Climbing Mount Kenya, Chogoria Route to Point Lenana

Day 02        Chogoria bandas to Lake Ellis (altitude: 3400m)

After breakfast, we will follow the track as it leads up through glades of montaine forest, with plenty of wildlife around, to our camp on the shores of Lake Ellis. We will arrive at our camp after about three hours walk in time for lunch. After a short rest period in the late afternoon we will hike to the top of nearby Mugi hill (250m) before returning to camp at dusk. Approximately 3 Hours walking in the morning and 2 hours in the afternoon. Camping near Lake Ellis.

Day 03    Lake Ellis to Lake Michaelson (altitude: 4000m)

Early Morning we set off, climbing away from Lake Ellis on its west side, across moorland up to a ridge which eventually joins the main Chogoria trail. We have views of Vivienne Falls and the Gorges Valley as we descend to the most picturesque campsite in the range, at Lake Michaelson.

Above the camp are the impressive cliffs of the ‘Temple’. Exotic-looking bird species, including the Tacazze sunbird, can be seen close to the camp amongst the bizarre giant plants – principally cabbage groundsel and lobelia. This day is about 6-7 hours walking. We arrive at the most impressive campsite on the mountain with the Nithi gorge plunging down nearly 400m into Lake Michaelson. Approximately 7 hours walking Camping near Lake Michaelson.

Day 04      Lake Michaelson to Simba Tarn (altitude: 4600m)

Climbing away from the beautiful Lake Michaelson, we ascend into the alpine zone – a world of rock and ice as we go up towards the main peaks, leaving behind the giant lobelias and groundsels and onto glacial moraine. A last short, sharp scree slope takes us to Simba Tarn (4620m), where we overnight. Approximately 4-5 Hours walking Camping near Simba tarn.

Day 05       Simba Tarn via Point Lenana to Liki North (altitude: 4000m)

An early start (at around 5 a.m.) for a cup of tea and a relatively easy 2-hour climb up to Point Lenana the trekking summit (4,985m). As dawn breaks over Africa, we are treated to a remarkable spectacle; the nearby peaks of Nelion and Batian glinting in the morning sun. In the far distance, if clear, is possible to see summit of Kilimanjaro 400kms away. After spending some time basking in the morning sunlight absorbing the panorama, we return to Simba tarn for a celebratory cooked breakfast.

We descend down the pleasant Mackinder Valley in the shadow of the true summit of Batian; near the end of the days trek we fork right from the main trail and drop into the Liki North valley(4000m) and our camp near the little hut there. The descent takes about 5-6 hours. Approximately 2 hours ascent and 5-6 hours descent. Camping next to Like North Hut.

Day 06   Liki North to Park gate

Descending off the mountain is around 2-3 hours walking which can be boggy underfoot, to Old Moses camp at the treeline and the roadhead. It is a further 2-3 hours walk down the road in good podocarpus and cedar forest. We arrive at the park gate around lunchtime. This is where we meet our awaiting vehicles, and bid goodbye to our guides and porters. Approximately 5-6 hours walking to the park gate.

End of services

Includes: Transport to/from the mountain; services of guides and porters; all meals on the mountain; park and camping fees; camp equipment and tents.

Excludes: Sleeping bag, karrimat and personal clothing as listed below. Staff tips for the crew. (Please enquire about the amount upon booking.)

Clothing requirements: The temperature range on the Mountain is +20C to -10C. So from warm to very cold. The UV at altitude on the Equator is some of the highest on earth. You will need to bring: 4 season sleeping bag with cotton or silk liner; Karrimat/Thermarest; down jacket, gloves, woolly hat; thermal inners; a waterproof /windproof jacket; a fleece/jumper; 2 shirts; 2 trousers; shorts; 3/4 pairs socks (i.e. 1 dry change of clothes and the other for walking); shoes/trainers, and walking boots. Boots should be worn in before coming and be comfortable. Sunhat; high factor suncream and lipsalve; good sunglasses/glacier glasses. Each person should have a 2-3 litre water bottle(s), if a camelback you need insulation on the mouth tube. A small towel; toiletries, and mini pillow if required. A head torch and spare batteries. A day pack for your own water, fleece, raincoat, camera etc. A soft holdall bag for the rest of your gear, packed in bin liners to weatherproof dry gear – your gear bag shouldn’t weigh more than 14 KG. A few extra nibbles, and a basic first aid kit (e.g. plasters, aspirins, tampons, hand wash etc.)

Our clients’ well-being and safety are our paramount concern; we use 2 excellent local guides, experienced local porters, and carry a GPS, Wilderness First Aid Kits with Diamox, mobile phone and VHF radios linked into the local security network. Safety equipment is of the highest quality at international approved standards and regularly serviced and checked.