7 Days Shira Route-Kilimanjaro Trekking Itinerary

7 DAYS SHIRA ROUTE-KILIMANJARO TREKKING ITINERARY begins and ends at Safari Lodge in Arusha.
Arrive anytime at Kilimanjaro Airport, there will be a private transfer from Overland Safaris waiting at the airport to pick up you. All airport transfers are part of the package, no extra fee is required.
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{DAY BY DAY TREKKING ITINERERAY}
DAY 1: ARRIVE AT KILIMANJARO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), Overland Safaris will arrange a private vehicle from Kilimanjaro International Airport to Moshi at Kiliwonders Hotel for overnight stay.
We will gather in the evening for a pre-climb briefing and an equipment check, we will also confirm you have the appropriate mandatory medical coverage and travel insurance.
We stay at Kiliwonders Hotel, which is a beautiful hotel located on the lower slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro and is a perfect place to prepare you for Kilimanjaro trekking adventure.
Dinner and overnight at Kiliwonders Hotel: Bed, Dinner and Breakfast included.
DAY 2: SHIRA TO SHIRA CAMP ONE
◊Elevation: 11,800 ft to 11,800 ft
◊Distance: 4 km/2 miles
◊Hiking Time: 1-2 hours
◊Habitat: Heath
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included.
We depart Moshi for Londorossi Gate, which takes about 4 hours; here we will complete entry formalities while guides and porters prepare equipment. We then continue to drive up a steep path to the Shira Gate where we will begin the hike. The trek starts through shrubs and giant heather until we reach Shira Camp one.
DAY 3: SHIRA CAMP ONE TO SHIRA CAMP TWO
◊Elevation: 11,800 ft to 12,500 ft
◊Distance: 6 km/4 miles
◊Hiking Time: 2 hours
◊Habitat: Heath
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included.
Today is a fairly easy day to help with acclimatization. We begin by exploring the grassy moorland and volcanic rock formations on the plateau. Then we take a scenic path to the Shira Cathedral, a huge buttress of rock surrounded by steep spires and pinnacles, before settling at Shira Camp two.
DAY 4: SHIRA CAMP TWO TO LAVA TOWER
◊Elevation: 12,500 ft to 15,190 ft
◊Distance: 7 km/4 miles
◊Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
◊Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included.
LAVA TOWER TO BARRANCO TO BARRANCO CAMP
◊Elevation: 15,190 ft to 13,044 ft
◊Distance: 3 km/2 miles
◊Hiking Time: 2-3 hours
◊ Habitat: Alpine Desert
We continue to the east up a ridge and then head southeast towards the Lava Tower – a 300 ft tall volcanic rock formation. We descend down to Barranco Camp through the strange but beautiful Senecio Forest to an altitude of 13,000 ft. Although you begin and end the day at the same elevation, the time spent at higher altitude is very beneficial for acclimatization.
DAY 5: BARRANCO CAMP TO KARANGA CAMP
◊Elevation: 13,044 ft to 13,106 ft
◊Distance: 5 km/3 miles
◊Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
◊Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included.
We begin the day by descending into a ravine to the base of the Great Barranco Wall. Then we climb the non-technical but steep, nearly 900 ft cliff. From the top of the Barranco Wall we cross a series of hills and valleys until we descend sharply into Karanga Valley. One more steep climb up leads us to Karanga Camp. This is a shorter day meant for acclimatization.
DAY 6: KARANGA CAMP TO BARAFU CAMP
◊Elevation: 13,106 ft to 15,331 ft
◊Distance: 4 km/2 miles
◊Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
◊Habitat: Alpine Desert
We leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the rocky section to Barafu Hut. At this point, you have completed the Southern Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest and enjoy an early dinner to prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are viewable from this position.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included.
