6-Day Shira Route Kilimanjaro Climb

• You'll be collected from the airport.
• Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

Shira gate to shira camp 2

After breakfast and a helpful briefing from your guide, you’ll leave Moshi and drive several hours to the Shira Gate on the western side of Kilimanjaro. Here, you’ll register with the national park before beginning your trek.

You’ll immediately enter the lush rainforest, hiking along a winding, sometimes muddy trail that climbs up a ridge. At these lower elevations, expect wet and muddy conditions — gaiters and trekking poles will be your best friends!

Midway through your hike, you’ll stop for a well-deserved lunch break before continuing to Shira Camp where you’ll arrive in the afternoon. Take time to unpack, relax, and enjoy some hot tea or coffee to warm up.

Dinner is served early in the evening around 7 PM, preparing you for the adventure ahead.

🌦️ Weather: Wet and muddy in the rain-forest zone, temperatures around 15–20°C
🛏️ Accommodation: Shira 2 Camp – tents with basic camping facilities
🍽️ Meals: Breakfast in Moshi, lunch and dinner at shira 2 camp.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• On Mt Kilimanjaro

+2 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower

We continue to the east up a ridge and then head southeast towards the Lava Tower – a 300 ft tall volcanic rock formation. We then descend down to Barranco Camp through the strange but beautiful Senecio Forest, arriving at an altitude of 13,000 ft.

Although you begin and end the day at roughly the same elevation, spending time at higher altitude during the day is very helpful for acclimatization.

🌦️ Weather: Cooler with thinner air at higher altitude, possible strong winds
🛏️ Accommodation: Barranco Camp – tents with basic camping facilities
🍽️ Meals: Breakfast and lunch on the trail, dinner at Barranco Camp.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• On Mt Kilimanjaro

+3 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

We begin the day by descending into a ravine to the base of the Great Barranco Wall. Then we climb the non-technical but steep, nearly 900 ft cliff. From the top of the Barranco Wall, we cross a series of hills and valleys until we descend sharply into Karanga Valley. One more steep climb leads us to Karanga Camp. This is a shorter day meant for acclimatization.

🌦️ Weather: Cooler temperatures, with possible strong winds at higher elevations
🛏️ Accommodation: Karanga Camp – tents with basic camping facilities
🍽️ Meals: Breakfast and lunch on the trail, dinner at Karanga Camp.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• On Mt Kilimanjaro

+2 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

We leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the rocky section to Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the Southern Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, and enjoy an early dinner to prepare for summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are clearly viewable from this position.

🌦️ Weather: Cold and windy, with thinner air at high altitude
🛏️ Accommodation: Barafu Hut – tents with basic camping facilities
🍽️ Meals: Breakfast and lunch on the trail, dinner at Barafu Hut.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• On Mt Kilimanjaro

+5 Photos

+4 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak

Very early in the morning (around midnight), we begin our push to the summit. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. The wind and cold at this elevation and time of day can be extreme. We ascend in the darkness for several hours, taking frequent but short breaks.

Near Stella Point (18,900 ft), you’ll be rewarded with one of the most magnificent sunrises you may ever see, rising beautifully over Mawenzi Peak. Finally, we reach Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the entire African continent. 🌄🏔️

After spending time at the summit, we begin the long descent down to Mweka Camp, passing back through Barafu Hut for a short rest.

🌦️ Weather: Extremely cold at the summit (can reach below -10°C), warmer on descent
🛏️ Accommodation: Mweka Camp – tents with basic camping facilities
🍽️ Meals: Light snacks before summit, brunch at Barafu, dinner at Mweka Camp.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• On Mt Kilimanjaro

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate back to moshi

On our last day, we continue the descent down to Mweka Gate, where you’ll receive your well-earned summit certificates. The trail at lower elevations can be wet and muddy, so take care with each step as you make your way through the forest.

From the gate, it’s about another hour’s walk to Mweka Village, where a vehicle will be waiting to take you back to your hotel in Moshi for a well-deserved rest and celebration. 🎉🌿

🌦️ Weather: Warm and humid at lower altitudes, possible rain and muddy trails
🛏️ Accommodation: not included
🍽️ Meals: Breakfast on the mountain, lunch in Moshi.

Main Destination:

Moshi (Town)

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Non-alcoholic drinks

• Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
• You'll be dropped off at the airport.