Top of Africa-Kili Climb: Shira Route

Upon arrival Arusha, you will be transfered to your lodge.  Dinner is provided tonight as well as a briefing to ready you for the Kilimanjaro climb.

Please arrive by 4:00 pm.

Have breakfast at your lodge, then transfer to the Kilimanjaro entrance gate. After completing the necessary registration formalities at Londorossi National Park gate, we drive a short distance on a steep track through farmland and plantations (2,800 m.) and start climbing steadily on foot through shrub forest and stands of giant heather to reach the rim of Shira Plateau (3,350m). The views across the surrounding plains open out as we climb, and our first camp is in the center of the plateau at “Shira One Camp” (3,550m). [4-5 hours walking]

This is an easy day to help acclimatization and to explore the grassy moorland and the volcanic rock formations of the plateau. We walk to the summit of Shira Cathedral (3,750m), a huge buttress of rock surrounded by steep spires and pinnacles. There is a tangible sense of wilderness here (especially when the afternoon mists come in!), and the views of Mt. Meru floating on the clouds from our camp near Shira Camp Two (3,840m) are simply unforgettable. [4-5 hours walking]

We explore beneath the northern Icefields, an area almost totally unvisited by tourists with unusual views of Kibo. The morning walk is a steady climb away from the moorland of Shira Plateau to reach the broad upland desert beneath the Lent Hills, with expansive views in all directions. After lunch in our camp close to Moir Hut (4,200m), there is the option of a more strenuous afternoon walk to reach the summit of the Lent Hills (4,700m). Few visitors get to this remote corner of Kilimanjaro. [3-6 hours walking]

This is a morning of gentle ascent and panoramic views, walking on lava ridges beneath the glaciers of the Western Breach. After lunch at our Lava Tower campsite (4,550m), there is a steep and spectacular afternoon walk on the rocky lower slopes of the Western Breach to reach the ruins of the old hut at Arrow Glacier (4,800m). The afternoon excursion is highly recommended both for acclimatization purposes and for the superb views of hanging glaciers on both sides of the Breach. [3-6 hours walking]

Embark on a steep descent into the bottom of the Great Barranco valley (3,900m), sheltered by towering cliffs and with extensive views of the plains far below. A short climb up the famed Barranco Wall leads us to an undulating trail on the southeastern flank of Kibo, with superb vistas of the southern icefields. The terrain is volcanic scree, with pockets of vegetation in sheltered hollows and a powerful sense of mountain wilderness. Our next camp is at Karanga Camp (4,000m), the last water point on the approach to the summit. [5-7 hours walking]

We follow an easy path on compacted scree with wide views that gains altitude unrelentingly to reach the Barafu campsite (4,600m) for lunch. There is a short acclimatization walk to the plateau at the bottom of the southeast valley (4,800m). The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent before a very early night, awakening in the wee hours for our ascent. [3-5 hours walking]

We start our ascent by flashlight about 1 a.m. so that we can be up on the crater rim by sunrise. The steep climb over loose volcanic scree has some well-graded zig-zags and a slow but steady pace will take us to Stella Point (5,735m), in about five or six hours. We will rest there for a short time to enjoy the sunrise over Mawenzi. Those who are still feeling strong can make the two-hour round trip from here along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (5,895m), passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area. The descent to Barafu is surprisingly fast, and after some refreshment, we continue to descend to reach our final campsite (3,800m) at Millenium Camp. [11-15 hours walking]

Continue on a sustained descent on a well-constructed path through the lovely tropical forest alive with birdsong and boasting lush undergrowth with considerable botanical interest. Our route winds down to the National Park gate at Mweka gate (1,650m); At Mweka gate, you sign your name and details in a register. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Those climbers who reached Stella Point are issued with green certificates, and those who reached Uhuru Peak receive gold certificates. Meet a driver/guide with packed lunch and drive back to your lodge in Arusha. It is a welcome treat to sleep in a bed, take a hot shower, and celebrate. [4-6 hours walking]