Seven-Day Kilimanjaro Climb: Shira Route

Leave Moshi in the morning for the Londorossi Gate, which takes about four hours. Complete the entry formalities at the gate while your tour guide and porters prepare the equipment. Drive up a steep path to the Shira Gate, the starting point of your trek, and start hiking though shrubs and giant heathers to reach Simba Camp.

Maximum elevation: 3,597m

Total walking distance: 4km

Duration of the hike: 2 hours

Habitat: Heath

Today is a fairly easy day and it helps us with acclimatisation. Start by exploring the grassy moorland and volcanic rock formations on the plateau. Then take the scenic path to the Shira Cathedral, a huge buttress of rock surrounded by steep spires and pinnacles. Your day ends on reaching Shira 2 Camp.

Maximum elevation: 3,810m

Distance: 6km

Duration of the hike: 2 hours

Habitat: Heath

Continue to the east up a ridge and then head southeast towards the Lava Tower, a tall, volcanic rock formation. Then descend down to Barranco Camp through a strange but beautiful senecio forest. Although you start and end the day at the same elevation, the time that you spend hiking through the higher-elevation section today helps with acclimatisation.

Maximum elevation: 4,630m

Distance: 10 km

Duration of the hike: Between 6 to 8 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

Descend into a ravine to the base of the massive Barranco Wall. The climb is non-technical, although the cliff is steep and stands nearly 274 metres tall. Cross a series of hills and valleys followed by a sharp descent into the Karanga Valley. One more steep climb and you reach Karanga Camp.

Maximum elevation: 3,995m

Total walking distance: 5km

Duration: 4-5 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

Leave Karanga and hit the junction that connects your route with the Mweka trail. Continue up the rocky section to reach Barafu Hut. At this point, you would have completed the southern circuit and enjoyed amazing views of the summit from different angles.

We will set our camp at Barafu today. See the peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo. Take some rest and enjoy an early dinner. Make sure that you go to bed early tonight.

Maximum elevation: 4,673m

Total walking distance: 4km

Duration: 4-5 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

Wake up at around midnight and prepare for a final push to Mount Kilimanjaro's summit. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. It can get extremely windy and cold at this elevation.

Ascend in the darkness for several hours while taking frequent, but short, breaks. Near the Stella Point, you will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see. Finally, you will reach the top of Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa.

Time to head down. Descend to the campsite at Mweka Hut, stopping at Barafu for lunch. The trail is very rocky and can be quite hard on the knees; trekking poles are helpful. Mweka Hut is situated in the upper forest area and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon.

Enjoy your last dinner in the mountain later in the evening followed by a well-earned sleep.

Maximum elevation: 5,895m

Total walking distance: 5km to the peak and 12 km from Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp

Duration: 7-8 hours to the top of Uhuru followed by 4-6 hours downhill

Habitat: Alpine Desert & Rain Forest

Continue your descent to the Mweka Gate and collect the summit certificate. The trail can get wet and muddy at lower elevations. Spend an hour traveling to Mweka village from the gate. Jump into a vehicle on reaching the village and drive back to your hotel in Moshi.

Tonight's accommodation is included in the tour price. We will drive you to Kilimanjaro International Airport tomorrow for your flight home.

Maximum elevation: 3,068m

Total walking distance: 10 km

Duration of the hike: 3-4 hours

Habitat: Rain Forest