Chugga Expeditions

7 Days itinerary at Shira Route

There are many possible slight variations to the Shira route, so don’t be surprised if you see an intinerary that mentions different camps and different heights.

In fact, many agencies call the Lemosho Route Shira Route, because it also crosses the Shira Plateau.)

The itinerary below describes a six night/seven day Kilimanjaro climb on the Shira Route.

Like Machame, this trek can be shortened if you skip the night in the Karanga Valley and instead walk straight from the Barranco Huts to the Barafu Huts in one day. It can be shortened more by driving instead of walking the first day and skipping the first camp.

The trek can be extended by adding an extra night at Moir Huts for acclimatisation.

Day 1 – Londorossi Gate/Shira trail head – River Camp (~3050 m/~10000 ft)

Walking distance: 7 km/4.4 miles
Walking time: 4 hours
Altitude gain: ~950 m/~3100 ft

Day 2 – River Camp – Shira Huts (3850 m/12630 ft) via Shira Cathedral

Walking distance: 12 km/7.5 miles
Walking time: 6-8 hours
Altitude gain: 800 m/2630 ft

Day 3 – Shira Huts – via Lava Tower (4640 m/15220 ft) – Barranco Huts (3985 m/13070 ft)

Walking distance: 9 km/5.6 miles
Walking time: 6-8 hours
Altitude gain: 135 m/440 ft (790 m/2590 ft to Lava Tower)

Day 4 – Barranco Huts – Karanga Camp (4040 m/13255 ft)

Walking distance: 5.5 km/3.5 miles
Walking time: 4-5 hours
Altitude gain: 55 m/185 ft

Day 5 – Karanga Camp – Barafu Huts (4680 m/15360 ft)

Walking distance: 3.5 km/ 2.2 miles
Walking time: 4-5 hours
Altitude gain: 640 m/2105 ft

Day 6 – Summit attempt via Stella Point (5752 m/18871 ft) to Uhuru Peak (5895 m/19340 ft) and descent to Millenium Camp (3820 m/12530 ft) (or to Mweka Hut)

Walking distance: 5 km/3 miles ascent + 10 km/6.2 miles descent
Walking time: 5-6 hrs + 1-2 hours up, 5-6 hours down (the overall walking time may vary from 10 – 16 hours)
Altitude gain: 1072 m/ 3511 ft (Stella Point) or 1215 m/3980 ft (Uhuru Peak)
Descent: 2075 m/6810 ft

Day 7 – Millenium Camp – Shira Gate

Walking distance: 20 km/12.5 miles
Walking time: 5 hours
Descent: 1990 m/6530 ft