Shira Route starts at 3,600 meters and is therefore not ideal for trekkers who have little or no experience of high-altitude trekking. The 6-days option adds an extra stay at Karanga Camp on the fourth day, before continuing on to Barafu Camp on the fifth day. Gifted Adventures recommend booking the 6-days tour as each day you give your body time to acclimatize, increasing your chances of success to reach the top. Shira is an ideal route for altitude acclimatization and also offers a beautiful and varied scenery as it ascends through the rainforest, crosses the spectacular Shira Plateau, and also visits the great Barranco wall and Lava Tower on the Machame route.
| safari type : | Trekking / Climbing |
| You will visit: | Shira Gate, Shira 2 Camp, Lava Tower, Barranco Camp, Karanga Camp, Barafu Camp, Uhuru Peak |
| Getting Around: | Walking |
| Start/End: | Arusha |
| Minimum Age: | 18+ |
After your long flight, you’ll be pleased to spend your first night in comfort at your hotel, the Planet Lodge in Arusha. You will be picked-up by Gifted Adventures driver, who will be waiting to meet and welcome you and take you to your hotel in Arusha to relax after your flight. Your adventure has begun!
Accommodation: Arusha Coffee Lodge
Meals: Dinner
Drinking Mineral Water only
The drive from your hotel in Arusha to the trailhead takes about 3 hours. We hike through the rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge. At lower elevations the trail can be muddy and slippery. Gaiters and trekking poles are a good idea here. We continue a short distance until we reach the Shira Camp. An overnight at Shira 2 Camp.
Elevation:6000ft to 12,600ft
Distance:8.km
Hiking Time: 4-5hours
Habitat:Montane Forest
From the Shira Plateau we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the “Shark’s Tooth”. We now continue down to the Barranco Camp. Although you end the day around the same elevation as when you began, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.
Elevation:12,600ft to 13,000ft
Distance:10km
Hiking Time: 5-6hours
Habitat:Semi-desert
After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley and the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail.
Elevation:13,000ft to 13,250ft
Distance:5km
Hiking Time: 3-4hours
Habitat:Alpine Desert
We continue up to the Barafu Camp. You have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day.
Elevation:13,250ft to 15,350ft
Distance:4.km
Hiking Time: 3-4hours
Habitat:Alpine Desert
Very early in the morning, we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. At Stella Point you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit. From the summit we begin our descent by continuing straight down to the Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You may want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. We arrive at Mweka Camp and enjoy our last evening on the mountain.
Elevation:3963M to 4640M
Distance:3.km
Hiking Time: 3hours
Habitat:Alpine Desert
After breakfast we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. From the gate, continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka village to drive you back to your hotel in Arusha.
Elevation:10,150ft to 5,500ft
Distance:10KM
Hiking Time:4-5hours
Habitat:Forest
Today you walk down through the rain forest to Mweka gate, where we complete park formalities and receive certificates. We are then met by our vehicles and return to your arranged hotel in Arusha.
Accommodation: Arusha Coffee Lodge
Meals:Breakfast
Drinking Mineral Water only
Kindly call us at +255 753 900 422 if you require any immediate assistance.
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