Mount Kenya Safari 8 days

The journey to Mount Kenya will take 8 days and seven nights; this mountain is the second highest mountain in Africa. Like Mount Kilimanjaro, it is an extinct volcano. It dominates the Central Kenyan highlands, towering just 70 miles north of Nairobi and ten miles south of the equator. The mountain was once higher than Mount Everest but today it is a large dome, roughly 60 miles in diameter from which the rise steep has eroded the remains of its volcanic core. The summit is actually a twin summit, a pair of rocky snow-capped peaks, Batian 5199m and 17,057 ft, and Nelion 5188m and17,021 ft, only separated by a narrow gap and surrounded by an intricate system of peaks and ridges with many high glaciers.

Making it a more technically difficult mountain to climb than Kilimanjaro, Mount Kenya offers some of Africa's finest rock and ice climbing. Huts for accommodation are available along the most common routes but the more serious routes may require bivouacs. The mountain is heavily forested and its ecological diversity is one of its primary attractions. A variety of plant life grows on the slopes including camphor, cedar, and bamboo while elephants, rhinos, buffalos, and leopards roam the surrounding areas. Though there are various routes; the Sirimon-Chogoria route is the most relaxed and gradual. It is accessible to most and does not require any technical climbing gear or knowledge.
Therefore the itinerary goes as follows

Day 01: Nairobi
On arrival at Nairobi, you will be personally received by our company representative and hence transfer you to Norfolk Hotel (Luxury), Panafric (Standard) or Comfort Inn (Budget). If you have you happen to arrive early, we can avail you the opportunity to visit the Giraffe Manor, Karen Blixen Homestead and National Museum.

Day 02: Nairobi - Nanyuki
After an breakfast you will check out and proceed to your Mount Kenya Safari Club (Luxury)/Bantu Lodge (Budget) near Nanyuki town to check in for an overnight and dinner. The journey is a five-hour drive where you will have a brief stop over at Karatina, Kenya' Largest open-air market or at Nanyuki Women's Organization, a women’s association for a brief break and exploration and you can also take photographs. Arrive at the Safari Club/Bantu Lodge for lunch and rest in the afternoon is free for you to get used to the climate. You can spend your time with variety of activities at the Club/Lodge.

Day 03: Old Moses
After and early breakfast, the day starts with a 9 km hiking trip that starts from Sirimon Gate and finishes at Old Moses. You will enjoy the walk through the verdant highland rainforest line with Giant Cedar and Podocarpus vegetation along the route. Large mammals are generally seen on any day while elephants and buffaloes are spotted by only half of the climbers. Dinner and Overnight at Old Moses with an altitude range of 3300m above sea level.

Day 04: Old Moses - Shipton's Camp
After and early breakfast continue to climb and a significant altitude is covered by today. Majority of the trekkers can climb up to this place in 5 to 6 hours. The first part of the climb is steep before descending into the Mackinders Valley. You will come across ravishing views as you leave the vegetation zone and enter the tundra zone. Dinner and Overnight at Shipton's Camp at an altitude range of 4200 m above sea level.

Day 05: Shipton's Camp
By this day you will have been used to the changed climatic conditions before climbing further. A short ascent is made to Kami Hut at an altitude of 4350 m where you will love the appealing alpine lakes, pretty pools and protruding rock formations. Return back to Shipton's Camp for dinner and an overnight stay. Shipton's Camp, Mount Kenya Safari

Day 06: Shipton's Camp - Pt. Lenana - Chogoria Bandas
This journey is interesting because it takes three hours and starts in the middle of the night so that we can reach Pt. Lenana with an altitude of 4985 m before the sunrise. Most climbers are able to reach here before the sunrise at 6.30 am. On a clear day, one can easily get enamored by the sights of Mt Kilimanjaro in the south, Mount Elgon in the west and Indian Ocean in the East. The return begins before the beginning of the wind that generally starts after the sunrise followed by dense mist and cloud cover which would make the return unpredictable and perilous. Take a break at Minos Hut for breakfast. Continue the return to Chogoria Bandas for dinner and overnight stay (picnic lunch en-route).

Day 07: Chogoria Bandas – Nairobi
Return down the 16 km trek through the lush bamboo forest to the gate of the park you will reach in timed for lunch. Our company representative and the vehicle will receive you at the gate to take you back to Nairobi. Overnight and dinner at the Norfolk Hotel (Luxury), Panafric (Standard) or Comfort Inn (Budget)

Day 08: Departure
You have breakfast check out of the hotel and have brief tour around Nairobi as you will be transferred privately to the airport for your next fright back home.