KILIMANJARO HIKING - SHIRA ROUTE ITINERARY

INFO
The Shira Plateau is one of the most fascinating and scenic areas on Kilimanjaro. It is well worth a visit just to explore the ridges and moorland. However, the road to Shira is only accessible by 4-wheel-drive Jeep and can become impassable during rain season. The drive to and from Shira offers magnificent views of the Great Rift Valley, studded with mountains. Among them Mt. Meru and Longido are especially prominent. The Shira zone of parasitic cones extends along to the north of the road, from plain to plateau. The vegetation changes along the track are striking. The plateau is grassland, heath and moor, with especially large senecios (up to 10 meters high) in valleys near the Cone. Elands can often be seen on the plateau, and you may see signs of buffaloes, leopards and other animals. The Shira Cone rises about 200 meters above the plateau. Beyond it, to the west, is the Shira Ridge, a steep rise reaching almost 400 meters above plateau level at its trig point. The southern ridge of the Shira Plateau has two dramatic peaks called Cathedral and the Needle. Shira Route then Uhuru Point through the Arrow Glacier This is a really steep, hard but short route to the summit from Arrow Glacier Camp which is itself reached in about 4 hours from the Barranco Hut. From December to February crampons and ice axes may be necessary to have.

PRE DEPARTURE: (ARRIVAL)
Moshi is at 815m
2670ft above sea level.
Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, meet and great then transfer to your hotel in Moshi, briefing about your hiking trip by our guide.
TRANSFER: AIRPORT TO HOTEL
MEAL PLAN: BB
ACCOMMODATION: STANDARD HOTEL

Day 1: Shira Gate To Shira 2 Camp
2,300m to 3,840m
7,550ft to 12,600ft
Distance: 11miles / 18km's
Hiking Hours: 7 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest
Early breakfast then depart from Moshi Town and drive for several hours to the Shira Gate on the western side of Kilimanjaro, finish registration formalities with the national park. Begin hiking, and enter the rainforest immediately. Your walk through the rainforest is on a winding muddy trail up a ridge. At these lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy, so gaiters and trekking poles will be necessary. Lunch on the way and reach the Shira Camp in the afternoon. Unpack your gears, relax, and have some tea or coffee. Dinner and overnight at your Camp.

Day 2: Shira Camp 2 To Lava Tower To Baranco Camp
3,840m to 4,630m to 3,950m
12,600ft to 15,190ft to 12,700ft
Distance: 9 Miles /15km's
Hiking Hours: 7hours
Habitat: Semi-Desert
After breakfast, you will start hiking east up steadily on the path above the highest vegetation toward Kilimanjaro's looming mass. After several hours, you walk through a rocky landscape to reach the prominent landmark Lava Tower at 4,630 m. This chunky remnant of Kilimanjaro's earlier volcanic activity is several hundred feet high, and the trail passes right below it. For extra credit, the sure-footed can scramble to the top of the tower. After a lunch stop near Lava Tower, descend for 2 hours below the lower cliffs of the Western Breach and Breach Wall to Barranco Camp at 3,950 m. From this point you can make as many photos as you can as there is very nice view, especially if the walls are festooned with ice. Barranco Camp is in a valley below the Breach and Great Barranco Walls. Dinner and overnight.

Day 3: Baranco Camp To Karanga Camp
3,950m to 4200m
12,700ft to 13,780ft
Distance: 4miles / 7km's
Hiking Hours: 4hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
After breakfast, you shall leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco wall, to the Karanga Valley (4200m / 13,780ft) compsite

Day 4: Karanga Camp To Barafu Camp
4200m to 4600m
13,800ft to 15,100ft
Distance: 8miles / 13km's
Hiking Hours: 8hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
After breakfast, you leave the Karanga Valley and pass the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. You shall continue to the Barafu Hut, which is located at an altitude of 4600meters (15,092ft). You completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here you shall make camp, rest, enjoy dinner and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are be seen from this position.

Day 5: Barafu To summit and Millennium Camp 4600m to 5895m (And down to 3100m) 15,100ft to 19,300ft (And down to 10,200ft) About 7-8hours up 4-5 hours down Early morning you shall continue on your way to the summit of Uhuru Peak at 5985meters (19,636ft). This part of the climb takes about 4 hours. It can be very cold at night at these elevations, but it will be quite warm by the end of hiking day. You will need to take clothing for both extremes with you. At Uhuru peak, you would have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit. From the summit, you shall now make your descent continuing straight down to the Millennium Camp site at 3300m. Dinner and overnight in Camp.

Day 6: To Mweka Gate to Moshi 3100m to 1680m 10,200ft to 5500ft About 4-5 hours After breakfast, we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. One shall need Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will nice to wear. (Keep rain great and warmer clothing handy). A vehicle will ready at Mweka Village to drive you back to the Hotel in Moshi. Dinner and overnight. MEAL PLAN: BB CCOMODATION: STANDARD HOTEL

Don't forget to tip your guides and porters. It's time for celebration

Departure Day: After breakfast check out from the Hotel then transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport.

PRICE: PER PERSON SHARING IN GIVEN PAX IN US $

Price includes:
All park entry fees, All camping/hut fees, Guide and porters fees, Transport to and from the mountain gates, Meals 3 times daily, cook and all kitchen facilities

Prices does not include items International Flights, Hard and soft drinks and Tips, and all mountain Gears. (We can arrange to hire this)

Note: We recommend that you leave your valuables and your tip money in a safe deposit box at the hotel in Moshi