The Shira Route is one of the lesser-used trails on Mount Kilimanjaro, approaching the mountain from the west and starting high on the Shira Plateau. It is the original version of what later became the more popular Lemosho Route, and the two share almost the same path once they meet on the plateau. The defining feature of Shira is its high vehicle-assisted starting point at around 3,600 m, which shortens the walk but demands careful acclimatisation from day one. The summit is reached via Stella Point to Uhuru Peak, with the descent down the Mweka Route.
Shira appeals to trekkers who want the beautiful western approach and the wide-open scenery of the Shira Plateau, but with fewer crowds than the Lemosho or Machame routes. Because a vehicle carries you up to the plateau, you skip the long rainforest slog of the first day and begin walking amid dramatic alpine scenery. The trade-off is significant: the high drop-off point at around 3,600 m gives your body little time to adjust, so altitude sickness can strike early. For this reason most operators, and we, recommend the longer 8-day itinerary, and many first-timers are better served by the gentler Lemosho Route, which starts lower in the rainforest and acclimatises more gradually.
The climb begins with a long drive from Moshi to Shira Gate, high on the mountain's western flank. From there the trail crosses the broad Shira Plateau from west to east, a relatively flat and scenic traverse past features such as Shira Cathedral and the Shira Cone. The route then joins the Lemosho and Machame paths, climbing to the Lava Tower at around 4,600 m before dropping to Barranco Camp for valuable "climb high, sleep low" acclimatisation. From Barranco you scramble up the famous Barranco Wall and follow the Southern Circuit beneath Kilimanjaro's Southern Ice Field to Barafu Camp. Summit night climbs the scree to Stella Point on the crater rim and continues to Uhuru Peak, after which you descend the Mweka Route to the gate.
The key decision on Shira is how many days to spend on the mountain, and because the route starts so high, the extra day matters more here than on almost any other trail.
Given the high drop-off point, the 8-day itinerary is the wiser and safer choice.
Day 1 - Shira Gate (3,600 m) to Simba Camp (3,550 m). After the drive up, a short walk across the open plateau lets your body begin adjusting to the altitude. Expect 3-4 hours of easy trekking.
Day 2 - Simba Camp to Shira 2 Camp (3,850 m). A gentle traverse east across the Shira Plateau with sweeping views of Kibo ahead, around 5-7 hours.
Day 3 - Shira 2 Camp to Moir Hut (4,200 m). A shorter day climbing to the quiet Moir Hut, a valuable acclimatisation stop with an optional walk higher up to help you adjust.
Day 4 - Moir Hut to Lava Tower (4,600 m) to Barranco Camp (3,950 m). A classic "climb high, sleep low" day: you ascend to the Lava Tower for lunch, then descend to the sheltered Barranco Camp, around 6-7 hours.
Day 5 - Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp (3,995 m). The day starts with the exhilarating scramble up the Barranco Wall, then rolls across valleys to Karanga Camp, around 4-5 hours.
Day 6 - Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp (4,673 m). A steady climb along the Southern Circuit to the summit base camp. You arrive early, eat and rest before a midnight start, around 4-5 hours.
Day 7 - Barafu Camp to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m), then descend to Mweka Camp (3,100 m). Setting off around midnight, you climb the scree to Stella Point and continue along the rim to Uhuru Peak. After celebrating, you descend all the way to Mweka Camp, 12-15 hours in total.
Day 8 - Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate (1,640 m). A final descent of 3-4 hours through the rainforest brings you to Mweka Gate, where summit certificates are awarded.
The walking on Shira is moderate, with no technical climbing and a mostly gentle gradient across the plateau. The real difficulty is the altitude: because you start at around 3,600 m rather than in the forest, your body has little time to adapt and some trekkers feel the effects of altitude on the very first day. This makes Shira better suited to those who have trekked at high altitude before. As on every route, summit night to Stella Point and Uhuru Peak is a long, cold, strenuous push. Choosing the 8-day itinerary and walking slowly greatly reduces the risk.
When climbed over 8 days, the Shira Route has a strong success record comparable to Lemosho, with reputable operators reporting summit rates in the high 80s to around 90%. The 7-day version is lower because the high starting point compresses acclimatisation. In short, the extra day makes a real difference: choose the 8-day itinerary, walk slowly, stay hydrated and give the altitude the respect it deserves, and your chances of standing on the summit are excellent.
