Shira Route and Machame Route
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9 Days Climbing Kilimanjaro Using Shira Route
This is a very scenic route. It is however more expensive and tough as compared to other routes. Your climbing starts on the west side of the mountain, across Shira Plateau to join the Machame route.
The route does not offer riders enough time to acclimatize because it starts somehow high- at 11,483 feet. Again, you will miss the beauty of the forest zone. If your objective is basically to tour and have fun, we would discourage you from this route. It is more suitable for an experienced climber.
We have a team of staff not only giving you company up the mountain, but also offering services and assistance in different ways. These include professional climbing guides, cooks and porters.
Your pulse rate will be checked daily for health safety purposes even as you go up. Oxygen saturation is also checked to ensure you don’t harm yourself at the expense of leisure. Once we have your booking confirmed, we will send you a comprehensive Packing List for the climb. Once we confirm your booking, we will send you a packing list to assist you get ready for the climb.
Once you land at the Kilimanjaro International Airport, your tour guide will come pick you and take you to your hotel. This specialist will help you settle fast answering some of your introductory questions and at least help you get what it means to say, ‘Hujambo.’ Just relax and get ready for the climb the next morning. In case you would need a second day to rest, let us know so that we plan that for you. We recommend that you have an adequate time to rest- it increases your chances of managing to climb to the summit. Your hotel expenses are catered for, except for the first and last day. These two are left free so as to give you some liberty to explore and have a personal choice on where to be. The itineraries include bed and breakfast (@ $40 per person) on the basic package. In case, you would prefer more luxury, we can get you a more luxurious hotel still in Moshi.
Tanzania Safari Bookings driver will come for you at your hotel in Moshi. In some few hours you will be at Londrossi Gate for registrations. The drive then continues through forests and other plantations to the point at which the climb will start. From start, the trail follows a steady climb all the way to the rim of Shira Plateau. The route gives you an awesome view of Kibo slopes. After hiking for an hour, you will be right at the Shira 1 Camp.
Shira Plateau is among the world’s highest plateaus. If your pulse rate and oxygen saturation allows, then you can have some extra fun climbing the Shira Cathedral. The climbing on day three is quite limited just to offer you a good moment to acclimatize. We have also slotted in excursions after about 3 hours of trekking. The excursions are however optional. Your climb will end at Shira 2 Camp after hours of exploration of the beautiful rocky plateau.
The climb will start with an ascent trek of about 4 hours. Get a rare opportunity to walk across the desert up to the Lava Tower, a volcanic rock, 90 meters high. You will enjoy a vista view of breathtaking sceneries. From the top of Lava Tower, it will take you 1 to 2 hours down to the Barranco Valley where you will enjoy a great moment at the foot of Barranco Wall. To give your body enough time to acclimatize, your day will end at the same elevation you started.
Are you an adventurer? Then this is the best climb route for you. From Barranco Camp, you will descend to the base of Barranco Wall before ascending a steep cliff. From the top of the wall, you will enjoy great panorama scenic views. From this point, you will trek around the mountain up hills and into the valleys. You will be able to see Kibo on your left and Mt. Meru on your right- it’s a very beautiful and exciting view. The trek for this day is long, 8 to 10 hours. Aftre trekking across the beautiful slopes for all the hours, you find yourself at Barafu Camp, right under Mount Kilimanjaro Summit. If need be, we can split the climb into two to ensure your body gets some good time to acclimatize.
This is the last section of the climb. It will start at midnight to give you some calm moment to trek the 6 to 8 hours needed to get you to Uhuru Peak (the summit). Due to increased altitude, the weather is quite cold and you will have to bear with much darkness. The climb offers you a rare opportunity to see the sun rise over Mawenzi Peak and watch as it slowly turns from red to yellow. The view is just spectacular! Another 1 hour trek and you will be at Uhuru Peak, the highest point of the mountain. Find your best way to celebrate your accomplishment as you enjoy the vast beautiful views of white snow on other peaks, landscapes, plantations and so on. From Uhuru Peak, the journey starts down to the Stella Point, Barafu Camp all the way to Mweka Camp. This will take you about six hours. This is where you will have dinner and your last sleep on the mountain.
It’s the last section of your trek down taking you only 2 to 3 hours. The walk through the forest will present you with a chance to watch monkeys jump from a tree to the other. Collect your certificate of recognition at Mweka Gate. You are officially done with your Mount Kilimnjaro climb! Congratulations… Your driver will then drive you back to your hotel in Moshi. It is your time to relax- a wholesome shower, a delicious dinner and a good sleep will go a long way to reward you for your victory.
Today, we chose to have nothing programmed for you to give you a good time to relax after the exhaustive adventure up Kilimanjaro. You can do some exploration in Moshi before your departure time in the evening. You can also decide to extend your visit and have a Tanzanian Safari, or you can decide to retreat on one of our beautiful islands, for example Zanzibar Island. If you are ready to go home, our driver will get you safe to the airport for your departure home. Tanzania Safri Bookings wishes you a safe travel and is ready for you anytime in the future.
— 3 Delicious meals a days, boiled and filtered drinking water while on the mountain.
— All park entrance, camping and rescue fees
— Warm water for washing to be provided every morning and evening.
— Oxygen Cylinder – only for emergency
— English Speaking Guides (Wilderness First Responder certified), cook and porters
— Staff salaries and fees.
— Transport to/from national park gates.
— First aid kit and pulse oximeter.
— Emergency telephone between the guides and our office in Moshi town.
— 3 litres of bottled drinking water to be provided on the first day your hike, on the mountain porters will fetch water from the streams to be boiled and filtered for you.
— Prices do not include sleeping bags
— Gratuities
— Soda/alcohol unless otherwise noted
— Health insurance
— Visa fees
— International airfare
— Laundry
— All Meals and drinks in Moshi town
Our team is always here to help