Mount Kenya & Kilimanjaro
An exciting trek on Mount Kenya followed by the ascent of Kilimanjaro via the Rongai Route

Mount Kenya is the name given for a massif of several summits which contain the highest peaks in Kenya. The true highest points of Nelion (5,188m) and Batian (5,199m) are technical rock climbs and are not suitable objectives for a trip of this nature. The highest summit of Mount Kenya which is attainable by the mountain walker is Point Lenana at an altitude of 4,985m and this will be our first objective.

Our journey begins with a flight to Nairobi, the capital of Kenya. We then drive north to the delightful hotel at Naro Moru, with its beautiful gardens and outdoor swimming pool. We then begin our trek into the heart of the Mount Kenya massif following the classic Sirimon route. We are rewarded with views of every aspect of this spectacular range. We camp at Shiptons Hut and American Camp before making the ascent of Point Lenana and are rewarded with views of the sunrise over the Great Rift Valley. We trek out down the Teleki Valley back to the hotel at Naro Moru.

The second stage of our East African adventure involves a road journey across the Masai Plains to Tanzania and our hotel in Moshi, at the foot of Kilimanjaro. Our route of ascent follows the Umbwe Route, initially climbing a muddy path through deep sub-tropical rain forest until we emerge into the Montane vegetation zone and our camp by the Barranco Hut. We then cross a low ridge to the famous feature known as the Lava Tower. From here we have first rate views of the enormous cirque of the Western Breach. We then ascend to our final camp at the Arrow Glacier. The climb to the summit up the great chasm of the Western Breach is an easy scrambling route, made somewhat harder by having to do much of it in the dark. As dawn breaks, we near the crater rim and can look out at a superb view across the African plains. Finally we end the scrambling section and emerge onto the flat crater which is covered in ash. We trek past the Furtwangler Glacier and climb the final steep switchbacks to the summit at Uhuru Peak. The views stretch in all directions, perhaps most impressively of all across the summit ice fields. We continue around the crater rim and descend from Stella Point, and over the following two days we trek back to our hotel in Moshi.

Grade
Strenuous

Duration 17 days

DAY 1 Depart UK
We depart in the evening from London Heathrow Airport for our flight to Nairobi.

DAY 2 Arrive Nairobi
On arrival into Nairobi Airport we are met by our guides and drive north for three hours to the delightful Naro Moru River Lodge in Nanyuki district, an excellent place to relax and unwind from the long flight and travelling. The lodge is a former British colonial residence with charming riverside gardens and wooden chalets. There is an abundance of colourful wildlife in the adjacent forests, and in the evening we can sip our gin and tonics, sitting out on the beautifully manicured lawns or in the well-stocked bar adjacent to its open-air swimming pool.

DAY 3 Begin trek to Old Moses Camp
After breakfast we drive north across the Equator to Mount Kenya National Park. There is a monument of sorts on the Equator and we can have our photographs taken standing with one leg in the northern hemisphere and one leg in the southern. At Sirimon park gates we register with the Rangers and meet our crew of porters who will accompany us for the next few days. The initial part of the trail follows a good track through dense forests alive with birdsong and the sounds of noisy Colubus monkeys. Elephants also inhabit these parts, but they are rare these days and we will be lucky to see one. We emerge on the edge of the forest where it joins the moorland zone, and reach our campsite at Judmeier, also known as Old Moses Camp (3340m).

DAY 4 Trek to Liki North Hut
The route begins to climb quite steadily now so although today’s walk is relatively short, we will be gaining altitude more rapidly now and it is important not to proceed too quickly. We trek across gentle moorland slopes passing under ‘the Barrow’ to reach our overnight stop at Liki North Hut (3900m). We should be at the camp by mid afternoon, allowing for an exploratory hike into the surrounding wilderness area.

DAY 5 Trek to Shiptons Hut
In the morning we complete our trek up to Shiptons hut. Although not far in distance we are now at an altitude of 4200 metres. We stop here and our staff will put up the camp. Meanwhile we will take a packed lunch and go for a long acclimatisation hike. Our objective will be Mintos Hut and tarn (4200m). Although at the same height as Shiptons Hut, there is much ascent and descent between the two, making this ideal territory for an acclimatisation hike. In addition from Mintos we get great views down into the deep corrie of Lake Michaelson. In the afternoon we return to our camp at Shiptons hut.

