The Mount Kenya Climb, Burguret-Chogoria Route

We depart Nairobi at 8:00 AM straight towards to Nanyuki for lunch. After lunch, proceed to Gathiuru Forest Station, where you will begin a 4-hour hike, equivalent to 10km through dense groves of towering bamboo to a Giant Bamboo Camp at 2600m. Elephants and buffalo are widespread in this area.

Today’s pathway will lead you to a dense rain- and bamboo forests to the highland swamps and moorlands of Mt. Kenya, giving way to a massive podocarpus and pencil cedar forest before you rise to the hagenia rosewood zone on the moorlands’ border. This is where you’ll eat before walking up through the incredible gigantic lobelia and groundsels. At 3,700 feet, you’ll spend the night beside the sheer lava cliffs of the “Highland Castle.” Today’s tour lasts 5-6 hours, translated to approximately 8km and includes a 1,100m elevation.

We start off at 8:00 AM with spectacular scenery as the jagged volcanic peaks and shimmering glaciers tower above our trek around the summit circuit. Turquoise tarns nestle in the valleys, while eagles and buzzards soar above — it’s hard to believe you’re on the equator! You may meet other trekkers for the first time here as you travel for 5-6 hours, (translated to 10km) to Shiptons Campsite at 4,200m.

The summit attempt begins at predawn. To reach the summit, climb steep screes and a bare rocky pathway. It will take an amazing 3-4 hours(6km) from here to reach the hiker’s summit, Pt Lenana at 4,985m, in time for sunrise – Kilimanjaro is normally visible 340 kilometers to the south, followed by a 2-3 hour descend to Hall Tarns (4,300 meters), where you will have a hearty breakfast and spend the day resting and relaxing. Your campsite is positioned near (but not too close to) the top of a 300m sheer cliff overlooking the Gorges Valley.

Gentle climb along a large ridge with spectacular views back up the valley to the snow-capped peaks, and down to waterfalls, tarns, and lava flows in the Gorges Valley itself. Overnight in the Meru Mt. Kenya cabins with log fireplaces, hot showers and beds. Evening wildlife viewing is accessible, with elephants and buffalo frequently grazing outside our cabins, as well as a significant number of forest and moorland birds.

3 hours walk down through the bamboo forest to meet our vehicles for the return journey to Nairobi, drop of at the hotel or airport to catch your flight back home.