| Duration: | 5 Day(s) - 4 Night(s) |
| Tour Category: | Mountain Climbing Adventures |
Tour Preview
The Chogoria route is our recommended and arguably the most magnificent ascent route to the summit area. It is the driest route up the mountain, and the walk beside the Gorges Valley is truly spectacular.
The descent via the Naro Moru route takes you through beautiful forest tracks and completes the traverse of the mountain.
Accommodation on this hike includes 2 nights in mountain huts/bandas and 2 nights camping. However, if you prefer, you can choose to camp throughout the entire trek.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Nairobi – Mt. Kenya Bandas (2,900m)
Depart from Nairobi early at 0700 hrs and drive towards the Mt. Kenya region, which is rich in agricultural produce, arriving at Chogoria town for lunch. After lunch, take a 4x4 drive to the edge of the bamboo forest, where the trek begins. Hike through dense bamboo forest for approximately 10 km to reach Mt. Kenya Bandas. Dinner and overnight at the camp.
Day 2: Mt. Kenya Bandas – Lake Ellis Campsite (3,600m)
After breakfast and sorting of porter loads, we set off up the mountain at a steady and easy pace. A slightly longer route via Lake Ellis offers scenic views of Mugi, Ithanguni, and the Giant’s Billiard Table. Alternatively, following the river near the road head upstream for about 3 km provides particularly beautiful foreground scenery and flora.
Enjoy lunch by the banks of a stream, then ascend the left-hand hillside to reach your campsite at approximately 3,600m, well away from the more crowded tourist areas.
Day 3: Lake Ellis – Mintos Camp (4,200m)
Depart early and follow a ridge off the beaten track for about 3 hours before joining the main Chogoria route at an altitude of about 4,100m. Enjoy breathtaking views over the Gorges Valley and back towards Ithanguni and the northern moorlands.
Lunch is served at a small stream crossing, followed by a further hour of trekking to the Mintos Hut area at 4,200m, where you will spend the night.
The afternoon is spent relaxing at camp, though a 10-minute walk to the “Temple” is well worth the effort. This dramatic 150-meter vertical cliff gets its name from the posture visitors often adopt when peering over the edge—they look as if they are praying.
Day 4: Mintos Camp – Pt. Lenana – Met. Station
Begin a pre-dawn start at 0300 hrs from Mintos Camp and attempt the third-highest peak, Pt. Lenana (4,985m), aiming to reach the summit by sunrise for spectacular views of the main peaks and the surrounding landscape. On a clear day, you may be able to see Uhuru Peak of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Take a few minutes for celebration and photos.
Then descend the western side of the mountain via Austrian Hut and continue down to Mackinder Hut for breakfast and rest. In the afternoon, hike for approximately 5 hours through the moorland to Met. Station for dinner and overnight.
Day 5: Met. Station – Naro Moru Park Gate – Nairobi
After breakfast, begin a pleasant 3-hour walk through the forest to Naro Moru Park Gate, where a vehicle will be waiting to transfer you back to Nairobi or your next destination. End of tour.
The Tour Includes:
Transfer from Nairobi to Mount Kenya
Transport to park gates
Transport from the park gates to Nairobi or your hotel
Mount Kenya National Park conservation (entry) fees
Mount Kenya National Park compulsory rescue fees
Mount Kenya National Park hut accommodation fees
Mount Kenya National Park trained, certified English-speaking guides
Mount Kenya National Park trained, certified English-speaking porters
One porter per person for personal mountain luggage (maximum 15 kg)
Mount Kenya National Park trained, certified cook/chef, utensils, cutlery, crockery, etc.
All meals during the Mount Kenya climbing expedition
Boiled water, tea, and coffee with meals
One basic first aid kit per group
The Tour Excludes:
Pre- and post-climb accommodation in Naro Moru (if required)
Any domestic or international flights
Specialised climbing equipment, such as oxygen cylinders (available at extra cost)
Travel insurance, visa, and passport fees
Increases in park fees where applicable
Personal mountain equipment such as sleeping bags, walking poles, mattresses, duffel bags, etc. (available at extra cost)
Metal water bottles and water bladders (please note: no soft plastics are permitted on the mountain)
Tips/gratuities for guides, porters, and cook
Beverages such as soda and alcoholic drinks
Additional unscheduled transfers from the park gates to Nairobi or the hotel
