Mt Kenya is regarded as the most visually stunning of the ice-capped African peaks and is home to a great diversity of wildlife, including leopard, elephant and buffalo. It is an exhilarating and diverse trek, with only a tenth of the number of trekkers compared to Kilimanjaro.
The Chogoria Route offers the best combination of alpine scenery and acclimatisation and takes us through the spectacular Gorges Valley and Lake Mackenzie before traversing the Point Lenana summit (4985m).
Arrival and overnight in Nairobi
If you are arriving on the group flight you will be met and transferred to the Fairview Hotel for the rest of the day at leisure in Nairobi.
Mt Kenya National Park
This morning we head to Chogoria Village where in the afternoon you will ascend the steep and rutted track to the Bandas (cottages) in woodland near the Chogoria gate (9,396'/3,017m) of the Mt Kenya National Park where you will stay for two nights. Our gear will be transported by Land Rovers while we gain acclimatisation with our first walk at altitude.
Chogoria Bandas
Today is a good opportunity to acclimatise, as you will be staying at an altitude of around 3000m, as well as recover from jet lag and prepare and organise your gear for the trek ahead. There will also be opportunities to view some of the native wildlife (including elephants if you are lucky!) that live in this forest belt. The flora and fauna surrounding the Banda’s is prolific. A walk will be organised to stretch our legs and explore the area around the Banda’s.
Lake Ellis
The day starts slowly with a gentle game walk in the surrounding forest. Elephant, Buffalo, Antelope & Colobus monkey all live here as do Augur Buzzard & Verreaux's Eagle. After a late breakfast you will trek to Lake Ellis (11,480'/3,500m). Gradually the forest drops away and you enter a high moorland zone. Lake Ellis is a peaceful spot with good views of the main peaks - still 2 days trekking away.
Lake Michaelson
The initial trek away from the lake ascends gentle moorland to attain a ridge that eventually joins the main Chogoria route at its best viewpoint. After enjoying views of Vivienne Falls and the Gorges Valley we descend to the little visited Lake Michaelson (13,120'/4,000m) and possibly the most beautiful campsite on the walk. Overhead tower the cliffs of the Temple while Tacazze Sunbirds flit amongst the giant Groundsel & Lobelia and Hyraxes hop around in the rocks.
Simba Tarn
The trek now enters the Alpine Zone - after quite a boggy start to the walk the walking surface soon becomes scree. You will climb several steep slopes to the Tooth (15,416'/4,700m), from where it is a gentle contour to Simba Tarn at 14,956'/4,4560m, which you should reach in time for a late lunch.
Point Lenana (4985m), descend to Old Moses Camp (3000m)
After a hot drink you will leave at 5.00 am for the steep ascent (2 hours) of Point Lenana (16,355'/4,985m) in time for sunrise. Although the climb is straightforward, the final section is hard work at this altitude. From the summit it is often possible to see Mt Kilimanjaro 320km away as well as the nearby climbing peaks of Mt Kenya; Nelion and Batian which should be bathed in golden sunlight at this time of the morning. We descend back to Simba Tarn for a wellearned cooked breakfast, and continue our descent via the Sirimon Route via Old Moses Camp. The walk today is long and exhausting and will challenge even the fittest of walkers. However the thrill of standing on the roof of Kenya, will be sure to make the effort worth your while.
Descend to Sirimon, return to Nairobi
After breakfast we head through the Sirimon Valley and down through the lush forest belt to the Park Gate where your transport will be waiting to take you back to Nairobi at around 10am. Enroute we stop at Sweetwaters Game Reserve for a picnic lunch where you may experience up close some of Africa’s greatest species including Elephants as well as the conservation work that aids in preserving African wildlife. Around 3pm we drive on to Nairobi and the Fairview Hotel for your overnight accommodation, a shower and perhaps celebratory drink. We farewell our Kenyan crew on arrival in Nairobi.
Trip concludes in Nairobi
Trip arrangements conclude after breakfast in Nairobi. Transfers can be arranged by the hotel to the airport for an additional charge.
- 8 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 6 dinners
- Return transfers from Nairobi to Mt Kenya
- All park entrance fees Mt Kenya US$145 approx
- 2 nights accommodation at Fairview hotel in Nairobi
- 1 night at Lodge near Mt Kenya
- All group camping and catering equipment on the Mt Kenya (note: sleeping bags and mats are not provided)
- Services of porters and experienced guide
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