What to expect

Day 1 NAIROBI-MOUNTAIN ROCK HOTEL (MOUNT KENYA) Morning transfer from Nairobi to our hotel on the western slopes of Mt Kenya, altitude 2,000m.On arrival have a hot lunch in the hotel restaurant then begin an escorted 3-4 hours visit to nearby local community farms. Your visit will help promote the local community's initiative in eco-tourism thus providing economic justification for their participation in the conservation of Mt Kenya's natural beauty. NB: Clients with more time can spend an extra day at the lodge and take this excursion at a more relaxed pace which would enable them visit more community projects including a local school, a typical Kikuyu village and more. 

Day 2: MOUNTAIN ROCK HOTEL (2000M)- ELEPHANT MOAT CAMP (2300M) Your trek starts right from the lodge soon after breakfast, together with your guide and porters you start a 4 hours trek through a lush forest pass via the famous Mau Mau caves (2000m) and waterfalls en-route. This is a splendid site at which former freedom fighters laid their guerrilla war strategies against the British Colonialists. As you enjoy your picnic lunch you listen to a preview of this historic event told by your guide. Proceed on to the Elephant Moat camp (2300m) situated at the start of the tropical rainforest for overnight in tents. 

Day 3: MOUNT AIN ROCK HOTEL-GIANT BAMBOO CAMP (2700M) You proceed on through the montane forest with its gigantic cidar and podocarpus trees and then through a dense bamboo belt to the Giant Bamboo campsite (2700m.) for overnight in tents. The forest and bamboo are home to hundreds of buffaloes, elephants, bushbucks and a plethora of bird species. 

Day 4: GIANT BAMBOO CAMP-HIGHLAND CASTLE (3600M) You set off after breakfast. Today's trek continues though bamboo, rosewood and heather zones giving way to a moorland of tussock grasses, Senecios and Lobelias as you approach the Highland Castle campsite. Today's hike takes 3-4 hours and involves an ascent of 900m. Picnic lunch is served enroute. Adventurous climbers can scramble to the top of Highland Castle cliff and enjoy splendid views of the Castle like rock formation and good views of the surrounding area. 

Day 5: HIGHLAND CASTLE-SHIPTON'S CAMP (4200M) Today's hike starts at 8.00am, ascending to over 4400m in 3 hours to connect the summit circuit trail. Following this in the clockwise direction the trail leads you down the Hausberg Valley and over the Hausberg Col to Kami, where you divert and walk down the Mackinder's Valley to Shiptons hut (4200m) in roughly another 2-3 hrs. Picnic lunch is served en-route. 

Day 6: SHIPTON'S CAMP-POINT LENANA-MINTOS CAMPSITE (4300M) Get up early to prepare for predawn summit attempt starting at 0300hrs. Hike up the steep scree to Pt. Lenana (4,985m), 'the hikers summit', taking 3-4 hours in order to arrive there in time to capture the African sunrise. When the skies are clear the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro can be seen 340km to the south. Later descent to Mintos/Hall tarn campsite for breakfast then relax for the rest of the day. Interested persons can explore the Gorges valley from here and take advantage of the fascinating scenery including the Gorges Valley, the Temple and L. Michaelson. 

Day 7: MINTOS CAMPSITE-MERU MOUNT KENYA LODGE/CAMPSITE (3000M) After breakfast, begin a 5-6 hour descent to Meru Mount Kenya cabins situated next to the Chogoria Park gate (3,000m). The descent is gentle and it offers ample time to enjoy enchanting attractions along the way, which includes the Vivienne, falls, Nithi falls, mushroom rocks and an array of interesting montane plants. Today you have a chance to clean up and relax at the Meru Mt. Kenya Lodge. 

Day 8: MERU MOUNT KENYA LODGE/CAMPSITE-NAIROBI After breakfast gradually descent through the Chogoria rain Forest to have an opportunity to explore the bamboo and lush montane forest belts before boarding on to the vehicle for the return journey. Expected arrival time in Nairobi is1700hrs. Picnic lunch is served en route.