The Shira Route is another one of the rarely used trails that start near Shira Ridge. It is very similar to the Lemosho route. Lemosho is the improved version of Shira, which was the original route but they had to improve the route starting point and just named it Lemosho Route. The main reason for the amendment was Shira’s starting point which is located on high altitudes of 3600 meters or 11811 ft. Even though the starting point can be accessed by vehicle, the high altitudes are not ideal for climbers with no experience of high-altitude trekking. Your first day on Kilimanjaro beginning at a very high altitude can cause altitude sickness and that would be starting on the wrong foot, literally!
- Location: The Shira route can be accessed possibly by vehicle from Moshi to Shira Ridge, from where the hike begins on the western side of the mountain.
- Height: The Shira route reaches the summit of Kilimanjaro at the Uhuru peak, reaching a height of 5,895 meters (19,341 feet).
- Duration: The Shira route can take anywhere between 6-7 days. An extra day on the mountain will, of course, cost more, but this means your chances of success in reaching the summit will be much greater.
Trail conditions: The trail itself offers a diverse route with varied terrain and starts at a relatively high altitude. During your hike, you will cross through grassy moorlands and volcanic rocky sections.
Climbing Kilimanjaro via Shira Route
Shira route journey towards the summit begins with a long drive from Moshi town as the vehicle goes through the rainforest vegetation zone of Kilimanjaro to Shira Ridge, approaching the mountain from the western side.
The main trek starts at Shira Ridge, a trail that cuts through the Shira Plateau from the western side of the mountain to the east on great terrain that is table-like. The route proceeds below the Southern Ice Field of Mount Kilimanjaro via the Southern Circuit trail afterward approaching the Uhuru peak summit from Barafu Camp.
Going down the mountain takes a different approach as the descent is made via the Mweka Route, a very popular direct route used by the majority of the routes.
The Shira Route can be completed in six, seven, and eight days and at Tranquil Kilimanjaro we offer Shira route as a 7-day itinerary but you can also request for the 6 days Shira Route Itinerary or the 8 days one.
