Mount Kilimanjaro – Shira Route

Elevation: 1830m/6000ft to 2650m/8700ft

Distance: 6km/4mi

Hiking Time: 2-3 hours

Habitat: Montane Forest

After breakfast and briefing, Our drive to Londorossi Park Gate (about a 3-hour drive). From here a forest track requires a 4WD vehicle which leads to Lemosho Glades passing through forest trails to Mti Mkubwa (big tree) campsite.

Elevation: 2650m/8700ft to 3500m/11,500ft

Distance: 8km/5mi

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

Habitat: Moorland

We'll continue after breakfast as the trail increasingly becomes steeper and enters the area of massive heather moors and proceed across several streams before gently descending to Shira 1 camp, which is situated by a stream on the Shira Plateau.

Elevation: 3500m/11,500ft to 3850m/12,600ft

Distance: 8km/5mi

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

Habitat: Moorland

After breakfast, a gentle hike begins across the plateau leading to Shira 2 camp on moorland meadows by a stream. A variety of hikes are available on the Plateau, making this an excellent acclimatization day.

Elevation: 3850m/11,500ft to 4200m/13780ft

Distance: 14km/8mi

Hiking Time: 5-7 hours

Habitat: Moorland

Today's journey is a long one in the direction of the east, passing through the "Garden of the Senecios" before entering the high alpine desert region. We'll spend the morning hiking up to Lava Tower, where lunch will be served on the famous Shark's Tooth rock formation at 4,600 meters. You will join the Northern Circuit after lunch and descend to the 4,200-meter Moir Camp. This is a crucial day in your trek since you'll experience high altitude and then sleep at a low altitude, both of which are beneficial for acclimatization.

Elevation: 4200m/13,780ft to 4020m/13,188ft

Distance: 12km/7mi

Walking Time: 5-6 hours

Habitat: High Alpine

On this day, we'll encounter a moderately steep climb out of Moir Valley. We can do an optional hike to the summit of Little Lent Hill at 4,375 meters before returning to the Northern Circuit trail. From here the route follows a series of inclines and declines, skirting around the northern slopes of Kibo to Buffalo Camp.

Elevation: 4020m/13,188ft to 3800m/12,467ft

Distance: 8km/5mi

Climbing Time: 5-7 hours

Habitat: High Alpine

We'll travel up the Buffalo Ridge to begin the day before descending into Porfu Camp, where lunch is typically provided. The Rongai Third Cave is reached by continuing east and navigating the northern slopes. You should feel fully adjusted to the altitude by this point, and the walk is shorter than it was the previous day. The Third Cave will be reached soon before midday.

Elevation: 3800m/12,467ft to 4800m/15,748ft

Distance: 15km/8mi

Climbing Time: 4-5 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

We'll travel up the Buffalo Ridge to begin the day before descending into Porfu Camp, where lunch is typically provided. The Rongai Third Cave is reached by continuing east and navigating the northern slopes. You should feel fully adjusted to the altitude by this point, and the walk is shorter than it was the previous day. The Third Cave will be reached soon before midday.

Elevation: 4800m/15,748ft to 5895m/19,340ft

Down to 3950m/12,959ft

Distance: 6km/3.5mi up / 11km/6mi down

Hiking Time: 5-7 hours up / 5-6 hours down

Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit

On day eight, you will be walking for a total of 14 to 16 hours, so it's critical to pace yourself, stay hydrated, and maintain a healthy blood sugar level. Around 11:30, steaming tea and biscuits will be served to awaken you before you start the arduous ascent up Kibo's hills in the shadows. Hans Meyer Cave will be your first checkpoint there we'll have a little break. It will take around 5 to 6 hours to reach Gilman's Point (5,681 meters), at which point the ascent becomes more difficult. Enjoy the beautiful view of the setting sun and Mawenzi Peak for a bit, but keep in mind that you still have two hours of hiking to complete to get to Uhuru Peak. As you move west around the crater rim, the slope flattens, and you should reach the peak at or shortly after sunrise. Since your time here will be limited, take as many photos as you can of the breathtaking vistas and nearby glaciers. Once you reach Stella Point (5,739 meters), you will turn south and descend the steep Kibo slopes to Barafu Camp by retracing your steps around the crater rim (4,680 meters). Before going on to Millennium Camp (3,950 meters), where you will spend your final night on the mountain, most hikers stop here for a little rest.