1-Day Trip Shira-Londrossi Gate

This exceptionally demanding but rewarding day begins with a very early private departure from Arusha, embarking on the long drive towards the western side of Kilimanjaro to the Londrossi Gate. Unlike the other routes, this trip prioritizes immediate high-altitude exposure. After completing entry formalities at the Londrossi Gate, your private 4x4 vehicle will continue past the forest line, traversing the rough track up to the Shira Gate (3,500m / 11,483ft), an elevation which is higher than the finish point of the other day hikes. This dramatic change in environment transports you immediately into the moorland and alpine-desert zones. Your hike begins directly on the Shira Plateau, a massive, ancient collapsed volcanic caldera. The landscape here is dramatically different: expansive, treeless, and offering sweeping, unparalleled views of Kibo's peak and the surrounding plains.