DAY 7: BARAFU TO UHURU PEAK TO MWEKA CAMP
◊Elevation: 15,331 ft to 19,341 ft
◊Distance: 5 km/3 miles
◊Hiking Time: 7-8 hours
◊Habitat: Arctic
UHURU PEAK TO MWEKA CAMP
◊Elevation: 19,341 ft to 10,065 ft
◊Distance: 12 km/7 miles
◊Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
◊Habitat: Rain Forest
Very early in the morning (around midnight), we begin our push to the summit. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. The wind and cold at this elevation and time of day can be extreme. We ascend in the darkness for several hours while taking frequent, but short, breaks. Near Stella Point (18,900 ft), you will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see coming over Mawenzi Peak. Finally, we arrive at Uhuru Peak- the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa.
From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. The trail is very rocky and can be quite hard on the knees; trekking poles are helpful. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch Included.
DAY 8: MWEKA CAMP TO MWEKA GATE
◊Elevation: 10,065 ft to 5,380 ft
◊Distance: 10 km/6.6 miles
◊Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
◊Habitat: Rain Forest
On our last day, we continue the descent to Mweka Gate and collect the summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. From the gate, we continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet us at Mweka Village to drive us back to the hotel in Moshi.
Dinner and overnight at Kiliwonders Hotel: Bed, Dinner and Breakfast included.
DAY 9: DEPARTING DAY:
After saying bye to our team of guides, then you need a private departure transfer, which is included from Arusha to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) for your flight unless you have an option to have a short safari or any other option we will discuss.
MOUNT KILIMANJARO-SHIRA ROUTE 7 DAYS TREKKING INCLUDES:
• Tanzania VAT on tourism activities and park fees
• Return transfers Kilimanjaro airport to Arusha and Arusha to Kilimanjaro airport
• Hotel Lodging the night before and the night after the climb, with dinner and breakfast included (double occupancy)
• With bed dinner and breakfast
• Transfer from your hotel to starting point for your climb and return to your hotel after your climb
• Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food
• All Kilimanjaro National Park gate fees, camping fees, and climbing permits.
• Kilimanjaro National Park rescue fees (Kilimanjaro Rescue Team)
• Emergency Oxygen (for use in emergencies only – not as summiting aid)
• Basic first aid kit (for use in emergencies only)
• Qualified mountain guide, assistant guides, porters and cook
• Salaries for the mountain crew as per guidelines set by the Kilimanjaro National Park
• Breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as hot drinks on the mountain
• Camping equipment (tents, camp chairs, tables & sleeping mattress
• Water for washing up daily
• Porter to carry your duffel bag (max weight 15kg / 32 lbs) from one camp to the next camp.
• Kilimanjaro National Park certificate for your successful summit attempt
• A comprehensive Climbing Kilimanjaro travel info pack
• Flying Doctor Service
MOUNT KILIMANJARO-SHIRA ROUTE 7 DAYS TREKKING EXCLUDES:
• Flights and airport taxes
• Items of a personal nature
• Compulsory tips for guides, porters and cook (average tip is anything from US $ 230 to US $ 300 per hiker – depending on the number of days / how many hikers in the group and route chosen)
• South African passport holders do NOT require a visa for Tanzania, however, most other nationalities require a visa for Tanzania
• Health requirements (Yellow Fever compulsory if travelling to Tanzania recommended)
• Highly recommended travel and medical insurance.
• Personal hiking/trekking gear – we can rent some of the gear from our equipment store in Tanzania
• Optional, but highly recommended Portable toilet
• Snacks, personal medicine, and water purifying tablets
• Meals & drinks not specified and snacks.

THE CANCELLATION POLICY AND TERMS OF CONDITIONS:
A non-refundable 15% deposit is required to secure the tour and begin the necessary booking processes and ground preparations. An invoice will be sent to the client together with the payment instructions.
The final balance payment of the tour booked is required to be paid not later than 20 days before the tour starts. Bookings made within 20 days prior to the arrival date should be paid in full.
Cancellation received 30 days or more before the tour starts: No Cancellation Fees will be charged.
Cancellation received 15 days before the tour starts: 30% Cancellation Fee will be charged.
Cancellation received 10 days before the tour starts: 50% cancellation fee will be charged.
Cancellation received within 48hrs before the tour starts: 100% Cancellation Fee will be charged.