Mt.KENYA CLIMBING
Mount KENYA Climbing
Mount Kenya:
At 5199m high, Mount Kenya is the highest mountain in Kenya. It consists of three distinct zones; the volcanic peak zone, the alpine zone, and lower slopes, with their thick forest and bamboo vegetation.
Mount Kenya, straddling the equator, it's icy summit reaches to 5,199 m. The National Park consists of all areas above 3,200 m. The mountain actually consists of three distinct zones: the volcanic peak zone, with its endless glaciers and snowfields; the alpine zone, with its distinctive giant vegetation such as groundsels; and the lower slopes, with their thick forest and bamboo vegetation.
Climbing Mount Kenya is a challenge requiring extensive mountain climbing skills. To climb to the highest peaks-Batian and Nelion, one requires ropes, ice-axes and other specialized climbing gear. The two peaks can be attempted by experienced climbers. Non-experienced climbers have managed to reach point Lenana 4,970 meters ( 16,300ft) commonly called the "Tourist Peak". Nevertheless, most visitors are able to reach the more accessible Point Lenana at 4985m and many visitors enjoy the simple high altitude walks.
Animals like elephant, buffalo, antelope, lion and rare bongo can be found at the bottom of the mountain.Access to Mount Kenya National Park is by three routes: the Naro Moru Route; the Chogoria Route; and the Sirimon Route.
The Naro Moru route is from the western slopes of the mountain, beginning in the small town of Naro Moru on the A2 Muranga - Nanyuki road. This route is very steep.
The Chogoria route begins near the small town by the same name, 2 kms to the west of the B6 Embu - Meru road, about 150 kms north of Nairobi. From Chogoria town, you must travel 6 kms to the forest gate and from the forest gate, a further 23 kms to the Park gate. The thick forest on the route to the Park gate are home to antelope and elephants, making this approach to the Park interesting for game enthusiasts.
Sirimon route begins near the small town of Timau on the A2 Nanyuki - Isiolo road north of the mountain. The road to the Park gate leaves the main road 1 km from the bridge over the Sirimon River. This is the least used access point to the park because of the rough and hilly terrain it must pass through.
ROUTES TO THE THE SUMMIT:
Sirimon Route Mount Kenya Hike
5 DAYS SIRIMON ROUTE
Park : Mt Kenya National Park
Grade : B- moderate. Up to 6.5 hours / 15 miles per day.
ApproximateTrekking Distance: 60 KMS
Starts : Nairobi/ Ends : Nairobi
Departure Day: Any Day
Accomodation :Standard Lodge and Tent While trekking
participants MINIMUM : 2 participants
Activities :Hiking and trekking,Plants naming,bird watch , wildlife encounter ,photography
DAY 01: NAIROBI - NANYUKI TOWN
Departure from Nairobi is at 0900 hrs(either from hotel or airport) to Nanyuki
and stop at the Equator briefly. Continue to Nanyuki where you check in your hotel. Afternoon is spend preparing for the hike.A COMPLIMENTARY walking tour to the EQUATOR. Dinner and overnight at the Nanyuki simbas lodge.
DAY 02: NANYUKI TOWN - OLD MOSES
After breakfast transfer to Sirimon gate and hike to Old Moses camp for overnight (3300m), 3 to 4 hrs hikes (9kms). Old Moses is where you acclimatize as you also come across different vegetation.
DAY 03: OLD MOSES - SHIPTON'S CAMP
After breakfast Hike to Shipton's camp (4200m )through Liki and Makinders valley for overnight (6 to 8 hrs hikes) 17 kms.
DAY 04: SHIPTON'S CAMP - OLD MOSES
Attempt point Lenana (4985m) at 0300 hrs and descend directly to Old Moses (Judmair) Camp for overnight.
DAY 5: OLD MOSES - NAIROBI
After breakfast descend to Sirimon Park Gate to catch your vehicle to Nairobi or your next destination
Price includes
Return transfer Nairobi -Nanyuki/-Nairobi
3 meals per day while trekking
3 days Mt. Kenya trek
accommodation while trekking
All government park fees at Mt Kenya National Park
English Speaking Mountain Guides and Porters
Accomodation at Nanyuki Simbas Lodge
What you need to carry:
Gloves, Sun glasses, Sleeping bag, Hats , Rain suits, Warm Jacket, Heavy boots, Scarf's, Rain Trousers.
