The Shira Route is a little used trail that begins near Shira Ridge. It is nearly identical to the Lemosho route. In fact, Shira was the original route and Lemosho is the improved variation.

Although Shira is a varied and beautiful route, it is less favorable than its successor due to the relatively high altitude of Shira’s starting point, which is accessed quickly by vehicle. It is possible that climbers will experience some altitude related symptoms on the first day while camping at 11,800 feet.

The route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the west, beginning with a long drive from Moshi to Shira Ridge. The vehicle bypasses the rain forest zone and the hiking trail begins on Shira Ridge. The Shira route crosses the entire Shira Plateau from west to east in a pleasant, relatively flat hike. Then the route traverses underneath Kilimanjaro’s Southern Ice Field on a path known as the Southern Circuit before summiting from Barafu. Descent is made via the Mweka route.

Wildlife Lovers Safaris offers Shira as a 7 or 8 day private climb. The 8 day variation adds a stay at Moir Hut on day 3 before going to Barranco Camp on day 4.

How Long is the Shira Route?

The distance of the Shira route is approximately 56 km or 33 miles.

How Many Days Does it Take to Climb Kilimanjaro on the Shira Route?

The Shira route has several variations and can be done in 6, 7, or 8 days.

How Hard is it to Climb Kilimanjaro on the Shira Route?

The Shira route is considered a moderate route. The main disadvantage of the route is that the trail starts at a high altitude, which can cause immediate problems for climbers who can’t acclimatize immediately to the elevation of 11,500 feet.

What is the Success Rate of Climbing Kilimanjaro on the Shira Route?

Data on the Shira route is lacking. We estimate that the success rate is 55% for the 6 day Shira route, 75% for the 7 day Shira route, and 85% for the 8 day Shira route.

How Much Does it Cost to Climb Kilimanjaro on the Shira Route?

The cost to climb Kilimanjaro using the Shira route depends on the number of days. Our current pricing for a private climb on the 8 day Shira route starts at $3,369 per person. See all of our prices here.