7 Days Shira Route Trek via Londolossi Gate - Mount Kilimanjaro
Londolossi Gate via Shira Route, the Morum barrier is one of the routes to approach Mount Kilimanjaro from the western side. The Morum barrier route is one of the best for acclimatisation. The route is less traveled, and the beautiful way up to the Shira Plateau on the first day is very friendly to luxury travellers. The 7-day Shira Route has one of the highest success rates. During the additional days, your body gets more time to acclimatise and suffers less from the effects of altitude sickness. You get more time to rest and to make your body familiar with the environment before attempting the summit.
7 Days Shira Route Trek Via Londolossi Gate to Mount Kilimanjaro
Check out the travel blueprint for your 7-day Shira Route Trek Via Londolossi Gate to Kilimanjaro
Day 0: Welcome to Arusha or Kilimanjaro International Airport
Day 1: Hotel to Shira 1 Camp
Day 2: Shira 1 Camp to Shira 2 Camp
Day 3: Shira 2 Camp to Barranco Camp
Day 4: Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
Day 5: Karanga Camp – Barafu Camp
Day 6: Barafu Camp – Summit – Mweka Camp
Day 7: Mweka Camp – Mweka Gate – Hotel
OUR itinery
Ascend to Mount Kilimanjaro for 7 Days through the Shira Route via Londolossi Gate.
DAY 0
Pre-trek Briefing
We will meet you at Arusha or Kilimanjaro International Airport and take you to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha. You get the pre-trek briefing at your hotel in Moshi or Arusha. You should plan to arrive at least a day before the trek so you can attend the pre-trek briefing. Our professionals will also review your equipment and rent any additional equipment needed.
DAY 1
Hotel to Shira 1 Camp
Once you finish your breakfast and receive your briefing, drive to Londolossi GATE. From here, a forest track suitable only for 4WD vehicles leads to the Shira Route. Walk along the heather and moorland zone of Kilimanjaro, where you will get an astonishing view of Cathedral Needle and Shira Rime while walking on Shira Caldera, about 13 square kilometers in size.
Elevation: 2250m/7600ft to 3610m/8700ft
Distance: 5km/3.5mi
Hiking Time: 2-3 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest
Meals: Lunch and Dinner
DAY 2
Shira 1 Camp to Shira 2 Camp
Once you finish breakfast, we move on as the trail gradually steepens and step into the giant heather moorland zone. After we cross several streams, we continue over the Shira Ridge, then downwards to the Shira River, located by a stream on the Shira Plateau.
Elevation:3600m/8700ft to 3850m/11,500ft. Distance 10 km
An easy hike across the plateau leads you to Shira 2 camp on moorland meadows located by a stream. You can follow one of the various types of hikes on the Plateau, making it an excellent day for acclimatisation.
Elevation: 3610m/11,500ft to 3850m/12,600ft
Distance: 8km/5mi
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Moorland
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
DAY 3
Shira 2 Camp to Barranco Camp
We continue our journey from Shira Plateau, and continue to the east up a ridge. In between we pass the junction towards the Kibo peak. As we continue, our direction changes to the Southeast towards the Lava Tower, also known as the “Shark’s Tooth” (elevation 4650m/15,350ft).
Soon after we reach the tower, we come to the second joint that crosses the Arrow Glacier. We now head down to the Barranco Camp. Here, you end the day at the same elevation where you began. The day is vital for acclimatization and helps your body prepare for summit day.
Elevation: 3850m/12,600ft to 4000m/13,000ft
Distance: 8km/5mi
Walking Time: 5-6 hours
Habitat: Semi-desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
DAY 4
Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
Once we finish our breakfast, we leave Barranco and move forward to the steep Barranco Wall. Then, we head toward the Karanga Valley and the junction with the Mweka Trail.
Elevation: 4000m/13,000ft to 4050m/13,250ft
Distance: 5km/3mi
Climbing Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
DAY 5
Karanga Camp - Barafu Camp
We move toward the Barafu Camp. In between, we complete the South Circuit, which offers summit views from many different angles. At this point, we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day.
Elevation: 4050m/13,250ft to 4700m/15,350ft
Climbing Time: 3-4 hours
Distance: 4km/2mi
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
DAY 6
Barafu Camp - Summit - Mweka Camp
Very early in the morning (midnight to 1:30 am), we continue our way to the summit between the Ratzel and Rebman. You follow the northwest direction and ascend toward Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the both mentally and physically challenging phase of the trek.
At Stella Point, you stop for a short rest. Here, you can witness the most magnificent sunrise you may see in life. Faster hikers may reach the summit in time to see the sunrise.
From Stella Point, you may find snow all the way on your ascent to the summit. You reach the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa, once you have reached Uhuru Peak. From the summit, we begin descending straight down to the Mweka Camp. In between, we stop at Barafu for a meal. Gaiters and trekking poles on the way down are what you need at times. Take all necessary protective measures on your way to the peak. At the end, arrive at Mweka Camp and enjoy the evening on the mountain.
Elevation: 4700m/15,350ft to 5895m/19,340ft
Down to 3090m/10,150ft
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours up / 5-6 hours down
Distance: 5km/3mi up / 13km/8mi down
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
DAY 7
Mweka Camp - Mweka Gate - Hotel
Once you finish your breakfast, we will have a souvenir ceremony to say goodbye to your team, then we will start descending towards Mweka Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower heights, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles are necessary. Shorts and t-shirts are ideal for your trekking journey. Also, keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy.
The Tanzania Adventure and Safaris vehicle will be waiting for you at Mweka gate. We will have a last gate hot lunch, then drive you back to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha.
Elevation: 3090m/10,150ft to 1680m/5500ft
Distance: 10km/6mi
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Forest
Meals: Breakfast
Make your Dream Safari Come True
See what’s excluded and included on your 6-day safari tour to Tanzania
Include
- Professional, experienced mountain guides
- Quality Mess tents with table and chairs
- Conservation fees (part of park fees)
- VAT (18% charged by the Government)
- Sleeping Mattress
- All transfers to the mountain and back to your hotel Clean, purified drinking water
- Kilimanjaro summit certificate
- Quality, waterproof, four-season mountain sleeping tents (on twin sharing basis)
- Rescue fees (part of park fees)
- Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food
- Emergency Oxygen Cylinder
- Camping or Hut fees (part of park fees)
- Guides, Porters, Cook salaries, and park fees
- All meals while on the Mountain
Exclude
- Tips and gratuities
- Transfers (available as an optional add-on)
- Hotel (available as an optional add-on)
- Liquors, beers, and bottled beverages
- Tanzania Visa
- Personal trekking equipment such as sleeping bags, hiking boots, clothes, etc. (available for renting)
- The government imposed increased Taxes and or Park Fees.
- Meals not listed in the itinerary
- International and domestic flights
- Personal Expenses (e.g., laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)
- Travel insurance
- Surcharge for online payment of advance and balance (5% on each payment)
FAQ
Shira route to Mount Kilimanjaro is challenging. The trek difficulty level ranges from moderate to difficult. One of the primary challenges is high-altitude sickness, which can affect trekkers’ health.
Yes. You need training. Though the trekking is not technical, the steep ascents, high elevation, and lack of oxygen make it difficult for the trekkers to climb. You need fitness, flexibility, and mental strength to climb the mountain summit.
The Barranco wall is steep enough to put the non-technical trekkers in trouble. Your expert guide will lead you through the trek route with confidence and safety.
You need to take warm layers, waterproof gear, a trekking pole, hiking boots, and sleeping bags. You may also carry protein bars that instantly boost energy.
The months from July to September and from January to March are ideal for climbing the mountain via the Shira route.
