This is a 9 days Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro on Shira Route from the western corner of the Kilimanjaro park. The trip starts from your first night at the base, a morning pick up and transfers through a rich, lush rain forest until we arrive at the ridge of the Shira Plateau, where the expedition begins and then down through Mweka route.. Shira route offers a large, rocky plateau, amazing landscape shaped by the lava that came from Kilimanjaro peak when volcano was active. The plateau allows you to get a taste of this spectacular mountain and its many ecosystems and also provides a stunning view of the perpetually snow-capped peak of the world's tallest free-standing mountain, the highest peak in Africa, Kilimanjaro. We provide the guests with experienced mountain crew.

Trip Info

You will enjoy and experience nature, wildlife, habit and habitat of the fauna and flora in the natural areas, also peoples and culture. Availability 100% Sure, BOOK today

Minimum Rate Per Adult: US$ 2,598

Departing From: Arusha or Moshi

Duration: 10 Days / 9 Nights

Departure Time: 0830 Hrs (possible to leave earlier than)

Departures: Daily

Minimum Persons Required: 2

Detailed Tour Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive into Arusha Tanzania. JRO
upon arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). Meet and greet and then take a private transfer to Arusha or Moshi for your first night at the base. Some of the Mountain crew including a head guide will be waiting to the hotel for check up on the gears and pre-briefing of the 9 days Kilimanjaro hiking, the rest of the day is spent at leisure.

Day 2: Arusha/Moshi - to - Shira Gate to Simba Camp
Elevation: 11,800 ft to 11,800 ft
Distance: 4 km/2 miles
Hiking Time: 1-2 hours
Habitat: Heath

We depart Arusha or Moshi, drive tor Londorossi Gate, which takes about 4 hours; here we will complete entry formalities while guides and porters prepare/ weighing equipment. We then continue to drive up a steep path to the Shira Gate where the trekking expedition will begin. The trek starts through shrubs and giant heather until we reach Simba Camp.

Day 3: Simba Camp to Shira 2 Camp
Elevation: 11,800 ft to 12,500 ft
Distance: 6 km/4 miles
Hiking Time: 2 hours
Habitat: Heath

Today is a fairly easy day to help with acclimatization. We begin by exploring the grassy moorland and volcanic rock formations on the plateau. Then we take a scenic path to the Shira Cathedral, a huge buttress of rock surrounded by steep spires and pinnacles, before settling at Shira 2 Camp.

Day 4: Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower
Elevation: 12,500 ft to 15,190 ft
Distance: 7 km/4 miles
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert

Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
Elevation: 15,190 ft to 13,044 ft
Distance: 3 km/2 miles
Hiking Time: 2-3 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert

We continue to the east up a ridge and then head southeast towards the Lava Tower – a 300 ft tall volcanic rock formation. We descend down to Barranco Camp through the strange but beautiful Senecio Forest to an altitude of 13,000 ft. Although you begin and end the day at the same elevation, the time spent at higher altitude is very beneficial for acclimatization.

Day 5: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
Elevation: 13,044 ft to 13,106 ft
Distance: 5 km/3 miles
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert

We begin the day by descending into a ravine to the base of the Great Barranco Wall. Then we climb the non-technical but steep, nearly 900 ft cliff. From the top of the Barranco Wall we cross a series of hills and valleys until we descend sharply into Karanga Valley. One more steep climb up leads us to Karanga Camp. This is a shorter day meant for acclimatization.

Day 6: Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
Elevation: 13,106 ft to 15,331 ft
Distance: 4 km/2 miles
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert

We leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the rocky section to Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the Southern Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest and enjoy an early dinner to prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are viewable from this position.

Day 7: Barafu Camp - to - Uhuru Peak - to - Mweka Camp
Elevation: 15,331 ft to 19,341 ft
Distance: 5 km/3 miles
Hiking Time: 7-8 hours
Habitat: Arctic

Uhuru Peak - to - Mweka Camp
Elevation: 19,341 ft to 10,065 ft
Distance: 12 km/7 miles
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest

At the very day in the morning (around midnight), we pray and each person should say "YES I can make it" to the summit. This is the most mentally and physically challenging phase of the trek. The wind and cold at this elevation and time of day can be extremely high. We ascend in the darkness for several hours while taking frequent, but short, breaks. Near Stella Point (18,900 ft), you will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see coming over Mawenzi Peak. Finally, we arrive at Uhuru Peak- the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa.

From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. The trail is very rocky and can be quite hard on the knees; trekking poles are helpful. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.

Day 8: Mweka Camp - to - Mweka Gate - to - Moshi or Arusha
Elevation: 10,065 ft to 5,380 ft
Distance: 10 km/6 miles
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest

On our last day, we continue the descent to Mweka Gate and collect the summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. From the gate, we continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet us at Mweka Village to drive us back to the hotel in Moshi.

Day 9: Arusha to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)
This day you will enjoy a Private departure transfer to the airport to connect your next travel flight, End of service by Gofan Safaris & Travel Africa

Package Includes:

- Private Airport transfers on arrival and departure day
- 2 Nights accommodation at the base is included booked on bed and breakfast basis
- Full board accommodation on the mountain Plus refreshments
– Professional mountain guides, porters and cook
– All Park entry fees, rescue fee and camp fee
– All Government taxes, all relating service charges
– Guides, Porters, cook salaries and park fees
– Emergency Oxygen
– Free Walking Poles, it is okay to bring yours
– Emergency Evacuation by Flying Doctor

Package Excludes:

- Extras at the lodges i.e. drinks, telephone, laundry, Internet etc.
- International flight into Tanzania (we can help on this)
- Travel Visa into and out of Tanzania, Travel Insurance
- Tips to the Crew (highly recommended)
- All other trekking gears