Our preferential route is the Chogoria because of its scenic landscape all the way to the peaks. It is a dry route up the mountain and the walk along the Gorges Valley makes it spectacular.
Going down the Sirimon route takes one through some beautiful pockets of Senecios. In the lower elevations, the bamboo forest and a belt of rain forest completes the South East to North West traverse of the mountain.
Itinerary
Depart from Nairobi at 7am and drive through the rich agricultural landto Chogoria trading center for lunch. We will meet the supporting crew and we drive up to the edge of the bamboo forest. From here we start our trek through the dense bamboo forest for a distance of 8 km up to the Anabas lodge also referred to as Bandas.
An early dinner prepared by our chef is served. A short briefing by our senior guide follows before retiring to bed in the lodge. (2950m)
After breakfast, commence a short trek on a wide track through the hygenia and cypress trees belt. If lucky, occasional sights of elephants, bushbucks and buffalos emerging from the forest will add excitement. Higher up the tree-line, hike through heather-land to the camp. We set up the camp and enjoy our lunch in the camp. We visit the Nithi Falls in the afternoon. Early dinner is served before retiring in out tents just after a short briefing by our guide.
A beautiful day starts after crossing Nithi River to reach the moorlands. The picturesque of the stunning landscape and the GorgesValley, mushroom rocks, the Temple, billiards table, and the high peaks makes it a rewarding day. Our camp will be set on the shores of this beautiful lake. Dinner will be served before retiring to bed.
After the sunray reaches the camp, enjoy the warm breakfast. Because it is a short day, today you depart a little bit late. Climb out of the valley to rejoin the moorland trail. Then leave the moorland and take the alpine desert trail to the camp. Lunch is served here. Afternoon spent by exploring the nearby surrounding. After an early dinner, retire to your tent for a much-needed rest.
The summiting will start at 0430hrs and you hike for 2 hours to Point Lenana (4,985m), the hiker's peak, arriving there for the African sunrise. Afterwards, we descend to Shipton`s camp for breakfast (4200m).
After breakfast, we begin the 5-hour descent via Mackinder`s valley to the Old Moses / Judmiere camp (3,300m). The journey is gentle and it offers ample time to enjoy amazing scenery which includes the peculiar mountain plants. The last dinner is served early before retiring to bed.
After breakfast, we will descend for 2 hours down to the Sirimon Park gate. We meet our diver. After bidding farewell to the supporting crew, we drive back to Nairobi arriving by 5pm.