Do we support any porters initiative

Very definitely yes. Porters and guides are the life blood of any successful mountain climb. Through our partners in Tanzania we support various charity initiatives including the most important Kilimanjaro Porters Society. This society was registered under the name Mount Kilimanjaro Porters Society on 30th September 2005 as a non governmental organization with a certificate no 13296 under the organization art of the United Republic of Tanzania. The society exists as a shield for porters who are registered under it with the goal of improving the living and working condition of these porters.

How difficult is Shira Route

The Shira Route although it is beautiful and remote starts at a much higher altitude which means less time to acclimitise. It is for this reason that adding on extra time to acclimate is highly beneficial. Either that, or doing a pre acclimitisation trek like Mt Meru is great. After Shira Camp, the route merges with Lemosho and follows the southern circuit route.

How long is Shira route?

Kilimanjaro Shira route is approximately The distance for Shira route is approximately 70 km /42 miles from gate to gate. Most trekkers complete the Shira Route in eight days; however it can be done in 9 and 10 day variations. The nine / ten day route stops for a night at both Lava Tower and Karanga Camps.

Is Shira Route crowded?

Generally speaking it is not busy, although crowds are determined by the time of year. On top of that from Lava tower onwards you join with the Machame and Lemosho route and it will become busier from then on. .

When is the best time to climb Kilimanjaro on Shira?

There are two distinct trekking seasons during which is the best time to climb Kilimanjaro. They are January-March and June-October. January-March is generally colder than June-October and there is a higher probability of encountering snow on the summit.

What are the temperatures like on Kilimanjaro?

Kilimanjaro is just three degrees south of the equator, so the lower slopes are generally hot and dry reaching 25°C during the day. This quickly dips with each ecological zone however, open heathlands, alpine desert and then, at the summit, categorically Arctic. Temperatures at Uhuru Peak are between -7 to -29°C.

Are there camp grounds on Lemosho?

Every night stop has an area with drop/toilet facilities, that are designated areas to allow for camping. You will sleep in tents.

What are the toilets like?

This is a popular question. The toilets that are available on the mountain are pretty rudimentary unless you are on Marangu, and are really just a wooden or block building with a hole in the ground (or a 'long drop'). One option though it adds to the cost is to hire a portable toilet. Finally, although there may not be toilet facilities when you really need them during the days trek, we ask that you seek out a 'loo with a view' away from the path, and keep your used paper in a small bag to dispose of later at camp so as to preserve the environment.

What is altitude sickness?

Altitude sickness, also called mountain sickness, is a group of general symptoms that are brought on by climbing or walking to a higher and higher altitude (elevation) too quickly. High altitude is defined as 8,000 - 12,000 feet (2400 - 2600m) above sea level. Altitude sickness can affect anyone who goes to high altitudes without giving the body time to adjust to the changes in air pressure and oxygen level. Symptoms usually come on within 12 to 24 hours of reaching a higher elevation and then get better within a day or two as your body adjusts to the change in altitude. Because Kilimanjaro has a rapid ascent profile ie. 1000m a day, altitude sickness tends to be more common than on some other treks. It is for this reason that taking your time is vitally important and why shorter routes have a lower success rate.

SHIRA

SHIRA ROUTE

Shira Route Kilimanjaro is another trail like Lemosho that approaches Mt Kilimanjaro in the West just a few kilometers away from the Lemosho route. The route is used by very few hikers who come to climb Mt Kilimanjaro for one reason. It is unique in that the first section of the trail is not hiked, but rather driven. Therefore, climbers using Shira will miss out on hiking up one of Kilimanjaro’s ecological zones, the rain forest. As it starts at a higher altitude it is only best suited to people are are well acclimitised e.g. on Mt Meru or who are experienced at highter altitudes. If you plan on doing Shira Route, a pre-acclimatisation trek like Mt Kenya or Mt Meru is a good idea. Shirais best done over 7-8 days to allow your body to acclimatise to increases in altitude. It is a quieter route with a fantastic balance of scenery, less people. The trek can be extended with an extra night at Moir Huts for acclimatisation as well as at Karanga Camp.

