Trekking Kilimanjaro Mountain through Shira route : The Shira route is one among the routes that leads up to the wold’s free standing mountain, the Kilimanjaro Mountain. The majesty Kilimanjaro Mountain is nestled in the northern part of Tanzania, which is pride of Tanzania. Each route has its unique challenges and the best part of each route. The Shira route is well known because of its thrilling sceneries that it offers, the less crowded route and above all you will witness the perfect change in its diverse landscape. The minimum days to spend while hiking is 7 days while the maximum is 9 days.
Let’s go through exploring and trekking Mountain Kilimanjaro through the Shira route.
Day 1. Driving towards the Shira gates and Shira camp
Your unforgettable adventure begins with driving towards the Shira camps, the drive offers the amazing sceneries of the Tanzania savannah whether you’re coming from Arusha or Moshi towards this gate. Upon arrival, the hiking will begin immediately after finishing the registration process and parking. You will begin hiking towards the Shira camps which are located in 3,840 meters which is 4-6 hours of hiking. The adventure begins as you hike, you will enjoy the stunning views of the wildlife such as colobus monkeys that are found in abundance in this lush montane forest zone.
Day 2- Hike to Shira camp 2
Another day to keep ascending towards the Africa’s highest point, this day you will be ascending through the Moorland zone which offers the rewarding view of the Shira Plateau. You will hike for 3 to 5 hours, which covers the 8 kilometres. Upon arrival at Shira camps 2, you will have the time to enjoy the view of the breath-taking views of the landscape because hiking on towards this point is challenging.
Day 3 -Trekking to Barranco Camp though the Lava Tower
You will hike towards the Barranco camp through the Lava tower, which is 3,960 meters. It’s important to trek through this tower because it helps in acclimatization and later descend towards Barranco camps for a comfortable night at this camp. Hiking on this day is a little challenging, because you will spend 5 to 7 hours and cover about 7 kilometres of your journey. You will pass through diverse landscape changes, you will go through Alpine Desert Zone.
Day 4- Hiking towards the Karanga Valley camp
Another day of ascending higher towards the Uhuru peak, on this day you will go through the Barranco wall which is a steep climb but manageable. This hiking leads to Karanga valley which is found on elevation of 3,995meters above the sea level. Hiking on this day is shorter, as you will hike for about 3-5 hours and you will cover will complete another 5 more Kilometres, your getting closer to the peak. The Karanga valley offers the stunning views and an excellent opportunity for acclimatization.
Day 5- heading towards the Barafu camp
The Barafu camp is found at the elevation of 4,680 meter, hiking for about 4-6 hours that’s when you will arrive at this point. You will cover 5 kilometres. This is the last stop before reaching the Uhuru camp. You will arrive early at Barafu camps, so that you can have enough time to rest so because the following day, trekking begins early morning so that you can witness the sunrise at while at the peak of Kilimanjaro.
Day 6- Summit night, heading towards the Uhuru peak and descend to Mweka camp.
The summit day is normal a very challenging day and yet a most exciting day, as you will be heading to the Uhuru peak. You will hike for about 6-8 hours to reach at the summit, you will begin with a midnight wake-up call. You will have the unforgettable stunning view of the sunrise while at Stella point before pushing on a little longer towards the Uhuru Camp. After reaching the summit you will, have few minutes to enjoy the feeling of accomplishment and achievement after having the long trekking hours for the past 5 days, you have finally accomplished the mission you started.
Day 7- Descending to Mweka gate and departure
On your final day, you will begin moving down the mountain, and finally heading back to the main Mweka gates to receive your certificate and other formalities before departure.
Hiking Kilimanjaro through the Shira camps does not require any technical skills, all you need is enough time to prepare and have exercises few weeks early before hiking. The few challenges that you will encounter while hiking through this route includes, altitude sickness that happens due to the increase of altitude on moving higher the mountain. Ascending up the mountain gets stepper; this route has steep ascends it requires you to have a good physical condition.
