Here are our fully customizable Mount Kenya National Park itineraries.
Itinerary 1: Chogoria route up & down Sirimon route.
Route: Chogoria Route up & down Sirimon Route
Number of Days: 5 Days
Distance: 75 km |
Difficulty: Demanding
Start/Finish: Nairobi
Summary
This is the most scenic and picturesque route. You’ll get to take-in tropical rain-forests, bamboo forests, lush heath & moorland, lakes, alpine zones, snow and glaciers.
Day 1: Nairobi- Mt Kenya Chogoria Bandas (2,900m) – Lake Ellis Campsite (3,600m) – 3-4 hrs, 9km walk, 700m ascent.
Depart from Nairobi at 7.00 am, driving through agricultural country up to Chogoria town for lunch.
After lunch, we take 4×4 and drive up to the edge of the bamboo forest where we start our trekking through the dense bamboo and tropical forest for a distance of 10 km up to the Mt Kenya Bandas.
After packing, we walk towards Lake Ellis having scenic views of Mugi Hill, Ithanguni and the Giant’s Billiards Table; all spectacular land formations found nowhere else in Africa, whilst if we follow the river near road head, upstream for about 3 km, the foreground scenery and flora is particularly beautiful.
Hike up to the secluded campsite on the shores of Lake Ellis at an altitude of 3400m (3hrs walk). Dinner and overnight in the Camp well away from any of the more “touristy” areas.
Day 2: Lake Ellis- Lake Michaelson Camp (4,200m) 6/7hrs, 12km, 600m ascent.
Wake up at 7 am, have breakfast at 7:30 am.
After breakfast, we will follow the trail as it leads up through glades of montane forest climbing away from Lake Ellis on its west side, across moorland to a ridge which eventually joins the main Chogoria trail.
On this day our team will be ahead of us and upon arriving in the camp they will have prepared our lunch and hot drinks.
This is subject on how the group will advise as we move forward during the day but basically since its 5-6 walk hot lunch is normally ready in the camp as our team always walk ahead of guests to make sure the tents and the Lunch is on time just before we get into the camp.
Beautiful views of Vivienne Falls and the staggering Gorges Valley on descent to the picturesque campsite next to Lake Michaelson.
Exploration around the lake, Dinner and overnight in the same Camp
Day 3: Lake Michaelson – Austrian Top Hut (4,700m) 4hrs, 7km, 500m ascent.
Today we begin our trek ascending up along the foot of huge rock walls alongside the soothing sound of a river feeding Lake Michelson.
After a few hours we`ll have an excellent view of the peaks of Mt Kenya up close. \
After ascending for a couple of hours we reach Tooth Col. From here we traverse for an hour until we reach the Austrian Hut.
At Austrian Hut, you’ll have the rare opportunity to get inches close to the Lewis Glacier. A shrinking glacier with an ice cave.
Dinner and overnight at camp.
Day 4: Austrian Hut (4,700m asl) – Pt. Lenana (4,985 asl) – Old Moses(3,300 m asl). 6hrs, 20km, 285m ascent – 1,400m descent.
Wake up at 4:30 am and have a cup of tea and biscuits.
Leave at 5.00am for pre-dawn attempt, climbing for 1 hour across bare rock and scree slopes characteristic of the alpine region up to Pt Lenana – the hiker`s summit, arriving in time to catch the stunning African sunrise.
After the sunrise and few pictures with happy spirits, we descend down to Shipton’s Camp (4,200m asl) for breakfast.
After breakfast descend to Old Moses Camp (3,300m asl) Lunch en-route with dinner and overnight at the camp.
Day 5: Leave from Old Moses
After late breakfast descend leisurely for 2 hours to Sirimon Park Gate for transfer back to Nanyuki.
Say your goodbyes to the team, give the optional gratuity (Tips) and part ways for transfer back to Nairobi.
Price: 150 US Dollars per day per person
Included in the price:
• Guarantee price/guarantee trek on confirmation
• Transfer to and from the base of the mountain.
• Full board accommodation whilst on the trek.
- Meals
• Accommodations in camps/huts as per the itinerary - All park entrance fees to include Government taxes
• Service of an English-speaking Professional Guide, experienced Chef, Professional Photographer and potters.
• Start and finish Nairobi.
• Treated water on the trek.Excluded:
• Tips, laundry, sleeping bags and drinks - Accommodation before/after the trek
- Climbing gears
• International flights
• Visas to Kenya
• Items of personal nature
• Any other extras not detailed in the above itinerary
Itinerary 2: Sirimon up down Chogoria route.
