Kilimanjaro Climbing By Car, Day Trip For Non-summit People
About this tour
Take a day trip to the Shira Plateau of Kilimanjaro for the best views of Mount Kilimanjaro. Climb to the top of the Shira Plateau, the oldest peak of Kilimanjaro, and capture photos of the area.
Shira Route is Kilimanjaro’s newest route. Being the longest way to Uhuru Peak makes it the least frequented. The route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the west, beginning with a long drive from Moshi to Shira Ridge. The vehicle bypasses the rainforest zone, and the hiking trail begins on Shira Ridge. The Shira route crosses the entire Shira Plateau from west to east in a pleasant, relatively flat hike. Then the route traverses underneath Kilimanjaro's Southern Ice Field on a path known as the Southern Circuit before summiting from Barafu for the summit people.
Shira Route is also the only route that makes an arc of 270°, allowing you to see different aspects of the Kibo Volcano This makes climbing Kilimanjaro on the Northern Circuit Route highly popular amongst photographers. Moreover, the longer duration of this trek makes for better acclimatization and an easier climb to Uhuru Peak for the summit people.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Moshi, Tanzania
FULL-DAY TRIP KILIMANJARO CLIMBING BY CAR FOR NON-SUMMIT PEOPLE You can drive up a section of Mt. Kilimanjaro, but you can't get to the summit of the mountain using a vehicle. The closest you can get to the top of Kilimanjaro using a vehicle is by taking the Shira rout,e which will drive you up the slopes of Kilimanjaro to (3400m) 11,000 ft. This is all about this tour. Drive to Kilimanjaro National Park Londorossi Gate, Drive to Morum Hike to Shira one 3600M Cathedral Point 3962m Your short one-day trekking excursion starts early in the morning from your hotel in Moshi and drives up to the west side of Kilimanjaro where you drive through the rich agricultural area at the foot of the mountain to the gate of Londorosi. After all check-ins, you will be driven steadily through the native montane rainforest, home to a variety of animals and birds. With the help of the guide, ranger, and driver, you will be able to spot different species of wildlife such as colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, velvet monkeys, and various species of birds. Then drive to the Morum barrier at 3400m where the trek to Cathedral Point Summit begins. The hiking route takes 3 hours. to the view of the Shira Plateau, the breathtaking view of the top of Kilimanjaro, and finally the top of the Shira Cathedral. The Shira Plateau shows the remains of an ancient caldera, a volcanic crater that became extinct about half a million years ago and is a World Heritage Site. In the evening the trekkers trek back to the Morum Barrier Gate where the vehicle will be waiting for them to take them back to their accommodation in Moshi. Approx trekking time: 2-4+ hours Approx trekking distance: 8 km / 5mi Start Altitude: 3405m or 11170ft End Altitude: 3405m or 11170ft The highest Altitude reached: 3962m or 1.2999ft and above Altitude +gain / -loss: 557m or +1827ft / -557m or -1827ft
What's included
Transport in 4X4 Toyota Land Cruisers with pop-up roof for game viewing. Gasoline fee Toll fee Professional English-speaking Guide Entry fees, Lunch box National park fee Government tax Bottled drinking water
Flight Insurance Tipping for your guide Personal nature expenses
Languages spoken
What to know
To visit Tanzania, you need a valid passport (at least 6 months beyond your stay) and a tourist visa. You can apply for a visa online before your trip or get one upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport. However, getting it in advance is recommended to avoid long queues and potential delays. Visas typically cost around $50, although US citizens may pay $100. UK, US, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, India, and most EU citizens need a visa to enter Tanzania. You can also apply online at Tanzania eVisa. Make sure to read the guidelines and ensure you are entering through an approved entry point. Where to obtain a Tanzanian visa In Dar es Salaam: The Office of the Director of Immigration Services In Zanzibar: The Office of the Principal Immigration Officer Abroad: Any Tanzanian Embassy or High Commission or via the Tanzania Immigration Services website Entry points to Tanzania: Any gazette entry point, including international airports, Zanzibar Airport, the port of Kigoma, Horohoro, Sirari, Tunduma, and Nagama Please be advised that, whilst we make every effort to provide you with accurate and up-to-date information, travel requirements can change quickly and sometimes without notice. We urge you to double-check the visa and passport requirements for your trip, and consult with an embassy or consulate.
Route & locations
Moshi, Tanzania