kenya
...Africa changes you forever, like nowhere else on earth...
When you think of Africa, images of the highest free-standing mountain in the world, the river Nile, the vast Serengeti plains, Victoria Falls, Egyptian pyramids & tribal people such as the Masaai Mara, come to mind. Yet, there is a greatness to be found elsewhere in this incredible, humbling continent; An un-spoilt beauty in the form of Africa’s best kept secret: Mt. Kenya; Quite simply the most beautiful mountain on earth.
Now Africa's 2nd highest mountain, once upon a time this truly superb summit reigned champion of Africa, towering over its then-smaller neighbour, Mt. Kilimanjaro. Mt. Kenya used to stand as tall as 7,000m, competing against some of the nowadays giants of the Himalayas. It has since erupted itself into collapse, during numerous periods of volcanic activity, as well as undergoing many centuries of glacial erosion.
A plethora of colours and fascinating wildlife cover the base of the mountain, making the journey to its summit an unforgettable experience; And seeing much fewer visitors than some of its taller counterparts, Mt. Kenya truly rewards you with that 'off the beaten track' experience.
I only run bespoke, private expeditions, so please Get In Contact for further information and prices.
A typical itinerary is set out below. Alternative dates can be arranged.
Now Africa's 2nd highest mountain, once upon a time this truly superb summit reigned champion of Africa, towering over its then-smaller neighbour, Mt. Kilimanjaro. Mt. Kenya used to stand as tall as 7,000m, competing against some of the nowadays giants of the Himalayas. It has since erupted itself into collapse, during numerous periods of volcanic activity, as well as undergoing many centuries of glacial erosion.
A plethora of colours and fascinating wildlife cover the base of the mountain, making the journey to its summit an unforgettable experience; And seeing much fewer visitors than some of its taller counterparts, Mt. Kenya truly rewards you with that 'off the beaten track' experience.
I only run bespoke, private expeditions, so please Get In Contact for further information and prices.
A typical itinerary is set out below. Alternative dates can be arranged.
Typical itinerary:
1st September - Depart UK/USA > Arrive Nairobi (1 night at Eka Hotel)
Our first day on expedition! Today we depart to Africa. Dependant upon your arrival time you may have the chance to explore the local area, soak up the rays by the pool or visit either the David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage or the Giraffe Sanctuary.
2nd September - Preparation Day in Nairobi > Travel Chogoria // Alternative arrival day (1 night at Lowlands Hotel & Spa)
This day is extremely useful for a number of reasons. We will go through a detailed itinerary, conduct a complete kit check, and discuss crucial health and safety elements for our time on Mt. Kenya. We will have the chance to collect any additional equipment from town, exchange money if required, acclimatise to the local climate and overcome any tiredness from the journey. In the afternoon we drive to Chogoria, situated on the north-west side of the mountain, where we will begin our trek the following day. This day also serves as an additional arrival day for late-comers or lost luggage. On our way to Chogoria we will make a stop in Nanyuki, to leave any luggage not required for our time on the mountain.
3rd September - Trek Day 1: Chogoria > Chogoria Bandas (1 night on Mt. Kenya)
Excitedly, we enter the national park at 1600m and climb steadily though luscious forests to our campsite for the night, the Chogoria Bandas (2950m). Today is the largest altitude gain of the whole trek, so after a good day's hiking we retire to our beds and fall asleep to the sounds of the rainforest.
4th September - Trek Day 2: Chogoria Bandas > Lake Ellis (1 night on Mt. Kenya)
Leaving the forests behind, we trace a path through giant heather, moorlands and tussock grasses, passing beautiful flowers such as Gladiolus and Senecio in bloom. Soon we emerge at a stream, an outflow of our later camp-side lake. After crossing, we continue on, passing by Nithi Falls and steep landscapes, soon arriving at the stunning campsite at Lake Ellis (3500m).
5th September - Trek Day 3: Lake Ellis > Mintos huts > Lake Michaelson (1 night on Mt. Kenya)
Today serves as a valuable acclimatisation day, briefly climbing higher than our eventual sleeping altitude. The walk is remote and off the beaten track. We set off around Lake Ellis (3500m), before crossing the valley and following a ridge up the mountainside. Thereafter we join the main track of the Chogoria route, at an altitude of 4200m. Awe-inspiring views greet us, spanning across the Gorges Valley and down towards Itinguni and the Northern Moorlands. Here we have the option of detouring along a large plateau to the Mintos huts (4300m) for lunch. From here we can stare down the 150m vertical 'Temple' cliff, to the picturesque Lake Michaelson (4000m) below and our home for the night. Briefly retracing our steps sees us descending to the lake, where we spend the rest of the afternoon fishing and resting before bed. Another day in paradise.