After joining Machame and Lemosho routes near Lava Tower it then by passes the old Arrow Glacier route to Barranco Camp descending in altitude under Mt Kilimanjaro's Southern Ice Fields. Shira then continues along the southern circuit up Barranco Wall through the Karanga Valley up to Barafu Hut.

Descent is via Mweka route giving you a view of a different side of the mountain.

If you are looking for answers to specific questions, read here or go here to see some of our blog posts

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SHIRA route at a glance

Overnight in Tents on the mountain

From 6 trekking days but best done in 7 days

Starts on the far west at Simba Camp but misses the rain forest. It joins Lemosho and Machame routes

Less acclimitisation and misses the rain forest

Summit via Barafu Hut and Stella Point

SHIRA route ITINERARY

Day-1: Kilimanjaro International Airport arrival and transfer to hotel.

Day-2: Moshi to Simba Camp (3500m)
Elevation: 2200 metres to 2750 metres
Distance: 4 kilometres
Trek time: 2 to 3 hours
Environment: Heathland Moorland
This morning we do a 5 hour drive to Londorossi Park Gate at 2200m, taking in sights of the east rift valley and animals en route. After completing park formalities, we drive for a further 26km to Simba River where the hiking trail begins. After a packed punch, we trek abut 3 hours to Simba Campsite. The trek begins. We climb for 3 to 4 hours, with a packed lunch en-route, to Simba campsite at 3500m.

Elevation: 3050 metres to 3500 metres
Distance: 4 kilometres
Trek time: 2 to 3 hours
Environment: Heathland Moorland
This morning we do a 5 hour drive to Londorossi Park Gate at 2200m, taking in sights of the east rift valley and animals en route. After completing park formalities, we drive for a further 26km to Simba River where the hiking trail begins. After a packed punch, we trek abut 3 hours to Simba Campsite. The trek begins. We climb for 3 to 4 hours, with a packed lunch en-route, to Simba campsite at 3500m.

Day-3: Simba Camp (3500m) to Shira Camp 2 (3840m)
Elevation: 3500 metres to 3840m metres
Distance: 6 kilometres
Trek time: 4 to 5 hours
Environment: Moorland

This morning the route is relatively easy trek across the plateau that leads to Shira Camp 2. Shira Plateau is actually a the remains of a caldera, or collapsed volcanic crater. There are several streams along the route and a very slow and steady gain in altitude. A variety of walks are available around the plateau making this day better after the rapid ascent the day before. Shira is one of the three volcanoes in the Kilimanjaro massif.

Day-4: Shira (3840m)- Lava Tower (4630m)-Barranco (3950m)
Elevation: 3840 metres to 4630 metres to 3950 metres
Distance: 10 km
Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert

After breakfast, you hike thought the moorland scrub and enter a semi-alpine desert like moonscape, littered with massive volcanic rock, while you hike constantly upwards toward Lava Tower. As you approach an altitude of 4200m, you may start to feel a shortness of breath as the effects of altitude take hold. After Lava Tower, you trek into a beautiful valley to Barranco camp where you spent the night at a lower altitude than Lava Tower. Today follows the golden principle of climb high and sleep low.

Day-5: Barranco (3860m) to Barafu (4550m)
Elevation: 3860 metres up to 4550 metres
Distance: 13 kilometres
Trek time: About 7 hours

Early morning at around 07h00, the Barranco Wall lies ahead which you climb, to bring you out to a great spot with incredible views over Moshi and the clouds below. The route then descends down through the Karanga Valley and eventually come out at Karanga Valley Camp. Barafu Hut is another 2 hours trek higher up towards Kibo Crater.

