Shira Route – Mount Kilimanjaro.

DAY 1

After getting registered at the Londorossi National Park gate, we drive up a steep path inside the park to get to Shira Barrier (3,300m), which is where the walk starts. We keep walking until we reach the Shira Plateau, which has great views of the main peak. At “Shira One” (3,550 m.), in the middle of the hill, is where our first camp is. Walk for two to three hours.

DAY 2

A day of ease to help you get used to the altitude and see the grassy moorland and volcanic rock forms on the plateau. We walk to the top of Shira Cathedral, which is 3,750 meters high and has steep towers and pinnacles all around it. This place really feels like the middle of nowhere, especially when the afternoon mists roll in. From our camp near Shira Hut (3,840 m.), the views of Mt. Meru floating on the clouds are memorable. (4–5 hours of walking)

DAY 3

We go on an adventure below the Northern Icefields, a place that almost no people go to and from which you can get unique views of Kibo. The walk in the morning goes up steadily from the Shira Plateau’s bogs to the Lent Hills’ wide high desert, where there are views in every direction. After lunch at our camp near Moir Hut (4,200 m), we could go on a harder walk in the afternoon to reach the top of Little Lent Hill (4,375 m). This faraway part of Kilimanjaro doesn’t get many tourists. [4 to 6 hours walking]

DAY 4

Ascending slowly in the morning and taking in the views as you walk along lava slopes below the Western Breach glaciers. We had lunch at our tent at Lava Tower (4,550 m). In the afternoon, we took a steep and beautiful walk on the rocky lower slopes of the Western Breach to get to the ruins of the old hut at Arrow Glacier (4,800 m). This afternoon trip is highly recommended for both getting used to the altitude and seeing the beautiful hanging glaciers on both sides of the Breach. [4 to 6 hours walking]

DAY 5

A steep drop to the bottom of the 3,900-meter Great Barranco valley, where tall cliffs protect you and give you a wide view of the plains below. We start our hike by climbing the famous Barranco Wall. From there, we can see the Southern Icefields from a trail that goes up and down on the southeast side of Kibo. Volcanic scree covers the ground, with patches of vegetation in hollows that are protected. There is a strong sense of being in the middle of nowhere in the mountains. The next camp is at Karanga (4,000 m), which is the last water source on the way to the top. (5–7 hours of walking)

DAY 6

We take a simple path on packed rock that keeps going up in elevation until we reach the Barafu campsite (4,600 m) in time for lunch. At the bottom of the South-East valley (4,800 m), there is a short walk to help you get used to the altitude. The rest of the day is spent resting to get ready for the last climb, which happens very early at night. (3–5 hours of walking)

DAY 7

Around 1 a.m., we’ll start our climb by flashlight so that we can be on top of the Crater by sunrise. We will get to Stella Point (5,735 m) in about five or six hours if we keep up a slow but steady pace as we climb steeply over loose volcanic scree. We’ll take a short break there to watch the sun rise over Mawenzi. From here, it takes two hours to go around the crater rim and reach Uhuru Peak (5,896 m). Along the way, you’ll get to see the beautiful glaciers and ice walls that still cover most of the summit area. It’s amazing how quickly we can get down to Barafu. After a break to refuel, we keep going down until we reach our final campsite, Millennium, at 3,800 meters. (11 to 15 hours walking)

DAY 8

A steady descent on a well-built road through a beautiful tropical forest full of birdsong and lush undergrowth with lots of interesting plants. Our path makes its way down to the National Park gate at Mweka, which is 1,650 m below us. Here is where we leave the national park. We then walk for another 15 minutes through coffee and banana farms to get to Mweka town, where our car is waiting. There is a shower, drink, and a swimming pool very close by. [4 to 6 hours of walking]

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