8-Day Scenic Trek to Africa's Highest Peak
Embark on the adventure of a lifetime with our 8-day Shira Route trek up Mount Kilimanjaro. Known as the "Whiskey Route" for its challenging nature, this path offers stunning scenery and excellent acclimatization opportunities. The Shira Route is the most popular choice for trekkers due to its high success rate and breathtaking landscapes.
The Shira Route offers stunning scenery and excellent acclimatization with its "climb high, sleep low" approach
Registration at Londorossi/approach to Shira Gate. Start trekking across the high-altitude heath/forest edge onto the Shira Plateau to Shira 1 Camp.
Hiking Time:
3–4 hours
Distance:
~5–7 km
Elevation Gain:
+5m
Habitat:
Montane Forest → Moorland
Meals:
Lunch, Dinner
A gentle ascent across the plateau with panoramic views of Kibo and the western breach. Afternoon acclimatization walk optional.
Hiking Time:
3–4 hours
Distance:
~5–7 km
Elevation Gain:
+345m
Habitat:
Moorland
Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Head north to the secluded Moir Hut beneath Lent Hills. Optional acclimatization hike on the nearby ridges in the afternoon.
Hiking Time:
4–5 hours
Distance:
~7–9 km
Elevation Gain:
+350m
Habitat:
High Moorland
Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ascend into the alpine desert to Lava Tower for lunch and acclimatization, then descend to Barranco Valley beneath the southern glaciers.
Hiking Time:
7–9 hours
Distance:
~10–12 km
Elevation:
+430m / -654m
Habitat:
Alpine Desert
Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A fun, non-technical scramble up Barranco Wall with sweeping views, followed by a series of valleys and ridges to Karanga.
Hiking Time:
4–5 hours
Distance:
~5–6 km
Elevation Gain:
+19m
Habitat:
Alpine Desert
Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A steady climb to Barafu High Camp for rest, hydration, and gear check ahead of the midnight summit attempt.
Hiking Time:
3–4 hours
Distance:
~4 km
Elevation Gain:
+678m
Habitat:
Alpine Desert
Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Pre-dawn push via Stella Point to catch sunrise, then onward to Uhuru Peak. Celebrate and descend to Mweka Camp for the night.
Hiking Time:
12–16 hours
Distance:
~17–19 km
Elevation:
+1,222m / -2,785m
Habitat:
Arctic to Rainforest
Meals:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Descend through the rainforest to Mweka Gate for certificates, then transfer to Moshi/Arusha.
Hiking Time:
3–4 hours
Distance:
~10 km
Elevation Loss:
-1,470m
Habitat:
Rainforest
Meals:
Breakfast
The Shira Route offers excellent acclimatization with "climb high, sleep low" days and varied terrain, supporting strong summit outcomes with good preparation.
Experience diverse landscapes - from lush rainforests to alpine deserts and the arctic summit zone. The Shira Route offers the most varied scenery of all Kilimanjaro routes.
Shira’s western approach typically has fewer trekkers early on. Our pacing avoids peak crowds for a more peaceful experience.
Start training at least 3 months before your trek. Focus on cardiovascular endurance and leg strength. Include hiking with a weighted backpack and stair climbing in your regimen.
Recommended:
3-4 cardio sessions per week, weekend hikes with elevation gain, strength training 2x/week
Consult your doctor about altitude sickness medication. Ensure you have comprehensive travel insurance covering high-altitude trekking up to 6,000m.
Join our expert-guided trek for an unforgettable adventure to the Roof of Africa