5 Days Mount Kenya Climbing Chogoria – Naro-Moru Route
The route is entirely a camping route, thus quite adventurous to the trekker, and at the same time, offers the most rewarding scenic views. Pack camping gear and supplies to strike out west up this long but spectacular approach through the deep chasm of the gorge valley.
The Gorges Valley is a major feature on the Chogoria Route. There is much wildlife in the forest, with monkeys in the trees, and the potential for seeing elephants, buffalo, and leopards. The road is not in good condition and requires careful driving and walking. Near the park gate, the bamboo zone starts, with grasses growing to 12 m high (40 ft).
Itinerary
Day 1: Chogoria/Mount Meru Bandas – 3hrs, 10km walk, 700m ascent
Pick up from your hotel or airport in Nairobi and drive to Chogoria town for lunch. After lunch, take a 4x4WD vehicle together with the porters and cook and drive for about 3 hours to the forest clearance, 22km from where the walk starts. You will walk for 10km through the forest along the dirt and sometimes very muddy road for 3 hours to reach Mount Meru Bandas at 2950m. Evening is spent looking for animals which usually come to drink water before dark. Dinner and overnight at Mt. Meru Bandas.
Day 2: Mount Meru Bandas / Road Head Camp, 3hrs, 8km, 350m ascent
After breakfast, follow the track through the giant heather and forest up to Chogoria road head, from where the path drops to cross a stream, then follows the broad ridge to the east of the gorge’s valley to reach Road Head Camp, taking approximately 3- 4 hours. Afternoon, visit the Nithi water fall. Dinner and overnight at Camp at 3300m.
Day 3: Road Head / Mintos Hut – 4- 5 hrs, 13km
After breakfast, follow the track through the Gorges Valley is a major feature on the Chogoria Route. Hot lunch will be served halfway by our cook. Later, proceed to the Mintos camp arriving late afternoon. After a 2 hrs rest, visit the amazing Temple View point, which is a large overhanging buttress overlooking Lake Michaelson, close to Hall Tarns. The views of the peaks, Lake Michaelson, The Temple, and across the valley to Delamere and Macmillan Peaks. Hall Tarns are situated right on the path and above The Temple, which is a 300 m (1,000 ft) cliff above Lake Michaelson. Dinner and overnight at Mintos campsite 4300m.
Day 4: Mintos/Point Lenana/Met Station – 9- 10 hrs, 23km, 785m ascent
Depart shortly after midnight at 2 am towards the main peaks after an hour. The path splits, heading west to Simba Col and southwest to Square Tarn. These are both on the Peak Circuit Route. The head of the valley, known as Temple Fields, arrives at point Lenana, 4985m, at 6:30 am. After taking photographs, descend to Mackinders for a full breakfast and later descend to the Met Station at 3050m for dinner and overnight.
Day 5: Met Station / Naromoru / Nairobi – 3hrs, 9km
After breakfast, descend through the rainforest, which is 9km to Naromoru Park Gate at 2,600m, where you will connect with your transport back to Nairobi, drop off at a hotel or airport for departure.
Important Information
Safari Inclusions:
- Professional certified mountain guides, porters & cooks
- All park entrance fees & camping fees
- Full board meals while on the mountain
- All camping equipment (tents, mattresses, kitchen equipment)
- All transportation to/from Nairobi
- Rescue and emergency support coordination
What to Bring:
- Warm layered clothing for cold summit nights
- Waterproof jacket, pants, and backpack cover
- High-quality trekking boots
- Sleeping bag rated to -10°C
- Trekking poles, headlamp, sunglasses, sunscreen
- Camera, water bottles, purification tablets, and a personal first aid kit
