mt kenya climbing safaris

8 days Mt Kenya Climbing Safari - Chogoria Route

 

Day 1: Nairobi - Nanyuki - Old Moses Camp (3400 M).

After pick up we drive North, along the Western side of Mt Kenya crossing the Equator en route to Nanyuki town for lunch. After lunch a further drive takes you to the Sirimon Park gate (2660m). From the gate, you trek up through magnificent mountain forest, bamboo and giant heather zone before reaching the high altitude moorland and to our first hut (Old Moses camp) for dinner and overnight. This is a gentle trek that takes 3 - 4 hrs gaining an elevation of 680m.


Day 2: Old Moses - Shipton Camp (4236m).

Early morning start through Ontulili River up the spectacular Mackinders valley via Liki North ridge with picnic lunch en route arriving in Shipton camp in 7 hrs. This camp is a surreal setting below the towering peaks and glacier. Resident population is of Rock Hyrax and sunbirds. Dinner and overnight at the camp.


Day 3: Shipton - Mackinder's Camp (4200m).

Today you go anticlockwise, first through Hausberg Col at 4591m, and then pass between Oblong and Hausberg Tarns, then climb up to Nanyuki and Two Tarns before descending to Mackinder's Camp on the South Western side of the peak, at about 4300 meters for dinner and overnight.

Day 4: Mackinder's Camp - Point Lenana (4985m) - Shipton's Camp (4236m).

Today you continue your trek up to Top Hut (Austrian Hut) 4800m. From this Hut you will make a final short ascent of Point Lenana, 4985m. Point Lenana is the common trekker's Mount Kenya " Summit ". From here you will go straight down the Northwest side back to Shipton's Camp, passing Harris Tarn.

Other Routes

  • Naro molo Route
  • Sirimon Route
  • Chogoria Route

    • Safari HighLights

    • Volcanic Landscapes
    • Hiking and trekking
    • Wildlife
    • Dramatic Vegetation
    mount kenya has a rich flora and fauna vegitation
    Route Private Van First Class Train By Air Number
    of Days

    Sirimoni

    £540

    £565

    £655

    6

    Naro Moro

    £530

    £555

    £645

    5

    Chogoria

    £680

    £700

    £750

    8
    Minimum number of people for this safaris is 4





    Route Information

    • Grade: B- moderate.
    • Up to 6.5 hours / 15 miles per day.
    • ApproximateTrekking Distance: 97 kms
    • Starts : Nairobi/Ends : Nairobi
    • Departure Day: Any Day
    • Accomodation :Standard Lodge


    Day 7: Shipton' s Camp - Meru Mt Kenya Bandas Lodge.

    After breakfast your trek out begins and you hike down by the Scenic Chogoria Route. Your trek-out begins with a climb up to Simba Col (where porters once swore they saw a lion, hence the name) then a quick descent to the halls Tarns. From here we follow the backbone of a ridge, overlooking the spectacular Gorges Valley.

    Loosing elevation fast we leave the high moorlands and enter into the forest belt that surrounds Mount Kenya. As you approach the cabins of Meru Mount Kenya Bandas (our destination for the night) you are most likely to spot Cape buffalo, Bush Buck, and tracks of other wild animals. The Bandas are a welcome luxury. With hot showers, a fine evening log fire, a Bed, without mentioning a cold beer!.


    Day 8: Bandas Lodge - Chogoria - Nairobi / other.

    After breakfast you hike the first hour or so enjoying the bamboo forest. You continue further down, up to the 10 kilometer mark where your driver awaits you and continue the drive to Chogoria town where you switch to another comfortable vehicle for your transfer back to the Hotel / other destination.

    Enquire this safari

     

    Day 5: Shipton's Camp (Hiking - about day).

    On our 5th day you have the option of either taking a rest day or of climbing a short route on either Point Peter or Point Dutton. In either case you prepare for the climb of Batian the following morning.


    Day 6: Shipton - Batian (5199m) - Shipton (Climbing day).

    Ascent of Batian by the North Face Standard Route. Starting in the early morning dark, usually between 4 and 5 am, you may climb the first couple of pitches by headlamp. The route initially follows a wide couloir which we ascend for some 7 pitches, never harder than 5.7. A bit of easy scrambling brings us to the Amphitheater a small basin of easy rock part way up the route.

    Ideally you arrive there by about 7:30am, enjoying a late "breakfast" and a short break. Above this is the crux of the route, Firmin's Tower. There are about 3 difficult pitches, all fairly short, but all in the 5.8 to 5.9 range. Above this, easier terrain leads to a few more pitches and, finally, the west ridge. From this point, you continue on easy, but still exposed, rock to Shipton's Notch, a prominent gash in the summit ridge. Another pitch, then mixed 4th and easy 5th class rock leads to the airy summit of Batian.

    You descend using the same route. The lower amphitheater may be reached by direct abseils from Firmin's Tower. Firmin's Tower may be avoided on the right by traversing along a ledge above the Northey Glacier and then climbing a short wall to easier ground and the top of the tower. Difficult if icy. By maintaining a good pace you could hopefully hit Shipton's Camp before evening dusk.