Exploration of contrasting and remarkably spectacular scenery of Mt Kenya. The ascent is gentle, with an overnight at an acclimatizing altitude at Shiptons Camp (4200m). The highlight of the trip is a challenging but exhilarating pre-dawn hike through starlight to the summit which is immediately followed by a three-day descent along the edge of Gorges Valley and later through dense forest. Accommodation is available in bunkhouses and tents.
Day:
01
From Nairobi you are picked up by 0900hrs and drive through Coffee, Tea, Pineapple and Passion fruit plantation to our Base Hotel (Mountain Rock Hotel), arriving in time for lunch after a 3 hours drive. After lunch you take an afternoon walk that assists with much needed acclimatization to the mau mau caves (2000m).
Day:
02
After lunch you depart from the base hotel, crossing the equator to Sirimon Park gate (2600m) in 11/2 hours drive. You start an acclimatization hike of 3 hours at the gate through the tropical rain forest, bamboo, rosewood and part of heath zone to Old Moses camp (3300m) for overnight.
Day:
03
You hike gradually, after early breakfast, through a nature trail of tussock grass, lobelia and giant groundsels all the way to Shiptons camp (4200m) for overnight. You will cover an altitude of 900m in 6-7 hours. Lunch is served enroute.
Day:
04
Wake up very early to get ready for a predawn summit attempt which starts at 0300hrs and it takes 3-4 hours up a steep scree slopes and across rocks to arrive at Pt. Lenana (4,985m), the hikers summit, in time to see the African sunrise. When the skies are clear the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro can be seen just 340km south. Later descent to Mintos/ Hall tarn campsite (4,300m), on the Gorges valley to arrive for breakfast and to relax with an exploration of the Gorges valley. Overnight is in tents.
Day:
05
After breakfast is a 5-6 hrs descent along the edge of the Gorges valley – an area blessed with volcanic features that have been modified by glacier flow, wind erosion and frost activities giving way to some of the trekking erratic features. The descent is gentle and it offers ample time to enjoy these picturesque attractions. Dinner and overnight is in Bandas at Chogoria Park gate (3,000m), an area quite suitable to see buffaloes and at times elephants.
Day:
06
Have breakfast and descent through Chogoria Forest to meet the vehicle for a return journey back to Nairobi.