Day-6: Barafu (4550m)- Uhuru Peak (5895m)-Mweka (3100m)
Elevation: 4600 metres to 3100 metres
Highest point: 5895 metres (Uhuru Peak)
Distance: 30 kilometres (7 kilometres ascent, 13 kilometres descent)
Trek duration: 13 to 16 hours (6 - 8 hours ascent, 7 - 8 hours descent)
Environment: Stone scree / ice-capped summit

Rising before midnight, you start your climb into the night in a North westerly direction. The route will take you towards Stella Point (5685) on the crater rim. It can take anything from 5 - 6 hours and is physically challenging. After a short rest at Stella Point the trek to Kilimanjaro summit is another altitude gain of 200m, taking anywhere from 1-2 hours. After reaching the summit of Kilimanjaro, Uhuru Peak, you hike down to Barafu and then down to Mweka Camp

Day-7: Mweka camp (3100m)- Mweka Gate (1980m)
This morning is a short 3-hour scenic hike to Mweka. Climbers who reached Stella Point (5685m) are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates for your Lemosho Route on Kilimanjaro.

Day-8: Depart
Today you are transferred to Kilimanjaro airport for your flight home.

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Kilimanjaro, the Inca Trail, Everest Base camp or a simple short hike on local trails. We all dream of these amazing places and for some of us, turning those dreams into a reality is like a brand new lease on life.

bELOW ARE SOME OF THE QUESTIONS WE ARE FREQUENTLY ASKED ABOUT KILIMANJARO

Is Kilimanjaro a technical climb?

No. Kilimanjaro is a trekking peak in that you essentially hike or trek to summit. No technical expertise is required, nor use of rope etc. There are sections on the mountain which require a scramble up rocky areas, dependant on which trekking path you follow.

Why is Shira not so well recommended?

Shira Route starts at 3,600 meters and is therefore not ideal for trekkers who have little or no experience of high altitude trekking. It is practically identical to the Lemosho Route. Whereas Lemosho Route starts at the Londorossi Gates, the Shira Route bypasses this and begins further north and higher up at the Shira Gate.

The high starting point is a major negative for this route and some trekkers experience altitude sickness from day one as their bodies haven’t had enough time to acclimatise.

How difficult is it to climb Kilimanjaro?

The word climb is something of a misnomer as no technical gear is used but considering the alttitude gained it is classified as a climb. Any person with moderate hiking skills who is fit and healthy can summit the mountain.

However, the summit night can be hard going as you ascend 1500m in anythign from 5.5 to 9 hours. Apart from that, after the summit you need to descent 3000m in 16-18 hours making it challenging. So while you don’t need to be a a super athlete or have prior climbing experience it is important to be active and committed to training prior to the climb.

How long does it take to hike Kilimanjaro?

The shortest number of days required to climb to Uhuru Peak is on a 5 day Marangu route, totally 7 by the time you have added on arrival and departure days. However, it is not advisable to do it over 5 as the ascent is very quick and the overall success rate, low. It is better to do the trek over a minimum of 6 or 7 days to increase your chances of success. Most hikers add an extra day to acclimatize helping them achieve a higher Kilimanjaro Success Rate.

Will we have access to fresh running water at camps?

There are several streams on the trail and porters will collect water from them. The cook then boils this water for you to fill you water bottles for your days hike. You can also use purifier tablets in stream water or add it to your boiled water however it can also have an effect on the diamox and make you feel nauseous. The higher you climb the less water there. On the Machame trail, for example, the last water point is at the Karanga Valley, the lunch-stop before Barafu; on Marangu, it’s just before the Saddle. For this reason it is essential that you carry enough bottles for at least two litres.

When is the best time or months to climb Kilimanjaro?

The warmest months with the clearest trekking days, are from mid to late December, January, February, September and October. The rains often come in April and the start of May with the possibility of some snow. June through to August are superb trekking months, though evening temperatures tend to be colder. The wettest months are November and early December, where snowfalls are likely. Note however, that as this is a mountain it is not impossible to get sporadic snow or rainfall at odd times throughout the year, although the snow normally only falls above 4800m.

