KILIMANJARO - SHIRA ROUTE

The Shira Route is another one of the rarely used trails that start near Shira Ridge. It is very similar to the Lemosho route. Lemosho is the improved version of Shira, which was the original route but they had to improve the route starting point and just named it Lemosho Route. The main reason for the amendment was Shira's starting point which is located on high altitudes of 3600 meters or 11811 ft.  Even though the starting point can be accessed by vehicle, the high altitudes are not ideal for climbers with no experience of high-altitude trekking. Your first day on Kilimanjaro beginning at a very high altitude can cause altitude sickness and that would be starting on the wrong foot, literally!

• Location: The Shira route can be accessed possibly by vehicle from Moshi to Shira Ridge, from where the hike begins on the western side of the mountain.
• Height: The Shira route reaches the summit of Kilimanjaro at the Uhuru peak, reaching a height of 5,895 meters (19,341 feet).
• Duration: The Shira route can take anywhere between 6-7 days. An extra day on the mountain will, of course, cost more, but this means your chances of success in reaching the summit will be much greater.

Trail conditions: The trail itself offers a diverse route with varied terrain and starts at a relatively high altitude. During your hike, you will cross through grassy moorlands and volcanic rocky sections.

Climbing Kilimanjaro via Shira Route

Shira route journey towards the summit begins with a long drive from Moshi town as the vehicle goes through the rainforest vegetation zone of Kilimanjaro to Shira Ridge, approaching the mountain from the western side.

The main trek starts at Shira Ridge, a trail that cuts through the Shira Plateau from the western side of the mountain to the east on great terrain that is table-like. The route proceeds below the Southern Ice Field of Mount Kilimanjaro via the Southern Circuit trail afterward approaching the Uhuru peak summit from Barafu Camp.

Going down the mountain takes a different approach as the descent is made via the Mweka Route, a very popular direct route used by the majority of the routes.

The Shira Route can be completed in six, seven, and eight days and at Tranquil Kilimanjaro we offer Shira route as a 7-day itinerary but you can also request for the 6 days Shira Route Itinerary or the 8 days one.

Shira route success rate

Shira route has a success rate of around 65% -90% and is identical to Lemosho route, only differing at the starting points while the rest of the trail remains the same. Both the Shira and the Lemosho route equally share a high success rate to the summit.

Shira route tips

• Before choosing the Shira Route, please weigh all your options by going through each route. And allow an extra acclimatization day.
• Training is very vital, you need your fitness levels to be at your ultimate best, the fitter the better.
• Since the Shira Route is an all camping experience on the mountain, Sharpen up mentally by completing a few short camping trips to familiarize with your surroundings.
• Make sure you have high quality and well-fitting boots to avoid painful blisters on the mountain.
• Drink as much water as possible as one of the ways to reduce altitude sickness is by staying hydrated.
• Take it easy, it is not a race and also pays attention to what your body is telling you.
• Slow down enjoy the incredible views that Mount Kilimanjaro brings along on your way up.

Shira Plateau

The Shira Plateau is located to the western side of Kibo volcanic cone, at an elevation of 3,962 meters or 12,999 feet is an amazing attraction on Kilimanjaro for those hikers who want to experience Mount Kilimanjaro without reaching the summit.

This plateau extends to over 13 km or 8 miles, reveals a volcanic crater that roams wildlife from the neighbouring Amboseli national park in Kenya as you trek along trails left behind by elephants, buffalo and antelope

This volcanic crater at Shira Plateau has been extinct for over 500 million years now.