Sirimon – Chogoria Peak Circuit, a spectacular summit circuit encircles the main peaks of Mt. Kenya. The trail encompasses challenging terrain, fabulous views.
Overview
Mount Kenya has been thought of and held in reverence by the local communities as God`s residence. The snow on the peaks astonished the explorers who could not figure out its existence right at the equator. The roads were initially dug for military purposes to help access the forest to flush out Maumau freedom fighters. The mountain has not escaped the attention of notable filmmakers who shot awarding cinemas and documentaries. {Nowhere in Africa, The Night Climbers of Cambridge, No Picnic on Mt. Kenya are just but a few.}
Book writers have also written with some best-selling titles “The Ascent” Mt. Kenya was recognized as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and later to UNESCO World Heritage Site. Mt Kenya is regarded as the most visually stunning of the ice-capped African peaks and is home to a great diversity of wildlife, including leopard, elephant and buffalo. The ascent is an exhilarating and diverse trek, with relatively few hikers compared to Kilimanjaro. Many would argue that Mount Kenya, whilst not being as high as Kilimanjaro, is certainly the more enjoyable, interesting and dramatic of the two mountains.
Sirimon route is considered by many to represent Mt. Kenya as one of the easiest routes to reach point Lenana. The route is on the dry side of the mountain and affords walks through old-growth forest on lower slopes and giant heather, alpine flowers and lobelia at higher elevations.
Peak Circuit Path is a trail around the main peaks, with a distance of about 10 kilometres and height gain and loss of over 2,000m. It can be walked in one day, but more commonly takes two or three days. It is used to join different ascent and descent routes. The trail is a trekking one that does not require technical climbing.
Chogoria route is on the east side of the mountain and the most scenic and rewarding for hikers interested in seeing beautiful panoramic landscapes and the exotic flora on Mt Kenya. Being on the windward, the forest is thick and healthy often with undergrowth and umbrella canopies.
Day 1: Nairobi – Nanyuki – Sirimon gate – Old Moses camp(Judimier)
Pick up from your hotel/ residence or agreed on central point at 8:00hrs. Drive to Nanyuki will take four and a half {4 ½} hours. Here we meet the crew for the hike. We also replenish our supplies before driving to Sirimon park gate at an altitude of 2,650m a.s.l. Lunch is served as registration and formalities are finalized. We hike leisurely for nine {9km} to Judimere camp 3,300m asl. The trail follows an all-weather road through the tropical rain forest, bamboo zone, treeline to the moorland. Dine and overnight in the camp.
Day 2: Judimier camp – Likii North camp.
After early breakfast, hike to Likii North campsite, 3,995m asl. Lunch will be served upon arrival at the camp. Dinner and overnight in tents at the camp. Elevation attained six hundred metres (600m)
Day 3: Likii North camp to Shipton’s camp.
Breakfast is served before scrambling over the ridge to enter Mackinder’s valley. Elevation attained three hundred {300m} to 4,200m a.s.l. Dinner and overnight at the campsite.
Day 4: Shipton’s campsite – Mackinders camp
After breakfast at Shipton’s camp, we take the peak circuit trail heading to Kami camp below the north face of Batian. We continue the climb to Hausberg Col at 4590m. We descend into the upper Hausberg valley passing between the Oblong and Hausberg tarns. Ascend the crest the ridge – Arthur’s seat. The trail winds along with beautiful series of rock ledges to Two tarn {Hut tarn}. Descend to Mackinder’s camp for the night.
Day 5: Mackinders camp – Austrian hut {Top hut}
After breakfast, we trek to the Austrian Hut (4,790m), also known as Top hut. The route gives views of Points John, Nelion and Lenana, and the aerial view of Two tarn. After four {4hrs} hours we reach the hut for lunch. The afternoon will be spent resting or exploring the neighbourhoods. Dinner and overnight at the campsite at Austrian Hut.
Day 6: Austrian hut – Point Lenana – Lake Michaelson
After a light pre-breakfast at 05:00hrs ascend to our main trekker`s Point Lenana 4,985m for sunrise at 06:30hrs. A short celebration and photo session marking the climax of the hike. Descend to the magnificent lake Michaelson in the Gorges valley for hot brunch. The afternoon will be spent exploring the lake or recapturing the lost sleep. Dine and overnight at the camp.
Day 7: Lake Michaelson – Lake Ellis
After breakfast, ascend the Gorges valley above Vivienne falls to join the trail from Hall’s tarn {Mintos.} Continue the descent having a panoramic view of the mountain. We reach Lake Ellis campsite for late lunch. In the afternoon we may explore Mugi hill, Ketch tarn or just relax in the camp trying fly fishing. Dine and overnight at the campsite.
Day 8: Lake Ellis – Nairobi
After breakfast, hike down for 10km to Chogoria park gate for signing out. We board our vehicle and drive to Chogoria town where we bid farewell to the mountain crew. Proceed to Nairobi and expect to arrive by 17:00hrs.
Mountains have their own climate on account of their height. Rain clouds can appear without warning and be gone hours later. An early morning frost is possible at any time of the year and guests should bring a fleece and light rain jacket, although during the heat of the day shorts and T-shirts should suffice.
Sleeping bag; one rated four (4) season is fine. The bag should be a snug fit since if it is too large there will be more cool air for the body to warm
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- Rain Trouser
- Rain Jacket [Poncho]
- Balaclava [Hat Woollen]
- Warm Clothes down jacket
- Thermal underwear
- Fleece Jacket
- Hiking Boots
- Gloves
- Walking Sticks
- Head Torch
- Sunglasses
- First Aid box
- Ruck Suck 65L (duffel bags are unacceptable) to be carried by porters
- Day Pack 35 [For your personal effects]
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- Optional comfort accessories;
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Walking poles, hot water bottle, Bivy bag
Wet wipes; ideal for those who want to stay fresh but are unable to bear dips in the freezing mountain weather
4: Passport/Identification Card {ID}
5: Personal travel/ medical insurance
Options are of course many and varied and in many cases, we can be flexible about the itinerary for accommodation facilities and the extension of the safari destinations.