Private Tour
Mt. Kilimanjaro: Shira plateau to Cathedral point 3872m Day hike
Overview
Available languages
12 hours
Mobile ticket
Cathedral point 3872m is on Mt. Kilimanjaro's shira Plateau.
Shira Plateau is one of the most fascinating and scenic areas on Kilimanjaro and it is the oldest peak of Mount Kilimanjaro raised to 3872m asl . It is well worth a visit to explore the ridges and moorland. The Shira Plateau area of Kilimanjaro offers a fantastic opportunity to get high on a big mountain and to hike around this impressive World Heritage Site as a day trip. Shira is a large, rocky plateau whose landscape was shaped by the lava that came from Mount Kilimanjaro when it was an active volcano. The plateau allows you to get a taste of this spectacular mountain and its many ecosystems and also provides a stunning view of the perpetually snow-capped summit of the world's tallest free-standing mountain.
Additional Info
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Start early at 06:30 am in the morning from your hotel with a drive to the western side of the mountain in which you will drive through the rich agriculture area at the base of the mountain, then to plantation forest up to Londorosi gate at 2250m asl. After all registrations and park formalities, move steadily up through indigenous montane rain forest, home to a variety of animals and birdlife. Spot different types of wildlife like colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, velvet monkeys, different types of birds like crested turacos, hornbill, and alpine chat. We will end the drive at Morum barrier at 3400m asl where you will begin a 7-hour hike. From this point at the edge of the plateau, hike total 17 kilometers as you follow the myriad of small animal tracks and meander your way across the plateau to Shira Cathedral point 3870m/12703 ft asl. Get a stunning view of Mt. Kilimanjaro peak and see the remains of a volcanic crater that expired around half a million years ago and is one of the world heritage sites. In the late afternoon or evening, walk back to Morum Barrier gate, where the vehicle will be waiting to transfer you back to the hotel
What‘s Included
Private transportation
Bottled water
Lunch
All Fees and Taxes
Guide fees
fligts
accommodation
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Options
kilimanjaro one day hike
Standard
Duration: 12 hours
Lunch Box and 1L of water
Shira Plateau.
Air conditioned
Pickup included
Reviews
7 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Fantastic hike to Cathedral Point
kathleen s,,Oct 1, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00Chuwa and Milton were AMAZING guides!! I am a 59 yr old female solo traveler and they made me comfortable and confident the entire trip. The altitude will kick your butt (at least it did mine), but Chuwa slowed the pace and I was able to go a long time before needing a break. They encouraged me when going up the last part of Cathedral Point, which is very rocky, and not something I normally do on hikes. They celebrated with me when we got to the top! Kilimanjaro was shrouded in clouds when we reached the top, but I thoroughly enjoyed the picnic lunch they brought while looking over the Shira plateau on one side and a beautiful green valley on the other side. I did get to see all of Kilimanjaro while hiking to Shira 1 camp, which is the first third of the hike. Can’t say enough good things about this hike and these guides!
Highlight as a day trip to Kilimanjaro
jograsi,,May 24, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A highlight of my backpacking trip through East Africa! From the organization in advance to the preliminary meeting the night before to the tour itself, everything was just perfect! With Goodwin as mountain guide, the tour was fantastic!
Exceptional experience and great achievement!
sarainwanderland,,Mar 14, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I cannot recommend this tour enough! 10/10. I did it a month ago, on Feb 16th. I reached out directly to Africa Pathways after seeing the tour online on third party websites. It was very useful to have direct contact as Alfred was exceptional in organising the tour for me and providing me all the information I need for the hike. Communication was consistent and clear on what I should be expecting. On the day of the hike, I was picked up by my driver Milton and mountain guide Godwin. It was a ~2.5hrs drive from Moshi to Kilimanjaro, but I did not feel it because of the interesting information they were telling me about Tanzania and pointing out of animals en route. Once we started the hike, Godwin’s knowledge about the region was incredible. I learnt a lot about the nature and plants too! Godwin was also a great photographer, taking cool videos and photos of me and the landscape. While I successfully made it to the top, the last part to get to the top was the most challenging, but Godwin was so patient and helpful. “Polé polé” is something you’d hear, it means take it slow. It’s important to take it slow since oxygen is lighter. All in all, the hike took me 6.5hrs, but it was the best feeling to sit at the top and have lunch with the views, so the challenge is 1000% worth it. And having Godwin as my guide made the experience wonderful! Since the altitude is so high, I will advise you do what you can to minimise the symptoms of altitude sickness (doesn’t affect everyone but if it does, it can include headache, nausea and vomiting). Stay hydrated throughout the hike, eat very well before the hike, sleep well and if you’d like, take some Diamox (16hrs before hike I believe). If you do get altitude sickness, you should be fine once you get back down to sea level after your hike. One more thing to note for any female solo travellers considering this tour, I was travelling solo, and felt very safe, cared for and respected throughout my trip! They’re a very friendly bunch! Thank you to Alfred, Godwin and Milton for this wonderful experience. Look forward to coming back and doing the full hike to Uhuru one day.
Good
625jeaninej,,Mar 12, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Lovely, good guide, good walk, not hard to do, no practice needed. The guide takes picture en you can enjoy your Day. Good lunch. Would recommend it. Thanks to mpemba.
Kili 3800 meters
Merryl42000,,Sep 7, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great hiking, perfect organization. As a bonus, we were able to meet giraffes on the road. Very nice guide. Alfred organizes all the outings you want.
Wonderful hike
SMartine1995,,Oct 7, 2019
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Had a great experience doing the one day hike at Kilimanjaro. Saw the wonderful nature in kilimanjaro National Park and a had super guide with a lot of experience.
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Operated by Africa Pathways Expeditions