Climbing Kilimanjaro & Tanzania Safari

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INTRODUCTION

The magnificent 6 day trekking Shira route approaches Kilimanjaro from the west, crossing the caldera of the Shira volcano before traversing beneath the Southern ice fields of Kibo to make the final ascent by the Barafu route.

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Shira route is a superb ascent of Kilimanjaro on the little-trekked Shira Route

Our route approaches Kilimanjaro from the west, crossing the caldera of Shira Volcano before traversing beneath the southern icefields of Kibo, Kilimanjaro's highest volcano.

The ascent begins with some easy walking through farmland and plantation where coffee and bananas are grown. We ascend steadily to reach the rim of the Shira Plateau. This area is home to a variety of game, including buffalo and there are good views of nearby Mount Meru, the second highest summit in Tanzania. We then have time to explore and enjoy the grassy moorland and the volcanic rock formations of the plateau. There is a real sense of wilderness here with the dramatic rocky scenery of the Western Breach rising above us. We can also explore beneath the Northern Icefields, an area almost unvisited by other trekkers and offering very unusual views of Kibo.

8 days trekking through Shira route is recommend and have better experience, while 7 days is also good. Below is a Standard 6 days itinerary which can be taken by any physically fit person. Welcome and Enjoy the Magnificent of Majesty Kilimanjaro-The Roof of Africa!

DAY 1 -- Shira Gate to Shira Camp

Elevation (m): 1830m to 3840m
Elevation (ft): 6000ft to 12,600ft
Distance: 18km
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest

The drive from Moshi to the trailhead takes about 3 hours.

We walk through the rain forest on a winding trail up a ridge. Lower down, the trail can be muddy and slippery. Gaiters and trekking poles are a good idea here. We continue a short distance until we reach the Shira Camp.

DAY 2 -- Shira Camp to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp

Elevation (m): 3840m to 4630m to 3860m
Elevation (ft): 12,600ft to 12,700ft
Distance: 15 km
Walking Time: 5-7 hours
Habitat: Semi-desert

From the Shira Plateau, we continue to the east up a ridge, passing the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As we continue, our direction changes to the South East towards the Lava Tower, called the "Shark's Tooth." Shortly after the tower, we come to the second junction which brings us up to the Arrow Glacier at an altitude of 4876 meters (15,997 ft). We now continue down to the Barranco Hut at an altitude of 3860 meters (12,664 ft). Here we rest, enjoy dinner, and overnight. Although you end the day at the same elevation as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit day.

DAY 3 -- Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp

Elevation (m): 3860m to 4200m
Elevation (ft): 12,700ft to 13,800ft
Distance: 7 km
Hiking Time: 4 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert

After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley campsite.

DAY 4 -- Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp

Elevation (m): 3860m to 4600m
Elevation (ft): 12,700ft to 15,100ft
Distance: 13km
Hiking Time: 8 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert

After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall, through the Karanga Valley (lunch at 4200m / 14,770 ft), and the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. We continue up to the Barafu Hut. You have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day. The two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are to be seen from this position.

DAY 5 -- Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Hut

Elevation (m): 4600m to 5895m (and down to 3100m)
Elevation (ft): 15,100ft to 19,300ft (and down to 10,200ft)
Distance: 7km ascent / 23km descent
Hiking Time:6- 8 hours ascent / 7-8 hours descent
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit

Very early in the morning (midnight to 2am), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. At Stella Point (5685m / 18,652 ft), you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting).From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all they way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit. It can be very cold at night at these elevations, but it will be quite warm by the end of the hiking day. You will want clothing for both extremes with you. From the summit, we now make our descent continuing straight down to the Mweka Hut camp site, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You will want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. Mweka Camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon

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Barafu Camp to the Summit, also known as Londorossi

From Londorossi THROUGH Barafu camp. To the Summit.

Duration ; 6 days

The Lemosho Route is an unspoilt, remote, little used and beautiful way up to the Shira Plateau. It can either be used to gain the Western Breach route or followed by the Kibo South Circuit to ascend by the easier Barafu Route. The route is one of the few where groups may be accompanied on the first day by an armed ranger, as the forests around the Lemosho Glades are rich in buffalo, elephant and other big game animals.

