Mt. Kenya
Mt. Kenya
Mt. Kenya
Mt. Kenya
Mt. Kenya
Mt. Kenya
Mt. Kenya
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Chogoria – Sirimon Traverse – 7 Days
Able to hike 10 km / 6.2 miles at a time
Level 3 of 6 - moderate
Trek ends: Sirimon Park Gate
5.199 m / 17.057 ft
max. 12 people
Nairobi Airport or Hotel
- Physical condition required:
- Power required:
- Experience given:
- Charisma of the environment:
Tour description
Climb Mount Kenya in 5 days, following the Chogoria Sirimon Route, the most scenic and spectacular route to the summit area.
The Chigoria Sirimon hike combines the two most scenic routes to the summit of Mt. Kenya. We will hike up through the dry side of the mountain, then climb up through forests until we get to a wide ridge, approaching the summit.
The best time to climb Mount Kenya is during the dry months of January, February, late August, September and October.
This combined itinerary offers stunning nature and magnificent views of the Gorges Valley, Lake Michaelson and Lake Ellis.
DAY 1
Pickup at Kenyatta Airport – Nairobi Hotel
- Elevation: 1.700 m / 5.577 ft
- Distance: 16.1 km / 10 miles
- Drive Time: 1 hour
- Habitat: Town / Municipality / County
You will be picked up at the airport, then driven to Nairobi to check-in at one of the best hotels in Nairobi Town.
After lunch, be ready to sort out and organize your hiking gear for optimal efficiency. Dinner and breakfast the following morning at the hotel.
DAY 2
Nairobi – Chogoria forest – Mt Kenya Bandas
- Elevation: 1.700 m / 5.577 ft – 2.200m / 7.217 ft – 2.900 m / 9.514 ft
- Distance: 200 km / 124 miles drive from Nairobi, 10 km / 6.2 miles hiking
- Trekking Time: 3 – 4 1⁄2 hours
- Habitat: Tropical Rainforest
Depart from Nairobi at 8:00 am, driving through agricultural country up to Chogoria town for lunch. After lunch, we drive up to the edge of the bamboo forest where we start our trekking through the dense bamboo forest for a distance of 10 km to the Mt. Kenya Camp. Dinner and overnight at the Meru Mount Kenya Camp Site.
DAY 3
Mt Kenya Bandas – Lake Ellis Campsite
- Elevation: 2.900m / 9.514 ft – 3.600 m / 11.811 ft
- Distance: 9.5 km / 5.9 miles
- Trekking Time: 3 – 4.5 hours
- Habitat: Moorland Vegetation
After breakfast and sorting of porter loads, we set off up the mountain at a nice and easy pace. A slightly longer walk via Lake Ellis gives scenic views of Mugi, Ithanguni, and the Giants Billiards Table, while, if we follow the river near road head, upstream for about 3 km, the foreground scenery and flora is particularly beautiful. Lunch on the banks of a stream, then it’s time to cut up the left-hand hillside to our camp at about 3,600 m, well away from any of the more “touristy” areas.
DAY 4
Lake Ellis – Minto`s Camp
- Elevation: 3.600 m / 11.811 ft – 4.200 m / 13.779 ft
- Distance: 7 km / 4.3 miles
- Trekking Time: 5 – 6.5 hours
- Habitat: Moorland Vegetation
Similar early start. Again well off the beaten trail, 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 4.100 m. Enjoy 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 area at 4200m and our night’s rest. The 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. An early night is recommended as you are attempting the summit the next day.
DAY 5
Minto`s – Pt Lenana – Old Moses Camp
- Elevation: 4.200 m / 13.779 ft – 4.985 m / 16.354 ft – 3.300 m / 10.826 ft
- Distance: 11 km / 6.8 miles
- Trekking Time: 11 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Vegetation
Predawn attempt of the summit starts at 3:00 am. We hike for about three hours up to Point Lenana (4985m), the hiker’s summit, arriving there in time to watch the African sunrise. Descend to Shipton Camp for breakfast. After breakfast, begin a 5-hour descent via Mackinder`s Valley to the Old Moses Camp (3.300 m / 10.826 ft). The descent is gentle and it offers ample time to enjoy fascinating scenery which includes the moorlands before reaching the camp.
