Chogoria Naromoru Route Mt.Kenya Climbing Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Nairobi- Mt Kenya Bandas (2,900m) 3hrs, 29kms
Depart from Nairobi or Nanyuki at 0800hrs, driving through agricultural country up to Chogoria town for lunch. After lunch, we take 4×4 and drive up to the edge of the bamboo forest where we start our trekking through the dense bamboo forest for up to the Mt Kenya Bandas. From here we have a very good view of the summit point (Lenana) to the horizons.Dinner and overnight at the Mount Kenya Bandas. The time may vary depending on the state of the road and if there is rainfall.
Day 2: Mt Kenya Bandas – Lake Ellis Campsite (3,600m) 4hrs, 9km, 700m ascent.
After breakfast and sorting of porter loads we set off up the mountain at a nice and easy pace slightly longer walk via Lake Ellis gives scenic views of Mugi, Ithanguni and the Giants Billiards Table. You get to the camp just in time for hot lunch and then an afternoon hike can be done to Mugi hill for acclimatization. The hike takes 1-2 hours. Fishing in the lake is another optional activity. Dinner and overnight in the camp.
Day 3: Lake Ellis- Minto`s Camp. (4,200m) 6 hrs, 12km, 600m ascent
Similar early start. Again well off the beaten track to follow a ridge up the mountain for about 3 hours to eventually join the tourist track on the normal Chogoria route at an altitude of about 4,100m. Breath-taking views over the Gorges Valley and back over towards Ithanguni and the Northern Moorlands. Lunch is served at a small stream crossing, before continuing for a further hour to the Mintos Hut at 4200m and our night’s rest. Afternoon is spent relaxing at camp, though a 10 minute walk to the “Temple” is well worth the effort. This is a 150 meters vertical cliff that gets its name from the position visitors often adopt when peering over the edge – they look as if they are praying. Dinner is served early to give room for enough rest. This is to have energy for the next day summit session.
Day 4: Mintos/Point Lenana/Met Station - 11-12 hrs, 29km, 785m ascent/1985m descent
Leave shortly after midnight at 3am towards the main peaks to summit point Lenana and divide after an hour, above a flat green area at the head of the valley known as temple fields, arriving at point Lenana at 6:30am. After taking photographs, descend to Mackinder’s camp for breakfast and continue down to Met Station at 3000m for dinner and overnight rest.
Day 5: Met Station/Naromoru/Nairobi - 3hrs, 9km, 400m descent
After breakfast, descend through the rainforest which is 9km to Naromoru Park Gate at 2,600m where you will connect with your transport back to Nairobi, arriving at approximately 3pm.
