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Marangu Route
Shira Route
8 DAYS/7 NIGHTS CLIMB - SHIRA ROUTE
Day 1:Driving Moshi - Londrosi gate 2 hoursLondrosi gate
(1800m) - Simba Camp (2500m. Hiking time : 2hours driving and 3 hours Hiking
Distance : About 28 kms Habitats : Montane forest Arrive in a 4 wheel drive
vehicle to the Londorossi Gate. Introduction to your Guide/Porters and after
registration drive further in your vehicle for another approx. 2 hrs drive
(approx. 50 kms) to Simba River where you commence your climb on foot (trekking
hiking) for approximate 3 to 4 hrs with picnic lunch enroute through giant
Savannah and vegetation before reaching the Simba Camp Site for your dinner and
overnight. Simba Camp Site (2500m).
Day 2: To Shira 1
Camp Simba Camp (2500m) - Shira camp (3800m). Hiking time : 3 hoursDistance :
About 7 kms Habitat : Moorlan Today's trek takes you slowly up the edge of the
Shira volcano. As you gain altitude so the vegetation thins and different
species are encountered. Shira 1 is situated near the rim of the ancient volcano
and provides a good opportunity t get the first direct views of Kilimanjaro's
peak on your climb. Overnight Shira 1 Damp at 3800m
Day 3: Fischer camp
(3895m) - Baranco camp (3950m). Hiking time : 5 hoursDistance : About 10 kms
Habitat : Moorland From Shira Camp 1 we trek across the Shira Plateau to
Fischer's Camp at 3895m. weather permitting. The views can be breathtaking - the
Shira Plateau itself is an expanse of hearth land and the rim provides an
attractive backdrop where the clouds often melt down towards the plateau floor.
Kibo also shines with a silvery luminance as the glaciers reflect the strong
sunlight. At times there can also be mist covering the plateau - views can be
revealed or lost very quickly. The final section to Fischer's is fairly steep
and can be tiring, but a warm drink and your camp await you.
Day 4: To Baranco
Hut (3950m) - Karanga valley (400m). Hiking time : 3 hours Distance : About 7
kms Habitat Alpine desert. Today you will walk for 5 - 6 housrs, enjoying
sightings of the typical Kilimanjaro vegetation (Senecios, Lobelia, Helichrysum)
and reaching a high point of around 4600m before descending to the Barranco
Valley. On clear days Lava Tower can be seen as well as some distant glaciers.
The path down to Barranco Valley can be particularly rewarding and the view of
Kibo Peak is especially spectacular. In the evening the blanket of cloud often
hangs just below the valley. We are lower than the height reached during the
day, at around 3950m.
Day 5: Karanga
valley (4100m) - Barafu Camp (4600m). Hiking time : 2 hours Distance : About 6
kms. Habitat : Semi desert and ice sometimes From the Barranco Hut you ascend up
the Barranco wall and walk across scree and ridges to Karanga Valley (4100m)
with breathtaking views of the West Breach and the southern glacier. Lunch is
often taken here, depending on progress. The afternoon can be spent on an
accilimatisation hire, before spending the night at Karanga Valley.
Day 6: Karanga
Valley to Barafu. Barafu Camp (46000m). Hiking Time: 2 hours Distance: About 6
kms Habitat : Semi desert and ice sometim. After a relaxing start, about 2 hours
from Karanga you will come out on the Barafu path (part of the Mweka Trail). It
is a further 1 - 2 hours to Barafu. The last stage to Barafu camp is quite
steep, and as always we advise taking it as easy as possible. This is the day
that leads to the final ascent and so being as relaxed as possible, both
mentally and physically, is the best advice. In the evening you will be briefed
for the final ascent.
Day 7: SUMMIT
ATTEMPT. Barafu camp (4600m) - Uhuru Peak (5896m) - Mweka camp (3100m) Hiking
time: 12 hours. Distance: About 4 kms ascent and 15kms descent. Habitat: Stone
scree and ice capped summit. You rise in the middle of the night and are
assigned your guide. This is to ensure that everyone can make it to the top or
return as required in complete safety. The going is slow, and often quite
frustrating on the scree, but persistence ensure steady progress. At Stella
Point you can then choose to return you are, after all, already higher than any
point in Africa. However, you and your guides will most probably continue to
Uhuru Peak (5896m). If progress is good you can watch the sunrise from the
rooftop of Africa. There is less than half the oxygen than at sea level here,
and we soon start our long journey down. We stop briefly at Barafu before
descending to Mweka Hut at 3100m.
Day 8: Final Descent
Mweka Camp (3100m) - Mweka Gate (1980m). Hiking Time : 4 hours. Distance : About
9 kms. Habitat: Montane Forest The final descent takes you through the lower
heath section that quickly turns into rainforest. Your time on Kilimanjaro ends
at Mweka gate, where you will be picked up transfer you back your hotel for
overnight
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