The best months to climb Shira are January to early March and June to October, when skies are clearest and the trails driest. Because the route spends its first days on the exposed, high plateau, it is best avoided during the heaviest rains of April and May, when the plateau can be cold, wet and cloudy. Whenever you go, the 8-day itinerary gives the best odds of a comfortable, successful climb.
Shira is a camping route, so you sleep in tents that your crew sets up and breaks down each day, with a separate mess tent for meals and portable toilets carried by the team. Guided climbs typically cost between roughly $2,000 and $3,900 per person depending on the operator, group size and whether you choose the 7- or 8-day itinerary. The price generally covers park fees, guides and porters, all camping equipment, meals and transfers. Because it shares the Lemosho infrastructure, Shira sits in a similar price band to the other quality western-approach routes.
Because Shira's high start makes altitude the main challenge, arrive fit and well prepared. Build endurance with regular hill walking, stair climbing and long day hikes carrying a daypack, and add cardiovascular work such as running, cycling or swimming to help your body cope with thinner air. Some leg-strength training will protect your knees on the long descent to Mweka Gate. Break in your boots thoroughly, practise a slow "pole pole" pace, pack a warm layered clothing system for the cold summit night, and speak to your doctor about altitude-sickness medication before you travel, which is especially worth considering given the high drop-off point.
Shira's great reward is the vast, open Shira Plateau, one of the highest plateaus in the world and the remnant of an ancient collapsed volcanic caldera. Crossing it offers uninterrupted views of Kibo's glaciated summit and the jagged peaks of Mawenzi, with features like Shira Cathedral and the Shira Cone breaking the skyline. Higher up, the dramatic Lava Tower, the exhilarating Barranco Wall and the traverse beneath the Southern Ice Field are unforgettable, before the sunrise arrival at Stella Point and the final walk to Uhuru Peak. Wildlife is limited at these altitudes, though you may spot hardy ravens and, lower down on the Mweka descent, forest birds and monkeys.
The Shira Route is approximately 56 km (35 miles) from the plateau to the summit and down the Mweka descent. Because a vehicle carries you up to the high starting point, the total walking distance is a little shorter than on the Lemosho Route.
Shira is usually climbed in 7 or 8 days. The 8-day itinerary is strongly recommended because it adds an acclimatisation day at Moir Hut, which is important given the high starting altitude.
They follow almost the same path once they meet on the plateau, but they start differently. Lemosho begins lower, in the rainforest at Londorossi, and walks up to the plateau, while Shira is driven to a high drop-off point at around 3,600 m. Lemosho therefore acclimatises more gradually; Shira was the original version that Lemosho was created to improve.
On the 8-day itinerary the success rate is strong, comparable to Lemosho, with operators reporting figures in the high 80s to around 90%. The 7-day version is lower because the high start allows less time to acclimatise.
The walking is moderate with no technical sections, but the high starting altitude makes acclimatisation the main challenge, so it can feel harder than gentler routes. It suits trekkers with some previous high-altitude experience.
A vehicle drives climbers up to Shira Gate at around 3,600 m, bypassing the rainforest first day. This makes for a shorter walk and dramatic early scenery, but it gives the body little time to adjust, which is the route's main drawback.
Most guided Shira climbs cost between roughly $2,000 and $3,900 per person depending on the operator, group size and itinerary length. The price typically covers park fees, guides, porters, camping equipment, meals and transfers.
The clearest and driest months are January to early March and June to October. Because the route spends its first days on the exposed high plateau, it is best avoided during the heavy rains of April and May.
For most trekkers, especially first-timers, Lemosho is the better choice because it starts lower and acclimatises more gently while sharing the same beautiful western scenery. Shira is best reserved for those who have trekked at high altitude before and want a quieter start.
The Shira Route offers the striking western approach and the wide, dramatic scenery of the Shira Plateau with fewer crowds than its neighbours. Its weakness is the high vehicle-assisted start, which puts acclimatisation front and centre, so the 8-day itinerary and some prior high-altitude experience make all the difference. If you are new to high-altitude trekking, the gentler Lemosho Route is usually the smarter pick. To compare the alternatives, see our guides to the Machame Route, the Marangu Route and the Northern Circuit.
Compare all seven Kilimanjaro routes by scenery, difficulty, days, cost and success rate. Find the best route for beginn...
The Northern Circuit is Kilimanjaro's longest and quietest route, offering the best acclimatisation and the highest summ...
The Western Breach is the most dramatic and demanding way up Kilimanjaro, climbing directly through Kibo's crater wall t...
The Lemosho Route is Kilimanjaro's most scenic trail, with an outstanding acclimatisation profile and one of the highest...