MOUNT KENYA HIKING

Description

DETAILED ITINERARY

DAY 1: NAIROBI – OLDMOSES CAMP

Drive from Nairobi to our base lodge on the western slopes of Mt Kenya for lunch. After lunch is a full briefing and equipment check before we begin the mountain. It takes about one hour to get to the Sirimon Park Gate (2600m) crossing the equator en-route. On completion of park entry formalities, you begin a 3-4-hour hike through forest, bamboo, rosewood and heather zones to Old Moses camp (3300m). The forest and bamboo are home to hundreds of buffaloes, elephants, bushbucks and a plethora of bird species.

Overnight in the Old Moses hut

DAY 2: SHIPTON’S CAMP

After an early breakfast we commence a 7-8 hours trek to Shipton’s camp (4,236m). Today’s trek is long and interesting but also a good test on individual fitness. You’ll ascent close to 900m going up the surreal Mackinder Valley with its strange vegetation of giant lobelia and groundsel, unique to equatorial African mountains. Here we stay at Shipton’s hut (4236m), just below the glaciers and jagged peaks of bare rock that surround the main summits.

Overnight in the Shipton’s camp

DAY 3: LENANA

Go up steep screes and a bare rocky track to reach the hikers summit, Pt Lenana at 4,985m in time for sunrise. Kilimanjaro is usually visible 340kms to the south on a clear day. The climb is tough going through frozen scree and requiring some scrambling on final stretch to reach the summit. Descend back to Shipton’s camp for a hefty brunch then continue the descent to Old Moses Camp (3340m) arriving in a further 4-5 hours.

DAY 4: SHIPTON’S CAMP

Hikers who can spare an extra day on the mountain are strongly advised to spend this extra night at the Shipton’s Camp after the summit attempt to relax the pace of descent.

DAY 5: DEPATURE

After breakfast, walk down through the rainforest for 2 hours to connect with your transport vehicle back to Nairobi.

RATE; From USD 700 per person on a full board accommodation basis in the camping

Price Includes:

• Transfer from Nairobi to Nanyuki as per the Itinerary (return)
• Transfer to and from the base of the mountain
• Full board accommodation in camps/huts as per the itinerary
• All park entrance fees to include government taxes
• Service of an English-speaking professional guide, porters and skilled cook
• Treated water on the trek.

Excludes:

1. Laundry, sleeping bags, beverages/Drinks, accommodation before the trek and climbing gears
2. International flights
3. Visas to Kenya
4. Items of personal nature
5. Any other extras not detailed in the above itinerary

Things to carry.

• Headlamp
• Walking pole(s)/
• Sleeping Bag,
• Gaiters: To keep mud, rocks, and snow out of your boots.
• Water purification: This is essential as water for drinking is taken directly from mountain streams.
• Hiking Boots: This is the most important item on the list. You’ll need a comfortable/waterproof pair of hiking boots which offer plenty of support. Make sure they are broken in before you get to Kilimanjaro/Mt. Kenya!

USEFUL EQUIPMENT:

• 2 x 2 litres water bottles (camel bags preferably)
• 1 head lamp (plus spare batteries & bulb)
• 1 pair of walking/ski poles
• 1 pocket swiss army knife
• 2 – 3 packets of moist towelettes.
• 1 travel pillow (optional)
• Personal Items & Toiletries: Money and Travellers cheques, toothpaste & tooth brush, body lotion, toilet paper and other personal hygiene items.

Emergency contacts are given to you to assist with any cases of emergency travel, change of reservation, cancellation of itinerary through the following phone numbers:

• 0724 554 852
• 0771 242 793
• 0772 531 688