Full-moon & event summits 2026–2028 · join a group departure →
Trek Up Kilimanjaro
Tents spread across open moorland at camp

7 Days Shira Route

The high western plateau approach

7 days
Duration
5,895 m
Highest point
Shira
Route
camping
Accommodation
Londorossi / Shira Gate → Mweka Gate
Start / finish

Overview

The Shira Route begins high on Kilimanjaro’s western side and quickly enters the extraordinary Shira Plateau before joining the Southern Circuit. Because the starting elevation is already substantial, careful pre-acclimatization and conservative movement are particularly important.

This trip is best for

  • Pre-acclimatized trekkers who want a western approach and the Shira Plateau. Lemosho is generally preferable for clients arriving directly from low altitude.

The altitude profile

Circles mark where you sleep. Those are the altitudes that decide how you feel, not the high points you walk over during the day.

7 Days Shira Route elevation profile Route Sleeping altitude
7 Days Shira Route elevation profile. Full data is given in the table below. 2,000 m 3,000 m 4,000 m 5,000 m 6,000 m Shira 1 Cam 3,610 Shira 2 Cam 3,850 Barranco Ca 3,900 Karanga Cam 3,995 Barafu Camp 4,673 Uhuru Peak 5,895 Mweka Camp 3,100
7 Days Shira Route elevation profile
Day Location Altitude (m) Distance (km) Overnight
1 Londorossi / Shira Gate 3,400 0 No
1 Shira 1 Camp 3,610 7 Yes
2 Shira 2 Camp 3,850 14 Yes
3 Barranco Camp 3,900 24 Yes
4 Karanga Camp 3,995 29 Yes
5 Barafu Camp 4,673 33 Yes
6 Uhuru Peak 5,895 41.5 No
6 Mweka Camp 3,100 50 Yes
7 Mweka Gate 1,640 60 No

Day by day

01

Londorossi / Shira Gate to Shira 1 Camp

  • 3,400 m → 3,610 m
  • 7 km
  • 2–4 hrs
  • Moorland
↑ 210 m gained
After vehicle access to the high western trailhead, begin a gentle trek across the Shira Plateau. The high starting altitude demands close attention to hydration and symptoms.
From
Londorossi / Shira Gate
To
Shira 1 Camp
Sleeping altitude
3,610 m (11,844 ft)
Highest point
3,610 m
02

Shira 1 to Shira 2 Camp

  • 3,610 m → 3,850 m
  • 7 km
  • 3–4 hrs
  • Moorland
↑ 240 m gained
Cross open plateau terrain with broad views and time for an optional acclimatization walk.
From
Shira 1
To
Shira 2 Camp
Sleeping altitude
3,850 m (12,631 ft)
Highest point
3,850 m
03

Shira 2 via Lava Tower to Barranco Camp

  • 3,850 m → 3,900 m
  • 10 km
  • 6–8 hrs
  • Alpine desert
↑ 50 m gained
Ascend toward Lava Tower at about 4,600 m, then descend to Barranco for a valuable climb-high, sleep-low effect.
From
Shira 2 via Lava Tower
To
Barranco Camp
Sleeping altitude
3,900 m (12,795 ft)
Highest point
3,900 m
04

Barranco to Karanga Camp

  • 3,900 m → 3,995 m
  • 5 km
  • 4–5 hrs
  • Alpine desert
↑ 95 m gained
Climb the Barranco Wall and continue through the Southern Circuit’s dramatic valleys.
From
Barranco
To
Karanga Camp
Sleeping altitude
3,995 m (13,107 ft)
Highest point
3,995 m
05

Karanga to Barafu Camp

  • 3,995 m → 4,673 m
  • 4 km
  • 3–4 hrs
  • High alpine desert
↑ 678 m gained
Reach summit base camp and prepare for the midnight ascent.
From
Karanga
To
Barafu Camp
Sleeping altitude
4,673 m (15,331 ft)
Highest point
4,673 m
06

Barafu to Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp

  • 4,673 m → 3,100 m
  • 17 km
  • 12–16 hrs
  • Arctic summit to rainforest
↑ 1,222 m gained ↓ 2,795 m descended Sleeps 3,100 m
Climb through the night via Stella Point to Uhuru Peak, then descend to Mweka Camp.
From
Barafu
To
Mweka Camp
Sleeping altitude
3,100 m (10,171 ft)
Highest point
5,895 m
07

Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate

  • 3,100 m → 1,640 m
  • 10 km
  • 3–4 hrs
  • Rainforest
Final descent, certificates and transfer to your Moshi hotel.
From
Mweka Camp
To
Mweka Gate
Sleeping altitude
1,640 m (5,381 ft)
Highest point
1,640 m

Route map

Where this itinerary goes, night by night. Every camp and altitude on the map is the one in the day-by-day above.

