The rarely trodden Timau route is best for nature-loving mountaineers as they trek around the peaks and sample incredible views of the Mountain. The trek features dense forest vegetation, moorland and best vintage points to spot mountain lakes.
Nairobi
Not specified
We leave Nairobi in the morning after breakfast and drive through the fertile farmland of the central province, passed coffee and pineapple plantation to Nanyuki. Our destination is the Comfort Garden Hotel just at the at the of the Olpejeta Conservancy, which harbors plenty of wildlife and is renowned for its conservation efforts to protect rare species. We arrive just in time for lunch and can opt to use the afternoon for an extensive game drive in the conservancy.
Accommodation: Comfort Garden Hotel
Meal Plan: L, D
We leave Nanyuki and drive northwestwards crossing the equator and on to the School of Adventure (70km), the base of our Mt. Kenya trail at 2900m. Here we meet with our crew and after introductions we start the climb at 11.30am. The 5 hours hike takes us to Marania campsite at 3300m in the moorland, leaving behind a forest inhabited by a variety of wildlife. Overnight will be in a fly camp.
Accommodation: Fly Camp
Meal Plan: B, L, D
After breakfast we continue with the climb heading for Majors Camp (4000m). Our path will be surrounded by plenty of Senecia and Lobelia. Lunch will be at Allans point. The hike takes about 6 hours. Our night will be spent in a fly camp at the scenic Major’s Camp site.
Accommodation: Fly Camp
Meal Plan: B, L, D
After breakfast, we proceed with our trek, passing the scenic Terere and Sendeo peaks. The 6 hours hike takes us up to 4600m reaching the alpine dessert and on again to Shiptons Camp at 4200m. The descend to Shipton’s Camp is a bit challenging and care must be taken not to slip. Overnight will be at the Shipton ‘s Hut at the end of the Mackinders Valley with the 3 “Maasai” Batian, Nelion and Lenana towering above us.
Accommodation: Mountain Hut
Meal Plan: B, L, D
Our climb continues taking us round the peaks of Nelion and Batian, via Hausberg and Nanyuki tarn to the Two Tarn Hut. Two screeds up to 4600m will have to be passed. After lunch at the Two Tarn Hut, we continue with our hike down to Mackinder’s Camp at 4200m in the Teleki Valley. Overnight will be at the Teleki Hut (Mackinders Camp).
Accommodation: Mountain Hut
Meal Plan: B, L, D
After an early morning breakfast at 4.00 am, the trek leads via a steep screed to the Austrian Hut at 4790m. Here we have a short break with a sip of hot tea and biscuits, before the final ascend to point Lenana (4895m) via Lewis Glacier. After watching the sunrise, we descend on the northern side via Simba Cole to the Mintos Hut (4200m) for lunch and continue down on the Chogoria route, passing on the ridge of the Gorge valley that overlooks Lake Michaelson. After short but steep descend, we reach the floor of the scenic Gorge Valley. Overnight will be in tents at shores of Lake Michaelson (3400m)
Accommodation: Fly Camp
Meal Plan: B, L, D
Today we descend to the Meru Mt. Kenya Bandas at 3000m First we have a steep ascend to up to 4000m followed by a gentle 3-4 hour downhill. On the way we might see Klipp Springer, Zebras, Buffaloes and even Elephants. At the Urumandi Hut we stop for lunch and in the early afternoon we reach the comfortable Meru Mt. Kenya Bandas for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: self-catering Bandas
Meal Plan: B, L, D
Today our Mt. Kenya adventure comes to an end. From the breakfast table we might be able to watch some wildlife which strolls around the compound. At about 9.00 am our driver has come to pick us up and take us back to Nairobi with a lunch break on the way.
Meal plan: B L
