Hike the oldest peak of Mount Kilimanjaro raised to 3870m asl. Discover unique vegetation, stunning views, vast plains of neighboring Amboseli National Park, and untouched land.
Cathedral point 3870m 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 3870m 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.
from Arusha and return
Licenced Mountain guide
Start early at 06:00 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.
See animal footprints and droppings of elephants, elands, buffalo, and lions as these western regions are frequently visited by a big game from Kenya’s Amboseli National Park which neighbours Kilimanjaro National Park and the less visited side of the mountain.
End the drive at Morum barrier at 3400m asl where you will begin a 6-hour hike. From this point at the edge of the plateau, hike in any direction as you follow the myriad of small animal tracks and meander your way across the plateau 8.5km 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