Which is the best route to follow to climb Kilimanjaro?

There are 7 summit routes; namely, Marangu, Rongai, Lemosho, Shira, Umbwe and Machame. Of all the routes, Machame is by far the most scenic albeit steeper route up the mountain. The Rongai is the easiest camping route and the Marangu is also easier but accommodation is in huts. As a result, this route tends to be very busy and ascent and descent routes are the same. Both of the latter have lower prospects to acclimitise by the climb high sleep low principle unless one adds on extra days. The Northern Circuit, approaches Kibo from the west, crossing the caldera of Shira Volcano before turning north to follow the trail through Moir Valley and around the northern side of Kilimanjaro.

The Shira, Lemosho and Machame all meet up before Lava Tower (day three), and then with Umbwe at Baranco Camp (end of day three). Marangu, Rongai and Northern Circuit all meet up at Kibo Huts.

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How Bad is the Barranco Wall?

The Barranco wall is along the Machame Route, Shira Route, Lemosho Route and Umbwe Route. Is it a “wall” – well no it is not, in the sense that a wall is pretty much vertical which Barranco is not. It consists of a rocky path that zig zags up the rock section of the mountain. Yes it is steep, let us not deny that fact, but do-able? Definitely!

The wall itself is only 843 ft tall (257 meters) so in terms of distance, it could certainly not be classified as endless. It is a climb? Once again, no it is not.

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How hard is it to hike to Everest Base Camp compared to Kilimanjaro?

Most people think Everest Base Camp is higher than Kilimanjaro but surprise surprise, it is not. Base camp of Everest (or rather Kala Pathar – the little hill you climb up above base camp) is actually 5545m, whereas Kilimanjaro summit is 5895m.

People also think it is a tougher hike than Kilimanjaro, but Kilimanjaro is actually regarded as tougher by those who have done both.

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How will the altitude affect me on Kilimanjaro?

This is a really difficult one to answer directly - "how will I cope with the altitude". To be honest, this is an ' unknown' factor as no-one can predict how your body will cope at altitude. People who have been to altitude many times in the past without problems, may on one climb suddenly develop problems. There are many factors that play a role. The only way to help combat this, is to take all of the necessary precautions, and walk slowly, pole pole. Choosing a path like Machame where you get to follow the principle of "climb high, sleep low" is also advisable.

How much does it cost to climb Kilimanjaro?

The Kilimanjaro National Park fees are something that nobody can escape and are a large portion of your climb cost. For a six day/five night camping trek you pay about $800 in fees alone! So on average a climb will cost you between $1450 and $2800 depending on the number of days, number of people and the route that you take. There are some operators who will quote you $1000 for a trek - ask yourself, what are they skimping on and who is going to suffer as a result. You? Your safety? The porters?

Where can I get climbing Insurance for Kilimanjaro?

If you are going hiking or climbing or trekking then you need extra cover for your activities. Hiking and Climbing have become popular for many adventure seekers looking to add a climb up Kilimanjaro or a trek to Everest Base Camp, Annapurna or even Island Peak to their list of amazing adventures. But any climb to high altitude carries with it a number of risks and having the correct and good trekking insurance is an absolute must. We recommend two different groups depending on which country you reside in. For further details, click on the icon

NOMADIC ADVENTURES

SHIRA

SHIRA ROUTE

SHIRA route at a glance

SHIRA route ITINERARY

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER

read some of our blog posts on Kilimanjaro

bELOW ARE SOME OF THE QUESTIONS WE ARE FREQUENTLY ASKED ABOUT KILIMANJARO

SHIRA

questions

SHIRA

SHIRA ROUTE

SHIRA route at a glance

SHIRA route ITINERARY

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER

read some of our blog posts on Kilimanjaro

bELOW ARE SOME OF THE QUESTIONS WE ARE FREQUENTLY ASKED ABOUT KILIMANJARO

SHIRA questions

SHIRA

questions