The Shira Route is one of the least trafficked routes on Kilimanjaro, offering a more serene experience for trekkers. It starts from the Londorossi Gate and ascends the beautiful Shira Plateau, a volcanic caldera that’s often overlooked by climbers. This route offers stunning views of the plateau and surrounding wilderness, with the benefit of early high-altitude trekking, which is excellent for acclimatization. The Shira Route is ideal for those seeking a quieter, more scenic experience with fewer crowds.
This 7-day itinerary allows for proper acclimatization and provides a balance of adventure and comfort.
Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfer to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha. Here, you’ll meet your lead guide for a pre-climb briefing, gear check, and safety instructions. Overnight at your hotel.
Meals: Dinner | Overnight: Moshi/Arusha
After breakfast, drive to Londorossi Gate for registration, then transfer to the trailhead to begin your trek. The trail starts in lush rainforest and ascends gradually to the Shira Plateau. The route is peaceful and quiet, offering excellent opportunities to spot wildlife like colobus monkeys and birds. After a 5–6 hour trek, reach Shira 1 Camp, where you will rest and enjoy stunning views of Kibo Peak.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Trek Time: 5–6 hours | Distance: 8 km
Continue your trek across the beautiful Shira Plateau, a vast, high-altitude desert. The landscape is marked by volcanic rock formations, giant senecio plants, and expansive views. The trail is gradual, making it ideal for acclimatization. After 4–5 hours of trekking, you’ll arrive at Shira 2 Camp, which offers panoramic views of the plateau and the surrounding wilderness.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Trek Time: 4–5 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Trek Time: 6–7 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Trek Time: 5–6 hours | Distance: 9 km
Today’s trek is a bit longer, taking you to the Lava Tower, a stunning volcanic rock formation. The climb to Lava Tower is important for acclimatization, as you will gain significant altitude. After lunch at Lava Tower, descend to Barranco Camp at the base of the dramatic Barranco Wall. This route follows the principle of “climb high, sleep low” to help with acclimatization. The landscape today is stunning, with great photo opportunities.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Trek Time: 6–7 hours | Distance: 10 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Trek Time: 4–5 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Trek Time: 3–4 hours
After breakfast, you’ll tackle the Barranco Wall, a non-technical but challenging climb that offers amazing views of the surrounding valleys. The rest of the day involves a series of short ascents and descents across ridges and valleys as you make your way to Karanga Camp, a peaceful site nestled in a valley. This is an important acclimatization stop, and you’ll have time to rest and prepare for the next stage of your journey.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Trek Time: 4–5 hours
Today’s trek brings you to Barafu Camp, your base for the final summit push. The trail is rugged, and the environment is increasingly barren as you gain altitude. After reaching Barafu, take time to rest, enjoy lunch, and prepare for the summit ascent that begins around midnight.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Trek Time: 4–5 hours
Summit day begins in the early hours of the morning, around midnight. The climb to Gilman’s Point (5,685m) takes several hours, and once you reach the crater rim, it’s a short distance to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. The view from the summit is breathtaking as the sunrise paints the surrounding plains in golden hues. After celebrating at Uhuru Peak, descend to Barafu Camp for a short break, then continue down to Mweka Camp for overnight rest.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Trek Time: 12–14 hours
After breakfast, descend through the lush rainforest to Mweka Gate, where you will receive your summit certificate. From here, our vehicle will transfer you back to your hotel in Moshi, where you can relax, celebrate, and enjoy a hot shower.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch | Trek Time: 3–4 hours
$ 000/
The Machame Route is one of the most popular Kilimanjaro routes, offering beautiful views and a good balance of challenge and acclimatization. It’s known for its diverse landscapes, from lush rainforests to alpine deserts, culminating in the stunning summit of Uhuru Peak.
$000
The Marangu Route is the shortest and most straightforward route, making it a popular choice for first-time climbers. This is the only route that offers hut accommodations, meaning you don’t have to sleep in tents — perfect for those looking for a more comfortable trek.
$000
The Lemosho Route is a more remote and scenic route, perfect for trekkers who enjoy a quieter experience with stunning views. It’s a longer route, which means better acclimatization and a higher success rate. With fewer climbers and more natural beauty, it’s a truly unforgettable experience.
There are several routes, each with different characteristics. The Machame Route is the most popular and scenic, while the Marangu Route is the easiest and only one with hut accommodation. For a quieter climb, consider the Rongai Route. For experienced trekkers, Umbwe Route offers a more challenging ascent
There are several routes, each with different characteristics. The Machame Route is the most popular and scenic, while the Marangu Route is the easiest and only one with hut accommodation. For a quieter climb, consider the Rongai Route. For experienced trekkers, Umbwe Route offers a more challenging ascent
The typical duration is 5 to 9 days, depending on the route. The longer the climb, the better the chances of acclimatization and a successful summit.
Climbing Kilimanjaro requires physical stamina and mental preparation. While it’s not a technical climb, it can be challenging due to the high altitude. We recommend a moderate level of fitness and commitment. The difficulty varies depending on the route and how well you acclimatize.
No, you do not need technical climbing skills. However, the trek requires good physical fitness and the ability to handle altitude. If you’re a beginner, routes like Marangu or Rongai may be more suitable.
Depending on the route, you will either camp in tents or stay in mountain huts. The Marangu Route offers huts, while other routes like Machame, Lemosho, and Rongai require camping with tents.
Mount Kilimanjaro stands at 5,895 meters (19,341 feet) above sea level, making it the highest mountain in Africa and one of the highest free-standing mountains in the world.
Mount Kilimanjaro stands at 5,895 meters (19,341 feet) above sea level, making it the highest mountain in Africa and one of the highest free-standing mountains in the world.
Essential items include:
Warm clothes (even in the tropics, temperatures can drop below freezing)
Waterproof gear (jackets, pants)
Climbing boots
Sleeping bags
Sunscreen
Headlamp/flashlight
Daypack
Personal items like toiletries and medication
We will provide a detailed gear list to help you pack efficiently.
The summit success rate ranges from 60% to 90%, depending on the route, acclimatization, and physical preparedness. Routes like Lemosho and Machame tend to have higher success rates due to better acclimatization schedules.
We provide transfers from Moshi or Arusha to the starting gate of the trek. Our team will ensure smooth transport from your hotel to the departure point.
Lujoma Expeditions is a locally owned Tanzanian tour company specializing in custom safaris, cultural experiences, mountain treks, and beach holidays across East Africa.
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