Safari Information
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Camping
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4,985 meters
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January to March & July to October
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Nairobi
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Gaga Tours 4x4 Jeep Safari
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Mountain Climbing
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Tour Guide
Overview
The Chogoria route is our recommended and 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.
The descent by the Sirimon route takes one through some beautiful forest tracks and completes the traverse of the mountain.
Accommodation on this hike is 2 nights in mountain huts and 2 nights camping. Nonetheless, if you prefer to camp you can do so on all nights on the mountain
Itinerary
Day 1 :
Nairobi- Mt Kenya Bandas (2,900m) 3hrs, 10km walk, 650m ascent.
Depart from Nairobi at 0800hrs, driving through agricultural country up to Chogoria town for lunch. After lunch, we take 4×4 and 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 Bandas.
Day 2 :
Mt Kenya Bandas – Lake Ellis Campsite ( 3,600m) 3hrs, 9km, 700m ascent.
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 :
Lake Ellis – Minto`s Camp. ( 4,200m) 4 hrs, 12km, 600m ascent.
Similar early start. Again 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. Breath 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 Mintos Hut area at 4200m and our night’s rest. Afternoon is spent relaxing at camp, though a 10 minute walk to the “Temple” is well worth the effort. This is a 150 meters vertical cliff that gets its name from the position visitors often adopt when peering over the edge – they look as if they are praying.
An early night is recommended as you are attempting the summit next day.
Day 4 :
Minto`s – Pt Lenana ( 4,985m)- Old Moses camp. 11-12 hrs, 785 ascent, 1,685 descent, 24km,
Predawn attempt of the summit starts at 0300hrs and you hike for about three hours up to Point Lenana (4985m), the hiker’s summit, arriving there in time to watch the African sunrise.Descend to Shipton camp for breakfast.
After breakfast, begin a 5 hour descent via Mackinder`s valley to the Old Moses camp (3,300m). The descent is gentle and it offers ample time to enjoy fascinating scenery which includes the moorlands before reaching the camp.
Day 5 :
Old Moses camp – Nairobi- 2 hrs.
After early morning breakfast, descend for 3 hours to the Sirimon Park gate to catch a vehicle for transfer to Nairobi.
Includes/Excludes
Tour Price Includes
- Return transfers from Nairobi to Mt Kenya (private)
- All Park fees
- All food while on the Mountain.
- Accommodation in mountain huts/ camping where applicable.
- All guiding services
- Porter support for the climb.
Not included are :
- Personal clothing and equipment (see equipment list).
- Tips and gratuities for guides and porter (recommended to be 10 – 15% of climb costs).
- Beverages while not on the mountain.
FAQs
How hard is climbing in Mt Kenya?
Mount Kenya has three main peaks and the two larger peaks of Batian (5199m) and Nelion (5188m) are both technical climbs, however the third peak, Point Lenana (4,985m) is a trekking peak and although it is definitely a challenge and if you’re new to trekking, camping and altitude then you may well struggle but you will be assisted with Gaga Tours team until your ultimate before we can descend.
What is altitude sickness in Mount Kenya?
As climbers ascend Mount Kenya, the air becomes thinner, making it more difficult for the body to obtain an adequate supply of oxygen. Without proper acclimatization, climbers may experience a range of symptoms related to altitude sickness, such as headaches, nausea, dizziness, and fatigue.
How many people have died on Mount Kenya?
Since 1985, at least 150 people have died on the mountain,” Kenya Wildlife Service Warden Bongo Woodley told AFP, attributing many of the deaths to altitude sickness and some even to suicide by jumping off cliffs.
Is Mount Kenya harder than Kilimanjaro?
Mount Kenya’s terrain is more rugged and its landscapes more challenging, making a summit bid more difficult; the success rate for hikers to summit Mount Kilimanjaro is around 70 – 80% compared to about 60% for Mount Kenya. Whichever mountain you choose, it’ll be an adventure.
Has anyone ever reached peak of Mt Kenya?
It was Peter Muambi who made it to the highest peak of Mt Kenya
Peter Muambi, 15, spent his Christmas holiday preparing to climb Mt Kenya and when he did it, he reached the mountain’s highest peak, believed to be be 5,199 metres above sea level (17,057 feet).
How fit do you need to be to climb Mount Kenya?
GENERAL FITNESS REQUIRED
To climb to Point Lenana on Mount Kenya you don’t need to be a super-fit athlete or experienced mountaineer. The trek is accessible to anyone with good basic fitness and an enthusiasm for the outdoors.
Is climbing Mount Kenya worth it?
The trip was great and well worth the money. Incredible landscape, elephants and a good hike – however, not as hard as I thought it would be! 🙂 This was an enjoyable experience with friendly guides accompanying me throughout.
What grade is Mount Kenya climbing?
Climbing routes
| Peak | Altitude | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Pt Melhuish | 4,880 metres (16,010 ft) | IV+ |
| Pt Peter | 4757 m (15,607 ft) | III |
| VI, A1 | ||
| Midget Peak | 4,700 metres (15,420 ft) | IV |
Who is at risk of high altitude?
Children are as susceptible as adults; people aged >50 years have slightly less risk. Any unacclimatized traveler proceeding to a sleeping elevation of ≥8,000 ft (≈2,450 m)—and sometimes lower—is at risk for altitude illness.
Is Nairobi high in altitude?
Nairobi, city, capital of Kenya. It is situated in the south-central part of the country, in the highlands at an elevation of about 5,500 feet (1,680 metres). The city lies 300 miles (480 km) northwest of Mombasa, Kenya’s major port on the Indian Ocean.
What are 3 facts about Mount Kenya?
Mount Kenya is an extinct volcano which originally rose an estimated 3 million years ago and last erupted an estimated 2.6 million years ago. Mount Kenya National Park was formed in 1949 and in 1978 the site became a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve before finally being named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997.
How high is Uhuru Peak?
The highest point of Kibo is on the Kibo’s crater rim. That point reaches 5895 meters (19,340 feet) above sea level and is known as Uhuru Peak.
How cold does it get at the top of Mt Kenya?
Temperature. The temperatures on Mount Kenya fluctuate greatly. This fluctuation is largest on the lower slopes of the moorland zone. At an altitude of 3,000 metres (9,800 ft) there is an 11.5 °C mean range in daily temperature, this goes down to 7.5 °C at 4,200 metres (13,800 ft) and 4 °C at 4,800 metres (15,700 ft).
Is it worth climbing Mount Kenya?
Climbing Mount Kenya (5,199m) is a treat for any lover of sublime, steep rock faces and remote, wild places. This is not a mountain of one peak, but many – a cluster of spikes, spirals and summits which draw ever more captivating the closer you get.
