Mount Kilimanjaro Shira Route

Shira Route Itinerary Success Rate, Pros and Cons 

The Shira Route itinerary is a trekking path for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. It starts from the west, providing a unique and scenic approach to the mountain. The route begins at Shira Gate, then trekkers traverse the Shira Plateau, before joining the Machame Route at Lava Tower. The trek continues up to the summit via Stella Point and then descends via the Mweka Route. The Shira Route is less crowded and offers a longer acclimatization period, making it a preferred choice for many climbers.

The Shira Route on Mount Kilimanjaro is one of the less frequently traveled paths to the summit. This route approaches the summit from the west, beginning at the Morum Barrier, which is relatively high above sea level. The Shira Route offers a unique perspective of Kilimanjaro as it starts at a high altitude.

The journey along the Shira Route begins with a long drive from Moshi town, passing through the rainforest vegetation zone of Kilimanjaro. The route traverses the entire Shira Plateau from west to east, providing a pleasant, relatively flat hike. It then crosses underneath Kilimanjaro’s Southern Ice Field on a path known as the Southern Circuit before reaching the summit from Barafu.

The Shira Route is often considered more challenging due to its initial high starting point. It begins at 3,600 meters, which is not ideal for trekkers with little or no experience in high-altitude trekking. The route typically offers a six to seven-day camping itinerary, allowing trekkers to acclimatize to the altitude gradually.

Shira Route Success Rate

The Shira route doesn’t have the best acclimatization profile given it starts at such a high altitude. Whilst there are no official statistics, the average success rate across all Kilimanjaro operators for the seven-day Shira route is around 80%.

6-day Shira Route: Around 55% success rate. This shorter option is faster-paced and starts at a higher altitude, making it more challenging to acclimatize and increasing the risk of altitude sickness.

7-day Shira Route: Approximately 75% success rate. This adds an extra day for acclimatization, which significantly improves your chances of reaching the summit.

8-day Shira Route: Boasts a success rate of about 85%. This itinerary includes even more time for acclimatization and scenic detours, offering the most comfortable and successful summit attempt.

WHAT IS THE SHIRA PLATEAU?

The Shira Plateau is a 13km stretch of land on the western side of Mount Kilimanjaro. It sits at about 3,800 meters and is one of the highest plateaus in the world. The Shira plateau was formed about 500,000 years ago from an ancient caldera (volcanic crater) that has through time eroded to form a plateau on the base of the volcanic pit.

SHOULD I HIKE THE SHIRA PLATEAU ROUTE?

We recommend avoiding the Shira route for two reasons. Firstly, the start point at 3,600 meters is very high, which means you don’t get much time to acclimatize and the probability of experiencing altitude sickness symptoms is quite high. Secondly, the Shira route bypasses the stunning rainforest on the Western side of Kilimanjaro and instead starts in an area that is rather barren and not very scenic.

WHICH ROUTE SHOULD I DO INSTEAD OF THE SHIRA ROUTE?

The Lemosho route is a great alternative to the Shira Route. It also starts on the western side of Mount Kilimanjaro but begins in the rainforest and provides a good acclimatization profile. Some operators use the Shira route name interchangeably with the Lemosho, so to be sure you are booking onto the Lemosho route make sure that the first camp you stay at is called Mti Mkubwa (aka Big Tree Camp).

WHAT IS THE SHIRA ROUTE SCENERY LIKE?

Along with the Lemosho route, the Shira route is known for being one of the most beautiful Kilimanjaro routes. The spectacular western approach offers trekkers the experience of hiking across the Shira Plateau, which is one of the largest high-altitude plateaus in the world. It also offers fantastic views of Shira Cathedral, a dramatic buttress of rock.

The Shira route offers some of the best sunrises and sunsets on Kilimanjaro. One of the downsides is that you miss out on hiking through the truly beautiful rainforest band on the mountain as you start you climb above the forest.

HOW HARD IS IT TO CLIMB KILIMANJARO ON THE SHIRA ROUTE?

No Kilimanjaro climb is easy, but the Shira route is one of the harder climbs given it starts at a much higher altitude. This means that a relatively high number of trekkers fall victim to the effects of altitude right from the start. From Day 3 the route offers opportunities to ‘climb high, sleep low’, which helps you to acclimatize.

The Shira route is undoubtedly a beautiful climb, and with the right Kilimanjaro preparation, it’s achievable. We do however recommend opting for the Lemosho route as it offers a better acclimatisation profile while not robbing you of any of the scenery offered along the Shira route.

