Mt Kenya -Burguret / Chogoria route traverse - 7 days

Going up this route is a challenge: rough underfoot, an overgrown track more used by elephants than humans, muddy when wet, no huts and with dense stands of giant bamboo and montane forest -why would you want to take it? Well it’s for real wilderness aficionados.

The route was pioneered during colonial days and then abandoned for many years until it was re-opened by our guides in the early 90's. It provides a unique and completely natural mountain trekking experience. Up to Point Lenana then descent on the Chogoria route provides the most spectacular views and completes a traverse of the mountain.

Day 1 Transfer from Nairobi to our hotel on the western slopes of Mt Kenya, altitude 2,000m. Relax and preparation for trek. Horse riding and forest natural history walk options in the afternoon.

Giant bamboo forest

Day 2 Short drive to Gathiuru forest station and a 4 hour ascent through dense stands of towering bamboo to our own Giant Bamboo camp at 2600m. Elephant and buffalo are common here.

Day 3 The luxuriant bamboo yields to enormous podocarpus and pencil cedar forest before we climb to the hagenia rosewood zone at the edge of the moorlands. This marks our lunch spot before heading up through the extraordinary giant lobelia and groundsels. We spend the night close to the sheer lava cliffs of the “Highland Castle” at 3,700m. Today’s hike takes 5-6 hours with an ascent of 1,100m.

Giant groundsels

Day 4 Spectacular scenery as the jagged volcanic peaks and shimmering glaciers tower above our trek around the summit circuit. Turquoise tarns nestle in the valleys, eagles and buzzards soar overhead - it’s difficult to believe we’re on the equator! We might, for the first time, meet other trekkers here as we hike for 5-6 hours to overnight at American Camp at 4,300m.

Day 5 Predawn start for the summit attempt. Up steep screes and a bare rocky track to reach Austrian Hut. It’s an exhilarating 30 minutes from here to reach the hikers summit, Pt Lenana at 4,985m in time for sunrise - Kilimanjaro is usually visible 340kms to the south Then 2-3 hours descent to Hall Tarns (4,300m), where we have the rest of the day to relax. Our campsite is perched close (but not too close) to the top of a of sheer 300m cliff overlooking the Gorges Valley.

Looking back up the Gorges Valley towards the peaks

Day 6 Gentle hike down a broad ridge enjoying magnificent views back up the valley to the snowy peaks, and down to waterfalls, tarns and lava flows in the Gorges Valley itself. Overnight in the Meru Mt. Kenya cabins - log fires, hot showers, beds - and if the supply vehicles have made it up through the forest, Tusker beers! Wildlife viewing possible in evening with elephant and buffalo often grazing outside our cabins and a large numbers of forest and moorland birds.

Day 7 Three hours walk down through the bamboo forest to meet our vehicles for the return journey to Nairobi, arriving in the late afternoon.

Lake Michaelson on the Chogoria descent

General: Accommodation is 1 night comfortable hotel, 4 nights camping (3 person mountain tents shared by 2 people), 1 night cabins. All your equipment will be carried by vehicles or local porters, you only carry a day-pack with personal gear. When camping you will not have to participate in camp chores. We buy fresh produce locally and to ensure good standards of hygiene all food is prepared by our own staff. We can cater for special dietary requirements and there are no extra food-kitty payments.

We can also arrange extra hotel bookings and airport transfers for before and after your trip.

Cost for any departure date:

US $1,235 per person for group of 9-12
US $1,400 per person for group of 5-8
US $1,520 per person for group of 3-4
US $1,800 per person for group of 2
US $2,480 for single departure

Prices quoted include:	Prices quoted exclude:
* All transport - 4WD Land Rovers or safari vehicles * Accommodation - mountain huts & roomy tents * Camping equipment (except sleeping bags and insulation mats) * Services of guides & porters * All National Park entrance and camp site fees * All food - breakfasts, packed lunches and evening meals * Donations and payments to local community project	* International flights * Travel and personal accident insurance * Visa, passport, vaccinations, medicines * Tips * Alcoholic drinks, souvenirs, personal items * Optional excursions/activities not detailed in itinerary * Any additional services requested

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