Mt Kenya - the second highest mountain in Africa at 5 199 metres - crowns one of the world's highest National Parks. A spectacularly beautiful area of moorland, forest, lakes, rock and ice, it is a must for lovers of high altitude trekking. The lower slopes are covered with natural forest - home to elephant, buffalo, various monkey species and birds. As one gets higher, the vegetation changes to heath moorland, covered with giant groundsels and lobelia, until the altitude and cold allow only lichens to survive.
The twin peaks of Batian and Nelion can only be climbed by serious trained climbers - a 700 metre rock face and the cold and altitude make this a hard task. The next peak - Point Lenana - is accessible to hikers. One passes the Lewis Glacier en route to Lenana - beautiful ice caves and wind blasted ice formations provide stunning photographic opportunities. On a clear day, one can see Mt Kilimanjaro from the top.
Comparisons to Kilimanjaro are common. Both have their good points - being lower, Mt Kenya should be easier - it isn't !!! There are some pretty steep ascents, and quite a lot of scree - it is also very cold. Altitude sickness is more common on Mt Kenya than on Kilimanjaro, due to the fact that the " Tourist Route " ( Naro Moru Route ) provides a quick way up the mountain, and a lot of people ascend too quickly. |
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This route is recommended - ONLY because it gives quick access to the peaks - as it is not scenic and very over-utilised. The " huts " on Mt Kenya are disgusting - old, dirty, surrounded by rubbish and badly run - they should only be used in emergencies. The less utilised routes are, however, very beautiful with incredible views of the surrounding plains and small lakes, as well as the immense peaks of Batian and Nelion.
The route below has been designed for optimum time on the mountain to acclimatise, as well as getting away from the bulk of hikers. It is run as a camping trip - with all equipment supplied. Top quality mountain tents, 20mm high density foam mattresses, camp stools, mess tent, good food and a cook, and qualified local guides are supplied, as well as a porter for your pack. Groups are limited to 2 persons per guide.
You will have to supply your own bivvy bag etc for the overnight near the summit.
The "up" route ( Sirimon ) is accessible all year round - in the dry season ( approx 15 January - 15 March, 15 July - 15 September ) we will descend through the Chogoria Route, which is one of the most scenic parts of the mountain. Being on the wetter eastern side of the mountain, Chogoria is wet a lot of the year when other routes are dry. The route below is of necessity not fixed whilst on the mountain - your climbing guide will fine tune this depending on which technical route you decide to tackle.
The access route is fixed, as is the descent - the balance of the days and overnights are not fixed, apart from the one overnight on the summit. Fuller details will be provided at a later stage. The start and access to the mountain, Day 1 - Day 4, is common to both options.
Includes: Airfare Johannesburg-Nairobi-Johannesburg on South African Airways, transfers, 2 nights Holiday Inn Nairobi on a bed and breakfast basis, 7 night Mt Kenya climb inclusive of all meals, specialist technical guide (1 per 2 clients), cook, porters (1 per client), camping equipment, park and camp fees.
Excludes: Visas, health requirements, travel insurance, gratuities, drinks, sleeping bag, technical equipment (eg harness, crampons, ice axe, bivvy bag and light tent), all items of a personal nature and any service not specified.
Important Note:
Maximum luggage limit 16 kgs per person in rucksacks please - no duffelbags.
Add on safaris to the coast, game parks, other regional destinations can easily be arranged.
Prices are subject to change due to airfare increases�or any other unforeseen circumstances.
ITINERARY:
Day 1 - Depart Johannesburg on South African Airways to Nairobi. On arrival you will be met and transferred to the Holiday Inn Nairobi. Overnight on a bed and breakfast basis.
Day 2 - You will be collected at 08h00 and drive to Nanyuki, which normally takes about 4 hours, arriving at 12h00. Then proceed to Mt Kenya National Park, Sirimon Gate. A picnic lunch will be provided. Lunch time is spent organizing personal climbing equipment for the mountain trek. After lunch, follow the track uphill for 10 kms, forking left at the junction to reach Old Moses camp which is situated at 3 300m. The ascent from Sirimon Gate to Old Moses is 690m. Overnight in high altitude mountain tents. Afternoon walk in the forest - chance of seeing game and forest birds. Note that all camp equipment is supplied, and you have a porter for your kit BUT the porters will only carry packs - not bags - so your kit must be taken up in a pack. Equipment requirements as per our Kilimanjaro kit lists.
Day 3 - After breakfast leave at 08h00, follow the directions for the direct route, until you reach the fork after one hour. The track becomes a path, and swings right and south round the head of a large valley, crossing several small streams to reach the crest of the ridge between the Otulili and Liki North Valleys. A walk of 3 to 4 hours to Liki North hut at 3 993m.
Day 4 - Ascend the west side of the Valley, over a ridge, then down into the Mackinders Valley to meet the direct route, taking one to two hours. From here follow the Mackinders Valley - one of the broadest valleys on the mountain with many giant groundsels - to reach Shipton camp. A total of 4 hours from Liki to Shipton camp at 4 250m. THE STANDARD ROUTE - best in December / January / February
Day 5 - Wake up at 02h00, have tea and biscuits, then leave at 03h00 for the ascent of the third highest peak, Point Lenana (4 985m). This section is a long, hard slog, and the path is indistinct in places. Continue walking across a tough scree, until you come across Harris Tarn. From Harris Tarn, continue up the north face of Point Lenana reaching the summit in time for the sunrise at 06h30. Descend down to Austrian Hut for overnight (4 700m). This will be your base camp before climbing Nelion.
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Day 5 - After breakfast at 09h00 ascend to Kami Hut (4 600m) - approx 2 hours . Relax and prepare for climb.
Day 6 - Wake up at 03h30 and have tea and biscuits. Leave at 04h00, cross the Lewis Glacier and up to the base of Nelion which normally takes 2 hours. Start your climb at 07h00 until your get to the top at +- 13h00. Traverse the Gate of Mist to Batian and then return to Nelion. Overnight at Ian Howell hut at 5 100m.
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Day 6 - Wake up at 05h00, have tea and biscuits, then leave at 05h30 to the base of North Face, which normally takes 45 minutes to 1 hour. This section is rocky and frozen scree. Continue walking until you reach the starting point of rock climbing. Start climbing at 07h00 (10 ropes of 50m). Overnight en route at Firmin Tower.
Day 7 - Abseil down to the bottom about 9 ropes, 50 metres, and then walk to Austrian Hut for breakfast. After breakfast continue walking down to Mintos Hut (4 200m).
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Day 7 - From Firmin Tower continue rock climbing until you reach Batian (5 199m) at approx 12h00. Abseil down to the bottom and walk to Shiptons camp.
Day 8 - Descend to Meru Mount Kenya Bandas above Chigoria (3 049m) following the Gorges Valley. It will take 5 hours to reach the bandas. Overnight here - cold beers, hot showers and fireplaces in the rooms !!! THE NORTH FACE - best June - early October
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Day 8 - Ascend Simba Col then down Gorges Valley to Meru Mount Kenya Bandas to overnight. It will take 7 hours to reach the bandas. Return route as per standard route. The return to Nairobi - all routes.
Day 9 - After breakfast continue walking down through the bamboo and indigenous forest to reach Bairunyi to meet up with your transport back to Nairobi. Arrival at the Holiday Inn Nairobi in the afternoon. Overnight on a bed and breakfast basis.
Day 10 - Morning at leisure. Lunchtime transfer to the airport for your South African Airways flight back to Johannesburg.
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