Ascending Mt Kenya via the Chogoria route is the most scenic option as it takes you through epic landscapes such as waterfalls, lakes, rain forests and alpine vegetations to spotting some wildlife such as waterbucks, buffaloes and elephants when very lucky. There’s no mountain huts along this route but we use quality, waterproof and spacious tents. Taking down the Sirimon route offers combination of the two most scenic routes of the mountain.
This program not suitable for slow hikers as on last day one required to exit the park in good time to avoid charged extra park fees by the park wardens. Moreover, will recommend to many doing this in 5 days.
Below is an itinerary starting from Nairobi hotel/Residence 4 days 3 nights Mt Kenya hiking via Chogoria down Sirimon route back to Nairobi.
Hike Highlights;
⦁ Start/Finish Nairobi
⦁ 3-night camping beside lakes
⦁ Difficult
⦁ Not suitable for slow descending hikers
⦁ Guide, cook & porters service
⦁ Scenic sceneries like Nithi waterfalls
⦁ Guide, porters & cook service
⦁ 24/7 Service
* Transport from Nairobi and back in a private ride unless stated otherwise.
* Park entry & camping fees and government taxes
* Porters, Cook and Guiding Services
* Guaranteed guided trip
* Accommodation in quality mountain tents with mattress.
* 3 meals a day & boiled water whilst on the mountain
* Personal insurance, baggage, health & travel
* Personal snacks
* Hiring of gears e.g. Sleeping bags, Jackets, hiking boots etc
* Tips for the service crew
* Wildlife Safari (though we can organize too at extra costs)
* Nairobi hotel accommodation (though we can organize too at extra costs)
* Anything else not listed on the inclusions clause.
Drive Time; 4-5hrs
Hiking distance; 9km in 2.5 – 3hrs
Dinner and Overnight at the camp
Vegetation Zone; Tropical Forests & Giant Heather
Altitude Gain from Nairobi; 1,650m
Meal Plan; Lunch & Dinner
Leave from Nairobi hotel and drive towards the north eastern side of Kenya arriving Chogoria town in 4 hrs. It’s from here you’ll meet the rest of climbing crew and proceed for another hour after checking the entrance through the forest with high chances of spotting wildlife to the starting of the hike. Have lunch and start hiking via Nithi waterfalls transversing to your camp for overnight.
Hiking time 6-7 hours for 9km
Vegetation Zone; Alpine and moorland vegetation
Altitude Gain; 650m.
Altitude Drop; 300m
Meal Plan; Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After having breakfast, leave the camp at around 7:30am, hit the trail through alpine and moorland vegetation over gorges ridge arriving Camp in 6-7 hrs. Lunch will have been packed for you.
Vegetation Zone; Giant Heather to bare rocks
Altitude gain; 800m
Meal Plan; Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Hiking Distance; 4km
After breakfast and packing, leave camp trekking up the ridge with beautiful views of the Gorges valley and the temple sheer cliffs. Arrive camp in the afternoon for lunch and Acclimatization.
Altitude Gain from Simba tarn to Summit; 385m.
Altitude Drop from Summit to Old Moses Camp; 1,685m.
Vegetation Zone; Bare rocks, Giant Heather to moorland and alpine vegetation.
Total hiking Distance; 18km in 11-13Hrs
Wake up at 0300hrs and have a simple breakfast and start trekking in the dark to the Summit (point Lenana 4985m above sea level) to catch up with sunrise. This is the most demanding day of the trip both mentally and physically. After taking some pictures on the Summit start descending via Sirimon for full breakfast at Shiptons camp.
After resting and breakfast, continue hiking down along the Mackinders valley arriving Old Moses camp in 6-7 hours connecting with your ride back to Nairobi or onward destination after you exit the park.
