Shira Route

Shira Route

One of the older routes of Kilimanjaro, the Shira Route approaches Kilimanjaro’s summit from the west and starts at Morum Barrier. The route is very similar to the Lemosho Route. And, as it happens, it was the original route before Lemosho was created to improve Shira’s starting point.

Below we’ll recount if Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is a great choice or not via the Shira Route and look at some of the route’s characteristics including difficulty levels, the Best Time To Climb Kilimanjaro, crowd factor, etc.

Central Highlights of Kilimanjaro’s Shira Route

• Shira Route is a stunning and less travelled trail to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, starting at an altitude of 3,600 meters on the Shira Plateau.
• The route offers diverse scenery, from high-altitude desert landscapes to lush rainforests, providing trekkers with a unique and unforgettable experience.
• The Shira Route is a longer trek, taking around 7-8 days to complete, allowing for better acclimatization and increasing the chances of reaching the summit.
• Mt Kilimanjaro Shira Route offers the opportunity to climb one of Kilimanjaro's highest points, the Shira Cathedral, which stands at 3,962 meters and provides breathtaking panoramic views.
• The Shira Route Kilimanjaro Climb also has the option to combine with the Lemosho Route, which joins at Shira 2 Camp, providing a longer and more diverse trekking experience.

Shira Route At A Glance

• Duration – 6 to 7 Days
• Distance – 56 km or 35 miles
• Difficulty - Medium
• Success Rate - Medium
• Height – Shira Route reaches Uhuru Peak at a height of 5,895 metres
• Location – This route approaches the summit of Mt Kilimanjaro from the west and starts at Morum Barrier. The route starts relatively high above sea level and requires camping.

Uniqueness

• The Shira Plateau Route is known for its diverse and stunning scenery, taking trekkers through a range of landscapes from high-altitude deserts to lush rainforests.
• The longer duration of the Kilimanjaro Shira Route allows for better acclimatization, increasing the chances of successfully reaching the summit.
• Shira Route is less crowded than other routes, providing a more remote and tranquil trekking experience.
• The option to combine the Shira Route Itinerary with the Lemosho Route provides an even more diverse and challenging trekking experience.

The Shira Plateau

At an elevation of 3,962 metres, is an amazing Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing attraction – the Shira Plateau, located on the western side of Kibo’s volcanic cone. This is a golden opportunity for climbers who want to experience Kilimanjaro without ever having to reach the summit.

The plateau extends for over 13 km and inhabits a volcanic crater from the neighbouring Amboseli National Park in Kenya. This volcanic crater is believed to have been extinct for over 500 million years.

Weather And Climate

The Best Time to Climb Kilimanjaro via the Shira Route is from the months of December to February and from June to October. This is because the weather is more stable and considerably drier.

Climbing outside of these months is technically possible but you’ll have to face wetter and more unstable weather conditions, which can make your Kilimanjaro Climb more challenging.

Crowd Factor

The Mt Kilimanjaro Shira Route is considered to be less crowded as compared to other Routes up Kilimanjaro, such as Machame and Marangu. This offers a more remote and peaceful climbing experience, as you’ll get to enjoy the stunning surroundings with fewer climbers around.

After the initial two days, you’ll join climbers hiking through the Lemosho Route on the evening of Day 2 at Shira 2 Camp, and then those climbers hiking the Machame Route near Lava Tower. Crowds tend to get a bit bigger in the peak season.

Accommodations on the Shira Route

Campsites and huts are your choices when it comes to the Accommodations along the Kilimanjaro Shira Route. You can choose to camp along the trail in designated campsites, where tents will be set up and meals will be all-inclusive.

Another option is to stay in mountain huts that offer basic accommodations with bunk beds and shared bathroom facilities.

Sceneries along the Shira Route

The Shira Route is known for its diverse and stunning scenery, taking trekkers through a range of landscapes. Starting at an altitude of 3,600 meters on the Shira Plateau, the route offers views of high-altitude desert landscapes and the famous Shira Cathedral, which stands at 3,962 meters and provides breathtaking panoramic views.

The route also passes through lush rainforests, providing trekkers with a unique and unforgettable experience. Overall, the Shira Route offers some of the most scenic views of Kilimanjaro, making it a popular choice for trekkers who want to experience the natural beauty of the mountain.

Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing Cost of the Shira Route

The 7 Days Shira Route has an estimated cost of $2600 per person. This is based on double occupancy and includes seven days on the mountain. Remember that your pre and post-accommodations won’t be covered in the Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro Packages.

Brief Description of the Shira Route Itinerary

The Shira Route is a scenic and less-travelled route for Climbing Kilimanjaro. It begins on the western side of the mountain, and its itinerary usually takes seven to eight days.

• The route starts with a long drive to the trailhead, followed by a hike through a rainforest to reach the Shira Plateau.
• From there, climbers trek across an alpine desert landscape, with stunning views of the Western Breach and Lava Tower.
• The Shira Route then joins the Lemosho Route to ascend to the summit via the southern circuit.

Along the way, climbers camp at several high-altitude campsites before reaching Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Kilimanjaro. For a bit more detail, refer to the 8 Days Shira Route itinerary below:

Good to Know – The distance and time taken are approximate and can vary depending on the climber's pace, group size, and other factors.

Our School of Thought on Kilimanjaro’s Shira Route

Winding this up, the Shira Route, although it has its challenges offers one of the most rewarding ascents up Mount Kilimanjaro. The route offers an array of stunning landscapes that you’ll be able to relish, which makes it worth the effort. Adequate preparation, gradual acclimatization, and guidance from experienced professionals can help you achieve success on this challenging route.

The experience of Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro via the Shira Route is one that will leave climbers with a sense of fulfilment that is difficult to match, making the itinerary a worthwhile selection for Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro Packages.