The Shira route starts from the checkpoint - the Shira gate, which is located at a fairly high altitude - 3600 m. All tourist groups are transported to this entrance by transport, and therefore, many tourists without sufficient acclimatization experience mountain sickness on the first day / night of climbing The miner. As a rule, this route is chosen only by trained climbers who have the experience of climbing to a considerable height and quickly adapt to extreme conditions for the body.
It is also a fairly long route to Kilimanjaro. It requires at least 6 nights. Three of them pass, as a rule, in the conditions closest to the wild, that is, on this route the greatest acquaintance with the pristine nature of these places is achieved.
From the Shira hut (3840 m), this route almost repeats the Lemosho route. From this moment, the number of people on it exceeds the desired size.
The descent takes place along the route of Mveka.
Day 1
You will be met at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to a hotel in Moshi. Here you will meet your guide who will inform you about the upcoming trip, check your clothes, equipment, etc., to make sure that you have everything you need to climb. On the same day, everything necessary for climbing can be taken at our rental point. Overnight at the hotel, breakfast included.
Day 2
Transfer to Kilimanjaro National Park, the gate of the Shira - Shira Camp 2. The journey from the city of Moshi to the start of the trail takes about 3 hours. Further, we climb already on foot through the rainforest along a winding path up the ridge. In lowlands, the trail is often muddy and slippery. It is desirable to have gaiters and sticks for trekking. We continue to climb a short distance until we reach Camp Shira 2. Altitude: from 1830 m to 3850 m / Distance: 8 km / Travel time: 4-5 hours / Habitat: Montana Forest / Food: lunch and dinner
Day 3
Trekking: Camp Shira 2 - Lava Tower (4630 m) - Camp Barranco (3960 m). From the Shira plateau we go east up the ridge, passing through the intersection to the top of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes southeast towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark's Tooth” (altitude 4630 m). Soon after the tower, we will reach the second intersection, which goes to the Strelka glacier. Now we continue to the camp of Barranco. Although you end the day around the same elevation as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare to meet the height. Height: from 3850 m to 4000 m / Distance: 10 km / Walking time: 5-6 hours / Habitat: semi-desert / Food: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 4
Trekking: Barranco Camp - Karanga Camp. After breakfast, we exit Barranco and continue along the steep ridge on the Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley to the crossroads where we connect with the Mveka Trail. Height: from 4000 m to 4050 m / Distance: 5 km / Hiking time: 3-4 hours / Habitat: Alpine desert / Food: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 5
Trekking: Karang camp - Barafu camp. We continue our journey to the camp of Barafu. We will complete the South circuit, which offered a view of the peak from different points. Here we make a camp, relax, enjoy dinner and get ready to meet at the top. Height: from 4050 m to 4700 m / Distance: 4 km / Hiking time: 3-4 hours / Habitat: Alpine desert / Food: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 6
Ascent: Barafu camp - Uhuru peak (5895 m) - Mveka camp. Very early in the morning (midnight) we continue to the peak between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. We head northwest and climb through a heavy scree to the Stella point (5730 m) along the edge of the crater. This is the smartest and most physically challenging part of the trip. At Stella Point, you will stop for a short break and be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you have ever seen. Faster travelers can see the sunrise from the top. From Stella point you can meet snow on the way in your 1-hour climb to the top. At some point you are in Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and on the continent in Africa!
From the top we begin our descent, stopping for lunch at the Barafu camp, which continues right up to the Mveka camp. You will need gaiters and trekking poles for loose gravel going down. We arrive at the Mveka camp and enjoy our last evening on the mountain.
Height: from 4700 m to 5895 m and down to 3090 m / Distance: 5 km up and 13 km down / Hiking time: 5-7 hours up and 5-6 hours down / Habitat: talus, snow, ice on top / Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 7
Trekking: camp of Mveka - gate of Mveka - trip to Moshi. After breakfast, we continue downhill to the gate of Mveka to obtain certificates of climbing to the top of Kilimanjaro. The trail in the lowlands can be wet and dirty. Gaiters and trekking poles will help you on the descent. You will probably need to wear shorts and T-shirts (keep a raincoat and warm clothes in a convenient place). From the gate, continue for another hour to the village of Mveka. A car will meet us in the village of Mveka to take you back to the hotel in Moshi (about 30 minutes). Height: from 3090 m to 1680 m / Distance: 10 km / Hiking time: 3-4 hours / Habitat: Forest / Food: breakfast.
Day 8 etc.
This day is the day of your next trip. Hotel morning, fees, breakfast included.
If you want and you have a desire to plunge into the next adventure, this and next days, for an additional fee, you are offered:
Climbing Kilimanjaro (5895 m) via any other route, ascent to the top of Mount Meru (4566 m), various safari tours lasting from 2 to 10 days, rest in Zanzibar, excursions and other programs.