the rainforest and offers a decent acclimatization profile, it also begins on the western flank of Mount Kilimanjaro. Make sure the first camp you stay at is called Mti Mkubwa (also known as Big Tree Camp) if you want to be sure you are booking onto the Lemosho route because some operators use the Shira route name interchangeably with the Lemosho kilimanjaro hike.

Everything To Know About Mount Kilimanjaro Shira Route : How hard is it to climb Kilimanjaro on the Shira Route?

The Shira path is regarded as being moderate. The biggest drawback of the route is that it begins at a high level, which might be problematic for climbers who can’t acclimate to the elevation of 11,500 feet right away.

Everything To Know About Mount Kilimanjaro Shira Route : What is the successful rate of Shira Route Climb of Kilimanjaro?

According to our estimates, the success rate for the 6-day Shira route is 55%, the 7-day Shira route is 75%, and the 8-day Shira route is 85%.

How Much Does It Cost to Climb Kilimanjaro on the Shira Route?

The cost varies according to the number of days required to ascend Kilimanjaro using the Shira route. The cost of a private climb on the eight-day Shira route is currently $3,749 per person.

SHIRA ROUTE ITINERARY

Day 1: Arusha-Londorossi Gate (2250 m) Morrum Barrier (3300 m)-Shira Camp 1 (3500m)

You will be transported to Londorossi Gate after breakfast and a briefing in Arusha/Moshi, where our guides will assist you with registering with the Kilimanjaro National Park officials. You will be driven to the Morrum Barrier, where the hike will start, after checking in at the gate. You will go from the Morrum Barrier to Shira Camp 1 (3500m), passing through a region dominated by heather and moorland.

  • Trekking Time: 2-3 hours (from the Morrum Barrier to Shira Camp 1).
  • Zone: Montane Forest/Low Alpine
  • Dinner and overnight accommodation at Shira Camp 1 (3500m)

 Day 2: Shira Camp 1 (3500m) and Shira Camp 2 (3840m)

The purpose of the somewhat easy trek on this day is to aid with your acclimatization. Before arriving at Shira Cathedral, which is a sizable rock encircled by steep spires and pinnacles, you will explore the moorlands and volcanic rocks. You will hike to Shira Camp 2 (3840m) from Shira Cathedral, where lunch will be provided. Resting will take up the rest of the day.

  • Distance: ~ 6 km
  • Time: 4-5 hours
  • Zone: Low Alpine
  • Dinner and overnight accommodation at Shira Camp 2 (3840m)

 

Day 3: Shira Camp 2 (3840 m), Lava Tower (4630 m), and Barranco Camp (3960m)

After breakfast at Shira Camp 2, proceed east along a ridge before turning southeast in the direction of the Lava Tower (4630m). The terrain eventually becomes more desolate as you get closer to the Lava Tower. Lava Tower will provide lunch to guests.

 After lunch, the terrain will fall through the Barranco valley until you reach Barranco Camp, which is located at an altitude of 3960 meters, or nearly the same as Shira Camp 2, where you spent the night before. Your body adjusts to altitude fluctuations thanks to the ascent to the Lava Tower and subsequent descent to Barranco Camp.

  • Distance: ~ 11 km
  • Time: 5-7 hours
  • Zone: Low Alpine/High Alpine
  • Dinner and overnight accommodation at Barranco Camp (3960m)

 

Day 4: Barranco Camp (3960m) and Karanga Camp (4200m)

You will move toward the Barranco Wall, a steep rock face measuring roughly 260 meters, after breakfast at Barranco Camp. Because of how steep this wall is, there may be times when you must utilize all four limbs to gain a better grip. Beautiful vistas of Kibo’s southern glacier will reward you for your arduous climb up the Barranco Wall. You will have ups and downs on the following walk to Karanga Camp (4200m), which you will arrive at around lunchtime. You’ll spend the rest of the day at Karanga Camp, relaxing after lunch.

  • Distance: ~ 5 km
  • Time: 4-5 hours
  • Zone: High Alpine
  • Dinner and overnight accommodation at Karanga Camp (4200m)
Everything To Know About Mount Kilimanjaro Shira Route
Karanga Camp

Day 5: Karanga Camp (4200 m)-Barafu Camp (4640m)

You will go along a track that passes through an alpine desert on this day in order to get to Barafu Camp (4640m). You will encounter chilly gusts on this hike coming from the snowy Kibo summit, which is getting closer all the time. After receiving lunch at Barafu Camp, you will have the remainder of the day to unwind while you get ready for the upcoming summit night.

 We’ll serve dinner early so you can get some shut-eye before midnight. To start the final push to the summit (5895m), you will be awakened just before midnight, so try to get to bed around 7 p.m. Before going to bed, you should spend some time getting your climbing gear and attire ready.

  • Distance: ~ 3.5 km
  • Time: 4-5 hours
  • Zone: High Alpine

 

Day 6: Barafu Camp (4,640 m), Uhuru Peak (5,895 m), and Mweka Camp (3,100 m).

After being awakened with a cup of hot tea and a little lunch about midnight, you will begin climbing to Stella Point, which is located on the crater rim and is 5739 meters above sea level. In order to enhance your chances of making it to Stella Point, you must press forward at a steady pace as you make your way towards the crater rim.

 You will begin ascending along a snow-covered track after taking a brief break at Stella Point, and it will take you 1 to 2 hours to reach Uhuru Peak (5895m). You will be on the “Roof of Africa” at Uhuru Peak.

You may take in breathtaking vistas of far-off landscapes below the mountain from the summit when the morning sun illuminates them. Seize the moment, snap as many photos as you can, and then begin the drop. The time you have at the summit is limited, and if you linger there for too long, it could be challenging to get moving again due to the cold, exhaustion, and low oxygen levels.

 Start your descent to Mweka Camp from the top via Stella Point and Barafu Camp. After enjoying a warm supper and a short pause at Barafu Camp, you will continue your descent to Mweka Camp (3,100m).

  • Distance: ~ 4.5 km ascent and 11 km descent
  • Time: 6–8 hours to the summit, and then 5-8 hours to Mweka Gate
  • Zone: Glacial, High Alpine, and Low Alpine
  • Dinner and overnight accommodation at Mweka Camp (3100m)

 

Day 7: Mweka Camp (3100 m), Mweka Gate (1980 m), and Arusha

You will begin a gradual descent through the jungle on your way to Mweka Gate (1980m) after breakfast at Mweka Camp. You will be given certificates at Mweka Gate if you succeed in reaching Stella Point or Uhuru Peak. In order to get you to your hotel in Arusha, where you may take a long, warm shower and celebrate your achievement, our drivers will be waiting for you at the gate.

  • Distance: ~ 9 km
  • Time: 3-5 hours
  • Zone: Rainforest

 

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