Tanzania · Trekking

7-Day Kilimanjaro Shira Route Hike with Uhuru Peak Summit

7 Days Round trip from Mt Kilimanjaro Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Trek across the Shira Plateau and visit Cathedral Peak
02 Admire views of Mt. Meru and Kibo Peak from the mountain
03 Acclimatize at Lava Tower before descending to Barranco Camp
04 Walk through alpine desert at Barafu Ridge beneath Kibo Peak
05 Reach Uhuru Peak near sunrise and see the crater rim and icecaps

Hike the majestic Kilimanjaro via the Shira Route, which is nearly identical to the Lemosho Route. This route follows the southern circuit, traversing beneath the Southern Ice Fields before summiting from Barafu. Enjoy hiking through rainforest, moorland, and alpine landscapes while admiring views of Mt. Meru, Kibo Peak, and Kilimanjaro's dramatic summit scenery.

After about 1 hour of hiking along the Kibo crater rim near the celebrated snow, you will reach Kilimanjaro's true summit, Uhuru Peak.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 7 Days

Tour type Private

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access No

Cities Moshi, Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Meru

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Moshi to Londorosi Gate and Shira One Campsite

Drive from Moshi to the Londorosi Gate trailhead for registration. After this, board a vehicle again and continue up to Moram Gate. From there, trek through moorland and heather vegetation, heading east across ridges, valleys, and a long flat stretch to Shira One Campsite.

Day 02

Shira One Campsite to Shira Two Campsite

Today, trek east across the Shira Plateau, visiting Cathedral Peak (3850m) for acclimatization. From this peak, enjoy great views of Mt. Meru, Kibo Peak, and other notable features. Then continue walking to Shira Two Camp, where you will have a meal and stay overnight.

Elevation: 3500m to 3800m

Distance: 7km

Hiking time: 5-6 hours

Habitat: Moorland and rock

Day 03

Shira Two Campsite to Barranco Campsite via Lava Tower

This is a long but essential acclimatization day. After an early breakfast, continue trekking east to the junction leading to Lava Tower Rock (4600m) for acclimatization.
Afterwards, continue to Barranco Hut Camp for supper and an overnight stay.

Elevation: 3800m to 3950m

Distance: 13km

Hiking time: 7-8 hours

Habitat: Moorland

Day 04

Barranco Campsite to Karanga Campsite

Today is a short walking day. In the morning, climb the Barranco Wall, reach 4200m for acclimatization, and continue across ridges and valleys to Karanga Campsite for a hot lunch.
After lunch, rest and gain further acclimatization by trekking up the scree slopes toward the Southern Ice Field.
Then return to camp for supper and an overnight stay.

Elevation: 3950m to 3900m

Distance: 6 km

Hiking time: 4-5 hours

Habitat: Moorland

Day 05

Karanga Campsite to Barafu Campsite

Today's trek up to Barafu Ridge Campsite is tough because of the altitude. Although the distance is short, the trail is steep and requires a slow pace to avoid tiredness. You will walk across an alpine desert with strong, cold winds blowing from the ever-closer Kibo Peak and its ice. An early dinner will be served at 1700hrs, followed by rest until midnight, when you begin your summit push.

Elevation: 3900m to 4620m

Distance: 8 km

Hiking time: 3-4 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

Day 06

Barafu Hut Campsite to Uhuru Peak and Mweka Hut Campsite

Wake for a light breakfast at midnight and prepare for your summit ascent. The goal is to climb before dawn and reach Uhuru Peak shortly before or after sunrise. Depart at 12:00 AM and ascend steep scree, or possibly snow, to Stella Point on the crater rim at 5,861 m/18,640 ft between 4 and 5 AM. From here, you will have views of the fabled crater and its icecaps in front of you.
After about 1 hour of hiking along the Kibo crater rim near the celebrated snow, you will reach Kilimanjaro's true summit, Uhuru Peak. Here, you will spend some time taking photos.
After your summit activities, return to Barafu Huts Campsite for lunch, rest, and to collect your belongings, then continue through the moorland and heath zone to Mweka Huts Campsite. Dinner and overnight at Mweka Hut Campsite.

Elevation: 4620m to 5895m to 3100m

Distance: 15km

Hiking time: 10 to 12 hours

Habitat: Desert and ice

Day 07

Mweka Hut Campsite to Mweka Gate

After breakfast, this is your last day on the mountain, so you will descend to Mweka Park Gate, walking through montane forest. This descent will take 3-4 hours.
At the gate, you will sign out and get ready to board the vehicle for the transfer back to the hotel in Moshi for your certificate presentation celebration.

