Duration: 4 days | Best time to travel: June - October

Shira plateau route overview

Kilimanjaro has many beautiful regions, none more so than the Western side and Shira Plateau. This itinerary is perfect for those that do not want to summit Kilimanjaro, rather enjoy it’s different vegetation and wilderness zones.

Starting on the Western side this trip ascends through the Lemosho glades and onto the Shira plateau. There are then options to hike either up towards Moir or across the Shira Plateau towards the Shira Catherdral before descending back down.

Highlights

Lemosho forest, the Juniper forest, the Shira pleateau with stunning views of Kibo, walking across the Shira plateau, 4 different vegetation zones.

Day 1: Forest Camp

You are met at the hotel and depart towards West Kilimanjaro. Formalities are completed at Londorossi gate before driving to the Lemosho trail head where the hiking begins. Verdant forest and glades typify the day’s hiking and signs of wildlife such as elephant are quite common. In the late afternoon you arrive in camp to relax before dinner. Dinner and overnight Forest Camp (lunch – dinner)

Day 2: Shira 1 Camp

“After breakfast you depart through Podocarpus forest and ascend through firstly Juniper forest and then the heath zone. Lunch is taken on route and by mid afternoon as you breach the Shira Plateau, you soon arrive in camp. Overnight Shira 1 Camp (breakfast – dinner – lunch)”

Day 3: Shira 1 Camp

At over 3500 meters the Shira pleateau represents a unique high altitude environment. Today you set off with your guides and trek to some of the more remote areas of the plateau. A picnic lunch is taken with you and for the more adventurous the guides can even lead you up in to the alpine zone before returning to camp in the afternoon. Overnight Shira 1 Camp (breakfast-lunch-dinner).

Day 4: Out

“This morning you hike towards Murram gate before descending down towards Londorrosi gate. The hike takes around 4 to 5 hours and picnic lunches are provided at the gate before you transfer to onward arrangements (note transfer to Arusha is around 3 hours, transfer for West Kilimanjaro airstrip is around 40 minutes). ”

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