Day 1; Londorossi Gate (2100m) � Mti Mkubwa camp (2750)

Hiking time; 3 Hours

Distance; about 10km�s

Habitat; Montane Forest.

Your day starts early with a briefing, followed by breakfast and a 2-hour drive from Moshi (910m) to Londorossi Park Gate (2100m). The guides and porters prepare and pack the supplies and your equipment in the village. You will receive a lunch pack and you can also buy mineral water in the village. From here a forest track requiring a 4WD vehicle leads to Lemosho Glades (2100m, 11km, 45 minutes). You will have a lunch stop about half way and will reach the Machame camping area in the late afternoon. Walk along forest trails to Mti Mkubwa (big tree) campsite, (2750m, 3 hours). Your porters (arriving at the camp site long before you) will have your tent set up on your arrival. In the evening the porters will boil drinking and washing water and the cook will prepare dinner, before you retire to your tent for the night. Night temperatures can already drop to freezing point at this campsite.

Day 2; Mti Mkubwa camp ( 2750m) �Shira 2 camp ( 3840m)

Hiking time; 6.5 Hours

Distance; About 15 kms

Habitat; Moorland

You rise early at Mti Mkubwa camp and, after breakfast, you climb an hour or so to the top of the forest and then the trail gradually steepens and enters the giant heather moorland zone. Several streams are crossed. A gentle walk across the plateau leads to Shira 2-camp on moorland meadows next to a stream (3840m). By now you will be able to see, in an easterly direction, the Western Breach with its stunning glaciers. The porters will boil drinking and washing water, before serving dinner. The night at this exposed camp will even be colder than the previous night, with temperatures dropping to well below freezing. Enjoy dinner and overnight.

Day 3; Shira 2 camp ( 3840m) � Lava Tower ( 4630m) � Barranco Camp( 3950m).

Hiking time; 7 Hours

Distance; About 15km�s

The route now turns east into a semi desert and rocky landscape surrounding Lava Tower, where you reach an altitude of 4630m after about a 5 hours walk. Lunch is served in a designated area before ascending the rocky scree path to Lava Tower (4630m). Definitely the toughest day so far. It is normally around this point, where for the first time, some climbers will start to feel symptoms of breathlessness, irritability and headaches. After lunch you descent again by almost 680m to the Barranco camping area and after reaching the high altitude of 4600m at Lava Tower, the true acclimatisation benefit of this day becomes clear. This descent to Barranco camp takes about 2 hours and offers great opportunities to take some beautiful photographs of the Western Breach and Breach Wall. The camp is situated in a valley below the Breach and Great Barranco Wall, which should provide you with a memorable sunset while you wait for your dinner.

Day 4; Barranco Camp (3950m) � Barafu camp ( 4550m)

Hiking time; 7 hours

Distance; About 13 km�s

Habitat; Alpine Desert.

After spending a night at the Great Barranco Wall (a very imposing sight at first), you make your way up this awesome looking obstacle, which in the end normally turns out to be easier than anticipated. Topping out just below the Heim Glacier, you now appreciate just how beautiful Kilimanjaro really is. The route then heads down through the Karanga Valley over intervening ridges and valleys, and then joins up with the Mweka route. This is the preferred route down from the summit, so remember it. Turn left up the ridge and after another hour or so, you reach Barafu Hut. The last water stop on the route is the Karanga Valley, as there is no water at Barafu camp. Barafu is the Swahili word for "ice" and it is a bleak and inhospitable camping area to spend the night. Totally exposed to the ever-present gales the tents are pitched on a narrow, stony, and dangerous ridge. Make sure that you familiarise yourself with the terrain before dark to avoid any accidents. The summit is now a further 1345m up and you will make the final ascent the same night. Prepare your equipment, ski stick and thermal clothing for your summit attempt. This should include the replacement of your headlamp and camera batteries and make sure you have a spare set available as well. To prevent freezing it will be wise to carry your water in a thermal flask. Go to bed at round about 19h00 and try to get some precious rest and sleep

Day 5; SUMMIT DAY; Barafu camp (4550m) � Uhuru Peak ( 5895m)- Mweka Gate (3100m).