Route: Sirimon Route up & down Chogoria Route
Number of Days: 4 Days
Distance: 55 km
Difficulty: Demanding
Start/Finish: Nairobi
Summary
This is the combination of most gentle route going up and most picturesque route going down. You’ll get to take-in tropical rain-forests, bamboo forests, lush heath & moorland, lakes, alpine zones, snow and glaciers.
Day:1
Leave Nairobi at 7.30am and drive up to Nanyuki for 3 hrs.
Shop for fresh food for the hike as the visitors do their final purchases of snacks, etc.
Pick the rest of the team and drive up to Kenya Wildlife Service Sirimon Gate (2,650m) of the Mt. Kenya Nationals park where we take Lunch.
Have lunch and trek up to Old Moses Camp (3,300m). This walk will take about 3hrs and finally reach the bunk house late afternoon.
Dinner & overnight at bunks/campsite.
Day:2
Early breakfast at 6:30 am and leave at 7:00 am.
Hike uphill towards the Mackinder’s Valley finally reach Shipton’s Camp (4,200m) in the afternoon. This walk will take 6/7hour’s and covers spectacular views as well as staggering high-altitude vegetation.
Lunch will be en-route with dinner and overnight at Shipton’s Camp.
Day: 3
Wake up at 2.00 am, have some tea at 2:30 am and set off at 3:00 am.
Set off for our sunrise ascent to be sure of reaching Point Lenana (4,985m) a few minutes before sunrise.
Lenana is the third highest peak of Mount Kenya and the views are spectacular when the sun comes up. After the sunrise and few photographs we descend to Mintos Hut for breakfast.
After breakfast, descend viewing the Gorges Valley and the Temple to the Mount Kenya Bandas Lodges (2,960m).
Lunch en-route at Road-Head (3,300m).
Dinner and overnight at Lodges/Campsite.
Day: 4
After breakfast descend leisurely through Tropical Bamboo forest viewing Wild Game and birds until we meet our vehicle for transfer to Chogoria Village.
Say goodbye to the Team and travel back to Nairobi.
Price: 150 US Dollars per day per person for Non-Residents
Included in the price:
• Guarantee price/guarantee trek on confirmation
• Transfer to and from the base of the mountain.
• Full board accommodation whilst on the trek.
- Meals
• Accommodations in camps/huts as per the itinerary - All park entrance fees to include Government taxes
• Service of an English-speaking Professional Guide, experienced Chef, Professional Photographer and potters.
• Start and finish Nairobi.
• Treated water on the trek.
• Emergency medical rescue via vehicle.
Excluded:
• Tips, laundry, sleeping bags and drinks
- Accommodation before/after the trek
- Climbing gears
• International flights
• Visas to Kenya
• Items of personal nature
• Any other extras not detailed in the above itinerary
Important to Note:
Package Fees and refunding:
- A cash deposit of 100 US Dollars is required before the hike commencement date.
- Once payment has been made and the Kenya Wildlife Service has officially signed the visitor(s) into the National Park, the full 4-day package will commence. If the client(s) make a personal choice to descend when the 4 days are not complete, that will be considered a personal choice and shall not merit any
- If an emergency of any nature occurs before checking-into the park and the hike has to be canceled, a full refund will immediately be in effect.
- Payments are accepted in either cash or PayPal (polemarktours@gmail.com).
Plastic water bottles
We are a company that cares about the environment.
Plastic water bottles that are non-recyclable are not allowed into the park.
Visitors are advised to bring recyclable water bottles or camel-bags.
Required Gear for Mt Kenya Hike (all gear available for rent at under 2 US Dollars each-negotiable-)
A pair of Warm Jersey.
Sweater/Fleece.
Set of Thermal under-wear top and bottom.
A pair of light loose-fitting cotton trousers.
Sleeping bag.
Hiking boots – (an extra light pair of shoes is recommended)
Warm Gloves.
Warm Hat or Balaclava.
Head lamp with extra batteries.
Sun Glasses.
Sunscreen (factor 50 or higher).
4 or more pairs of warm socks – (mixture of thick and thin).
1/2 long sleeves shirt.
2/3 T-shirts.
Warm jacket.
Rain jacket.
Camera.
Extra batteries or personal power bank and charger (a necessity if you are a fan of taking photos).
Personal toiletries.
Water bottles (Camel-bags).
A poncho or a waterproof cover for your backpack.
Your personal medication (if you have any).
Wildlife on Mt Kenya:
Elephants, buffalo, rock hyrax, tree hyrax, white tailed mongoose, suni, black fronted duiker, mole rat, bushbucks, water buck and Elands.
Animals present but rarely seen include leopard, bongo, giant forest hog .
Over 130 bird species.