A journey through Kilimanjaro’s wild plateau, remote, stunning, and beautifully challenging from start to summit.
The 7 Days Shira Route is a scenic and less-travelled trail that begins on the western side of Mount Kilimanjaro. Starting at a higher elevation, it offers stunning views from the outset as trekkers cross the Shira Plateau, an expansive high-altitude landscape with dramatic vistas. This route merges with the popular Machame Route on the third day, allowing climbers to experience both remote wilderness and iconic viewpoints.
Although the Shira Route starts at a high elevation, which can pose an acclimatisation challenge early on, the extended itinerary helps with gradual adjustment. Trekkers enjoy a variety of ecosystems, from moorland and lava ridges to glaciers near the summit. With fewer crowds, diverse scenery, and rewarding summit opportunities, the Shira Route is perfect for experienced trekkers seeking a quieter, visually rich Kilimanjaro adventure.
Wide skies, rugged landscapes, and a climb that feels truly epic
A warm welcome to Tanzania. You will soon arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) and be transferred to the hotel in Moshi, a scenic beauty nestled at the foot of the mountain.
- Once you settle in, you will soon meet the mountain guides from Migsam Safaris for a thorough pre-climb briefing.
- They will check your gear, go over safety protocols, and answer all your queries.
Highlights Day 1
- You will observe the majestic scenic view of Mount Kilimanjaro on a clear sky.
- Last chance to buy or rent gears
- Rest and hydration to prepare for the ultimate climb ahead
Drive to the starting point and start your hike to Shira 1 Camp. The adventure begins with a drive to Londorossi Gate (2250 metres), where you will register with park authorities. From there, a short transfer takes you to the Shira Ridge trailhead at around 3500 meters.
The hike to Shira 1 camp crosses a stunning high-altitude plateau with an ultimate view of the Shira Caldera and distant peaks.
- Hiking Time: 3 to 4 hours
- Starting Elevation: 3500 meters/11483 feet
- Ending Elevation: 3610 meters/11844 feet
- Habitat: Moorland
The trek gradually continues east across the Shira Plateau, the highest plateau in the world. You will certainly cross open moorland and walk through the ancient lava flows, enjoying the panoramic view of Kibo Peak and the surrounding glaciers.
It enables your body to acclimatise to the altitude while enjoying breathtaking scenery.
- Hiking Time: 4 to 5 hours
- Starting Elevation: 3610 meters/11844 feet
- Ending Elevation: 3,850 m / 12,631 ft
- Habitat: Moorland
It is a big day for acclimatisation. You will certainly trek from Shira 2 camp to the Lava Tower (4630 m/15190 ft) for lunch, before descending to Barranco Camp for the night. The “climb high, sleep low” technique helps the body adjust to thin air and prepare for the summit.
Lava Tower is a dramatic volcanic formation that is a great photo stop. Barranco Camp is set beneath the imposing Barranco Wall and offers the most iconic views of Kilimanjaro.
- Hiking Time: 6 to 7 hours
- Starting Elevation: 3,850 m / 12,631 ft
- High Point: Lava Tower (4,630 m / 15,190 ft)
- Ending Elevation: 3,976 m / 13,044 ft
- Habitat: Alpine desert
You begin the hike with a thrilling scramble up the Barranco Wall, also known as the “Breakfast Wall.” Though it is steep, climbing it is non-technical and gratifying by nature. You enjoy the stunning view over the Karanga valley and southern glaciers.
Once you travel through the wall, you will traverse through the rocky ridges and valleys before reaching Karanga camp. This is your last stop before the summit push. The day is shorter to allow you to recover and further acclimatise.
- Hiking Time: 4 to 5 hours
- Starting Elevation: 3976 m /13044 feet
- Ending Elevation: 3995 m/13,107 feet
- Habitat: Alpine desert
It is regarded as the Summit day, i.e., the ultimate challenge. You will certainly begin your final ascent even around midnight. All you do is climb slowly through darkness, cold, and steep terrain toward the rim of Kibo Crater. The main goal is to reach Stella Point (5739 m/18829 feet) by sunrise and then gradually push onward to Uhuru Peak (5895 m/19341 feet), the highest point in Africa.
Once you celebrate at the summit, you will gradually descend to Barafu Camp for a short rest, then continue down to Mweka Camp at a lower altitude for a well-deserved night of sleep.
- Hiking Time: 12–14 hours total
- Starting Elevation: 3,995 m / 13,107 ft
- Summit Elevation: 5,895 m / 19,341 ft
- Ending Elevation: 3,100 m / 10,170 ft
- Habitat: Arctic at the summit, alpine desert, then rainforest
After an immediate breakfast, you will certainly complete your final descent through the rainforest zone to Mweka Gate, where you will sign out and receive the summit certificates—gold for those who reached the Uhuru Peak and green for those who really made it to Stella Point.
You will soon return to your hotel in Moshi for a hot shower, a well-deserved meal, and ample rest.
Habitat: Rainforest
Hiking Time: 3 to 4 hours
Starting Elevation: 3100 m/10170 feet
Ending Elevation: 1,640 m / 5,380 ft
Include
- Professional, experienced, and English-speaking mountain guides
- Professional cook and well-trained mountain crew (porters & waiter)
- All park fees and rescue fees
- Government taxes and VAT
- Airport transfers (to and from Kilimanjaro International Airport)
- Transfers to and from the Lemosho, Shira and northen circuit Gate
- Accommodation before and after the climb (2 nights at a hotel in Moshi/Arusha)
- Full board meals during the climb (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
- Clean, purified drinking water during the trek
- Hot drinks (coffee, tea, and cocoa)
- Camping equipment (tents, sleeping mats, tables, and chairs)
- Portable chemical toilet & toilet tent
- Oxygen cylinder & oximeter (for altitude monitoring)
- Emergency first aid kit
- Fair wages for guides, cooks, and porters
- Certificate of achievement after successful climb
- Drinking water and soft drinks are included
Exclude
- International flights
- Tanzania entry visa
- Travel and health insurance
- Tips for guides, cooks, and porters (recommended amount: $250–$300 per climber)
- Personal hiking gear (sleeping bag, trekking poles, boots, etc.)
- Personal expenses (souvenirs, laundry, phone calls, etc.)
- Additional accommodation before or after the climb (beyond the included nights)
- Any optional tours or activities before or after the climb
- Alcoholic drinks at the resort / hotel/ camp won't be included
Tanzania Safari FAQs
The Shira Route is a lesser-used but scenic trail on Mt. Kilimanjaro. It starts on the Western side of the mountain, crossing the Shira Plateau, and eventually merges with the popular Lemosho and Machame routes.
It is renowned for its beautiful views, low crowds, and gradual acclimatisation.
Standard Shira Route treks take around 7 days. Some operators might offer an 8-day version for better acclimatisation, but the 7-day itinerary is the most common and offers a balance between acclimatisation and efficiency.
The Shira Route shares much of its path with the Lemosho Route; it starts at a much higher altitude (~3,500 m / 11,500 ft), as you are dropped off by vehicle at the Shira Gate. This makes acclimatisation more difficult on the first day compared to the Lemosho route. Compared to Machame, Shira is less crowded and more remote in its early stages.
A typical 7-day itinerary looks as follows: Day 1: Arrival in Moshi Day 2: Drive to Shira Gate & Trek to Shira 1 Camp Day 3: Trek to Shira 2 Camp Day 4: Shira 2 to Lava Tower, and Barranco Camp (acclimatisation day) Day 5: Barranco Camp → Karanga Camp Day 6: Karanga to Barafu Summit attempt, from there you travel to Mweka Camp Day 7: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate, and return to Moshi