HOW BUSY IS THE SHIRA ROUTE?

The Shira route is generally less busy than other Kilimanjaro routes such as the Machame route. You’re free from big crowds during the first couple of days on the Shira route. You then join trekkers hiking the Lemosho route on the evening of Day 2 at Shira 2 Camp, and then those hiking the Machame route near Lava Tower. This is when the crowds can get a little bigger in peak season.

HOW MANY DAYS DOES IT TAKE TO CLIMB KILIMANJARO ON THE SHIRA ROUTE?

The Shira route can be completed in either seven or eight days. The extra day gives you more time to acclimatize. In our experience, most people who have completed the right Kilimanjaro preparation and are okay with the higher altitude at the start of the climb, manage fine with the seven-day option.

SHIRA ROUTE ITINERARY 

This route starts at Londorrossi Gate and takes you very quickly onto the Shira Plateau. This plateau is particularly scenic but this quick ascent is quite punishing as Londorrossi Gate is at 2240 meters (7349 feet) and by the end of the first day you are already at 3720 meters (12205 feet) at the Murram barrier which doesn’t give you a good acclimatization. The route crosses the Shira Plateau which then gives you a chance to acclimatize to this altitude before going even higher. You are then joining the Machme Route above Shira Camp on day 4. From here on you are following the Machame route, summiting via Stella Point and coming down the Mweka Route.
An alternative to joining up with the Machame Route on day 4 is to head north right around the mountain on what is known as the Northern Circuit. This takes you to the East to the summit via Gillman’s. This, however, is an EXTREME program and should only be considered if you are very fit and looking for a serious challenge.

9 DAYS CLIMBING KILIMANJARO – LEMOSHO-SHIRA ROUTE IN 7 DAYS VIA STELLA POINT 

• Day 1
  On arrival at Kilimanjaro airport, you’ll be driven to the base hotel. This evening you’ll have a briefing where you’ll be given details about the forthcoming climb and have a chance to ask any questions.
• Day 2
  After breakfast, you’ll be driven to Londorrosi gate where you’ll meet your guides and porters who’ll play such an important role over the next few days. Having completed formalities (your guide will do the paperwork for you) and had a bit of lunch, you’ll start hiking to Murram Barrier. Overnight Murram Barrier Camp 2,248m
• Day 3
  This morning we hike over the Shira plateau and ascend into Shira 1 camp for lunch. There is plenty of time to relax this afternoon. Overnight Shira 1 Camp 3,505m
• Day 4
  From Shira, we traverse across the slopes of Kibo. Here relatively little flora or fauna can survive the extreme temperature ranges and conditions that typify this zone. Lunch is normally taken close to Lava Tower before descending to Barranco camp in the afternoon. Dinner & overnight Barranco camp. 3,910m
• Day 5
  An early start is recommended to hike the Barranco wall. After about 2 hours you reach the top and then hike over glacial valleys to Karanga camp. Sunsets here are particularly spectacular with views of the southern glacial valleys and ice fields towering 1000 meters (over 3000 feet) above you. Overnight Karanga Camp 3,910m
• Day 6
  Today is another half day ascending to Barafu camp. Once again lunch is taken in camp allowing plenty of time to relax before the summit bid. You are in the desolate alpine desert and at times strong winds rip over this camp. But on the plus side, you get great views of Mawenzi Peak. An early dinner before heading to rest for a few hours. Overnight at Barafu Camp. It’s just 4-5 hours of walking today but you’ll be glad for the rest before a big day tomorrow. 4,600m
• Day 7
  This is it – summit day! You’ll be woken at about midnight with a hot drink before you set out, torch in hand, for the initial climb to Stella Point. Patience and persistence are the name of the game to reach Stella Point on the crater rim at around dawn. It’s then a relatively short final push to the summit, Uhuru Peak – The Roof of Africa! You’ll see the glaciers and if the weather is clear may get wonderful views of the plains far below. Having achieved your goal, it’s time to head back down to Millenium Camp. You’ll arrive, exhausted but elated, by mid-afternoon. This is a seriously long day with 12 – 16 hours of hiking time. 4,600m – 5,895m -3,760m
• Day 8
  After breakfast you descend once again through the montane forest and around mid day after saying farewell to your crew, you are picked up and transferred back to the base hotel. Have a shower and a celebratory drink or two!
• Day 9
  Transfer to Kilimanjaro airport or your onward travels.

7 DAYS SHIRA ROUTE PARK FEES