N Mawenzi Shira Gate3,400 m Shira 1 Camp3,610 m Shira 2 Camp3,850 m Lava Tower Barranco Camp3,900 m Karanga Camp3,995 m Barafu Camp4,673 m Uhuru Peak5,895 m Mweka Camp3,100 m Mweka Gate1,640 m
Ascent Descent Overnight camp Schematic map, not to scale: positions are approximate and not for navigation. Altitudes are from our itineraries. Terrain: SRTM (NASA), via Terrain Tiles on AWS.

What is and is not included

What is included

Transfers

  • Airport pick-up and drop-off - Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) to/from your hotel
  • Private transfers to/from the mountain gate - Hotel to Kilimanjaro trailhead and exit gate to hotel

Meals & water

  • Pre & post-climb accommodation - 2 nights in Moshi (1 night before and 1 night after the climb) on Bed & Breakfast basis
  • Three freshly prepared meals per day on the mountain - breakfast, lunch and dinner
  • Nutritious snacks during the trek
  • Clean, purified drinking water throughout the climb
  • Hot water for washing each morning and evening where practical

Permits & park fees

  • Kilimanjaro National Park entrance fees
  • Camping fees / Hut fees - depending on the selected route
  • All applicable government taxes & VAT
  • Kilimanjaro summit certificate for successful climbers

Safety equipment

  • Kilimanjaro National Park rescue fees
  • Emergency supplemental oxygen
  • Pulse oximeter for monitoring blood oxygen saturation and pulse during the climb
  • First-aid kit and mountain emergency equipment
  • Daily health monitoring by the mountain guide
  • 24/7 emergency communication support between the mountain team and operations office

Guides & crew

  • Professional, licensed English-speaking Kilimanjaro mountain guide
  • Assistant mountain guides - according to group size
  • Professional mountain chef/cook
  • Porters - to carry group equipment, food and clients permitted duffel luggage
  • All mountain crew wages and salaries
  • Cooking tent and complete camp equipment
  • Private portable flush/chemical toilet with dedicated toilet tent and porter - throughout the trek on camping routes

Camping equipment

  • Quality four-season mountain tents - on camping routes
  • Comfortable sleeping mattresses
  • Dining/mess tent with tables and chairs

Also included

  • Pre-climb briefing and equipment check
  • All logistical and operational support throughout the expedition

What is not included

  • International and domestic flights
  • Tanzania entry visa
  • Travel and medical insurance - clients should have appropriate coverage for high-altitude trekking up to at least 6,000 metres
  • Helicopter/air evacuation or specialist medical evacuation unless specifically included by the client insurance policy
  • Personal trekking equipment and clothing, including hiking boots, sleeping bag, down jacket, trekking poles, daypack and other personal gear
  • Equipment rental, unless specifically included in the quotation
  • Tips/gratuities for mountain guides, assistant guides, cook and porters
  • Lunch and dinner at the hotel before or after the climb unless specified
  • Soft drinks, alcoholic beverages and bottled drinks outside those specifically included
  • Personal snacks and energy bars brought by the client
  • Laundry services
  • Telephone calls, SIM cards, internet/data charges and other communication expenses
  • Additional hotel nights or transfers caused by flight changes, early arrival or late departure
  • Single-room or single-tent supplement, where applicable
  • Extra porter required for luggage exceeding the permitted mountain weight
  • Personal expenses such as souvenirs and shopping
  • Any activities, accommodation, meals, transfers or services not specifically stated in the itinerary
  • Costs arising from itinerary changes requested by the client or circumstances outside the company control

Dates and prices

Private climb prices by party size
Party size Per person
1 climber Private Solo Expedition — Maximum privacy. US$3,115
Scheduled group prices by party size
Party size Per person
2–4 climbers Small Group Rate — Shared value. US$2,870
5–7 climbers Group Discount Rate — Preferred group rate. US$2,625
8–10 climbers Best Group Rate — Best value per climber. US$2,450

This climb runs on your dates

There is no fixed departure calendar for this itinerary — it runs as a private climb whenever suits you, which for most parties is the better arrangement anyway.

Ask about your dates

If you would rather join an existing group on a fixed date, our scheduled departures run on the Lemosho and Machame routes, each built around a full moon or an event summit.

These are the scheduled dates for this itinerary. See every group departure across all our routes, or ask about your own dates.

What to bring

You will walk through five climate zones in a week, from humid rainforest to sub-zero arctic. Layering is the whole strategy — no single garment solves it.

The full packing list What you can rent locally
From

US$2,450

Plan this climb