DAY 6 Across Huasberg Col to the American Camp
Today is one of the most interesting on the whole Mount Kenya section of the trek. We climb up from Shiptons huts and cross the rocky Hausberg Col. This is not a particularly high pass but with renewed altitude gain it can feel like hard work. We traverse around the summit pyramid of Mount Kenya along a delightful narrow path which eventually brings us past small glacial lakes and out by Two Tarn Hut. This rudimentary but famous climbers bivouac sits dramatically beneath the Diamond Couloir and is a great spot for us to stop and have lunch. We then cross a low grassy ridge and descend a long slope down to the flat valley which is American Camp. From high up on the ridge we will be able to look down on the camp, hopefully which our staff will already have established ahead of us.

DAY 7 Climb Mount Kenya
We leave camp at 3am, maybe earlier, for the hike and scramble to the summit of this third highest point on Mount Kenya. Walking with head torches and hopefully by moonlight we take about three hours to reach the summit of Point Lenana (4,985m). Although the climb is straightforward the final section is hard work at this high altitude. We should have timed it right to reach the summit as dawn breaks over the great Rift Valley, a sight you will never forget. After enjoying the views and taking our summit photographs, we descend down to the Austrian Hut (4700m) where we can pause and perhaps have a light second breakfast. We then have a leisurely stroll back down the Teleki valley towards Mackinders Camp, where we can take lunch. The path continues easily until we begin a long descent through a section known as the Vertical Bog. If it is dry this section is no problem. If it is wet, the vertical bog can live up to its name. Finally we reach a campsite by the roadhead, known locally as the Met Station (3,050m - there is a Meteorological station here).

DAY 8 Trek out to Naro Moru
In the morning our private vehicle will meet us. We drive for about two hours out through the Mount Kenya Park Gates back to the comforts of the Naro Moru River Lodge which we should reach in time for lunch. The welcoming outdoor swimming pool will doubtless be the main focus for the remainder of today’s activities.

DAY 9 Drive to Moshi
After breakfast we drive south through Nairobi where we can stop for lunch. We then continue across the Masai Plains to the Tanzanian border at Namanga. After completing immigration formalities we continue south to the town of Moshi and our hotel.

DAY 10 Begin Kilimanjaro climb to Umbwe Caves
From Moshi we drive along a rough track through the village of Umbwe which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. Just beyond this we come to the National Park gates where we sign in for our ascent. We begin walking through thick rain forest on an increasingly steep and winding trail to the Umbwe Caves Camp. This trail can be very muddy and slippery after rain. We camp in a clearing by the small overhanging cave.

DAY 11 Trek to the Barranco Camp
After breakfast, we start trekking and soon leave the gloom of the rain forest. The path continues to ascend, passing through lighter montane vegetation and crossing a small valley. We then hike along a ridgeline covered with heather, until the ridge ends. The route now crosses open country until we reach our overnight camp at the Barranco Hut, situated in a stunning position with the western icefields forming a magnificent backdrop to our camp.

DAY 12 Trek to Lava Towers Camp
From the Barranco we climb the gentle hill behind the camp, slowly gaining altitude, until we reach the Lava Tower Camp. Although not a long day, this is an important stage in our acclimatisation process. We should reach the camp by lunch time, and in the afternoon we can make an acclimatisation hike.

DAY 13 Trek to the Arrow Glacier Camp
We will have a leisurely morning around the Lava Towers Camp. After lunch we move from the Lava Towers Camp and have a short climb up to the Arrow Glacier Camp, situated at the foot of the Western Breach. We establish our camp and prepare for our summit day.

DAY 14 Summit Kilimanjaro
We leave our camp in the very early hours of the morning for the long ascent up to the summit of Kilimanjaro's main peak - Kibo. It takes from 4 to 5 hour slow walking up scree and a rocky ridge to reach the top of the Breach Wall. Although this section is classed as a scamble, there are no great technical difficulties. When we reach the top of the Breach Wall, we emerge onto the flat, lunar surface of the crater floor. The huge ice cliffs of the Furtwangler Glacier sit in front of us and provide a temporary diversion whilst we recover from the long ascent. We then continue the final 2 hours ascent to Uhuru Peak at 5,896 metres. From here we have the most fantastic views of the summit icefields and the plains of Africa stretched out below our feet. After taking in this amazing view we descend via Stella Point and the Barafu Hut to the Millenium Camp. A long and very tiring day which for some will be the most physically arduous day of their lives.

DAY 15 Return to Moshi
We have a short morning walk through the forest to the National Park gates. We sign out of the Park and the Rangers will give us our certificates of ascent. We then board our vehicle and drive back to Moshi and our hotel.

DAY 16 Moshi - evening departure
The morning and afternoon will be free. In the evening we make the short transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport for our flight home.

DAY 17 Arrive London
We arrive back into London early in the morning.