Shira route trek up Kilimanjaro
| country: | Tanzania |
| location: | Kilimanjaro |
| trip type: | High altitude, very challenging trekking holidays |
| departures: | 2010: 14 Jan, 28 Jan, 8 Jul, 22 Jul, 5 Aug, 19 Aug, 2 Sep, 16 Sep, 30 Sep, 23 Dec 2011: 20 Jan, 3 Feb, 17 Feb, 7 Jul, 21 Jul, 4 Aug, 18 Aug, 1 Sep |
| price: | From £2020 - £2320 (12 days) including flights from UK, from £1340 - £1405 excluding flights |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
read 3 travellers reviews
the amazing things you'll be doing
Lying just south of the equator, Kilimanjaro is Africa's highest peak, rising to a height of some 5,895 meters from the surrounding plains and savannah. It is the highest freestanding mountain in the world, and one of the largest volcanoes ever to erupt from the earth's crust.
On a clear day it can be seen from more than 160 kilometres away. Its famous peak always vivid, covered in ice and snow, and immortalized by Ernest Hemingway in 'The Snows of Kilimanjaro': 'As wide as all the world, great, high, and unbelievably white in the sun, was the square top of Kilimanjaro'.
Our trek begins in the farmlands and plantations of the western side of the mountain. We climb through shrub forest onto the Shira plateau with fine views opening out over the Great Rift Valley and Mt. Meru. Here we explore the pinnacles of Shira Cathedral before pressing on in the shadow of the northern icefields of Kibo crater itself. From Moir Hut we take an acclimatisation walk to Lent Hills for further stunning views over the surrounding plains. Walking beneath the glaciers of the western breach we reach Lava Tower with a further optional hike to the ruined hut at Arrow glacier.
A dramatic trek takes us down into the Great Barranco Valley and up the Barranco Wall to the last water point of Karanga Valley. Climbing further into a lunar landscape we reach our final ascent camp at Barafu. Our summit attempt takes us up the steep southern side of Kibo Crater to Stella Point on the crater rim before we make our final approach around the rim to Uhuru Peak. Our descent takes a more direct route on the south side down through the forest to Mweka camp and Machame Gate.
On a clear day it can be seen from more than 160 kilometres away. Its famous peak always vivid, covered in ice and snow, and immortalized by Ernest Hemingway in 'The Snows of Kilimanjaro': 'As wide as all the world, great, high, and unbelievably white in the sun, was the square top of Kilimanjaro'.
Our trek begins in the farmlands and plantations of the western side of the mountain. We climb through shrub forest onto the Shira plateau with fine views opening out over the Great Rift Valley and Mt. Meru. Here we explore the pinnacles of Shira Cathedral before pressing on in the shadow of the northern icefields of Kibo crater itself. From Moir Hut we take an acclimatisation walk to Lent Hills for further stunning views over the surrounding plains. Walking beneath the glaciers of the western breach we reach Lava Tower with a further optional hike to the ruined hut at Arrow glacier.
A dramatic trek takes us down into the Great Barranco Valley and up the Barranco Wall to the last water point of Karanga Valley. Climbing further into a lunar landscape we reach our final ascent camp at Barafu. Our summit attempt takes us up the steep southern side of Kibo Crater to Stella Point on the crater rim before we make our final approach around the rim to Uhuru Peak. Our descent takes a more direct route on the south side down through the forest to Mweka camp and Machame Gate.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Fly London/Kilimanjaro |
| Day 2: | Arrive Kilimanjaro, drive Moshi (800m) |
| Day 3: | Drive Londrossi Gate (2250m); trek to Shira Plateau (3350m) |
| Day 4: | Trek to Shira Camp (3840m) |
| Day 5: | Trek to Moir Hut (4200m); explore Lent Hills (4700m) |
| Day 6: | Trek to lava Tower (4550m); optional trek to Arrow Glacier hut (4800m) |
| Day 7: | Trek via Barranco valley (3900m) to Karanga Valley (4000m) |
| Day 8: | Trek to Barafu Camp (4600m) |
| Day 9: | Summit attempt via Stella Point (5700m) to Uhuru Peak (5895m); descend to Mweka Camp (3100m) |
| Day 10: | Trek to Mweka Gate (1700m); drive Moshi |
| Day 11: | Optional safari to Arusha NP; fly London |
| Day 12: | Arrive London |
travellers' tales
The most memorable part of the holiday was being on top of Kilimanjaro. It was so hard getting there but the beauty at the top made it worthwhile. I would give this holiday 4 stars. I had a brilliant time! (more)
small group adventure holiday
Typically you will be sharing your experiences with between 4-20 like minded travellers (depending on the trip, operator and how many others are booked on the trip) and you'll have a group leader with you. Whether you are travelling alone or with friends its good value, and a great way to meet new people! While itineraries are pre-planned there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of privacy. This trip will appeal to travellers of all ages who enjoy meeting new people as well as seeing new places. award winner
This tourism business won an Award in our 2008 Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards - organised by responsibletravel.com in association with The Daily Telegraph, World Travel Market, Geographical Magazine, of the Royal Geographical Society and BBC World News.Since 2004, the Awards has recognised individuals, companies and organisations in travel making a big commitment to the culture and economies of local communities and helping to conserve biodiversity.
how this holiday makes a difference
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Rising from the plains, Mt Kilimanjaro dominates the surrounding countryside. It provides exciting physical and mental challenges for those who trek to the summit - and a vital source of income for many of the local communities within its shadows. In assisting almost 500 of our customers in the last year on their Kilimanjaro treks, the local porters and mountain guides employed have secured a stable income.
Their job is undoubtedly tough and so we work to ensure that the conditions that they work in are as fair as possible. As a company we support the International Porters Protection Group - which safeguards the interests and welfare of porters against unscrupulous companies, and follow Tourism Concerns guidelines on porter welfare. Packs are carefully weighed before the mountain ascent to ensure that the porters are carrying a fair weight - a weight within the guidelines set by the national park. A sleeping tent and sleeping bags are provided for all our staff on the mountain and clients are actively encouraged to interact with all staff generating a real feeling of teamwork and friendship as we strive towards the summit. As well as the above, we support a variety of charities and projects worldwide which support vulnerable communities and habitats including Friends of Conservation, Hope Worldwide and Send A Cow. We are also actively engaged with UK travel industry bodies which promote best practice in responsible tourism, such as Tourism Concern, The Travel Foundation and AITO. Our commitment to responsible tourism is not limited to our overseas operation and we have measures to ensure our UK office operates according to our responsible tourism policy. Carbon offsets for all flights booked with us are included in the tour cost. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |