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Shira Route Kilimanjaro Climb

country:Tanzania
location:Kilimanjaro 
trip type:High altitude trekking
departures:2009: 17 Dec, 23 Dec
2010: 7 Jan, 22 Jan, 24 Feb, 19 Jun, 30 Jun, 7 Jul, 19 Jul, 17 Aug, 8 Sep, 16 Sep, 6 Oct, 16 Oct, 27 Oct, 14 Dec, 22 Dec
2011: 12 Jan, 19 Jan, 26 Jan, 11 Feb, 16 Feb, 23 Feb
price:From £1649 - £2299 (12 days) including flights from the UK, from £977 - £1149 excluding flights. Single supplement £115.
vouchers:Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday
 
the amazing things you'll be doing
Our route approaches Kilimanjaro from the west, crossing the caldera of Shira Volcano before traversing beneath the southern icefields of Kibo, Kilimanjaro's highest volcano. We have eight days of trekking on Africa's highest mountain, an extra day added allowing maximum time for acclimatisation. This improves your chances of reaching the summit while allowing time to enjoy the variety of scenery in the different climatic zones. This is one of the least trekked routes so we can really savour the immense wilderness of the Shira Plateau, with stunning views of the glaciers on the crater rim.
day-by-day itinerary
Day 1:Depart London.
Day 2:Arrive Kilimanjaro; transfer to Arusha, free time.
Day 3:To Londrossi; begin ascent of Kilimanjaro to Lemosho Forest (2650m).
Day 4:Explore Shira Plateau; camp at Shira One (3550m).
Day 5:Walk to the summit of Shira Cathedral to camp at Shira Hut (3840m).
Day 6:Descend to camp at Great Barranco Valley (3900m).
Day 7:Over the Barranco Wall to Karanga (4000m).
Day 8:Steep ascent to Barafu campsite (4600m), with optional afternoon ascent to bottom of S.E. Valley (4800m).
Day 9:An early start to reach Stella Point in time for sunrise: on to Uhuru Peak (5895m), the highest point in Africa. Descend to Millennium Camp (3800m).
Day 10:To Mweka Gate; transfer to Arusha.
Day 11:Free morning; depart Kilimanjaro airport.
Day 12:Arrive London.
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.
how this holiday makes a difference
Community
For this trip our most obvious and visible responsible tourism action is the porter treatment;
  • We ensure they have proper shelter, clothing and food on the mountain
  • They have access to the same medical kit as clients, and in case of illness and they have to descend they will still be paid for the trips. In case of illness incurred directly as a result of their work, we also assist with hospital treatment
  • We pay the recommended wages, and we pay it directly after the trip (A BIG ISSUE with budget operators)
  • We run the Porter education project, which is mainly English, but this year also included HIV awareness classes, and a money management module as well
  • We are members of Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project

    This trip supports the Porter Education Project, which aims to teach Porters English, there is also plans to educate the porters on AIDS/HIV awareness and money management. The project aims to train the porters to eventually become guides on Kili or work as teaching assistants in local schools. As is mandatory we pay the Kilimanjaro Tax, which goes towards preserving the parks and other local smaller parks in the area.

    All leaders are local leaders, which have been extensively trained by us in several areas; language, briefing, client handling, flora and fauna, geology and first aid. Especially the First Aid is regularly refreshed. In our briefing we include information re. porters’ treatment, the sensitive topic of tipping, behaviour on the mountain (no litter, careful with soap in the few streams, no use of firewood, etc)

    The accommodation is locally owned employing local staff. Local produce is also bought and used extensively. The maximum group size is 12, so as a small group we limit the strain on natural resources and on the porters and guides

    Environment
    We have at our offices worked to reduce our carbon footprint through a reduction of energy use and energy conservation measures. We also actively reduce the waste produced by having active reduction and recycling policies in place. We run annual staff workshops on Responsible Tourism.

    Global warming is a reality and to help you make a difference by reducing the carbon dioxide that is produced when you travel we offer a chance to carbon balance your flights. We encourage all our clients to do this and do so for all our staff travel. Go on do your bit!

    • 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.
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