Hiking time; 8 hours to reach Uhuru Peak; 7/8 hours to descend to Mweka.

Distance; about 7km�s ascent � 23km�s descend.

Habitat; Stone scree and ice-capped Summit.

You will rise around 23h30, and after some tea and biscuits you shuffle off into the night. You will head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This 6-hour walk to Stella point is for many climbers, mentally and physically the most challenging on the route. At Stella Point (5685m) you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point you will normally encounter snow all the way on your 2-hour ascent to Uhuru Peak. The time you will spend on the summit will depend on the weather conditions. Do not stop here for too long, as it will be extremely difficult to start again due to cold and fatigue. Enjoy your accomplishment and a day to remember for the rest of your live. The walk back to Barafu from the summit, takes about 3 hours. Here you will have a well earned but short rest and collect the rest of your gear, before heading down to Mweka hut (3100m).

The route is not difficult and will take you down the rock and scree path into the moorland and eventually into the forest. The camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Dinner and washing water will be prepared as well as drinking water.

Day 6; Mweka Camp ( 3100m) � Mweka Gate ( 1980m)

Descending time; 3 hours

Distance; about 15km�s

Habitat; Forest.

After an early and well-deserved breakfast, it is a short 3-hour and scenic hike back to the Park gate. At Mweka gate you sign your name and details in a register. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Those climbers who reached Stella Point (5685m) are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates. From the Mweka Gate you will continue down into the Mweka village, normally a muddy 3 km (1 hour) hike. In the Mweka village you will be served a delicious hot lunch!! You now drive back to Arusha for a long overdue hot shower, dinner and celebrations!!

NOTE: Arrow Glacier, Heim Glacier routes are closed and are Dangerous!!!!!! NOT USED.

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Kilimanjaro Millenium Camp

Kilimanjaro Mountain Millenium camp on Shira route at 7000ft altitude

Shira Route: This route roughly parallels and begins further to the north of the Lemosho Route. It is also attractive because it is less traveled and takes the longer approach route across the Shira Plateau. However, most trekkers on the Shira Route are driven via four-wheel drive to a trailhead much higher in elevation than for the Lemosho Route. This can save trekking time for the clients, but at the risk of a too rapid ascent to higher elevations and problems with altitude sickness farther up the mountain. Only a few companies offer this route.

Kilimanjaro trekking following shira routes comfortably needs 7 to 8 days

The routes listed above (except for the Marangu Route) generally offer two choices for the approach to the summit.

Barafu: The majority of people camp at Barafu Camp (15,100') before their summit bid. Trekkers usually begin their 4,100' climb around midnight. They climb in the cold temperatures and darkness up a steep slope of soft scree to the crater rim (at Stella Point). From there it is another one hour walk up a gentler slope to Uhuru Peak, the highest point on the mountain. If things work-out perfectly, climbers see a beautiful sunrise from the peak. Climbers then descend 7,000' (Millennium Camp) or 9,000' feet (Mweka Camp). This approach route makes for a very difficult 12-18 hour day for most people.

Western Breach: An alternate approach to the summit is via the harder Western Breach route. Instead of hiking across the Barranco Valley to Barafu Camp, trekkers divert to the Arrow Glacier Camp at the base of the Western Breach. The climb up the Western Breach gains 2,800' in about 1.25 miles, on a very steep trail. There are a few sections of rock scrambling to climb on the Western Breach, so it is considered the more difficult approach. If covered by ice and snow, the Western Breach could be very intimidating. However, in the dry season, I was quite comfortable going up it. Under good conditions this is not considered a "technical climb."

Some groups begin their climb up the Western Breach at around midnight, and follow a schedule like the one described above (Barafu). However, many companies offer the choice of climbing the Western Breach during the daylight, and camping within the volcanic crater just below the peak. With this option, you can enjoy the spectacular views on the long, steep climb in the day time (and you can also see where you are hiking, which to me seems like a real plus).