Mt.Kenya 6 Days up Chogoria route
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Mt. Kenya is a broad, largely symmetrical volcanic cone with a diameter of about 120km. and was formed between 2.6 and 3.1 million. It was possible that the original volcano was over 7000m in height, more than 2000 meters higher than today. Of the main peaks to the mountain, Batian 5,199m and Nelion 5,188m are only accessible to technical mountaineers, whilst Lenana, 4,985m, is accessible to trekkers.
The itinerary described below is that which many of our clients use, however weather conditions, client fitness, and other factors, may require that we alter timings and route, indeed many clients request slightly different routings etc or to stay longer in particular area.
We are also able to offer clients the choice of different guides to suit different requirements or budgets. These range from our own locally trained guides, to a European guide holding the UK MLTB Mountain Leader (ML) Award, through to the company’s founder - a climber of international experience.
Day 1
Pick up from JKIA or Nairobi for the transfer to “River Camp” (2hrs), on the banks of the Tana River, and our base for the White-water Rafting. With tea and coffee you have a briefing, and sorting out of kit not required on the mountain. Continue the journey on to Chogoria where meet the porters and the start of the track up the mountain. We enter the forest at 1600m. Dependent on time, weather conditions or client preferences, we have the option to continue in the vehicles to a clearing at 2,400m - perhaps walking some of the way. Most climbers opt to camp here, though some do prefer the additional 7 km to the Park Gate at 2,950m. Evening meal is served around a camp fire, and an early night is probably on the cards. You retire to the tents and to the bizarre sounds of the Mt Kenya rain forest.
Day 2
Breakfast is serviced at about 0700, after which bags are packed and you leave the campsite on foot up through the remaining top section of the rain forest and on through the bamboo zone to the National Park Gate , Whilst Park Fees are being sorted out, snacks will be available before setting off on the remainder of the days walk to a secluded campsite near to the old Urumandi Hut. After lunch, option of just crashing out, or a short walks can be taken Nithi Falls and “The Gates”.
Day 3
Another hearty breakfast. From the camp, cross over a small ridge, back onto the main tourist track for about an hour, until we are able to take a right turn and head up towards Mugi Hill and Lake Ellis 3200m and where we have lunch. A decent rest after lunch before we head off cross country to our own private campsite next to a small stream. As we use different approaches every trip there are no tracks or paths to our camp, and the walk through the tussock grass, heather and proteas is quite beautiful, particularly when some of the other flowers are in bloom - gladiolus, kniphofra and senecio
Day 4
Similar start to the. Again well off the beaten track to follow a ridge up the mountain for about 3 hours to eventually join the tourist track on the normal Chogoria route at an altitude of about 4,100m. Breath taking over the Gorges Valley and back over towards Itinguni and the Northern Moorlands. Lunch is served at a small stream crossing, before continuing for a further hour to the Mintos Hut area, 4200m and our nights rest. Afternoon relaxing at camp, though a 10 minute walk to the “Temple” is well worth the effort. This is a 500ft vertical cliff that gets its name from the position visitors often adopt when peering over the edge - they look as if they are praying. An early night is recommended as you are attempting the summit next day.
Day 5
You are woken at 3am in the morning _(did you actually sleep at all), with a cup of tea or coffee. The majority of the walk is in the dark so you are at least well on the way to Pt Lenana, via Simba Col by sun rise. The final grunt to the top - hopefully before the clouds have started to move in and the celebratory photos of you on victorious on the summit. We depart the peak via the same route as far as Simba Col. Here we turn left and head on down a steep scree slope to Shiptons Camp, arriving late morning. A well deserved rest for a couple of hours, before the final 2 hours walk heading down the mountain along the Sirimon route to the Liki North area 3990m for the night. Early dinner then BED!!!.
Day 6
A very easy last day on the mountain, with just 21/2 hours of walking to the roadhead at Judmier camp 3350m and another 1h 45m on to the park gate where your transport awaits you. Enjoy the journey back to Sagana or Nairobi depending on what the remainder of you safari might.
All the costs include food, drink, tents, park fees, porters and guide, transport and transfers. It does not include any hotels in Nairobi or an extra night at Sagana.
This Itinerary can be extended to include technical climbing on the mountain, white water rafting and visits to game parks.
All prices in Sterling Pounds (£)/person and subject to change.
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Revised:
08 May 2005