The itinerary described below
is that which many of our clients
use, however weather conditions,
client fitness, and other factors,
may require that we alter timings
and route, indeed many clients
request slightly different routings
etc or to stay longer in particular
area.
This is the most common traverse
on Mt. Kenya. Unless preferred,
camping is not necessary as
accommodation is available in
a lodge and mountain huts
throughout the trip. Although
the trip offers reasonably good
chances of reaching the summit,
those who may not manage the
challenge can cross over via
the easier summit circuit trail
and join up with other hikers
at the
Mackinder's Camp or consider
adding on a day at Shipton's
4200m to acclimatize better
ahead of the summit.
Day 1
Morning transfer from Nairobi,
arriving at Lodge for lunch.
In the afternoon is a nature
walk (3-4 hours) through the
forest to the MauMau caves,
the former hideouts for Kenya's
pre-independence guerrilla
fighters who fought against
the British colonial masters.
The escort
naturalist guide for the trek
talks about their history and
the flora and fauna of the forest.
Dinner and overnight at Lodge
Day
2
Leave the lodge by 1000hrs
together with your guide and
porters and drive for less than
two hours to Sirimon Park gate
(2600m). On completion of park
entry formalities, have picnic
lunch then begin a 3-4 hour
hike through forest. Ascend
700m bypassing the bamboo, rosewood
and heather zones to Old Moses
camp. The forest and bamboo
are home to hundreds of buffaloes,
elephants, bushbucks and a plethora
of bird species. Dinner and
overnight at
Old Moses Camp (3300m)
Day 3
A long day leading to the base
of the high peaks. Today's trek
is
largely through the moorlands
and the Mackinder Valley, with
good views of the main peaks
and a brief stopover for picnic
lunch.
Total walking time is approx.
7 hours gaining 900m in altitude.
Dinner and Overnight at Shipton's
Hut (4200m)
Day 4
Pre-dawn attempt of the summit
starts at 0300hrs and you hike
for about 3 hours up steep scree
slopes and across rugged rocks
up to Pt. Lenana (4985m), the
hikers' summit. Then down through
Lewis Glacier up to the Austrian
hut to join to the Naromoru
track and descend for 2 hours
to Mackinder's camp for breakfast
then have the rest of the day
at leisure.
Dinner and overnight at Mackinder's
Camp (4300m)
Day
5
Leaving early, you gradually
descend for 4-5 hours through
the
moorlands and the lower vertical
bog up to the Met Station, from
where you walk down on a wide
dirt road leading to the Naromoru
Park gate (2600m) where you
meet our vehicle. You are then
transferred back to Mountain
Rock
Lodge for a hot shower and lunch.
Dinner and overnight at the
lodge.
Day
6
Morning at leisure. Chance
for horse riding, nature walks,
sport
fishing, boating etc. Lunch
then return to Nairobi
