7 Days Mount Kenya Trekking Chogoria / Sirimon Route
This is one of the best and most scenic routes, both for the summit hikers and lovers of nature. This is mainly because the hike takes you through dense rain forest, which encircles the lower slopes of the mountain, which is home to elephants, Cape buffalo, leopards, and primates. Then traverse the vast moorlands, past undulating grassy valleys and deep rocky gorges, through some of the most fabulous vegetation on our planet. All these make this route the best route for the hike to Mt.Kenya, due to its amazing fauna and flora also gives enough time for acclimatisation needed before the summit day.
Itinerary
Day 1 : Nairobi / Mt Kenya Bandas (2,950m)
Depart from Nairobi morning hrs, driving through agricultural country up to Chogoria town for lunch. After lunch, we take a 4×4 jeep and drive up to the edge of the bamboo forest, where we start our trek through the dense bamboo forest for a distance of 10 km up to the Mt Kenya Bandas. Evening, we will have a nature walk around the bandas through the water points where buffalo, antelopes, and other animals come to drink water before sunset. dinner and overnight at the Bandas.
Day 2: Mt.Kenya Bandas / Lake Ellis Campsite (3400m)
Chogoria bandas to Lake Ellis (altitude: 3400m). After breakfast, we set off up the mountain at a nice and easy pace. The views of Mugi, Ithanguni, and the Giants Billiards Table are very scenic. We follow the track as it leads up through glades of montane forest, with plenty of wildlife around, to our camp on the shores of Lake Ellis. We will arrive at our camp after about an hour’s walk in time for lunch. After a short rest period in the late afternoon, we will walk for about one and a half hours to the Nithi water fall, which is very scenic, before returning to the camp for dinner and overnight. Distance 9 km.
Day 3: Lake Ellis / Lake Michaelson campsite (3975m)
Lake Ellis to Lake Michaelson (altitude: 3975m). Early Morning, we set off, climbing away from Lake Ellis on its west side, across moorland up to a ridge which eventually joins the main Chogoria trail. We have views of Vivienne Falls and the Gorges Valley as we descend to the most picturesque campsite in the range, at Lake Michaelson. Above the camp are the impressive cliffs of the ‘Temple’. Exotic-looking bird species, including the Tacazze sunbird, can be seen close to the camp amongst the bizarre giant plants, principally cabbage groundsel and lobelia. This day is about 5-6 hours of walking. We arrive at the most impressive campsite on the mountain with the gorge valley plunging down nearly 250m into Lake Michaelson. (Fishing for rainbow trout is also possible in Lake Michaelson.) Lunch on the way, dinner, and overnight at the camp. Distance 13 km.
Day 4: Lake Michaelson campsite / Shipton camp (4200m).
Today, we begin our trek ascending up along the foot of huge rock walls. From the top, we`ll have an excellent view of Mt. Kenya. After ascending for a couple of hours, you reach Simba Col. From here, you descend down Mackinder’s valley to Shipton Hut at 4200m. Lunch, dinner, and overnight at the camp. Distance 7 km. Time 3hrs.
Day 5: Extra day at Shipton 4200m / (Acclimatisation day).
These day you will have a short hike at the base of the main peaks through the western terminal side going as high as 4600m, and coming back to the camp for your hot lunch followed by a rest in the afternoon. These will give you enough preparation for the summit. Time 3hrs
Day 6: Shipton camp / Pt.Lenana 4985m / Old Moses Camp 3300m
After a pre-breakfast of tea and cookies depart from the camp at 3.30am for the summit Pt.Lenana 4985m.which is the 3rd highest peak of Mt.Kenya.Depart for predawn attempt, climbing for 3 hour across bare rock and scree slopes characteristic of the alpine region up to Pt Lenana – the hiker`s summit, arriving in time to catch the African sunrise. If clear weather you can see the summit of Kilimanjaro Uhuru peak 5895m. Which 320km away to the south. Descend down to shiptons camp for your full beakfast and short rest. Later we begin a 6 hour descent via Mackinder`s valley to the Old Moses camp (3,300m). The descent is gentle and it offers ample time to enjoy fascinating scenery which includes the moorlands before reaching the camp. Lunch on the way dinner and overnight at the camp. Distance 14Km.
Day 7 : Old Moses camp / Nairobi.
After an early morning breakfast, descend for 2 hours up to the Sirimon Park gate to catch a vehicle for the return journey to Nanyuki for lunch. Later transfer back to Nairobi, arriving at a hotel or airport for departure.
Important Information
Safari Inclusions:
- Professional certified guides, porters & cooks
- All park entrance fees, permits & camping fees
- Full board meals on the mountain
- All transfers from Nairobi & back
- Accommodation in mountain huts, bandas & tents
- All camping gear provided (tents, mattresses, kitchen equipment)
- Rescue & emergency support
What to Bring:
- Sturdy hiking boots & warm layered clothing
- Waterproof jacket & pants
- Sleeping bag rated to -10°C
- Trekking poles, headlamp, sunglasses, sunscreen
- Water bottles, purification tablets
- Camera & personal first-aid supplies
