Kilimanjaro — Shira Route, 8 Days

Shira follows nearly the same line as Lemosho but drives to 3,500 m and starts walking from there, skipping the forest day. That high start is its drawback — you begin above the altitude most people find comfortable — so the eight-day version with extra acclimatisation is the only one worth doing.

Highlights

• A vehicle start high on the Shira Plateau
• The full western plateau crossing
• Lava Tower, the Barranco Wall and the southern circuit
• Summit Uhuru Peak (5,895 m)

The itinerary, day by day

1. 01

   Drive to Shira Gate, walk to Simba Camp

   3,600 m · 3–4 hours

   A long drive up to the plateau and a short first walk. You are already high, so the pace is slow.

2. 02

   Simba to Shira 2

   3,850 m · 4–5 hours

   Across the plateau with Kibo ahead.

3. 03

   Shira 2 to Lava Tower, down to Barranco

   3,960 m · 6–8 hours

   Climb high, sleep low.

4. 04

   Barranco to Karanga

   3,995 m · 4–5 hours

   The Barranco Wall and the valleys beyond.

5. 05

   Acclimatisation day at Karanga

   3,995 m · 3 hours

   A short walk towards Barafu and back.

6. 06

   Karanga to Barafu

   4,673 m · 4–5 hours

   To base camp, resting through the afternoon.

7. 07

   Summit day — Uhuru Peak, down to Mweka

   5,895 m · 12–14 hours

   Stella Point at dawn, then Uhuru.

8. 08

   Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate

   1,640 m · 3–4 hours

   Down to the gate.