Hiking & Trekking Adventure Africa | Firecloud Adventure Travel Africa

Country:	Tanzania
Type of trek:	Hiking
Duration:	7 nights / 8 days
Distance:	67km
Difficulty*:	Moderate to demanding
Technicality:	No technical mountaineering skills required
Accomm:	Huts and camping
Best time:	July to October or December to February
Min group size:	Four people

*Difficulty: Easy A moderate walking fitness required. Distances are shorter and gradients moderate. Moderate A good walking fitness is required. Distances covered are between 10 and 20km’s per day and gradients are moderate Moderate to demanding A good level of endurance and fitness is required. Distances are moderate but the gradients steeper. Demanding A high level of fitness is required. Distances can vary but gradients are steep and may include technical sections. Extreme Only for the super fit and experienced mountaineers. Distances and gradients vary but trails involve technical skill and conditions are unpredictable.

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Shira Route

Description

This lesser used route starts at Londorosi gate and heads eastwards across the grasslands of the Shira Plateau. There are often sightings of game, such as elephant and buffalo on the plateau. Further along the route then joins up with the Machame Route at Shira Camp and approaches the summit via Stella Point. Following the same descent back down the mountain via Mweka Camp. Because of the high altitude (3500m) that this trail starts at, it should only be attempted by trekkers who are already acclimatised or who know from previous experience that they can tolerate altitude.

Highlights

Route through lush montane forests
Traversing Shira Plateau
Crossing the Great Barranco Valley
Sunrise at Stella Point looking up to Uhuru Peak
Summiting Africa’s highest peak

Sample Itinerary

Day 1
Arrive at your hotel in Moshi in time for an early evening pre-climb briefing on the trek. After dinner make final preparations before getting a comfortable night’s rest.

DAY 2
Transfer to the western end of the Kilimanjaro National Park to Londorossi Gate for the start of the trek. The first section of the climb takes you through the lush forest to reach the Forest Gate. The first night is spent at Forest Campsite which is just past the gate at an altitude of 2750m. The day’s hike takes approximately 4 to 5 hours.

DAY 3
Leaving the Forest Campsite, continue through the forest and up onto the Shira Plateau to reach Shira Campsite where you’ll be staying overnight. The day’s hike takes 5 to 6 hours.

DAY 4
Leaving Shira Campsite, the trail climbs gradually towards Kibo. Passing the Lava Tower and Western Breach, you drop down scree slopes and cross a stream. Continue along the ridge passing the Great Barranco Valley to get to the overnight stop, Barranco Campsite which is located at 3950m. The hike takes 5 to 7 hours.

DAY 5
Crossing the floor of the Great Barranco Valley, continue up the steep climb up Barranco Wall and on to the Karanga river which is the last high altitude water point on this route. After a short rest hike through two shallow valleys before a steep climb over rocky slabs to reach Barafu Campsite at 4600m. The spectacular views are a just reward after 8 to 9 hours of hard hiking.

DAY 6
A very early start for the summit - Uhuru Peak the highest point in Africa lies at an altitude of 5896m. The ascent takes 6 to 7 hours, reaching Stella Point at sunrise and continuing on to Uhuru Peak just after dawn. Descend retracing your steps back to Barafu Campsite and then hike down the steep path to Mweka Campsite located at 3000m on the edge of the forest. The descent takes 5 to 7 hours. Overnight Mweka Camp

DAY 7
The last day takes you on a steep path through the forest to the park gate at Mweka Wildlife College. If it’s been raining the path can be very muddy but normally takes 3 to 4 hours to hike down. At the gate you will be met and transferred to your hotel in Moshi where you will stay overnight.

DAY 8
The tour ends after breakfast.