6th September - Trek Day 4: Lake Michaelson > Simba Tarn* (1 night on Mt. Kenya)
Our day begins leisurely beside the lake, with only a short distance to walk today. Initially we climb out of the beautiful gorge that we have spent the night, up to the far side of the Mintos huts (4300m), to join the main track once again at 4400m. From here only a short journey and a few hundreds metres are between us and our next beautiful camp for the night, Simba Tarn (4600m).
*Some itineraries will involve camping at the Mintos huts (4300m) on this day. This will be confirmed at the time of booking.
7th September - Trek Day 5 (Summit Day!): Simba Tarn > Mt. Kenya (Point Lenana) > Old Moses camp (1 night on Mt. Kenya)
Today's the day and the summit is in sight! We leave Simba Tarn (4600m) in the early morning hours, following the track for a short while, before negotiating the final easy rock bands to our stunning destination of Point Lenana (4985m). Congratulations! You have made it to the top for sunrise! And what an incredible sunrise it is, the views from here being like none you've ever seen before, and stretching as far and wide as the eye can see, even across to Mt. Kilimanjaro on clear days. After celebrating, we descend the far side of the mountain, following the fantastic Sirimon route, initially down screes to Shipton's camp (4200m), where we take a short break, before continuing along a wonderful 'balcony' walk, through senecio- and lobelia-forests, the whackiest trees you'll ever see. We stop briefly at the Liki river (3700m), before continuing down to our final camp on the trek, Old Moses camp (3400m).
8th September - Trek Day 6 (and Safari): Old Moses camp > Sirimon gate > Nanyuki > Ol Pejeta Conservancy (1 night at Comfort Gardens Sweetwaters)
Our final sunrise on the most beautiful mountain in Africa. By this stage you'll be thankful that the distance today is short, and the journey all downhill. We re-enter the rainforest and follow a jeep track, soon arriving at the Sirimon gate, and the end of the road. We are accompanied by an armed ranger during this section of the journey, as frequently baboons and other wildlife can be encountered on the track. Zebra welcome us at the gate and we wave goodbye to our mountain crew.
From the gate we drive to the city of Nanyuki where we quickly refresh at our hotel and reclaim any left luggage, before heading to the Ol Pejeta Conservancy. With the Ol Pejeta Conservancy boasting all of the 'Big 5' (lion, leopard rhino, elephant, buffalo), two of the world's last remaining northern white rhinos, as well as loads of other incredible species of mammals and birds, it is worth making the most of the day and saving the long showers til afterwards. We can stay in the nature reserve until 7pm. Lunch and drinks will be provided and a celebratory meal will await our return.
9th September - Depart Nanyuki > Travel Nairobi > Depart Nairobi > Arrive UK/USA
With long showers taken, and feeling refreshed, we spend our final day in Kenya. We have a brief chance to explore Nanyuki and purchase souvenirs, before taking the drive back to Nairobi and boarding our flights, taking home a new-found love for Africa, having visited its best kept secret.
Our first day on expedition! Today we depart to Africa. Dependant upon your arrival time you may have the chance to explore the local area, soak up the rays by the pool or visit either the David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage or the Giraffe Sanctuary.
2nd September - Preparation Day in Nairobi > Travel Chogoria // Alternative arrival day (1 night at Lowlands Hotel & Spa)
This day is extremely useful for a number of reasons. We will go through a detailed itinerary, conduct a complete kit check, and discuss crucial health and safety elements for our time on Mt. Kenya. We will have the chance to collect any additional equipment from town, exchange money if required, acclimatise to the local climate and overcome any tiredness from the journey. In the afternoon we drive to Chogoria, situated on the north-west side of the mountain, where we will begin our trek the following day. This day also serves as an additional arrival day for late-comers or lost luggage. On our way to Chogoria we will make a stop in Nanyuki, to leave any luggage not required for our time on the mountain.
3rd September - Trek Day 1: Chogoria > Chogoria Bandas (1 night on Mt. Kenya)
Excitedly, we enter the national park at 1600m and climb steadily though luscious forests to our campsite for the night, the Chogoria Bandas (2950m). Today is the largest altitude gain of the whole trek, so after a good day's hiking we retire to our beds and fall asleep to the sounds of the rainforest.
