Shira

 SHIRA ROUTE CLIMBING KILIMANJARO

The Shira route climbing is a little used trail that begins near Shira Ridge. It is nearly identical to the Lemosho route. In fact, Shira was the original route and Lemosho is the improved variation.

Although Shira route climbing is a varied and beautiful route, it is less favorable than its successor due to the relatively high altitude of Shira’s starting point, which is accessed quickly by vehicle.

It is possible that climbers will experience some altitude related symptoms on the first day while camping at 11,800 feet.

Shira route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the west, beginning with a long drive from Moshi to Shira Ridge. The vehicle bypasses the rain forest zone and the hiking trail begins on Shira Ridge.

The Shira route crosses the entire Shira Plateau from west to east in a pleasant, relatively flat hike. Then the route traverses underneath Kilimanjaro’s Southern Ice Field on a path known as the Southern Circuit before summiting from Barafu. Descent is made via the Mweka route.

Shira Route on Mount Kilimanjaro

Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro via The Shira Route

Very similar to Lemosho route, however it starts at 3,600 meters and is therefore not ideal for trekkers who have little or no experience of high altitude trekking.

On the first day you begin at Shira Gate to Simba Camp before joining the Lemosho Route on day two at Shira Camp 2.

The high starting point is however a major negative for this route as many experience altitude sickness from day one without enough time to acclimatize.

The route over the Shira Plateau has several possible variations. After Shira Camp 2 the route joins the Machame Route via Lava Tower, and then descends to the Barranco Camp via the Southern Circuit.

Ascent to Uhuru Peak is made via Barafu Camp and up the southern slopes of Kibo.

The route is seldom used by other trekkers and so your initial two days on the mountain are less crowded than on most other routes.