The Shira Plateau area of Kilimanjaro offers a fantastic opportunity to get high on a big mountain and to hike around this impressive World Heritage Site as a day trip – it’s a fantastic area and there are some great day hikes – either a more strenuous day hiking up along the ancient rim of the plateau or something more relaxed sticking to the undulating floor – perhaps going as far as the photogenic ‘cone place’ or Shira Needles’ at the Southern end of the plateau.
To the west the Kibo Massif of Kilimanjaro sweeps up to the glaciers near the summit, the rise scarred by deep valleys and eroded lava flows that stand like twisted modern sculptures in the harsh mountain weather. A number of streams tumble down this flank of the mountain, eventually joining together in a gulley that crosses the plateau before plunging down to the plains far below.
There is a fair amount of wildlife on the plateau however most of it is elusive and nocturnal but with care the events of the night can be reconstructed from the footprints around the watering points on the streams. There are herds of buffalo but also smaller gazelles and bushbuck, there is the car case of eland and elephant higher on the mountain proving that these larger animals are occasional visitor.
Upon arrival at Arusha /Kilimanjaro Airport you will meet your Migration Seekers Expedition guide who will pick you up and transfer you to your hotel in Moshi Tanzania (for budget hotels we recommend KILIMANJARO WHITE HOUSE HOTEL). Settle into your accommodation, relax and get used to the African atmosphere. Ready to start your 1 DAY KILIMANJARO HIKING TOUR VIA LEMOSHO ROUTE UP TO SHIRA PLATEAU the next day.
After Early in the morning of your Kilimanjaro day trip, we will pick you up at your hotel – an active day in Tanzania’s wilderness area awaits. The drive to your destination of West Kilimanjaro takes you through a forest reserve, where you can look out for Colobus Monkeys in the trees. Your hike through the beautifully rugged landscape of Shira Plateau starts at 3,500 m above sea level. Get out of the car, lace up your shoes and take in the sounds, smells, and colours of Tanzania’s stunning wilderness.
Along different trails and accompanied by a ranger, you can enjoy views of Kibo, Kilimanjaro’s highest peak, and its northern glaciers, when the weather permits. The vast plains of neighbouring Amboseli National Park in Kenya and the deep gorge of the Simba River contrast the views of the world’s highest free-standing mountain. When you reach the northern rim of Shira Crater, take a quick stop at different observation points and see the volcanic cones dotting the landscape below.
Hike at your own pace and enjoy a picnic lunch under the open sky along the way. It’s a moderate hike and you don’t need to be an athlete to be able to enjoy it. However, at 3,500m the air is thinner, so pace your step, enjoy the untouched landscapes and the presence of the mighty Kilimanjaro. After a 4h hike – or earlier, if your legs get tired – we take you back to your hotel.
What to wear: The walk can be over uneven ground in places, so closed shoes are recommended. Due to the altitude, warm clothing and/or waterproofs are also advisable.
• Elevation (ft): 7,800ft to 11,800 ft
• Altitude: 2,250 m - 3,500m | 3,500m - 2,250 m
• Hiking Time: 4-5 hours | hiking down 3-4 hours
• Habitat: Rain Forest
• overnight at Moshi
You have a long trek ahead today on a small trail, passing through the rainforest. As you ascend, the forest gradually thins out and the landscape becomes drier and barer. On the moorland you will find lobelia and ericas dotting the landscape. You will pass Shira ridge before reaching Shira Camp 1 after 4 to 5 hours. Here you will have your lunch break and rest your limbs, enjoying the views of Mt Meru and the Rift Valley in the distance. You will trek for about another 3 hours, ascending 250 m. Walking on solidified lava, you will pass giant senecios, almost 9 meters in height, before finally reaching your destination of the day, the Shira Camp 2. You will enjoy an evening meal and with a little bit of luck you will be able to see the summit basking in the orange glow of the sunset.
•Elevation (ft): 9,500ft to 12,500ft
• Altitude: 3,010 m to 3,845m
•Distance: 18 km
•Hiking Time 8-9hours
•Habitat: Moorland
•Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
•Accommodation: Shira 2 camp
Today you will climb about 800 m but you will be camping at an elevation only slightly higher than the previous night. This will allow your body to acclimatize as a height of over 4,500 m will be reached over the next two days.
The trek begins with a long ascent above the Shira Plateau in the direction of the Lava Tower. 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 16,000ft.
The vegetation becomes sparser as the landscape changes to an afro-alpine desert. The route passes through the sweeping Barranco Valley with its lobelia and giant senecio plants. After 6 to 7 hours, you will arrive at the most beautiful camp on the mountain – the Barranco Camp.
• Altitude: 3,845 m to 3,845m to 3,960m
• Distance Covered: 10 km
• Time to be used: 6-8 hours.
• Habitat: Semi Desert
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Accommodation: Barranco camp
Today’s stretch starts with the climb of the Barranco Wall. We leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge passing the Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley campsite. Then, we leave Karanga and hit the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail. Safety is paramount and your guides will assist you wherever necessary. Following the ridge as it traverses up and down, you can enjoy the splendid views of the south glacier of Kibo.
In the Karanga Valley you will have lunch, followed by a 2 to 3 hours climb to Barafu Camp.
At this point, 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. Once at the camp, you can relax, have dinner and call it an early night.
Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
Karanga camp to Barafu Camp
• Altitude: 3,960 m to 4,640 m
Elevation: 13,106 ft to 15,331ft
• Elevation: 13,044 ft to 13,106 ft
Elevation: 13,106 ft to 15,331ft
• Distance Covered: 5km
Hiking time 4-5hrs
• Time to be used: 4- 5 hrs
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Habitat: Alpine Desert
Accommodation: Barafu camp
After a cup of hot tea and a light snack, the climb begins at around midnight. 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 (18,600 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 the 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.
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. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.
•Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak
•Uhuru Peak to Mweka Camp
•Elevation: 15,331 ft to 19,341 ft
•Elevation: 19,341 ft to 10,065 ft
•Distance: 5 km/3 miles
•Distance: 12 km/7 miles
Altitude: 4,640 m to 5,895 m •Altitude: 5,895 m to 3,080 m
•Hiking Time: 7-8 hours
•Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
•Habitat: Arctic
•Habitat: Rain Forest
>Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
>Accommodation: Mweka Camp
The final leg of your amazing adventure begins after breakfast with a traditional farewell ceremony from the mountain crew. Then a gentle 2 to 3 hours’ descent through the rainforest continues to Mweka Gate, where your driver will be waiting for you. He will take you back and after a warm shower, the rest of the day is free to relax, relax at the pool or celebrate your achievement
Don’t forget to tip your guides and porters. It is time for celebration!
• Altitude: 3,080 m to 1,630m
• Distance Covered: 9.3km km down
• Time to be used: 2 - 3 hrs.
• Habitat: Rain Forest
• Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
_THE END OF TREK_