4th September - Trek Day 2: Chogoria Bandas > Lake Ellis (1 night on Mt. Kenya)
Leaving the forests behind, we trace a path through giant heather, moorlands and tussock grasses, passing beautiful flowers such as Gladiolus and Senecio in bloom. Soon we emerge at a stream, an outflow of our later camp-side lake. After crossing, we continue on, passing by Nithi Falls and steep landscapes, soon arriving at the stunning campsite at Lake Ellis (3500m).
5th September - Trek Day 3: Lake Ellis > Mintos huts > Lake Michaelson (1 night on Mt. Kenya)
Today serves as a valuable acclimatisation day, briefly climbing higher than our eventual sleeping altitude. The walk is remote and off the beaten track. We set off around Lake Ellis (3500m), before crossing the valley and following a ridge up the mountainside. Thereafter we join the main track of the Chogoria route, at an altitude of 4200m. Awe-inspiring views greet us, spanning across the Gorges Valley and down towards Itinguni and the Northern Moorlands. Here we have the option of detouring along a large plateau to the Mintos huts (4300m) for lunch. From here we can stare down the 150m vertical 'Temple' cliff, to the picturesque Lake Michaelson (4000m) below and our home for the night. Briefly retracing our steps sees us descending to the lake, where we spend the rest of the afternoon fishing and resting before bed. Another day in paradise.
6th September - Trek Day 4: Lake Michaelson > Simba Tarn* (1 night on Mt. Kenya)
Our day begins leisurely beside the lake, with only a short distance to walk today. Initially we climb out of the beautiful gorge that we have spent the night, up to the far side of the Mintos huts (4300m), to join the main track once again at 4400m. From here only a short journey and a few hundreds metres are between us and our next beautiful camp for the night, Simba Tarn (4600m).
*Some itineraries will involve camping at the Mintos huts (4300m) on this day. This will be confirmed at the time of booking.
7th September - Trek Day 5 (Summit Day!): Simba Tarn > Mt. Kenya (Point Lenana) > Old Moses camp (1 night on Mt. Kenya)
Today's the day and the summit is in sight! We leave Simba Tarn (4600m) in the early morning hours, following the track for a short while, before negotiating the final easy rock bands to our stunning destination of Point Lenana (4985m). Congratulations! You have made it to the top for sunrise! And what an incredible sunrise it is, the views from here being like none you've ever seen before, and stretching as far and wide as the eye can see, even across to Mt. Kilimanjaro on clear days. After celebrating, we descend the far side of the mountain, following the fantastic Sirimon route, initially down screes to Shipton's camp (4200m), where we take a short break, before continuing along a wonderful 'balcony' walk, through senecio- and lobelia-forests, the whackiest trees you'll ever see. We stop briefly at the Liki river (3700m), before continuing down to our final camp on the trek, Old Moses camp (3400m).
8th September - Trek Day 6 (and Safari): Old Moses camp > Sirimon gate > Nanyuki > Ol Pejeta Conservancy (1 night at Comfort Gardens Sweetwaters)
Our final sunrise on the most beautiful mountain in Africa. By this stage you'll be thankful that the distance today is short, and the journey all downhill. We re-enter the rainforest and follow a jeep track, soon arriving at the Sirimon gate, and the end of the road. We are accompanied by an armed ranger during this section of the journey, as frequently baboons and other wildlife can be encountered on the track. Zebra welcome us at the gate and we wave goodbye to our mountain crew.
From the gate we drive to the city of Nanyuki where we quickly refresh at our hotel and reclaim any left luggage, before heading to the Ol Pejeta Conservancy. With the Ol Pejeta Conservancy boasting all of the 'Big 5' (lion, leopard rhino, elephant, buffalo), two of the world's last remaining northern white rhinos, as well as loads of other incredible species of mammals and birds, it is worth making the most of the day and saving the long showers til afterwards. We can stay in the nature reserve until 7pm. Lunch and drinks will be provided and a celebratory meal will await our return.
9th September - Depart Nanyuki > Travel Nairobi > Depart Nairobi > Arrive UK/USA
With long showers taken, and feeling refreshed, we spend our final day in Kenya. We have a brief chance to explore Nanyuki and purchase souvenirs, before taking the drive back to Nairobi and boarding our flights, taking home a new-found love for Africa, having visited its best kept secret.
"Throughout the trek, Alex demonstrated a very technically competent, thoughtful, mature and psychologically astute approach. Alex is very well organised and anticipates potential problems well in advance; Always supportive and encouraging, Alex is excellent at motivating and brings out the best in people, whatever their situation or experience."
J. Thorne (Mt Kenya Expedition, 2016)
J. Thorne (Mt Kenya Expedition, 2016)
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