Kilimanjaro & treks
Arusha, Londorossi Gate, Shira 1, Shira 2, Lava Tower, Barranco, Karanga, Barafu, Uhuru Peak, Mweka
your journey
The Shira route approaches Kilimanjaro from the west. After registering at Londorossi Gate you climb out of the forest onto the Shira Plateau, one of the most distinctive landscapes on the mountain, with wide moorland, volcanic rock and views back to Mount Meru.
Two nights on the plateau, at Shira 1 and Shira 2, give you time to adjust before you head east to Lava Tower and drop down to Barranco. From there the route joins the Southern Circuit over the Barranco Wall to Karanga and Barafu, and you leave around midnight for Stella Point and Uhuru Peak (5,895 m).
You camp throughout, in mountain camps looked after by our guide, crew and porters, and we handle the transfers between Arusha and the mountain.
Walkers who want a quieter western approach and are comfortable with a demanding high-altitude trek. Previous hiking experience helps, but it is not an expert-only route; good preparation and a steady pace matter most.
Parks visited
Mount Kilimanjaro
what makes it special
day by day
After breakfast we drive you from Arusha to Londorossi Gate on the western side of Kilimanjaro. Once registration and the park formalities are done, you continue to the trailhead. The walk starts in forest and gradually opens out onto the higher ground of the Shira Plateau, with the views across the plains growing wider as you climb. You reach Shira 1 Camp for dinner and the night. About 5–6 hours of walking.
A shorter day across the Shira Plateau, designed for acclimatisation and exploring. You walk through moorland and past volcanic rock formations, gaining height gradually. Depending on conditions, your guide may take you towards Shira Cathedral before continuing to Shira 2 Camp. On a clear afternoon you look west to Mount Meru and east to Kibo, and the extra time at this height helps your body adjust. About 4 hours of walking.
After breakfast you leave the Shira Plateau and head east towards Lava Tower. The trail climbs steadily through increasingly rugged alpine terrain. After reaching the Lava Tower area, you descend into the Barranco Valley, surrounded by volcanic cliffs and giant senecios, to camp for the night. Climbing high by day and sleeping lower is an important part of acclimatising. About 6–7 hours of walking.
The day begins with the ascent of the Barranco Wall, a steep scramble on a trekking path. From the top the trail crosses a series of ridges and valleys towards Karanga Camp. The distance is short, but the terrain is rugged, with several climbs and descents along the way. You arrive at Karanga in time for lunch and have the afternoon to rest and prepare for the next stage. About 4–5 hours of walking.
After breakfast you continue to Barafu Camp, the last high camp before the summit. The landscape grows rockier and more barren as you gain altitude, and the summit cone of Kibo fills the view above you. Once in camp, your guide briefs you on summit night and you have time to rest. Because the climb starts in the middle of the night, an early dinner and an early night are important. About 4–5 hours of walking.
Around midnight, after a light snack, you begin the demanding climb to Stella Point, then follow the crater rim to Uhuru Peak at 5,895 m, the highest point on Kilimanjaro and in Africa. After time at the summit you descend to Barafu Camp for a short rest and a meal, then carry on down to Mweka Camp for the night. It is a very long day, so pace yourself and use your poles. About 8–12 hours in all.
After breakfast you make the final descent through the rainforest to Mweka Gate, where the air is warm and the forest is loud with birds after the silence higher up. At the gate your guide completes the park procedures, and our vehicle meets you for the drive back to Arusha, where your seven-day Shira climb ends. About 3–5 hours of walking.
the price
Price on request
before you ask
Kilimanjaro needs no ropes or technical climbing skills, but it is a serious high-altitude trek. You walk for several hours a day on uneven ground, nights are cold, and summit night starts around midnight in thin air. Walking regularly on hills before you come, with a loaded daypack, is the best preparation.
We choose routes and itineraries with enough days on the mountain, and we follow the principle of climbing high and sleeping low. On the Machame route, for example, you take short walks above camp at Shira, Lava Tower, Karanga and Barafu before returning to sleep lower. Walk slowly, drink plenty of water and tell your guide straight away about any headache, nausea or dizziness.
Many climbers use acetazolamide (Diamox) to help with acclimatisation, but it is a prescription medicine and not right for everyone. Talk to your own doctor before the trip, especially about allergies and side effects, and tell your guide if you are taking it.
Kilimanjaro can be climbed all year, but the driest months are mid-January to mid-March and late June to October, which are also the busiest. The long rains from late March to early June bring wet trails and cloud, and we generally advise against climbing then unless you are experienced in those conditions. November brings short rains, often in the afternoon.
On our Kilimanjaro packages with hotel nights, you stay at our partner hotel, Weru Weru River Lodge near Moshi, or a similar hotel, on the night before and the night after the climb. Your guide holds the pre-climb briefing and gear check there.
You need good broken-in hiking boots, warm layers including a down jacket, waterproof jacket and trousers, gloves, a warm hat, a headtorch and a daypack. Tents, mats and all group and cooking equipment are provided. Your specialist will confirm what can be rented locally, including sleeping bags, and send you a full packing list.
In tents at the mountain camps: Shira 1, Shira 2, Barranco, Karanga, Barafu and Mweka. Shira is a camping route; only the Marangu route uses huts.
Enquire
Every AAA Express Adventure trip can be changed to suit you: the pace, the lodges, the number of days. Tell us your dates and who is travelling, and our team in Arusha will come back to you with a plan and a price.
Your journey
Price on request
7 days · 6 nights
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Call us on +255 784 281316, email sales@aaaexpressadventure.com or send an enquiry. Our team in Arusha will get back to you.
Price on request
Plan your trip
Enquiry about: 7-Day Kilimanjaro Climb via the Shira Route
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