SVAKC 006: 8 Days Summit Circuit (Timau – Chogoria Route)
Day 01
Leave Nairobi at 8.00 am and drive to Mountain Rock Hotel in Nanyuki for lunch. The afternoon can be used for an optional visit to the Sweet Waters game reserve or to the cave hideouts of the Mau Mau freedom fighters during Kenya's struggle for independence.
Day 02
After a breakfast you continue northwestwards crossing the equator and on to the School of Adventure (70 km), the base of your Mt. Kenya trail at 2900m. Here you meet with guides/ porters and start your climb at 11.30 am. The 5 hours hike take you to Marania campsite at (3300m) in middle of the moorland leaving behind a beautiful forest inhabited by a variety of wildlife. Overnight will be in a fly camp.
Day 03
After breakfast you continue with the climb heading for Major's Camp (4000m ). Your path will be surrounded by plenty of Senecia and Lobelia. Lunch will be at Allan's point. The hike takes about 6 hours. Your night will be spent in a fly camp.
Day 04
After breakfast, you proceed with your trek, passing the scenic Terere and Sendeo peaks. The 6 hours hike takes you up to 4600m reaching the alpine dessert and down again to Shipton's Camp at 4200m. Overnight will be at the Shipton 's Hut where the Mackinders Valley starts.
Day 05
Your climb continues taking you round the peaks of Nellion and Batian, via Hausberg and Nanyuki to Tarn Hut. Two screeds up to 4600m will have to be passed. Lunch will be at the Tarn Hut after which the hike continues down to Mackinder's Camp at 4200m in the Teleki Valley. Overnight will be at the Teleki Hut.
Day 06
After an early morning breakfast at 4.00 am, the trek leads via a steep screed to the Austrian Hut at 4790m. Here there will be a short break before the final ascend to point Lenana (4895m) via Lewis Glacier. You will 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. Overnight will be in tents at shows of lake michaelson(3400)m
Day 07
Today you descend to the Meru Mt. Kenya Bandas at 3000m on your 4-5hours hike you may encounter buffalos, klippspringer,zebra and sometimes elephants. At the bandas the crew prepares a delicious barbeque dinner while you enjoy the first hot shower after your mt.Kenya adventures overnight will be at the bandas.
Day 08
Today, 4 X 4 vehicles will be waiting to take you to Chogoria. During the rainy season you may have to walk a short distance as the vehicle may not be able to reach the bandas. At the forest gate you will have lunch,bid the crew good bye and meet your driver for the transfer to Nairobi or your other onward destination.
