Affordable Kilimanjaro Climb 6 Days Shira Route
Affordable Kilimanjaro Climb 6 Days Shira Route for US$1,790/Person Based on 2-3 Persons Booking
The Shira Route is one of the older and less-crowded trails on Mount Kilimanjaro, starting near the Shira Ridge on the mountain’s western side. It offers beautiful high-altitude scenery right from the beginning and merges with the Lemosho and Machame routes higher up the mountain.
This 6-day itinerary provides a scenic and moderately challenging trek, perfect for climbers seeking a slightly shorter route with great acclimatization and panoramic views of the Shira Plateau, Lava Tower, Barranco Wall, and Uhuru Peak (5,895m).
Trek Itinerary
DAY O: ARRIVAL TO TANZANIA.
You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro international airport and transferred to BnB Hotel in Moshi town, you will meet your guide who will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. The missing gear can be rented on this day.
DAY 1: MOSHI – LONDOROSI GATE – SHIRA 1 CAMP
• Elevation: 2,100m / 6,890ft to 3,500m / 11,480ft
• Distance: 7km / 4mi
• Hiking Time: 3–4 hours
• Habitat: Moorland
• Meals: Lunch and Dinner
After breakfast, drive for about 3–4 hours from Moshi to Londorosi Gate for registration. Continue by vehicle to the trailhead at Shira Ridge (3,500m), where you begin your trek across the open moorland to Shira 1 Camp. This route offers stunning views across the Shira Plateau and Mount Meru in the distance.
DAY 2: SHIRA 1 CAMP – SHIRA 2 CAMP
• Elevation: 3,500m / 11,480ft to 3,850m / 12,630ft
• Distance: 7km / 4mi
• Hiking Time: 4–5 hours
• Habitat: Moorland
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Today is a gentle hike across the Shira Plateau, a vast high-altitude desert. You’ll enjoy panoramic views and plenty of time to acclimatize. Arrive at Shira 2 Camp for hot lunch and an afternoon rest, preparing for higher elevation tomorrow.
DAY 3: SHIRA 2 CAMP – LAVA TOWER – BARRANCO CAMP
• Elevation: 3,850m / 12,630ft to 4,600m / 15,090ft (Lava Tower), down to 3,950m / 12,960ft
• Distance: 10km / 6mi
• Hiking Time: 6–7 hours
• Habitat: Semi-desert
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Today is crucial for acclimatization. You hike east toward Lava Tower, also known as the "Shark’s Tooth," before descending into the Barranco Valley. Though you end the day near the same altitude you started, this climb-high, sleep-low strategy helps your body adapt to the altitude.
DAY 4: BARRANCO CAMP – BARAFU CAMP
• Elevation: 3,950m / 12,960ft to 4,680m / 15,350ft
• Distance: 9km / 5.5mi
• Hiking Time: 6–8 hours
• Habitat: Alpine Desert
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
After breakfast, ascend the Barranco Wall — an exciting scramble with rewarding views from the top. Continue across ridges and valleys, passing Karanga Valley, before reaching Barafu Camp. From here, you have a clear view of the summit and Mawenzi Peak. Rest early and prepare for your summit climb.
DAY 5: BARAFU CAMP – SUMMIT – MWEKA CAMP
• Elevation: 4,680m / 15,350ft to 5,895m / 19,341ft (Uhuru Peak), down to 3,100m / 10,170ft
• Distance: 5km up / 12km down
• Hiking Time: 7–8 hours up / 4–6 hours down
• Habitat: Arctic / Moorland
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Begin your summit attempt around midnight. Trek between the Rebmann and Ratzel Glaciers to Stella Point (5,739m). After a short rest, continue to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa!
After celebrating your achievement, descend to Barafu Camp for lunch, then continue down to Mweka Camp for overnight.
DAY 6: MWEKA CAMP – MWEKA GATE – MOSHI
• Elevation: 3,100m / 10,170ft to 1,640m / 5,380ft
• Distance: 10km / 6mi
• Hiking Time: 3–4 hours
• Habitat: Rainforest
• Meals: Breakfast
Continue your descent through the lush rainforest to Mweka Gate, where you will receive your summit certificates. Our driver will meet you and transfer you back to BnB Hotel in Moshi town.
What’s included:
Kilimanjaro International Aport (JRO) Transfers, 2-Way
All park entrance, Hut and rescue fees
All meals, boiled and filtered drinking water while on the mountain.
Warm water for washing to be provided every morning and evening.
Oxygen Cylinder – only for emergency
English Speaking Guides (Wilderness First Responder certified), cook and porters
Staff salaries and fees
Transport to/from national park gates
First aid kit and pulse oximeter
Emergency telephone between the guides and our office in Moshi town
3 delicious meals daily on the mountain
3 litres of bottled drinking water to be provided on the first day your hike, on the mountain porters will fetch water from the streams to be boiled and filtered for you
2 nights lodging at BnB Hotel in Moshi town
Bed and breakfast at BnB Hotel in Moshi town
What’s excluded:
Sleeping bags
Gratuities
Soda/alcohol unless otherwise noted
Health insurance
Visa fees
International airfare
Laundry
Meals not noted on the itinerary
Email/WhatsApp
info@affordablekilimanjaro.com
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