The Chogoria route is the most scenic, with a thrilling view to summit Batian (5199m) on the Eastern side. The quieter walk along the Gorges Valley, rivers, tarns, and lakes stocked with rainbows and waterfalls is exhilarating. These sceneries have a fantastic charm that brings peace and solitude into magnificent mountain hikes. Chogoria route is the best to see elephants and buffalo in the lower forest above the bamboo forest and duiker, eland, and zebra at higher altitudes. The trail is longer and perfect for acclimatization over a great 8-day climb, then descend using the Sirimon route that passes through beautiful alpine scenery and impressive yellowwood forests.
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Highlights
Operating days: Every day
Departure time: 6 am
Duration: 8 days
Age Limit: 8 Limit
Single Supplement: $470
Departure point: Accommodation within Nairobi.
Arrival point: Accommodation within Nairobi.
Special instructions: please get in touch with Across Africa Tours & Travel to confirm your departure details at least one week before your first day of the visit.
Accommodation within Nairobi
1 hour before departure.
The Chogoria route is the most scenic, with a thrilling view to summit Batian (5199m) on the Eastern side. The quieter walk along the Gorges Valley, rivers, tarns, and lakes stocked with rainbows and waterfalls is exhilarating. These sceneries have a fantastic charm that brings peace and solitude into magnificent mountain hikes. Chogoria route is the best to see elephants and buffalo in the lower forest above the bamboo forest and duiker, eland, and zebra at higher altitudes. The trail is longer and perfect for acclimatization over a great 8-day climb, then descend using the Sirimon route that passes through beautiful alpine scenery and impressive yellowwood forests.
Gears/Equipment Needed
Gears
Climbing Equipment
First Aid and Toiletries
Our journey begins at 6 AM from Nairobi. We drive north to Chogoria town for early lunch before taking a 4X4WD Land rover that drives through the Camphor rain forest to Meru Bandas (2950m). A mouth-watering dinner will be served before we settle into our new surroundings. The stunning landscape view is a great place to relax and acclimate.
Accomodation:Meru Bandas.
Meal(s) Plan: Dinner.
After breakfast, we set off through giant heather and forest toward Lake Ellis. The giants’ Billiards Tables, Ithanguni, and Mugi’s spectacular view make the walk more fulfilling. The vegetation and foreground sceneries are lovely. From Lake Ellis, we cut up the left-hand hillside to Roadhead Camp. The trek will take approximately 4 hours, with an altitude gain of 350m. The Nithi water Falls near the roundhead camp and the Nithi River beside the base rejuvenate,enhancing optimum nervous system functionality. We will have a golden opportunity to visit Mau Mau Caves, where the water seeps through the rocks from the top surface. You can opt to camp in one of the dry Mau Mau Caves for a magnificent night.
Accommodation: The dry Mau caves Camps
Meal(s)Plan: Breakfast and Dinner.
We start the day with a nutritious breakfast before setting off to Mintos and enjoying the spectacular views of the rolling hill ahead. The breathtaking Gorges valley view makes the walk more exciting. Lunch is served at a small stream crossing before continuing to our next camp.This trek takes approximately 4 hours to reach the Mintos campsite for a night. After relaxing,we take about a 10-minute walk to the temple, a 150 m vertical cliff. It got this name from the position of the visitors’ peer over the edge as if they are praying.
Accommodation:Mintos campsite
Meal(s)Plan: Breakfast and Lunch.
On day four, we ascend to Lenana Peak (4985m), the third-highest peak on Mount Kenya, along the foot of huge rock walls, where we enjoy stunning views of Mt. Kenya’s highest snow-capped peak (Batian). We later traverse to an Austrian hut from tooth cool point for dinner and overnight.
Accomodation:Austrian hut
Meal(s)Plan: Breakfast and Dinner
We start the day with a healthy breakfast before setting off on a technical rock climbing trek towards Nelion, the second-highest peak on Mount Kenya. The altitude gain on this trek is 400m, and it will take approximately 6 hours to reach theNelion summit. The route is known for its famous features, such as “1 o’clock gully,” “TheAmphitheatre,” and “De Graf’s Variation.”
Accomodation:theNelion summit.
Meal(s) plan: Breakfast and Dinner.
Traverse Nelion to Batian Peak, the highest peak on Mount Kenya, via the “Gates of Mist.” The trek involves dropping some 35m off Nelion and climbing a further 50m to reach the Batian summit. This trek will take about 5 hours to complete, and the route depends on ice levels within the “Gates of Mist.” A night in Howell Hut, located on the Nelion summit, is recommended before descending the following morning.
Accomodation:Howell Hut.
Meal(s)Plan: Breakfast and Dinner
On the seventh day of the Mount Kenya climbing expedition, we descend from Nelion peak(5188m) to the Austrian Hut (4790m) and continue down to Old Moses camp (3300m). Therappelling from Nelion peak to the Austrian Hut will take around 5 hours. After reaching theAustrian Hut, we rest and then continue down to Old Moses camp, where we spend the night.This descent from Nelion peak to Old Moses camp is about 1890m and takes approximately 8 hours to complete. We will be tired after a long day of
rappelling and descending, but we will feel accomplished for having completed the climb.
Accomodation;Old Moses camp.
Meal(s)Plan: Breakfast and Dinner
The warm morning rays full of birds’ chanting call and a beautifully vibrant vistas scenery welcome the day—a good day to enjoy the achievement before descending from Old Moses camp (3300m). We pass through the rainforest, enjoying the lush vegetation and beautiful scenery to Sirimon gate (2600m. After lunch, we drive back to Nairobi(1800m), marking the end of our incredible Mount Kenya climbing expedition.
Meal(s) Plan: Breakfast and Lunch.
