Mt Kenya treks. Chogoria Sirimon (7 day)

This is an exciting and strenuous trek for experienced walkers.

Day 1

We collect you from your hotel at about 0800. It's then about 3 1/2 hours from Nairobi to where we collect the porters and guides, (as required). Then into the Mt. Kenya forest for the 22 km drive to the Park Gate at 2,850m. Dependent on road conditions, these 22 km have been known to take all afternoon to do and in really wet conditions it is possible that the top four or five km may be impassable. Night, dependent on clients wishes, at the Meru Mt Kenya Banda's or at road head, a further 7 km from the Park Gate.

Day 2

After breakfast and sorting of porter loads we set off up the mountain at a nice and easy pace . 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 3,600m, well away from any of the more "touristy" areas.

Day 3

From our moorland campsite, we continue to move up through the last of the giant heather an into tussock grass zone. As this area of the mountain is still off the beaten track, there are no paths to follow, and on each trip we vary the area we walk across. After about an hour, traverse left and join a ridge (slight path to follow) and join the normal Chogoria route to Minto's Hut after about 4 hour walking. Lunch at a small stream crossing then 45 min on to a camp near Minto's Hut and next to one of the Hall Tarns. Very short afternoon walk over to superb views across to "The Temple" and down to Lake Michaelson.

Day 4

Gently up the valley for about 2 km. It's then steeple up for about 45 min (on scree slopes) to Lower Simba Tarn. Another short scree slope to the ridge left of the col. before dropping down the other side towards Kami Hut for lunch. Up to Hausberg col. followed by another long descent to Oblong Tarn and yet another ascent to the Eastern Terminal before contouring around the slopes to our camp by Nanyuki Tarn. In clear weather this day walk is quite spectacular, particularly the afternoon section. Total time required for this days walk is about 6 hours.

Day5

Up early (about 0500). Across to Two Tarn Hut, and on down to the "American Camp" before ascending on the usual Naro Moru tourists route to the Austrian Hut and a further 45 min onwards to Pt Lenana. Takes about 3 1/2 hours in all, and hopefully we get to Pt. Lenana before the clouds have started to roll in. Photographs, then it's time to start on down to the road head Chogoria by the usual tourist path up. Alternatively we descend via Kami Hut into the Mackinder Valley. Night at roadhead Sirimon (about 4 hours from Pt Lenana).

Day 6

Return to Nairobi at your leisure (5 hour drive). Alternative see 4 below.

 Option available to enable one to do the climb in a shorter period of time.

- Days 2 and 3 can be combined if we follow the usual tourist path to Minto`s Hut area. takes 5 to 6 hours. Recommended only for the fit and acclimatised walker.

- Days 4 and 5 can be combined if we do not wish to do walk around the peaks. Sirimon.

- Descent is not available 

- On day 5, both on the chogoria and Sirimon descents, we are able to continue back to Nairobi on the same day, arriving back by about 2100 hrs, somewhat beat! 

Prices- 2008