Itinerary Overview
SHIRA ROUTE 6 DAY begins and ends at Safari Lodge in Arusha.
This Kilimanjaro Climb 6 Day Shira Route will begins by arriving anytime at Kilimanjaro Airport, there will be a private transfer waiting at the airport to pick up you to Arusha.
The transfers are all part of the package, no extra fee required.
Day 1: Arrive in Tanzania
Stay at Arusha Safari Lodge, which is a beautiful Hotel located on the lower slopes of Mount Meru and is a perfect place to prepare you for the adventure.
Gather in the evening at 5:30 pm for a pre-climb briefing and an equipment check.
We will also confirm you have the appropriate mandatory medical coverage and travel insurance.
Dinner and overnight at Arusha Safari Lodge: Bed, dinner and Breakfast-included.
Day 2: Shira camp One (Full Board)
After completing the necessary registration formalities at the Londorossi National Park gate, we drive up a steep track within the national park to reach the Shira Barrier (3,300m) where the walk begins. We continue on foot onto the Shira Plateau with excellent views across to the main summit. Our first camp is in the center of the plateau at “Shira One” (3,550 m.).
[3 – 4 hours walking]
Day 3: Shira Hut (Full Board)
An easy day to help acclimatization and to explore the grassy moorland and the volcanic rock formations of the plateau. We walk to the summit of Shira Cathedral (3,750 m.), a huge buttress of rock surrounded by steep spires and pinnacles. There is a tangible sense of wilderness here (especially when the afternoon mists come in!) and the views from our camp near Shira Hut (3,840 m.) of Mt. Meru floating on the clouds is simply unforgettable.
[4-5 hours walking]
Day 4: Barranco camp (Full Board)
A morning of gentle ascent and panoramic views, leaving the moorland plateau behind to walk on lava ridges beneath the glaciers of the Western Breach. After lunch near the Lava Tower junction (4,550 m) we descend to the bottom of the Great Barranco valley (3,900 m) sheltered by towering cliffs and with extensive views of the plains.
[5-7 hours walking]
Day 5: Barafu Hut (Full Board)
A steep climb up the Barranco Wall leads us to an undulating trail on the southeastern flank of Kibo, with superb vistas of the Southern Icefields. The terrain changes to scree, with pockets of lush vegetation in sheltered hollows, and drops down into the Karanga valley where we take lunch. Afterward, the trail follows an easy path on compacted scree with wide views that gains altitude unrelentingly to reach the Barafu campsite (4,600 m). The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent before a very early night.
[6-9 hours walking]
Day 6: Summit Down to Mweka camp (Full Board)
We will start our ascent by torchlight at about 1 a.m. So that we can be up on the Crater rim by sunrise. The steep climb over loose volcanic scree has some well-graded zigzags and a slow but steady pace will take us to Stella Point (5,735 m), in about five or six hours. We will rest there for a short time to enjoy the sunrise over Mawenzi. Those who are still feeling strong can make the two hour round trip from here, along with the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (5,896 m), passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area. The descent to Barafu is surprisingly fast, and after some refreshment, we continue to descend to reach our final campsite (3,100 m) Mweka
[11-15 hours walking]
Day 7: Mweka Gate
A sustained descent on a well-constructed path through the lovely tropical forest alive with birdsong and boasting lush undergrowth with considerable botanical interest. Our route winds down to the National Park gate at Mweka (1,650 m); and on through coffee and banana farms to Mweka village. The shower, the beer, and the swimming pool are tantalizingly close!
[4-5 hours walking]
Dinner and overnight at Arusha Safari Lodge: Bed, dinner and Breakfast-included.
Day 8: Departing Day
After saying bye to our team of guides, then you need a private departure transfer. This is included from Arusha to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) for your flight.
OUR STANDARD PACKAGE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING:
Tanzania VAT on tourism activities and park fees
Return transfers Kilimanjaro airport to Arusha and Arusha to Kilimanjaro airport
Hotel Lodging the night before and the night after the climb, with dinner and breakfast included (double occupancy)
With bed dinner and breakfast
Transfer from your hotel to starting point for your climb, and return to your hotel after your climb
Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food
All Kilimanjaro National Park gate fees, camping fees, and climbing permits.
Kilimanjaro National Park rescue fees (Kilimanjaro Rescue Team)
Emergency Oxygen (for use in emergencies only – not as summiting aid)
Basic first aid kit (for use in emergencies only)
Flying Doctor Service
EXCLUDED FROM ABOVE PACKAGE RATES:
Flights and airport taxes
Items of a personal nature
Compulsory tips for guides, porters and cook (average tip is anything from US $230 to US $ 300 per hiker
South African passport holders do NOT require a visa for Tanzania, however, most other Nationalities require a visa for Tanzania
Tips and any items of personal nature.