Walking holiday

Mount Kenya Chogoria route out Naro Moru gate Mount Kenya, is Africa's second highest Mountain, stands tall at 17,058 feet (5,199 meters). Mount Kenya, an extinct volcanic Mountain that erupted over 3.1 million years ago, is located right above the equator and to the surprise of many, has snow capped peaks.

Mount Kenya includes Mount Kenya National Park, which is approximately 715 square kilometers in size. The Park, established in 1949, is home to wide variety of wildlife and plant species. Over the last 50 years, animals of all sorts have been seen, like cheetah, buffalo, gazelles. Two main Rivers, which flow from the Mountain have promoted the abundance of animals; Rivers Uaaso Nyiro and Tana, flow right into major national parks like Tsavo.

The People Of Kenya And Peaks
Mount Kenya's 3 well-known peaks are: Point Lenana (Le-naa-na) at 16,355 feet, Nelion (Neh-lee-on) at 17,021 feet and Batian (Mbaa-tee-ahn) at 17,058 feet. These accented sounding names are from the Maasai tribe; they were named after famous olaiboni (leaders). They olaiboni had cooperated with the colonial government during the scramble for Africa. The Maasai hold Mount Kenya sacred because they believe this is where the first Maasai couple descended with their cattle; the number of cattle is a symbol of wealth to the Maasai.

In Kenya, you will hear Mount Kenya referred to as Kirinyaga, meaning "the bright big hill" in Kikuyu language. The Kikuyu believe their god, Ngai, lived on the Mountain and after creating the Earth; he created the first humans, Gikuyu and Mumbi.

Mountain Vegetation
Mount Kenya was formed from the explosive lava flow and the rapid cooling-heating process that followed, which accumulated the debris over a period of time. Volcanic soil has promoted the growth of a variety of vegetation types on the Mountain. The following table represents the vegetation type and approximate percent coverage.

Forest Vegetation And Coverage In Percentage
Bamboo - 10%
Bamboo and Forest Mix - 23%
Forest - 32%
Bushy Forest - 11%
Grassland - 8.5%
Plantation - 9%
Other - 6.5%

During your climb of Mount Kenya, you have the opportunity to see most of the above vegetation

Typical Itinerary
Day 1: Nairobi- Chogoria
Depart hotel Chogoria arriving Chogoria town in time for lunch . The journey takes 3 to 3.5 hours. Afternoon will be spent walking around the town for acclimatization. Dinner and overnight at a Hotel.

Day 2: Chogoria - Meru Mount Kenya Lodge (Bandas)
After breakfast a 4x4 drive up to the edge of the bamboo forest where trekking starts through the dense bamboo forest for a distance of 10 km up to the Bandas for lunch. Afternoon will be spent walking around the lodge with a view of beautiful sceneries. Dinner and overnight at the Bandas.(accommodation at Bandas is of single beds.hot shower and bon fire self catering bandas)

Day 3: Meru Mount Kenya Lodge (Bandas) to Mintos Hut
After breakfast leave the lodge for Mintos Hut for a distance of 15 km. Uphill lunch enroute. Dinner and overnight at Mintos Campsite.

Day 4: Mintos to Summit - Mackinders
After pre dawn breakfast we leave the campsite at 2.00 am. For the summit arriving at 6.30 am for sunrise, Kilimanjaro and the coast line Views. After 10 to 15 minutes of photography descend via Austrian Hut to Mackinders camp for breakfast hence spend the whole day enjoying beautiful views. Dinner and overnight at Mackinders Camp.

Day 5: Mackinders Camp to Met Station
After breakfast leave the camp and descend to Met Station via the Moor land and the vertical borges arriving in time for lunch. Dinner and overnight at Lodge.

Day 6: Met Station - Gate - Nairobi.
After breakfast leave Met Station and descend to the Naro Moru Park Gate a distance of 10 km to connect your transport back to Nairobi arriving afternoon.(with option of our continuation to Moshi)