The Sirimon route is considered a more gentle approach with its slightly longer path gaining altitude from the northwest of the mountain more slowly than the Naro Moru route. However a huge forest fire recently means that the first day is no longer through beautiful forest, but on an open track through a recovering landscape to Old Moses Camp. The path then follows the line of the long classic glacial MacKinder Valley up to the high camp (Shiptons) under the summit spires of Batian and Nelion. The summit itself is reached on scree and rocky paths (leaving in the dark at about 2am), which eventually become snow covered as they edge alongside the Lewis Glacier. The final few metres requires a bit of a scramble to reach the shapely summit from where dawn shows the plains of Kenya far below and the amazing silhouette of the two main peaks of the mountain just close by.
The descent by the Chogoria route, generally considered to have the most spectacular landscape and geological features of cliffs cirques and lakes, is long but worth it (especially on the descent) for far reaching views of high lakes and glacial tarns, deep gorges and unusual rock formations. One particular enormous amphitheatre of cliffs called The Temple holds the beautiful Lake Michaelson. Camp is further down near Nithi Falls and past Lake Ellis from where you can climb to local high points to see back to the peaks and strange volcanic formations such as the “giant’s billiard table”. The next day is a glorious descent to the forest and it’s possible to get picked up at a small road head for the last few kilometres to the Meru Bandas at Chogoria gate (this pick up needs to be organised in advance). From there, the 4×4 takes you down the muddy track to the town of Chogoria and on to Nairobi or to your onward safaris to Meru national park or Samburu.
DETAILED ITINERARY:
DAY 1
Departure time from your hotel /residence will be at approx 08.30 for the 4 hrs transfer to the Sirimon Gate where your Guide will register with KWS, the Kenya Wildlife Service, and pay the park fees. The Cook and porters will organize the distribution of the packs and provisions and then set off for the first camp.
This is a four-hour trek up a fairly steep vehicle track through the forest where you will see evidence of elephant and buffalo and possible sightings of bushbuck and baboons. If you are setting off around 11, you will have a picnic lunch on the way, weather permitting. If your departure is delayed, you may have an early picnic lunch at the gate. This walk takes you up to 3,300 metres to Old Moses camp.
DAY 2
After breakfast, you leave at around 7.30. An early start is advisable for the best views, as the weather can close in during the afternoon. The walk crosses two ridges and several streams and in 3-4 hours, you reach the beautiful valley of Liki North dominated by the peaks of Sendeyo and Terere. This walk takes you from the moorland to the Afro alpine zone with its giant groundsel and lobelia, evoking the Jurassic age. There is a small mountain hut for cooking, and you camp overnight.
DAY 3
After an early breakfast, you climb out of the Liki North Valley, crest a ridge and descend into Mackinder’s valley, dropping down to pick up the trail on the valley floor. You then climb up the other side of the valley to reach Shipton’s Camp at 4,236 metres. This 6km walk can take hours. Shipton’s Camp has a large bunkhouse and campsite. It is one of the main bases for summit attempts, mainly by trekkers but also by mountaineers.
DAY 4
This is a rest and acclimatization day at Shipton’s Camp to prepare for the ascent of Point Lenana. It is well worth walking up to the Hausberg Col from where you get spectacular views of the peaks including Point Peter and Point Dutton. This is a good dry run as you reach 4,591 metres, only 394 metres lower than Point Lenana. Then an early supper and bed to get some sleep before the next day’s very early start.
DAY 5
You leave Shipton’s Camp between 2.30 and 3am for your early morning ascent of Point Lenana (4,985 m). This 4 km walk takes 3-4 hours due to poor light and high altitude. The aim is to reach the summit by sunrise.
Then it’s a steep descent down a scree slope towards the spectacular Gorges Valley. Dotted with giant groundsel, this is the most extraordinary landscape. Breakfast is near Hall Tarns, a distance of about 4.5 kms, then continue to the Meru Mount Kenya Lodge, a simple mountain lodge near the Chogoria Gate.
This is a long day as the walk covers 14 km and takes about 6 to 7 hours, but the rewards are a hot shower and supper in front of a log fire.
DAY 6
After a leisurely breakfast, you walk about 10 kms down through the forest to meet a Landrover to take you down the rest of the track and on to Chogoria town. From here you take an onward road transfer (approx 4 hours) to Nairobi.
END OF HIKE!!
QUOTE:
1 Pax – USD 1,780 per person.
2 Pax – USD 1,670 per person.
3 Pax to 4 Pax – USD 1,530 per person.
5 Pax to 9 Pax – USD 1,480 per person.
10 Pax & above – USD 1,380 per person.
Includes:
– Transfers and 4×4 transport to park gate
– All park entry fees
– 3 meals a day during the climb
– Experienced fluent English-speaking guide
– Evacuation Insurance by Flying Doctors
– Staff, cook and porters.
– Mountain huts accommodations
– Mattress
Excludes:
– International Flight to & from Africa with applicable airport taxes
– Personal clothing and trekking gear
– Equipment on rent
– Lunch & Dinner in Nairobi
– All expense of personal nature
– Tips for guides and porters
– Personal / Travel / Medical / Rescue insurance
– All Drinks
– Vaccines
– Visas
Enquiries and Bookings
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