Shira Route
Kilimanjaro Trekking
Destinations: Shira Gate, Shira Camp 1, Shira Camp 2, Barranco Camp, Karanga Camp, Barafu Camp, Uhuru Peak, Mweka Camp
Style: Mountain Trekking
Overview
The Shira Route is one of the oldest and most scenic routes on Kilimanjaro, offering a gradual ascent over the high Shira Plateau. It provides excellent acclimatization opportunities and panoramic views, combining moorland landscapes with alpine desert terrain.
This route is less crowded than Machame and Marangu, making it a favorite for those seeking solitude and natural beauty.
Day by day
Full Itinerary
Day 1:
Shira Gate (3,500 m) → Shira Camp 1 (3,750 m)
Terrain & Vegetation: Start on the expansive Shira Plateau, traversing moorland filled with giant lobelias, senecio plants, and scattered shrubs. The landscape here is wide open, giving early stunning views of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks.
Climate: Cool and dry, with occasional afternoon showers; temperatures are moderate compared to higher zones.
Camp: Shira Camp 1 is situated on the plateau’s gentle slopes, offering spectacular mountain vistas. Accommodation is basic tented camps with a serene atmosphere, ideal for early acclimatization.
- Distance: ~5 km (3.1 miles)
- Trekking Time: 3–4 hours
- Altitude Gain: 250 m
Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation:
Shira Camp
Day 2:
Simba Camp (2,750 m) → Second Cave Camp (3,550 m)
Terrain: The trail gently winds across the plateau, passing striking volcanic rock formations and expansive views. The terrain is mostly flat with small undulations, providing a relatively easy day to help with acclimatization.
Climate: Cold and windy, particularly in the afternoons, so warm layers and wind protection are necessary.
Camp: Shira Camp 2 is nestled near dramatic lava cliffs and offers a quiet resting spot. The camp is less crowded, providing a peaceful environment to prepare for the more challenging sections ahead.
- Distance: ~3 km (1.9 miles)
- Trekking Time: 2–3 hours
- Altitude Gain: 100 m
Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation:
Campsite
Day 3:
Shira Camp 2 (3,850 m) → Barranco Camp (3,900 m)
- Terrain: Descend off the plateau, crossing rocky ridges and valleys with varied terrain. This section transitions from the open moorland into the more rugged and dramatic Barranco Valley, characterized by steep cliffs and a mix of rocky and sandy paths.
- Climate: Alpine desert conditions dominate here, with cold temperatures and strong winds common throughout the day.
- Camp: Barranco Camp is located at the base of the iconic Barranco Wall, surrounded by spectacular valley scenery. This camp is a favorite for climbers who want to rest before tackling the famous Barranco Wall climb.
- Distance: ~8 km (5 miles)
- Trekking Time: 5–6 hours
- Altitude Gain: Slight overall gain with ups and downs
Accommodation:
Campsite
Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4:
Barranco Camp (3,900 m) → Karanga Camp (4,000 m)
Terrain: Start the day with the challenging but non-technical climb up the Barranco Wall, a steep rock face requiring some scrambling and careful footing. After the climb, the trail follows ridges and descends into the Karanga Valley, with rocky terrain and scattered alpine desert vegetation.
Climate: Cold and dry, often accompanied by strong winds. Layers and windproof gear are important.
Camp: Karanga Camp is a small, rocky campsite that offers panoramic views of the surrounding valleys and peaks, making it a scenic spot for rest.
- Distance: ~5 km (3.1 miles)
- Trekking Time: 4–5 hours
- Altitude Gain: 100 m
Accommodation:
Campsite
Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5:
Karanga Camp (4,000 m) → Barafu Camp (4,673 m)
Terrain: Traverse a rocky alpine desert landscape with minimal vegetation. The terrain becomes more barren and exposed as you gain altitude, requiring careful pacing and preparation.
Climate: Very cold and windy, with nighttime temperatures dropping well below freezing. Summit weather can be harsh and unpredictable, so appropriate gear is essential.
Camp: Barafu Camp is the high camp and the final stop before the summit push. The camp has basic tents and offers breathtaking views of Kilimanjaro’s glaciers and summit dome.
