Total Hiking Distance: Approximately 63 km
Route Duration: 6 days on the mountain.

Preamble: This itinerary allows you to hike up in the opposite direction to a great majority of other Mount Kenya trekkers. It combines two of the most splendid routes on the mountain and offers a unique opportunity to experience the memorable gorge that’s an explicit landmark along this route. The Chogoria route is one of the longer but more gentle ascent trails to the peaks, and with an extra acclimatization day included to hike up Mugi Hill (3,520 m), it has a high summit success record. It passes through montane forest, bamboo, heather, and moorland zones to the peaks, past spectacular jagged peaks, glaciated "U"-shaped valleys, waterfalls, and the most pronounced gorge on Mount Kenya. Energetic “lensmen” can optionally add a day on the mountain to trek the summit circuit trail after the summit attempt to capture the high peaks from all angles. Accommodation includes 1 night in Mountain Bandas, 2 nights camping, 1 night in mountain huts, and the last night in a comfortable lodge. When camping, you will not have to participate in camp chores.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: MERU MT. KENYA BANDAS – 3,000 m
A.M. transfer: Nairobi - Chogoria Forest (2,600 m) by car - 230 km / 4 hrs.
P.M. hike: Chogoria Forest - Chogoria Bandas (3,000 m).
Ascent: 400 m.
Span: Approximately 10 km / 2-3 hrs.
Habitats: Montane Forest Zones / Bamboo / Hagenia Zones.

D1 Details: Leaving Nairobi behind, we journey by road through rich and diverse agricultural countryside to Chogoria town on the eastern slopes of Mount Kenya. We’ll meet the crew at this point; each one has a personal porter, and there are extra porters for camping equipment and food. From here, it takes about one hour to get to the forest drop-off point to commence a 2-3 hour trek up through magnificent montane forests, kicking off the essential acclimatization needed for the trek. We ascend a zone of dense bamboo to reach our first night’s destination - Meru Mount Kenya Bandas, tucked away in the Hagenia zone at 3,000 m. Elephants and buffaloes are common here. (L, D)

Day 2: NITHI CAMP – 3,300 m
Acclimatization hike: Meru Bandas via Mugi Hills (3,520 m) - Nithi Camp (3,300 m).
Span: 7 km / 3-4 hrs to reach and ascend Mugi, and 5 km / 2-3 hrs to Nithi Camp.
Ascent: 520 m, then descent: 220 m.
Habitat: Heather / Moorland Zones.

D2 Details: After breakfast, we cross the Chogoria Park Gate and make a detour to scale Mugi Hills (3,520 m) for better acclimatization, then return to the main trail to arrive at our preset camp at Chogoria Road Head Campsite by the Nithi River at 3,300 m. Today’s trek takes 5-6 hours, passing through giant heather zones and high-altitude moorland.

Day 3: LAKE MICHAELSON – 4,200 m
Hike: Nithi (3,300 m) - Lake Michaelson (4,200 m).
Ascent: 900 m.
Span: 14 km / 7-8 hrs.
Habitat: Moorland.

D3 Details: After breakfast, cross the Nithi River for a gentle hike up a broad ridge, enjoying magnificent views of the high peaks ahead and beautiful high-altitude plants, such as giant groundsel and lobelia in the expansive moorlands, as well as views of the picturesque Gorges Valley, the Temple, lakes, mushroom rocks, and billiards table. Following a narrow path on the floor of the gorge, we arrive at the Lake Michaelson Campsite (4,200 m) after a 7-8 hour hike and a gradual ascent of 900 m. This long day rewards you with a memorable stay at a site with a dreamlike setting below the sheer 300 m cliff of the Gorges Valley at the end of the day. If you bring along a fishing rod, there’s a chance to catch some trout from the lake for dinner.

Day 4: SUMMIT CLIMB – 4,985 m / SHIPTON’S CAMP – 4,238 m
Summit ascent: Lake Michaelson (4,200 m) - summit (4,985 m) – Shipton’s Camp (4,238 m).
Ascent: 785 m, then descent: -750 m.
Span: Approximately 7 km / 7 hrs.
Habitat: Alpine Desert / Upper Moorland.

D4 Details: Emerging from the gorge before dawn (2:30 am), ascend and connect with the summit trail for a 4-5 hour climb to Pt. Lenana, standing at 4,985 m, in time for the African sunrise. The climb is tough underfoot through scree, ice, snow, and rock, navigated in the dark to reach the summit by daybreak. This makes it mandatory for each trekker to have both a bright spotlight and determination. After brief celebrations at the picturesque summit, with Kilimanjaro usually visible 340 km to the south, we descend for 2 hours to Shipton’s Hut (4,238 m). You’ll feel tired after this demanding adventure but absolutely ecstatic after making it to the top. Late breakfast is served at Shipton’s Hut, then relax for the rest of the day to regain stamina for tomorrow’s lengthy descent.

NB:The more resilient trekkers may opt for the longer approach to Shipton’s camp after the summit. This follows the summit circuit trail and requires an additional 5-6 hours of strenuous high altitude trekking that is rewarded with unmatchable sights of the high peaks as you very nearly cover the full circumference of the summit.Trekkers also have a choice to descend after breakfast at Shipton’s and cover half of tomorrow’s remaining distance on this day and stay overnight at Old Moses camp (3,340m). This would be advantageous if you wish to reach your next destination early after completing the trek.

Day 5: MOUNTAIN ROCK LODGE – 1950m.
A.M. Descent: Shipton’s camp (4,238m) - Sirimon Park Gate (2600m).
Span: approx. 24kms / 6-7hrs.
Descent, -1700m.
P.M transfer, Simon park gate – Lodge.
Span: 45Kms / 1.5hrs.
Habitat: Moorland / giant heather / Bamboo / montane forest zones.

D5 Details: Have early breakfast and descend on the Sirimon trail past Mackinder’s and Liki Valleys with a short break at Oldmoses camp then on to Sirimon park gate arriving in 6-7 hours. Connect with our vehicles here for transport to our hotel on the western slopes of Mt Kenya. Options for horse riding, fishing and forest natural history walk in afternoon or relax and celebrate.

Day 6: NAIROBI – 1650m.
A.M. Mountain Rock Lodge – Nairobi by road.
Span: 180Kms / 3-4hr. Arrive late morning.

Ascending Mount Kenya is not only about reaching the summit; it’s about experiencing the rich tapestry of its landscapes, cultures, and wildlife along the way. Join us at Mountain Rock Safaris for an unforgettable expedition to this majestic peak, and discover the thrill of adventure and the beauty of nature that awaits you at every turn. Your journey to the roof of Africa starts here!