Climbing Kilimanjaro, in 6 days is a spectacular scenic that approaches Kilimanjaro through Shira route from the west. A 4×4 vehicle transports us through a rich, lush rain forest until we arrive at the ridge of the Shira Plateau, where our expedition begins. We trek across an alpine plateau and traverse the great Southern Ice-field. The Shira route is ideal for those with backpacking experience and those seeking a more challenging adventure.
Itinerary Details
Day1: Trek to “Shira One” (3,550 m.). [2 – 3 hours walking]
After completing the necessary registration formalities at Londorossi National Park gate, we drive up a steep track within the national park to reach Shira Barrier (3,300m) where the walk begins. We continue on foot onto the Shira Plateau with excellent views across to the main summit. Our first camp is in the center of the plateau at “Shira One” (3,550 m.). [2 – 3 hours walking]
Day 2: Trek to Shira Cathedral Summit and camp at Shira Hut (3,840 m) [4-5 hours walking]
An easy day to help acclimatization and to explore the grassy moorland and the volcanic rock formations of the plateau. We walk to the summit of Shira Cathedral (3,750 m.), a huge buttress of rock surrounded by steep spires and pinnacles. There is a tangible sense of wilderness here (especially when the afternoon mists come in!) and the views from our camp near Shira Hut (3,840 m.) of Mt. Meru floating on the clouds are simply unforgettable. [4-5 hours walking]
Day 3: Trek to Lava Tower junction (4,550 m) and Descend to Great Barranco valley (3,900 m) [5-7 hours walking]
A morning of gentle ascent and panoramic views, leaving the moorland plateau behind to walk on lava ridges beneath the glaciers of the Western Breach. After lunch near the Lava Tower junction (4,550 m) we descend to the bottom of the Great Barranco valley (3,900 m), sheltered by towering cliffs and with extensive views of the plains far below. [5-7 hours walking]
Day4: Trek to Barranco Wall Leads then to Barafu campsite (4,600 m) [6-9 hours walking]
A steep climb up the Barranco Wall leads us to an undulating trail on the south-eastern flank of Kibo, with superb vistas of the Southern Icefields. The terrain changes to scree, with pockets of lush vegetation in sheltered hollows, and drops down into Karanga valley where we take lunch. Afterwards the trail follows an easy path on compacted scree with wide views that gains altitude unrelentingly to reach the Barafu campsite (4,600 m). The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent before a very early night. [6-9 hours walking]
Day 5: Trekking to Stella Point (5,735 m), Uhuru Peak (5,896 m) Descend to Millenium Campsite (3,800 m) [11-15 hours walking]
We will start our ascent by torchlight about 1 a.m. so that we can be up on the Crater rim by sunrise. The steep climb over loose volcanic scree has some well-graded zig-zags and a slow but steady pace will take us to Stella Point (5,735 m), in about five or six hours. We will rest there for a short time to enjoy the sunrise over Mawenzi. Those who are still feeling strong can make the two hour round trip from here along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (5,896 m), passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area. The descent to Barafu is surprisingly fast, and after some refreshment, we continue to descend to reach our final campsite (3,800 m) Millenium. [11-15 hours walking]
Day6:Descend to Mweka Gate (1,650 m) (4-6 hours walking)
A sustained descent through lovely forest with lush undergrowth takes us to the National Park gate at Mweka (1,650 m) and on through coffee and banana farms to Mweka village. (4-6 hours walking)