DAY 6
Old Moses Camp – Sirimon Gate – Nairobi
- Elevation: 3.300 m / 10.826 ft – 2.600 m / 8.530 ft – 1.700 m / 5.577 ft
- Distance: Hike 9km / 5.6 miles then drive by car to Nairobi 220 km / 136 miles
- Trekking Time: 2 – 3 hours
- Habitat: Tropical Rainforest
After an early morning breakfast, descend for 2-3 hours to the Sirimon Park Gate to catch a vehicle for transfer to Nairobi arriving late afternoon.
DAY 7
Exiting Nairobi hotel to Kenyatta Airport or for further safari
- Elevation: 1.700 m / 5.577 ft
- Drive Distance: 16.1 km / 10 miles
- Dirve Time: 1 hour
- Habitat: Town / Municipality / County
After breakfast check and make sure as you leave the hotel that everything is in good condition and intact. Get ready to be driven back to the Airport or embark on other safari, in Kenya with an unforgettable safari experience with us.
Important Details
Gear list
Check list below to reduce chances of inconveniences.
Bags
- 65-75 litre rucksack (for a porter to carry your main gear) with cover
- 35-45 litre day sack (for you to carry each day)
- Dry bags of different sizes for clothes, sleeping bag, etc.
Shell
- Waterproof jacket and trousers
- Waterproof gaiters
- Umbrella (optional)
Warmth
- Warm jacket – could be fleece or down jacket, potentially ski jacket. Make sure you can put the waterproof shell jacket over the top.
- 2 or 3 fleece tops or hiking shirts/sweatshirts
- 2 or 3 base layers or T-shirts
- Pair of trekking trousers and shorts
- Leggings, thermal bottoms or running tights
- Several sets of underwear – avoid cotton. Sports bras and cycling shorts are good.
Extremities
- Warm hat and a buff or scarf
- Sun hat
- Warm gloves or mittens, and thin liner gloves are also useful
Feet
- Several pairs of good quality trekking socks
- Waterproof trekking boots
- Trainers or flip flops/sandals
Sleeping
- 3-4 season sleeping bag (comfort -5°C or lower)
- Sleeping bag liner cotton/fleece/silk (optional)
- Stuff sack for sleeping bag
- Thick foam mat or self-inflating mat (like a Therm-A-Rest)
Personal
- Sunglasses
- Trekking poles
- Some favourite snack bars
- Headlamp
- Power bank for charging phones, etc.
- Wash kit – no showers on the mountain but you can have a bucket wash
- Papers – passport, money, insurance
- 2 water bottles
- Flask for hot drinks – useful on summit night
- Earplugs
- Wet wipes, tissues
- Anti-bacterial hand gel
First AID suggestions
- Paracetamol – temperature, colds
- Painkiller – headaches, very good for altitude related symptoms
- Antiseptic wipes and a few bandages and tape, antiseptic cream
- Blister bandages
- Oral rehydration sachets
- Sunblock and lipbalm
- Knee/Ankle support
- Personal Medications eg anti-malaria tablets, inhalers, antihistamine
- January through mid-March
- Mid-June through October
- December
- look at our Tour Calender
Included
Full organization of Mohakin Travel from/to Nairobi Airport
Airport pick-up and drop-off
All transfers, excursions and sightseeing according to the program
Full board during the trekking tour / climbing tour / safari
Boiled water, black tea, coffee and powdered milk for the ascents
Transportation to and from the hotel and trailhead
Accommodation in mountain tents (2-man tent, 4-season tent, mess tent, kitchen tent, chairs and tables)
Sleeping mat
Support team (certified guides, porters, and cooks)
All park and camp fees for the tour
Guides, cook and porters and their payment
experienced english speaking kenyan guide
Preparatory talk on the phone (WhatsApp)
Not included
Airfare to and from Kenya, Tanzania or Uganda
Visa
Tips for the support team
Sleeping bags and other personal gear
Rental gear
Lunch and dinner at the hotel
Single-occupancy fee in hotel
Drinks and snacks
You must have your own personal insurance - also in the case of emergency, we can organize an airlift
Terms and Conditions
Reservations: A deposit of 35% is required at the time of booking and the balance at least before the tour begins or full payment/part payment before treks or safaris arranged on short notice. Special payment arrangements can be made directly with the office.
Cancellation: Any monies paid will be refunded less 35% of the cost and any cost levied by hotels or any additional food expenses. Rates: Includes all expenses in respect of vehicles or drives as per itinerary/general information. Also includes meals on safari and entrance fees to National parks/game reserves.
Transportation: Cars, minibuses, 4WD’s, coaches or trucks will be provided according to the route and number of clients. The right is reserved to employ the services of sub-contractors as appropriate. English-speaking drivers/guides are provided.
