Mount Kenya Over View
Mount Kenya is Africa's second highest mountain standing at 5,199m, poised
magnificently on the equator. Her spectacular snow- capped peaks create a
stunning backdrop all year- round, and are crowned to be the only snow-
blessed point on the equator. Africa's most stunning mountain treasures
sweeping valleys infused with jeweled streams and lucent- colored birds
who will befriend you on sight. Mount Kenya's prestigious peaks are prized
as the top rock climbing cliffs in East Africa,promising you soaring views
from directly over top the equator.
Burget - Chogoria Route
This is the route we proudly boast about, having relaunched it ourselves after more than 30 years of dis-use. The route was pioneered during colonial days and then abandoned for many years until it was re-opened by us in the early 90s. Going up this route is quite challenging: rough underfoot going through bushy track more used by wild animals than humans, muddy when wet, no huts and with dense stands of giant bamboo and montane forest. So why are we so passionate about it? Well, it's for those who want a different experience away from the crowd. It provides a unique and completely natural mountain trekking experience. Up to Point Lenana then descent on the Chogoria route provides the most spectacular views and completes a traverse of the mountain. Accommodation on the trek is one night in a comfortable lodge, 5 nights camping and one night in Bandas at the end of the trip. When camping on our trips you will not have to participate in camp chores. All your equipment will be carried by local porters on the mountain, you only carry a day-pack with personal gear. For catering we buy fresh produce locally and to ensure good standards of hygiene all food is prepared by our own staff and can cater for special dietary requirements and there are no extra food-kitty payments.
7 Days Mount Kenya Climbing Burget - Chogoria Route
Approximate total hiking distance - 78 Kms, Difficulty / Challenging
Day 1: From Nairobi (1650m) / Base hotel Nanyuki (1950m). Hiking Time: 3hrs. Hiking Distance: 6Kms. Habitat: Montane Forest
Transfer from Nairobi to our Base hotel on the Northern slopes of Mt Kenya. At an altitude (1950m) your acclimatization starts here. Short acclimatisation trek then relax and preparation for tomorrows trek. Visit to the Mau Mau Caves the equator by car are options for this afternoon as well.
Day 2: Base hotel in Nanyuki (1900m) / Giant Bamboo Camp (2600m). Hiking Time: 4 hrs. Hiking Distance: 10 Kms. Habitat: Montane Forest - Bamboo zone
Short drive to Gathiuru forest station and a 4hour ascent through dense stands of towering bamboo to our own Giant Bamboo camp at 2600m. Elephant and buffalo are common here.
Day 3: Giant Bamboo Camp (2600m) / Highland Castle (3700m). Hiking Time: 5-6 hrs. Hiking Distance: 10 Kms. Habitat: Bamboo / Moorland Zone
The luxuriant bamboo yields to enormous podocarpus and pencil cedar forest before we climb to the hagenia rosewood zone at the edge of the moorlands. This marks our lunch spot before heading up through the extraordinary giant lobelia and groundsels. We spend the night close to the sheer lava cliffs of the "Highland Castle" at 3,700m. Today's hike takes 5-6 hours with an ascent of 1,100m.
Day 4: Highland Castle (3700m) / American Camp (4380m). Hiking Time: 4-5 hrs. Hiking Distance: 6 Kms. Habitat: Moorland / Alpine zones
Spectacular scenery as the jagged volcanic peaks and shimmering glaciers tower above our trek around the summit circuit. Turquoise tarns nestle in the valleys, eagles and buzzards soar overhead - it's difficult to believe we're on the equator! We might, for the first time, meet other trekkers here as we hike for 5-6 hours to overnight at American campsite positioned at the head of the Teleki Valley at an altitude of 4380m.
Day 5: American Camp (4380m) / Upper Simba Col Camp (4750m). Hiking Time: 3-4 hrs. Hiking Distance: 7 Kms. Habitat: Alpine Zone
After breakfast we connect the Naromoru summit trail for a steep climb on a rocky track leading to Austrian Camp - 4790m for a picnic lunch break. A further one and a half hours of easy hiking with magnificent views of Delamere peaks to the east and point Lenana towering majestically above the trail we emerge at the Upper Simba col to camp by the tarn. Today's summit circuit hike takes 4 - 5 hours. Climbing higher each day is excellent for acclimatisation.
