Home Treks Mount Kilimanjaro Trek – Shira Route

Day by Day Itinerary:

Day 1: Arusha

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport you will be met by a Adventure Makers Tanzania representative and transferred to your hotel where the remainder of the day is at leisure – rest in your room, relax in the manicured gardens with a good book, enjoy a swim in the pool or explore Arusha and the surrounding areas on one of our day tours, the choice is yours.

Overnight – Ilboru Safari Lodge, Arusha

Day 2: Mount Kilimanjaro, Shira Route 

After breakfast you will depart Arusha and drive to the Shira Gate located inside the Kilimanjaro National Park where you will sign in, complete your registration and other formalities.

The Shira Route is a varied and beautiful route and starts at a high altitude of 3,600m. Today you will follow the Shira Ridge on a short winding trail through the rainforest to Shira Camp. At lower elevations, the trail can be muddy and slippery.

Starting Point: Shira Gate 3,600m

End Point: Shira Camp 3,810m

Walking Time: 3-4 Hours approx.

Overnight – Shira Camp, Mount Kilimanjaro  

Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 3: Mount Kilimanjaro, Shira Route 

For clients trekking the Shira Route in 7 days today is an acclimatisation day where you will explore the Shira plateau as you hike east towards Kibo’s peak which leads to Shira Camp 2 and is located by a river on the moorland. Your camp tonight is more exposed and will be windier and colder with temperatures often dropping below freezing.

The trail today becomes increasingly challenging and steep and from the Shira Plateau you will continue east, along a ridge, passing the junction towards to peak of Kibo. You will then change direction and trek south east towards the Lava Tower also known as the Shark’s Tooth at 4,600m, and then on to Arrow Glacier and the Great Barranco Valley. Here you can enjoy the beautiful landscape and the Breech Wall which surrounds the camp on 3 sides. The area has an amazing view of the hanging glaciers and Kibo and climbing high and sleeping low will help your body further acclimatise and prepare for the summit.

Starting Point: Shira Camp 3,810m

End Point: Barranco Camp 3,948m

Walking Time: 5-7 Hours approx.

Overnight – Barranco Camp, Mount Kilimanjaro

Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 4: Mount Kilimanjaro, Shira Route 

Today is an acclimatisation day and you will continue along a steep ridge passing the Great Barranco Wall passing below the Heim Glacier and through the alpine desert of the Karanga Valley where you will have views of the summit from many different angles.

Starting Point: Barranco Camp 3,948m

End Point: Karanga Camp 3,995m

Walking Time: 3-5 Hours approx.

Overnight – Karanga, Mount Kilimanjaro  

Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 5: Mount Kilimanjaro, Shira Route  

You will follow the dry and barren trail through the alpine desert before reaching Barafu Camp which offers spectacular views of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks and you can appreciate just how beautiful Kilimanjaro really is and from now, all eyes are on the summit.

Tonight you will enjoy an early dinner and retire to your tent where you will prepare for your hike to the summit later tonight. At 11:30pm you will be woken with tea or coffee and a snack before making your way into the night.

Starting Point: Karanga Camp 3,995

End Point: Barafu Camp 4,600m

Walking Time: 4-5 Hours approx.

Overnight – Barafu Camp, Mount Kilimanjaro  

Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 6: Mount Kilimanjaro, Shira Route

You will continue your trek into the early hours of the morning as you follow the trail between the Rebmann and Ratzel Glaciers to Stella Point at 5,756m which is located on the Crater rim in time to watch the sun rise from the Roof of Africa, a once in a lifetime experience. Here you will rest and take in the magnificent beauty around you. You will continue along the snow covered trail to Uhuru Peak, the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro at 5,895m. Temperatures near the summit can range from -23 degrees Celsius in the morning to just below freezing during the night. Upon arrival at the summit you will have the opportunity for a short rest and celebrate a successful climb. Note: faster climbers will see the sun rise from the summit at Uhuru Peak.

After time to enjoy the beauty around you, you will begin your descent towards Barafu Camp where you will enjoy a short rest before continuing to the Mweka Camp situated in the upper forest. You can expect mist or rain in the afternoon and you will spend your final night here on the mountain.

Starting Point: Barafu Camp 4,600m

Via: Uhuru Peak 5,895m

End Point:  Mweka Camp 3,068m

Walking Time: 11-14 Hours approx.

Overnight – Mweka Camp, Mount Kilimanjaro  

Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 7: Mount Kilimanjaro, Shira Route  

After a leisurely breakfast, you will continue your descent to the Mweka Gate where successful climbers receive their summit certificate. Your vehicle will be waiting for you and will drive you to Arusha where the remainder of the day is at leisure.

Starting Point: Mweka Camp 3,068m

End Point:  Mweka Gate 1,640m

Walking Time: 3-5 Hours approx.

Overnight – Ilboru Safari Lodge, Arusha     

Meals – Breakfast and Lunch

Day 8: Arusha  

Today you will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight.

Meals – Breakfast