Accommodation: When possible, rooms with a private shower are provided. Single rooms are available at an additional cost but cannot be guaranteed. Hotels/lodges are named as an indication of category and rooms may be reserved at similar hotels and lodges. Accommodation is specific to client’s request of budget class, middle class or luxury class, depending on availability.
Alteration to Tours/Treks: We reserve the right to alter arrangement or cancel the operation of scheduled trek/safari should the circumstance necessitate. We also reserve the right to decline or accept or retain any person as a member of any tour at any time, in which case an equitable amount will be refunded. Prices are based on tariffs and other costs prevailing at the time of printing and are subject to change without notice, but a full explanation will be given.
Liability: We do not accepts responsibility for personal injury, accident, loss while clients are on treks/safari. We advise all clients to take out additional insurance cover. Mohakin Travel acts only as agents when employing the use of sub contractors and acts as only agents of the passenger/client in all matters relating to Hotel/Lodge Accommodation, tours, transport, etc. and shall not be liable for injury, delay, loss or damage in any manner. The company’s liability to passengers carried in its own vehicle is governed by the laws of the country in which the tour takes place and no other country. All claims are subject to jurisdiction of the courts of the country in which the action a rise. The company reserves the rights to employ sub-contractors for all parts and services.
NOTE: All expeditions involve an element of personal risk and times can be hazardous nature, Expedition members must accept this risk. We are not liable for any loss, damage, Injury, expense, delay or inconvenience caused to your baggage as a result, whether directly or indirectly, or any matter or whatever nature which is outside our control. All participants are advised to take out an insurance policy to cover personal accidents and medical expenses. We can arrange this at low cost. The guide reserves the right to withdraw participants from treks, safari due to inclement weather, irresponsible behaviors, poor health or any other sound reason the guide gives.
Quality Guarantee
Mohakin Travel clients can expect the following guarantees to ensure proper service:
- Your guide will introduce himself and your driver, and cover the laid out tour/safari itinerary in advance.
- We will double-check that all gear and supplies are prepared for your custom tour/safari.
- During the tour/safari, we will ensure that your needs are met and you are well cared for.
- We will address any issues that arise out of our control, to give our clients the smoothest and most enjoyable adventure possible.
- We will ensure the drivers/sub-contractors are on time and presentable.
- We will give information about surrounding areas and points of interest.
- Each day, we will set time aside to let our clients know what is happening for that day.
- At the end of your tour/safari, we will ask for your feedback to ensure the quality of our service.
Health and Safety
Mountains in the world can sometimes be dangerous and hazardous – especially in high altitude.
It is therefore important to:
1. Be well equipped.
2. Let your expedition leader know your health history.
3. Have a good communication system.
4. Have a good basic first aid kit and know how to use it.
5. Be able to identify mountain illnesses.
HOW TO RECOGNISE ALTITUDE RELATED ILLNESS
At high altitudes the amount of oxygen decreases dramatically. This can result in medical urgency that must be a concern to every hiker.
AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness)
Signs include: Headache, nausea, fatigue, malaise, loss of appetite and difficulty in sleeping.
Treatment
Slow down, stay in camps, drink water and rest while the body adjusts to the altitude. If symptoms persist after 48 hours, descend.
HAPE (High Altitude Pulmonary Aedema)
Symptoms include: Shortened breath during exercise progressing to shortened breath while resting, a dry cough deteriorating to a frothy sputum, audible gurgling (rales) from the chest area, increased heart and breathing rate.
Treatment
Descend immediately and seek medical attention. Descending is the treatment. It can progress quickly to a point where the patient cannot walk. It doesn’t improve with rest at the same altitude.
HACE (High Altitude Cerebral Aedema)
Symptoms include:- AMS that progress to severe headaches, loss of coordination, slurred speech, irrational behaviour, coma and death.
Treatment
Descend immediately, Hace can quickly progress to lethal stage.
Prevention of AMS, HAPE and HACE
Allow 2 nights at 10.000ft or at higher altitude at around 14,000ft. Before proceeding higher, increase fluid intake to 4-6 liters per day. Avoid extreme physical exertion and eat a light diet rich in carbohydrates. Take symptoms seriously. Rest and acclimatize if AMS is suspected. Report to ranger’s rescue station and descend immediately if HAPE or HACE is suspected.
However, it is important to drink plenty of water slowly to allow your body to get used to the altitude.