Leaving Shira camp 1 you can stay on main trail (most people do) to go fairly straight to Shira camp 2 - this day is generally considered a bit of a relaxing day due to the only small amount on ascent. The entire time you have the phantastic Mt. Kilimanjaro views. You conquer the Shira basin and have surrounding views of the crater like walls in the distance. After about 45 minutes you have the option of going rather to cathedral point. This adds perhaps 1-2 km, but I highly recommend it. One passes a swampy area and beautiful Stoney areas with abundant white everlasting white flowers and mountain thistle among many other high altitude flowers. Then you reach basically the wall of the Shira basin and climb through rocky trails and brushwork up to the cliffs that allow amazing views. This part of trail is not easy both due the heat and the loose rocks and dust. The last portion of the trail up to cathedral point viewpoint requires some climbing. Not too hard but there are cliffs and it’s not for the person with fear of heights. Once there beautiful views of Kilimanjaro and Mt.Meru. Stunning. You also see the Machame trail to the east and the beautiful cloud cover over Tanzania. Once done you descent from there it’s a slow up and down to Shira camp 2. Altogether less taxing then day 2, but the excursion adds a bit of effort
