At 19,340 feet (5,890 meters), the great massif of Kilimanjaro looms above the cloud forest, crowned with snow. It is an imposing sight and a challenging climb, but one that anyone in good condition can complete when the pace of the climb is adjusted responsibly to accommodate increasing altitude. We do the climb in 8 days. At this pace, we achieve an impressive 98% success rate. (Be wary of expeditions that do it too fast. Altitude sickness is the number one cause of failure to summit.)

The route we take is not the popular Marangu Route, known to locals as the cola or tourist route. Our route begins far from tourist crowds, approaching the mountain across a seldom-traveled wilderness known as the Shira Plateau. We take you up past an ice-clad wall known as the Western Breach. This route is the Kilimanjaro of old, a beautiful and powerful experience.

And when you come back down the mountain, you can add on a safari extension, exploring the hidden world of Ngorongoro Crater or the Serengeti.

Kia Lodge, Arusha

Mountain Camps with Mountain Hardware Dome Tents
Camp Sites at:
     Forest Camp
     Shira Plateau
     Lava Tower Camp
     Summit Crater Camp
     Mweka Hut
     Moir Camp
     Arrow Glacier Camp

Moivaro Coffee Lodge, Arusha

• Seldom-traveled route away from tourist crowds. The Shira Route is a true expedition pioneered by Everest mountaineers who have carefully designed this trip to balance adventure with attainability.


• Gradual acclimatization maximizes likelihood of summitting. Skillful planning by real mountaineers yields a 98% summit rate.


• The trip is accessible to a wide range of skills, abilities and fitness levels.


• Finish with an optional photography safari encountering elephants, lions, and much more.

Arrival and departure in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. Prices do not include international air travel.
Custom Itineraries Available December through March and June through October. Climbing Kilimanjaro is not
recommended in April and May as it is rainy season.
All itineraries and prices are subject to change.

Create your own safari extension January through March and June through December. Prices range from $350 per person/day to $600 per person/day. Please ask for details.