Day 6: Upper Simba Col Camp (4750m) / Pt. Lenana (4895m) - Meru Mount Kenya Bandas (3000m). Hiking Time: 10 hrs. Hiking Distance: 22 Kms. Habitat: Alpine - Moorland - Montane forest zones.
Dawn start (4.30am) to reach Pt. Lenana at 4,895m for sunrise. The climb is on frozen scree going through the Harris tarn and requiring some scrambling on final stretch to reach the summit. You need a bright head torch for this. The climb takes only one hour and to add to the exhilaration, Kilimanjaro is usually visible on the horizon. Enjoy the picturesque summit then start a 2-3 hours descent to Hall Tarns (4,300m) for a hefty breakfast as you enjoy magnificent scenes of a sheer 300m cliff overlooking the Gorges Valley. After the breakfast continue with a gentle hike down a broad ridge enjoying magnificent views back up the valley to the snowy peaks, and down to waterfalls, tarns and lava flows in the Gorges Valley. Overnight in the Meru Mt. Kenya bandas - log fires and hot showers. Wildlife viewing possible in evening with elephant and buffalo often grazing outside our cabins and a large numbers of forest and moorland birds.
Day 7: Meru Mount Kenya Bandas (2950m) / Pick up vehicle (2600m). Hiking Time: 2-3 hrs. Hiking Distance: 10 Kms. Habitat: Montane forest zones
Descent on a broad track through bamboo and virgin rain forest to meet vehicles for the return to Nairobi - usually arriving mid to late afternoon.
Included in the price:
Þ Airport transfers.
Þ All camping equipment.
Þ Transfer to and from the base of the mountain.
Þ Full board accommodation whilst on the trek.
Þ 3 Meals a day ( special diet vegetarian and hallal).
Þ Accommodations in camps/huts as per the itinerary.
Þ All park entrance fees to include government taxes.
Þ Service of an English speaking professional guide, porters and skilled cook.
Þ Start and finish Nairobi.
Þ Water -You just need bottled water only the first day. The rest of the days we boil or add purifying tablets then filter using MSR water filtering pump before refilling in your water bottles in the morning.
Þ Rescue fee.
Þ H.F Radio communication for backup incase or rescue.
Excluded in the price:
Þ Laundry.
Þ Tips.
Þ Hikking equipments.
Þ Soft drinks.
Þ Accommodation before and after the trek.
Þ climbing gears ( we have them for hire).
Þ International flights.
Þ Visas to Kenya.
Þ Items of personal nature.
Þ Any other extras not detailed in the above itinerary.
Þ No mosquito net.
NB: Proper equipments are vital to safe and enjoyable trek.
Sample Food Menu
During our expedition we normally provide enough, fresh and clean food. When it comes to cooking we cook different food at different elevation putting into consideration of the boiling point at different heights so that the food will be well cooked for easier digestion. We also have food supply on the Mountain to make sure that there is enough and fresh food through out the trek.
Considering all that, you need water to avoid dehydration, we will provide you with fresh fruits.
BREAKFAST: Fruit Juice, Fruit, Cereal/Porridge, Eggs bread/French-toast/Plain-toast/Pancakes, Sausages, Margarine, Jam/Honey, Tea/Coffee/Drinking chocolate. Boiled egg, spinach omelet or fried egg with beacon and bread.
SNACKS: Peanuts/Crisps/Popcorn/Cookies.
LUNCH: Sliced Carrot and Cucumber stripes, Avocado slices, Boiled egg, Vegetable/Meat cutlets, Sandwiches (Egg/ Cheese/Tomato/Tuna/Meat/Peanut butter), Fruit. Boiled egg, salami sandwich, cheese, French toast, Macaroni, meat sauce and bread.
DINNER: Soup of the day, Bread, Salad, Rice/Pasta/Potatoes, Chicken/Meat, Mixed Vegetables (Carrot/French -Beans/Cabbage), Lentils, Fruit Salad, Fruit with custard, Tea/Coffee/Milo/Drinking chocolate. Spaghetti with meat sauce or fish with rice, Fried beef with roast potatoes, rice, carrots, cabbage. Roast chicken with vegetable, fried rice, green pepper, carrots.
ON WAY TO THE SUMMIT (midnight snack)
Hot Chocolate, Tea or coffee and biscuits, Glucose, Chocolate bar, orange squash or soup.
NOTE: We are flexible and willing to accept Tourist suggestions on Food menu and equipments information during our trek.
NB: You have the right to bring your food if you see any need to do so. But on our side, the food will be enough and fresh to avoid any side effects.
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