7-Day Kilimanjaro Shira Route Climb

Drive from Moshi/Arusha to Londorossi Gate for registration, then continue by vehicle up a rough track toward Shira Gate, already above 3,500m. A short afternoon trek across the western edge of the Shira Plateau brings you to camp, with immediate views of Kibo's summit ice fields.

A full day trekking east across the vast, flat volcanic caldera of the Shira Plateau — one of the largest in Africa. Moorland vegetation gives way to high-altitude desert as you approach the base of Kibo, with the jagged Western Breach and Lava Tower coming into view.

Trek up to Lava Tower (4,630m) — a 300ft volcanic plug — for the acclimatization benefit of the day's altitude gain, then descend into the lush Barranco Valley to camp beneath the Barranco Wall, following the classic 'climb high, sleep low' strategy.

Scramble up the famous Barranco Wall — a hands-on but non-technical climb — then cross the undulating terrain of Karanga Valley to camp, with the summit now visibly close.

A shorter trekking day across the alpine desert to Barafu Camp — the last camp before the summit push. Early dinner and rest, briefing on summit night logistics.

Wake around midnight for the summit push, trekking by headlamp up scree switchbacks to Stella Point (5,756m) on the crater rim, then along the glacier-fringed rim to Uhuru Peak (5,895m) — Africa's highest point — for sunrise. Descend back to Barafu for a break, then continue down through the moorland to Mweka Camp in the rainforest.

Final descent through the rainforest to Mweka Gate. Summit certificates presented (Gold for Uhuru Peak, Green for Stella Point). Transfer back to your Moshi/Arusha hotel, end of tour.