Londorossi (Shira) Route (7 Days)
Drive high onto the Shira plateau on day one — the old Shira line, seven days to Uhuru.
Londorossi (Shira) Route (7 Days)
The Londorossi — or Shira — line is the historical parent of Lemosho: it forgoes the forest walk-in and instead drives 4x4 tracks all the way onto the Shira plateau on the first day, starting the trek at around 3,500 metres with the whole western caldera in view. For trekkers short on days who still want the western approaches, it buys altitude early and spends the saving on the southern circuit's classic finish. Day one is the route's signature: registration and park formalities at Londorossi Gate, the rough forest drive up to the Shira 1 starting point, and a short first walk to Shira 1 Camp on the plateau — with Kilimanjaro's whole western face overhead from the first hour. From there the itinerary follows the proven sequence: across the caldera to Shira 2, the climb-high, sleep-low day through Lava Tower down to Barranco, the Barranco Wall at dawn, the Karanga Valley, and the deliberate short day to Barafu before the midnight push to Stella Point and Uhuru Peak at 5,895 metres. The route's honesty notes are the mirror of its strengths: starting high means starting acclimatisation under pressure, so the summit rate sits below Lemosho's and the guide team monitors the group closely through the first nights on the plateau. It suits trekkers with recent altitude experience, a fixed seven-day calendar, and an appetite for the quietest corner of the mountain's western flank. Accommodation is camping throughout in private tents with full crew support. Summit attempts are conducted according to weather, trail conditions, altitude considerations and the assessment of the mountain guide team.
- 01Drive onto the Shira plateau on day one — start the trek at 3,500 metres
- 02The old Shira line, historical parent of the Lemosho Route
- 03Climb-high-sleep-low through Lava Tower down to Barranco
- 04Barranco Wall at dawn and the southern circuit to the summit
- 05The quietest corner of the mountain's western approaches
The full line, day by day.
Click any day below to read the full story — every day carries its own photo, elevation and overnight details.
Day 1: Londorosi Gate to Shira 1 Camp
The day begins with breakfast at your Moshi hotel and the drive to Londorosi Gate, where registration and park formalities are completed while the crew assembles. Here the route makes its characteristic move: rather than walking the forest belt, 4x4 vehicles carry the group up the rough mountain track to the Shira 1 starting point at around 3,500 metres — passing through rainforest and heather zones by road in a couple of hours. The first walk is short and gentle: a kilometre or two across the plateau's western edge to Shira 1 Camp, where the tents are already rising and the crew's kitchen is underway. The altitude is the day's real event — arriving at 3,500 metres after a morning at 1,100 — so the afternoon is deliberately quiet, with hydration, a short acclimatisation stroll and the guide's first plateau health check. Dinner in the dining tent and an early night close the day beneath the western breach wall.
FROM THE LINE
The route in pictures.
Press any photo to open it full-screen.
THE FINE PRINT
What the price covers.
Clear terms, no surprises on the mountain or the plain — every trip is quoted privately, per departure.
In the price
- Airport pick-up and drop-off between Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) and Moshi
- Two nights of hotel accommodation in Moshi — one night before the trek and one night after the trek, or alternatively any two nights
- All Kilimanjaro National Park fees, including applicable taxes
- All meals and unlimited drinking water while on the mountain
- Private toilet tent — one toilet for every five climbers (not applicable on the Marangu Route, which uses the park huts' facilities)
- Salaries for mountain guides, assistant guides, cooks, and porters
- Transportation to and from the park gate
- Oxygen for altitude-related emergencies
- Complete camping equipment: mountain tents, tables and chairs, cooking equipment, dining tent, and sleeping mattresses
- Please note: sleeping bags are NOT included — sleeping bags can be arranged separately upon request
Not included
- Mandatory inbound travel insurance certificate
- International flights to and from Tanzania
- Tanzania visa fees
- Personal travel insurance
- Personal mountain climbing equipment and gear
- Alcoholic and other personal beverages
- Tips and gratuities for the mountain crew
- Personal expenses not mentioned under the inclusions
- Please note: sleeping bags are not included — available to arrange on request
WE SUPPLY, YOU PACK
Four-season sleeping bag (rentable — sleeping bags are not included) · Broken-in boots, gaiters, down parka for summit night · Headlamp with spare batteries, 2-litre water capacity · Duffel up to 15 kg — the porters' hard limit
OPTIONAL COMFORT & TREK ADD-ONS
Enhance your climb.
Add any of these to your booking — tell your trip planner which options you would like.
Private tent
$100 per trekA private tent option for guests who prefer additional privacy during the mountain experience.
Luxury mattress
$35 per climberA 3-inch-thick, 2.5-foot-wide mattress, compared with the standard 1.5-inch-thick, 2-foot-wide mattress.
High-profile tent
$40 per tentA higher-profile tent option providing additional space and comfort.
Required when using a camp cot — add it separately if you book a cot.
Camp cot
$150 per cotAn optional raised sleeping arrangement for additional comfort.
A high-profile tent is required when using a camp cot.
Hot water bottle
FREE upon requestAvailable to help keep the sleeping bag warm during cold mountain nights.
Day pack porter
$10 per dayAn optional porter service for guests who prefer additional assistance carrying their day pack.
Gamow bag
$300 per trekAn optional altitude-support equipment service.
Post-climb massage
$20 per half hourA post-trek recovery option available after completing the climb.
Post-trek laundry service
$10/kgSame-day laundry service is available.
Please note: Some optional add-ons may require additional porters during the trek. The salaries for any additional porters required because of these services are included in the applicable add-on price.