- Distance: ~5 km (3.1 miles)
- Trekking Time: 4–6 hours
- Altitude Gain: 673 m
Accommodation:
Campsite
Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6:
Barafu Camp (4,673 m) → Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) → Mweka Camp (3,100 m)
Terrain: The summit day is the most physically demanding part of the trek, with steep scree slopes and rocky paths to Uhuru Peak. The ascent typically starts around midnight to reach the summit by sunrise. The descent travels through alpine desert, moorland, and finally down into the forest zone.
Climate: Expect freezing temperatures, high winds, and possibly snow near the summit. Weather conditions can change rapidly, requiring layered clothing and weather protection.
Camp: Mweka Camp is a forested campsite that provides shelter and a restful environment to recover after the strenuous summit day.
- Distance: ~6 km (3.7 miles) ascent + ~17 km (10.6 miles) descent
- Trekking Time: 7–10 hours ascent + 4–6 hours descent
- Altitude Gain & Loss: 1,222 m ascent to summit followed by 2,795 m descent
Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Additional Highlights of the Shira Route
- Oldest Route: Shira is one of Kilimanjaro’s original routes, providing historical significance along with spectacular scenery.
- Great Acclimatization: The gradual ascent over the plateau allows for excellent acclimatization, increasing chances of summit success.
- Varied Landscapes: Expect a rich variety of environments, from moorland and volcanic rock formations to alpine desert and forested zones.
- Less Crowded: Compared to Machame and Marangu routes, Shira tends to be quieter, offering a more peaceful climbing experience
Price per Person
on request
This trip can be tailored to your preferences.
Traveling with a large group? We've got you covered.
We can tailor the trip to suit your specific needs.
We can adjust the trip to match your budget.
What to know before climbing Kilimanjaro.
Excellent rating
Based on 122 reviews
- Tripadvisor
omar75
Solo
After a lot of research and contacting multiple operators for a Kilimanjaro trek, I settled on African Zoom. I found them via the Forbes Kilimanjaro glamping article. I found other operators by internet search and others by youtube fame. Maggie was my main point of contact throughout. She was always responsive and very helpful.
omar75
Solo
The price was reasonable compared to some of the outrageous prices with some of the “luxury” operators. But I would say we had enough comfort to make the adventure as comfortable as being in the harsh environment of a mountain as can be.
Our guides Godluck and Gabriel were great, our cook papa john!
omar75
Solo
After a lot of research and contacting multiple operators for a Kilimanjaro trek, I settled on African Zoom. I found them via the Forbes Kilimanjaro glamping article. I found other operators by internet search and others by youtube fame. Maggie was my main point of contact throughout. She was always responsive and very helpful. My friend and I ended up deciding on a private adventure each with a private tent. The price was reasonable compared to some of the outrageous prices with some of the “luxury” operators. But I would say we had enough comfort to make the adventure as comfortable as being in the harsh environment of a mountain as can be.
Our guides Godluck and Gabriel were great, our cook papa john! Cooked amazing meals and I absolutely can’t say enough about the porters. If you ever decide to go to Kilimanjaro you will see that the porters are a special kind of people.
We had an airport to airport trip. We were picked up by our main guide from the airport and taken to a nice 4 star hotel in Arusha. Godluck checked us in and came next day to take us in a tour in the city. We realized we have a day that we can go for a safari in. Maggie made that happen with one day notice. We spent a day in Terngeri saying all kinds of animals. It is not the Serengeti but we had a one day so we can’t complain.
We did an 8 day Lemosho climb. On the mountain we had 3 meals and a snack. The meals were excellent, the nightly briefing for next day was accurate and what we needed. We summitted successfully on day 7 and were out of the gate back to the hotel day 8. It was the most out of ordinary thing I’ve done in my life and African Zoom made it happen. I won’t hesitate to recommend them to any of my friends.
It is difficult to find reviewes for Kilimanjaro Climb operators on trip advisor, google reviews and others, I am not sure why.
Ready for an adventure? Lets Talk!
Contact Africanzoom Adventures to get started on your safari of a lifetime!
Our Expert
Need Help? Chat with us
Inquire This Tour
Mount Kilimanjaro
Our Trekking Packages
Our safari packages are crafted with care to suit different interests, travel styles, and durations—whether you’re here for the thrill of the great migration, a romantic escape, or a professional photography adventure.
Lemosho Route
8 Days | 7 Night
Machame Route
7 Days | 6 Night
Marangu Route
6 Days | 5 Night