Elevation: 3100m to 1700m

Distance: 9km

Descending time: 3-4 hours

Habitat: Montane forest

Where this trip takes you

Shira Plateau, Cathedral Peak (3850m), Lava Tower Rock (4600m), Uhuru Peak

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Mt Kilimanjaro 3 cities · 7 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Tanzania VAT on tourism activities and park fees
Return transfers from Kilimanjaro Airport to Moshi and from Moshi to Kilimanjaro Airport
Hotel lodging the night before and the night after the climb, with dinner and breakfast included (double occupancy)
Bed, dinner, and breakfast
Transfer from your hotel to the starting point for your climb and return to your hotel after your climb
Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food
All Kilimanjaro National Park gate fees, camping fees, and climbing permits
Kilimanjaro National Park rescue fees (Kilimanjaro Rescue Team)
Emergency oxygen (for use in emergencies only - not as a summiting aid)
Basic first aid kit (for use in emergencies only)
Qualified mountain guide, assistant guide, porters, and cook
Salaries for the mountain crew as per guidelines set by Kilimanjaro National Park
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as hot drinks on the mountain
Camping equipment (tents, camp chairs, tables, and sleeping mattress)
Water for washing up daily
Porter to carry your duffel bag (max weight 15kg / 32 lbs) from one camp to the next
Kilimanjaro National Park certificate for your successful summit attempt
A comprehensive Climbing Kilimanjaro travel info pack
Flying Doctor Service

What's Not Included

Flights and airport taxes
Items of a personal nature
Compulsory tips for guides, porters, and cooks (average tip is anything from US $230 to US $300 per hiker - depending on the number of days, how many hikers are in the group, and the route chosen)
South African passport holders do not require a visa for Tanzania; however, most other nationalities require a visa for Tanzania
Health requirements (Yellow Fever compulsory if travelling to Tanzania recommended)
Highly recommended travel and medical insurance
Personal hiking/trekking gear - some of the gear can be rented from our equipment store in Tanzania
Optional but highly recommended portable toilet
Snacks, personal medicine, and water-purifying tablets
Meals & drinks not specified, and snacks

What to bring

TECHNICAL CLOTHING

1 - Waterproof jacket, breathable, with hood
1 - Insulated jacket, synthetic or down
1 - Soft jacket, fleece or soft-shell
2 - Long-sleeve shirts, lightweight, moisture-wicking fabric
1 - Short-sleeve shirt, lightweight, moisture-wicking fabric
1 - Waterproof pants, breathable (side zipper recommended)
2 - Hiking pants (convertible to shorts recommended)
1 - Fleece pants
1 - Shorts (optional)
1 - Long underwear (moisture-wicking fabric recommended)
3 - Underwear, briefs (moisture-wicking fabric recommended)
2 - Sports bras (women)

FOOTWEAR

1 - Hiking boots, warm, waterproof, broken-in, with spare laces
1 - Athletic shoes to wear at camp (optional)
3 - Socks, thick, wool or synthetic
3 - Sock liners, tight, thin, synthetic, worn under socks to prevent blisters (optional)
1 - Gaiters, waterproof (optional)

EQUIPMENT

1 - Sleeping bag, warm, four seasons
1 - Sleeping pad, self-inflating or closed-cell foam - not needed if staying in huts.
1 - Trekking poles (highly recommended)
1 - Headlamp with extra batteries
1 - Duffel bag for porters to carry your equipment
1 - Day-pack for you to carry your gear

Know before you go

Recommended immunisations - As a sensible precaution, we recommend that you consider getting at least some of the following recommended immunizations:
- Hepatitis A - You can get Hepatitis A through contaminated food or water in Tanzania, regardless of where you are eating or staying.
- Typhoid - You can get Typhoid through contaminated food or water in Tanzania, especially if you are visiting smaller cities or rural areas. Please check with your local travel clinic for the latest recommendations.
Immigration & customs
An onward ticket and sufficient funds are required when entering Tanzania. Tanzanian people are friendly and will always offer a helping hand.
- Insurance - It is strongly advised to take out travel insurance that covers baggage, personal accident, and medical insurance, specifically covering your Kilimanjaro expedition.
- Language - The official languages are Ki-Swahili and English. There are more than 120 tribal vernaculars.
  Religion - Mainly Muslim, Christian, and traditional beliefs. Please keep in mind that you are entering a different country with strong religious customs.
- Security - As with any other town, walking alone at night is not advisable, and it is preferable to use taxis, which are available at most hotels. Do not leave cash or valuables in your hotel room, and use a safe deposit box to keep your belongings secure.
- Visa and entry requirements - Visas are required by most visitors to Tanzania. Visas are available at your local Tanzanian Embassy, and costs vary from country to country. Visas are valid for 3 months. It is possible, however, to obtain a tourist visa for a single entry at any one of the four main entries into Tanzania, subject to the fulfilment of all immigration and health requirements for those who could not apply for a visa from a Tanzania Mission abroad. These are:
  - Dar-es-Salaam International Airport
  - Zanzibar International Airport
  - Kilimanjaro International Airport
  - Namanga Entry Point (Tanzania-Kenya border point)
Payment at all these points is in US Dollars or its equivalent in Sterling. For all other entry points in Tanzania, visitors must hold valid visas prior to approaching those entry points. However, in order to avoid unnecessary delays, those travelling to Tanzania from a country where there is a Tanzania Diplomatic Mission or Consular Office are strongly advised to obtain their entry visa prior to departure.