Our highly rated route is the Chogoria because of its scenic landscape all the way to the peaks. It is a dry route up all the way and the hike along the Gorges Valley makes it spectacular.
Going down the Sirimon route takes us through some beautiful pockets of Senecios. In the lower elevations, the thick but short bamboo forest and a belt of rain forest completes the South East to North West traverse of the mountain.
Itinerary
Leave Nairobi at 8am and drive through the rich agricultural country up to Chogoria trading center for lunch. We meet the supporting crew and drive up to the edge of the bamboo forest. From here we start our trek through the dense bamboo forest for a distance of 5 km up to the lodge.
An early delicious dinner prepared by our chef is served. A short briefing by our senior guide follows before retiring to bed.
After a late breakfast, commence a short trek on a wide track through the hygenia and cypress tree belt before entering the mooraland. If lucky, occasional sights of elephants, bushbucks and buffalos emerging from the forest can be seen. Higher up the tree-line, hike through heather-land to the camp. We will have our lunch in the camp. We visit the Nithi Falls in the afternoon. Early dinner will be served before retiring in out tents just after a short briefing by our guide.
An awesome day starts after crossing Nithi River to reach the moorlands. The topography of the stunning landscape and the Gorges Valley, mushroom rocks, the Temple, Giant’s Billiard Table, and the central peaks makes it a rewarding day. Our camp will be set on the shores of this stunning lake. Dinner will be served before retiring to bed.
After the sun reaches the camp to shake off the morning cold, enjoy the warm breakfast prepared by our chef. Being a short day, today we shall depart a little bit late. We will climb out of the valley, to rejoin the moorland trail. Then leave the moorland and take the alpine desert trail to the camp. Our lunch will be served here. Afternoon will be spent exploring the nearby peaks. After an early dinner, we will retire to our tents for a much-needed rest.
Attempt of the summit starts at 0430hrs and we hike to Point Lenana (4985m), the hiker's peak, arriving there in time of the African sunrise. Descend to Shipton camp for breakfast (4200m).
After breakfast, we begin the 5-hour descent via Mackinder`s valley to Judmier camp (3300m). The journey is gentle and it offers incredible amount of time to enjoy the amazing scenery which includes the peculiar mountain plants. We will have our last dinner early before retiring to our tents.
After breakfast, we will descend for 2 hours to the Sirimon Park gate. We meet our diver and drive to Nanyuki for lunch. After bidding farewell to the supporting crew, drive back to Nairobi arriving by 1800hrs.