NB.Price is exclusive of first and last Night accomodation in Nairobi.
5 DAYS NARO MORU ROUTE HIKE
DAY 1.NAIROBI -NAROMORU
Depart from Nairobi for Naro Moru town arriving in time for lunch at Naro Moru river lodge. You will meet your guide who will help you to prepare your equipment ready to start your climb and to answer your questions before hand. Rest of the day spent acclimatizing.
DAY 2.NAROMORU -MET STATION
After breakfast drive to the main gate where you will commence your climb to the mountain, ascending 10km through the rain forest to the Met Station where you will spend the night. Dinner and overnight at Met Station.
DAY 3.MET STATION - MACKINDRE'S CAMP
After breakfast continue ascent to Mackinders camp. Dinner and overnight at Mackinder camp.
DAY 4.MACKINDER'S CAMP -POINT LENANA -MET STATION
Very early morning start (0230hrs) and attempt to climb to point Lenana at 17,058 ft. Thereafter commence your descent to Mackinder's Camp for a hearty breakfast and continue down to the Met Station for dinner and overnight stay.
DAY 5.MET STATION -NAIROBI
After breakfast descent to the last section of the mountain to Naromoru Gate for a check out and back to Nairobi or conncet to another destination.
CHOGORIA ROUTE HIKE:
5 DAYS CHOGORIA ROUTE CLIMB/HIKE
The Chogoria route is the most scenic and interesting of the three main routes on the mountain.
The route passes the enchanting Hall Tarns and looks down sheer cliffs into the spectacular Gorges Valley and onto the beautiful Lake Michaelson. This route leads from Chogoria town up to the peaks circuit. The 32 km (20 miles) from the forest gate to the park gate are often done by vehicle, but it is also possible to walk. There is much wildlife in the forest, with safari ant columns crossing the track, monkeys in the trees, and the potential for seeing elephant, buffalo and leopard. 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).
Once in the park the track passes through rosewood forests, with lichens hanging from the branches. At one point the path splits, with the smaller track leading to a path up the nearby Mugi Hill and across to Lake Ellis.
The Temple is a large overhanging buttress overlooking Lake Michaelson, close to Hall Tarns.
Near the trailhead a small bridge crosses the Nithi stream. Following the stream downriver a few hundred metres (yards) leads to The Gates Waterfall. The path heads up a ridge above the Gorges Valley, with views to 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.
As the path carries on it crosses the flat head of the Nithi River and then the slope becomes steeper. The path splits, heading west to Simba Col, and south west to Square Tarn. These are both on the Peak Circuit Route.
DAY 1.NAIROBI -CHOGORIA TOWN
After breakfast we depart Nairobi and head to Chogoria town arriving in time for lunch at the Transit hotel. The journey takes 3 to 3.5 hours. Afternoon will be spent walking around the town for acclimatization. Dinner and overnight at the Transit Hotel.
Mt Kenya trekking
DAY 2.CHOGORIA -BANDAS
After breakfast we take 4x4 and drive up to the edge of the bamboo forest where we start our trekking through the dense bamboo forest for distance of 10 km up to the Bandas for lunch. Afternoon will be spent walking around the lodge with a view of beautiful sceneries. Dinner and overnight at the Bandas.(accommodation at Bandas is of single beds.hot shower and bon fire self catering bandas)
DAY 3.BANDAS -MINTOS.
Leave early in the mornig for a long day hike to the Montos camp.Have enroute lunch and later dinner and overnight at the camp.
DAY 4. MINTOS -LENANA -BANDAS
Leave very early intge mornig to attempt thge summit.Later come back to Mintos Hut for breakfast and desecnd down to Bandas for overnight.
DAY 5.BANDAS -NAIROBI
After breakfast proceed to Chgoria town to connect back to Nairobi o continue to another destination.