The Chogoria route is arguably the most magnificent ascent route to the summit area. It is the driest route up the mountain and the walk beside the Gorges Valley truly spectacular.
Accommodation on this hike is 4 nights camping on all nights on the mountain.
Mt Kenya Climb Chogoria Ascent and – Naro moru rt. Descend - 5 days
Highlights
Day 1: Nairobi- Mt Kenya Chogoria Bandas Camp (2,900m) 3hrs, 10km walk, 650m ascent.
Depart from Nairobi at 0630hrs, driving through agricultural country up to Chogoria town where we link up with the Porters, cook and your Guide. Continue to drive up to the edge of the bamboo forest where we start our trekking through the dense bamboo forest for a distance of 10 km to the Mt Kenya Chogoria gate Campsite.
Dinner and overnight at the Meru Mount Chogoria Campsite.
Day 2: Mt Kenya Bandas – Lake Ellis Campsite (3,540m) 3hrs, 9km, 640m ascent.
After breakfast and sorting of porter loads we set off up the mountain at a nice and easy pace. Visit the Nithi waterfalls and back on trial for a slightly longer walk via Lake Ellis gives scenic views of Mugi, Ithanguni and the Giants Billiards Table, whilst if we follow the river near road head, upstream for about 3 km, the foreground scenery and flora is particularly beautiful. Lunch on the banks of a stream, then it’s time to cut up the left hand hillside to our camp at about 3,540m, well away from any of the more “touristy” areas.
Day 3: Lake Ellis – Lake Michaelson Camp. (4,100m) 4 hrs, 12km, 560m ascent.
This is a long day comparatively so an early start is inevitable. You start on a well off the beaten track to follow a ridge up the mountain for about 3 hours to eventually join the tourist track on the normal Chogoria route at an altitude of about 4,100m. Breathe taking views over the Gorges Valley and back over towards Ithanguni and the Northern Moorlands. Lunch is served at a small stream crossing, before continuing for a further hour to the Lake Michaelson campsite 4,100m for our night’s rest. Afternoon is spent relaxing at camp, though a 10 minute walk to the edge of the Lake drain is well worth the effort.
Day 4: Lake Michaelson— Austrian Hut 4790m, 4hrs 690m Ascent and 4kms walk.
The fourth day is yet an interesting one starting off after breakfast on a trail that rans alongside the Nithi River. The Terrain is a bit steep raising sharply, it’s a gravelly climb. Along the way when you turn back it’s a beautiful view of Lake Michaelson and the Gorges valley. The second slope levels at upper Simba Turn where we turn left for another steep incline past the Square yarn to the top of the Ridge overlooking Macmillan peaks, Delarmere peaks, another 400m and you are at the Austrian hut.
At 4,790 meters above sea level, the Austrian hut is the highest point in Kenya one can sleep. The journey to it ushered us into a true alpine climate that one wouldn’t expect so close to the equator.
Day 5. Austrian Hut-Pt Lenana (4,985m)- Met Station camp 3300m). 8hrs 185 ascent,
1,685 descent, 17km,
Predawn attempt of the summit starts at 0500hrs and you hike for about one and a half hours up to Point Lenana (4985m), the hiker’s summit, arriving there in time to watch the African sunrise. Descend to Austrian’s hut camp for breakfast.
After breakfast, begin a 5 hour descent via Teleki valley to the Met Station. The descent is gentle and it offers ample time to enjoy fascinating scenery which includes the moorlands before reaching the camp here you will be picked by car driven to Park gate for signing out then transfer to Nairobi arriving late evening. You Bid the Guide, Porters and the Cook Farewell at the Met Station.