Climbing Kilimanjaro via Machame Route - Day 2 - Machame Camp - Shira Cave

This route is part of the ascent of Kilimanjaro via the Machame route

Day 2: Machame Camp - Shira Cave (3600m) - 9 km

We have left the rainforest and are now trekking through an area of ever lower vegetation . The path also becomes rockier.

We follow a good path that constantly goes up and down through and over mountain ranges. Every now and then we come across water. The view is beautiful. In front of us and behind us, in the distance, we see the trail where other climbers go, we rise above the cloud line . The paths become more confusing and sometimes we have to take a serious step to scale the rocks. Every now and then we pass a small bed that normally has some water running through it, but now it seems too dry. µ

As we reach the top of a ridge , we are rewarded with a beautiful view. After a small descent to the west we reach the 14 ha Shira Cave (3600 m), a windy plateau where the tents are pitched. Good visibility and we can see the summit in the distance. From here it is 30 minutes to Shira Camp (3840m) but we don't have to go there.

For acclimatization we leave at 4pm for a 1 hour journey to 4000m. Once at the top we take a 15 minute break and then climb back to the camp.

Be sure to consult the information about the sights here once you are on site. They explain what you get to see!

02/2006 R12/2022