8-day Kilimanjaro Trek - Shira Route
Tour Code 22KST8M. Short Safaris & Treks
8 days from
$2'080 USD
USD
Plus 400 USD mandatory Safari Pass
A UNESCO World Heritage Site and the highest freestanding mountain at 5895 metres above sea level, Kilimanjaro covers an area of some 755 sq km, consisting of vast areas of montane forest with unique moorland flora and alpine desert higher altitudes.
Your trek is the Shira route which traverses the large Shira Plateau to join the Machame Route.
Day 1. Moshi Accommodation. Springlands Hotel, Moshi.
Today, arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) and check into your accommodation at Springlands Hotel in Moshi. Your trek guide or another staff member will meet you in the hotel for a briefing about the trek (sometimes arranged for the morning on day 2) and answer any further questions you have about the coming days.Day 2. Moshi to Shira Gate to Shira Camp
After breakfast and the briefing, we leave Moshi and drive for several hours to the Shira Gate on the western side of Kilimanjaro - where we'll register with the national park on entering the protected area. The hiking begins as we enter the rain forest and your walk through the rain forest is on a winding muddy trail up a ridge. The lunch is halfway along the route before we reach the Shira Camp in the afternoon. Here you will unpack, rest and have some tea or coffee while you recuperate from the first day on Kili. Dinner is served during the early evening.Day 3. Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp
Rising early, we begin the steep hike east to reach the prominent landmark called Lava Tower. This 5 to 6 hour hike continues through the lower moorland sometimes climbing steep rocky landscapes. Descen for about 2 hours (just as steeply) to reach Barranco Hut campsite directly below the south-face of Kibo. The views of northern Tanzania and Mount Meru to the west are amazing, not to mention the view of Kibo itself.Day 4. Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
This morning we continue up the steep ridge to the great Barranco Wall and climb to its top, coming out just below the Heim Glacier. From here we can appreciate the beauty of Kilimanjaro and the surrounding views. We descend into the lush Karanga Valley, from where it is possible to sometimes on a clear day see the jagged peaks of Mawenzi jutting into the horizon to the east.Day 5. Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp
Barafu hut campsite is situated at an elevation of 4,550m and is located on a narrow windswept ridge, so it is important we familiarise ourselves with our surroundings before nightfall.Day 6. Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp Highlights. Kilimanjaro, Tanzania.
We rise around 11:30 pm (day 5) to embark on our final push to the summit. Our climb heads northwest up through heavy scree between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers to Stella Point. From this point, we join the top part of the Marangu Route and continue on the 2 hour trek to reach the summit at 5895 metres high.Day 7. Mweka Camp to Moshi Accommodation. Springlands Hotel, Moshi.
Today we begin a short 3-hour hike to the park gate at Mweka. We then make our way down to Mweka Village for a celebratory lunch. After saying goodbye to the team, we drive from the park gate back to Moshi where a hot shower and comfortable bed awaits you.Day 8. Moshi
Our tour ends after breakfast this day. Additional nights accommodation, transfers and further travel arrangements can be arranged. Please ask your consultant for more information on these.
Located on the southern slopes of Mt Kilimanjaro near Moshi, the professionally-run Springlands Hotel is set in relaxing tropical gardens with pool and is the ideal base to start/finish mountain treks. The hotel offers regular shuttle bus services into town or you can hire a bike, and there are pleasant walks into the adjacent forest.
Rooms – single, twin, double, triple en suite rooms.
Facilities – restaurant, bar, swimming pool, TV lounge, internet, laundry, gym, sauna.
Transfers are available from the Airport by pre-arrangement
* Suggested pre and post tour accommodation can be booked together with your tour. Please enquire at the time of booking.
Located on the southern slopes of Mt Kilimanjaro near Moshi, the professionally-run Springlands Hotel is set in relaxing tropical gardens with pool and is the ideal base to start/finish mountain treks. The hotel offers regular shuttle bus services into town or you can hire a bike, and there are pleasant walks into the adjacent forest.
Rooms – single, twin, double, triple en suite rooms.
Facilities – restaurant, bar, swimming pool, TV lounge, internet, laundry, gym, sauna.
Transfers are available from the Airport by pre-arrangement
* Suggested pre and post tour accommodation can be booked together with your tour. Please enquire at the time of booking.
Additional Info
The Shira Route
The Shira Route traverses the large Shira Plateau to join the Machame Route. The Shira Plateau west of Kibo is the remains of Kilimanjaro's first volcano. Mawenzi erupted second, and finally, supported by its neighbours, Kibo rose to its great height between Shira and Mawenzi. Older and more eroded than Mawenzi, the Shira Plateau's ridges and moorland comprise one of Kilimanjaro's most scenic areas. The drive to Shira offers magnificent views of the Great Rift Valley, Mount Meru, and Longido, and the plateau's parasitic cones extend north of the road, rising from plain to plateau. The vegetation changes along the route are striking. You can see Elands on the plateau, and you may see signs of buffaloes, leopards, and other animals.
Accommodation on the mountain is in tents pitched by the porters, in bush camps with few facilities. Access to the trek start is 5 hours by vehicle from Moshi. The return is approximately 30 minutes.
TRANSPORT:
Mini bus, foot
MEALS:
Meals included are – Breakfast (B) x5, Lunch (L) x5 Dinner (D) x5
On the mountain, meals are prepared by the trek cook. If you have any dietary requirements, please ensure you tell Acacia when you book.
OPERATOR:
This tour is operated by a respected local tour operator. You will benefit from their extensive local knowledge and enthusiasm as well as helping Acacia support local businesses in Africa.
Meals
5 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 5 Dinners
Accommodation
Local hotel with twin-share en suite rooms (2 nights), camping with basic facilities (5 nights)
Each small group tour, Short Safari & Trek, Short Break and City Stay has a Safari Pass which is paid to your tour leader in Africa at the beginning of the tour (or pre-paid by arrangement prior to your tour). This is separate and in addition to the Tour Price, and covers selected park entries, activities and excursions along the way where payment goes directly to the supplier to ensure local suppliers benefit directly from the income.
* This pass is a compulsory add-on for this tour.
The pricing on this websites is the latest pricing and supersedes any pricing published in brochures, leaflets or any other advertised price.
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