The Shira Route is a relatively gentle and incredibly scenic route to the Roof top of Africa (“Uhuru Peak” Uhuru a Swahili word which mean Liberation). Encompassing the Shira Plateau, this route provides breathtaking views of the African landscape below. Finally, the Western Breach Summit path is a more difficult route to the summit which incorporates some serious scrambling and climbing. It is thus generally favored by those individuals looking to add a bit of an extra challenge to their climbing experience.
How to reach there: Transfer from you hotel and drive from Moshi to Shira gate – 2 hours then you drive from the gate to near Simba campsite for 1 and half hours with our 4WD land cruiser or minibus.
Upon arriving at Kilimanjaro International Airport you will be meeting with our representative. After greetings you will be transferred to Moshi town to a designated accommodation for hot shower and overnight.
Early in the morning after breakfast you will be briefed about the Mount Kilimanjaro with the guide before the departure to the Londorossi gate by our 4WD land cruiser (or any jeep) about three and half hours. After all park registration formalities we proceed driving to near Simba campsite. Then lunch afterwards you start trekking through heather and moorland to the first camp (about 1-2 hrs) to Shira 1 camp (3505 m) for dinner and overnight in tents.
Early in the morning after breakfast you have a full day to explore the Shira plateau, trekking slowly eastward towards Kibo’s glaciered peak. The Shira plateau is one of the highest plateaus on earth, averaging 12,500 ft. The total trekking time is approximately three hours. Dinner and overnight at the Shira 2 (Fischer’s) camp (3900 m).
The pace should always be slow when in Kilimanjaro for the success. After breakfast in the morning proceed steadily upwards over vast ridges to ” Lava Tower ” for lunch take approximately 4 hours. In the afternoon, you descend the steep trail into the Great Barranco Valley. Barranco Camp is set in a valley enclosed on 3 sides with the massive walls of the valley itself and the massif of Kibo. For about 6 to 7 hours thereafter dinner and overnight at the Barraco camp (3976 m).
Early morning breakfast then afterward start trekking for about 3 to 4 hours to Karanga Valley for a hot lunch and then proceed in the afternoon to Barafu Camp (4673 m). You will have dinner and a sleep before working up at the midnight for the Uhuru Peak attempt.
During the midnight walking up call for the Uhuru Peak followed with a cup of hot chocolate, Tanzania coffee or tea. Don’t be nervous and taking it slowly as the trekking will start around 1 a.m. At this stage the weather range from somewhat 0 to -12 degree isn’t it lovely in the tropical climate to find this. Always the target is to reach the Roof top of Africa (5895 m) before dawn. After taking some pictures you will descend to Barafu Camp for a rest and then en route to Millenium camp for dinner and overnight.
After breakfast descends slowly to Mweka gate via Mweka Campsite which is about four hours walk. At the gate you will be awarded a certificate of competence from the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority office for the successful attempt of Uhuru Peak. After sign out to the park gate you will be transferred to a hotel in Moshi for hot shower probably dinner and overnight or otherwise in the evening you will be transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport to connect with your flight back home.