Trip Overview
Best Northern Tours & Safaris proudly presents our comprehensive itinerary for the Shira Route, one of Kilimanjaro’s less traveled paths. Over eight captivating days, you’ll traverse a variety of terrains, from moorland to alpine desert, and ultimately glaciated peaks, as you journey from the western side of the mountain towards the summit. The Shira Route offers a unique blend of solitude, diverse landscapes, and high summit success rates, making it an excellent choice for adventurers seeking a less crowded yet challenging route.
Day by Day
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, our team will welcome you and escort you to your accommodation in Moshi, a vibrant town nestled at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro. Distance: 40km.
Our journey begins as we drive from Moshi to the Shira Gate, where we start our trek. The hike takes us through montane rainforest to Shira One Camp. Distance: 70km by car, 8km on foot.
We ascend through moorland towards Shira Two Camp, enjoying stunning views of Kibo peak along the way. Distance: 9km.
Today, we hike towards the Lava Tower for acclimatization, then descend to the beautiful Barranco Camp. Distance: 10km.
We navigate the Barranco Wall to reach the Karanga Valley. From here, it’s a relatively short climb to Karanga Camp. Distance: 5km.
We ascend to Barafu Camp, our base camp for the summit. The afternoon is spent resting and preparing for the final climb. Distance: 4km.
We begin our summit attempt in the early hours of the morning. After reaching Uhuru Peak, we descend to Mweka Camp for our final night on the mountain. Distance: 20km.
We make our final descent to Mweka Gate, where we celebrate our accomplishment before returning to our accommodation in Moshi. Distance: 15km by foot, 40km by car.
End of tour
Activities & Transportation
This adventure includes daily hikes, with distances varying from 4km to 20km per day. Terrain includes rainforest, moorland, alpine desert, and glaciated areas. All ground transportation is in comfortable, private vehicles.
Accommodation & Meals
Accommodation will be in mountain tents with sleeping bags and mattresses provided. Dining tents with tables and chairs and a privy tent with a portable toilet will also be available. All meals are prepared by our professional mountain cooks and include a balance of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, with plenty of fruits and vegetables.
All distances are approximate and may vary slightly due to variances in the exact starting and ending points of each day’s trek.
Get ready to experience the journey of a lifetime with the Best Northern Tours & Safaris. Contact us today to secure your place on our next Shira Route adventure.
Tour Features
Can be customized
You can request minor changes to the accommodations and destinations of this tour.
Can start any day
If availability permits, this tour can start on any day.
