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Shira Route
The Shira Route is an older trail leading up Mount Kilimanjaro. It starts near Shira Ridge. This route is quite similar to the Lemosho route, but it begins at a higher altitude, making it a less travelled path. Despite this, Shira offers a beautiful and varied landscape as it approaches the mountain from the west.
The best view comes after the hardest climb
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Starting with a long drive from Moshi, the route skips the rainforest zone and begins directly on Shira Ridge. It crosses the Shira Plateau from west to east, offering a gentle and flat hiking experience. The trail then moves under Kilimanjaro’s Southern Ice Field, leading to a summit attempt from Barafu. The descent is completed via the Mweka route.
Key Highlights of the Shira Route include:
- The high starting point offers rapid altitude gain.
- Traverse across the vast, scenic Shira Plateau.
- Summit through the challenging Southern Circuit.
Opt for Kili Vikings for a 7-day Shira Route climbing package for a memorable and distinct climbing experience.
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Overview
Shira Route Map
The Shira route begins at a high elevation of 3,600 meters, making it challenging for those new to high-altitude trekking. (Due to this, many choose the similar but lower starting Lemosho route, which begins at Londorossi Gates.)
Shira route trekkers often feel the effects of altitude right from the first day. Despite these challenges, the route is known for its beautiful variety of landscapes, passing through different ecosystems on the way to the summit.
This trek requires good physical fitness and experience in long hikes, as daily trek lengths can reach up to 6-8 hours with significant altitude gains. Trekkers must be prepared for physically demanding days and possibly harsh weather conditions.
Highlights
Trip Highlights
- Choose the right route for yourself, considering personal fitness and time for acclimatization.
- Intensive training can significantly enhance your climbing experience.
- Get accustomed to outdoor conditions with several short camping trips before your climb.
- Invest in high-quality hiking boots and break them in to avoid blisters.
- Stay hydrated to help reduce the risk of altitude sickness symptoms.
- Move slowly towards the summit to enjoy the views and manage altitude symptoms effectively.
At A Glance
Shira Route
- The Shira Route spans a total distance of 56 km or 35 miles.
- Rated as medium in difficulty.
- The journey typically requires 8 days to complete.
- Has a medium success rate for reaching Uhuru Peak.
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Frequently Asked Questions About the Shira Route
Find answers to common queries about this Kilimanjaro climbing route here.
How long is the Shira Route?
The Shira Route covers a distance of about 56 km or 33 miles across Kilimanjaro.
How many days does it take to climb Kilimanjaro on the Shira Route?
You can complete the Shira Route in 6, 7, or 8 days, depending on the chosen itinerary and pace. We, at Kili Vikings, offer the 7-day Shira Route Tour to Kilimanjaro Trek.
What is the success rate of climbing Kilimanjaro on the Shira Route?
The estimated success rates are 55% for the 6-day route, 75% for the 7-day route, and 85% for the 8-day route.
How hard is it to climb Kilimanjaro on the Shira Route?
The Shira Route is moderately challenging. Starting at a high altitude of 11,500 feet may cause altitude sickness early in the trek if not properly acclimatized.
What is the best time to climb the Shira Route?
The best months to climb the Shira Route are January-March and June-October. April, May, and November are wetter, but still climbable with the right waterproof gear.
How do I prepare for the Shira Route?
Physical preparation is important. Extensive training is recommended if aiming for the summit, while lighter training is sufficient for shorter hikes like reaching the Shira Plateau.
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Great experience with Kilimanjaro Vikings, amazing flexibility and professionality
Me and my girlfriend wanted to combine climbing Kilimanjaro with the Migration Safari. I contacted few different companies to have an idea of what possibilities i could chose from, Charlie was very fast responding and he took the time to answer all my questions and clarify all my doubts.
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Adventure of a lifetime
Amazing adventure, everything was organized perfectly, from airport pickoff to drop off. Communication before and after was 10/10, guides, cook and porters beyond words and expectations. Highly recommended
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WOW!! Amazing experience!
We did a 5 day safari trip and a 5 day cultural tribal tour. The Safari was great, we saw every animal we wanted to see and the itinerary was well planned. The cultural and tribal tour was awesome! It’s an experience I would recommend to everyone! We got to know the local villages and different activities with the tribes!
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Unforgettable Kilimanjaro Climb & 5 day Safari
We combined a 7-day Kilimanjaro Climb with a 5-day camping safari afterwards. Charlie answered all our questions fast and made a very reasonable offer. The organization was all over very good.Our guides on Kilimanjaro Michael and Protas are the very best! Caring, motivating, and just great people! Also, our cook Thomas and the porters were just amazing and so nice. The food was fantastic and fresh every day. We couldn’t have a better Kilimanjaro experience 🙂
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8 days Kilimanjaro Lemosho route
We were a group of 8 friends from Germany and we did 8 days Lemosho route with Kili Vikings. It was absolutely amazing! All of us successfully reached the top, but we wouldn’t have made it without the whole team around our guides Michael, Juma and Protas.
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