Kilimanjaro Climb Lemosho Route(6 Days)

Kilimanjaro Climb Lemosho Route(6 Days)

The Shira Route is a little used trail that begins near Shira Ridge. It is nearly identical to the Lemosho route. In fact, Shira was the original route and Lemosho is the improved variation. Although Shira is a varied and beautiful route, it is less favorable than its successor due to the relatively high altitude of Shira's starting point, which is accessed quickly by vehicle. It is possible that climbers will experience some altitude related symptoms on the first day while camping at 11,800 feet.

The route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the west, beginning with a long drive from Moshi to Shira Ridge. The vehicle bypasses the rain forest zone and the hiking trail begins on Shira Ridge. The Shira route crosses the entire Shira Plateau from west to east in a pleasant, relatively flat hike. Then the route traverses underneath Kilimanjaro's Southern Ice Field on a path known as the Southern Circuit before summiting from Barafu. Descent is made via the Mweka route.

Itinerary

Day 1: Drive to Kilimanjaro National Park Shira Gate, Hike to Shira 2 or Mti Mkubwa Camp

Stop At: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 00255 Tanzania
The drive from Moshi 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.

Elevation: 1830m/6000ft to 3850m/12,600ft

Distance: 8km/5mi

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

Habitat: Montane Forest

Meals: LD

Budget Lodging: Shira 2 Camp
Duration: 7 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 2: Hike Shira 2 Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp

Stop At: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 00255 Tanzania
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” (elev 4650m/15,250ft). Shortly after the tower we come to the second junction which goes to the Arrow Glacier. 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: 3850m/12,600ft to 4000m/13,000ft

Distance: 10km/6mi

Hiking Time: 5-6 hours

Habitat: Semi-desert

Meals: BLD

Budget Lodging: Barranco Camp
Duration: 10 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 3: Hike Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

Stop At: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 00255 Tanzania
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: 4000m/13,000ft to 4050m/13,250ft

Distance: 5km/3mi

Walking Time: 34 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

Meals: BLD

Budget Lodging: Karanga Camp
Duration: 4 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 4: Hike Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

Stop At: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 00255 Tanzania
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: 4050m/13,250ft to 4700m/15,350ft

Distance: 4km/2mi

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

Meals: BLD

Budget Lodging: Barafu Camp
Duration: 3 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 5: Hike Barafu Camp to Summit, down to Mweka Camp

Stop At: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 00255 Tanzania
Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am), 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 Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. Once at Uhuru Peak you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa!

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: 4700m/15,350ft to 5895m/19,340ft

Down to 3090m/10,150ft

Distance: 5km/3mi up / 13km/8mi down

Hiking Time: 5-7 hours up / 5-6 hours down

Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit

Meals: BLD

Budget Lodging: Mweka Camp
Duration: 10 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 6: Hike Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate, drive to Moshi

Stop At: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 00255 Tanzania
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. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy). From the gate, continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (about 30 minutes).

Elevation: 3090m/10,150ft to 1680m/5500ft

Distance: 10km/6mi

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

Habitat: Forest

Meals: B
Duration: 3 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.