Mt Kenya, Chogoria Route & Mt Kilimanjaro, Marangu Route - 15 Days

Itinerary of the 15 Days Mount Kenya Chogoria & Mount Kilimanjaro Marangu Route Hiking & Safari Package: DAY 1 - Nairobi - Nanyuki - After breakfast, leave Nairobi and drive to Nanyuki arriving in time for lunch. - The afternoon is spent in this area for acclimatization. -Dinner and overnight in a budget hotel. DAY 2 - Nanyuki - Old Moses Camp - Pick up from your Hotel at 7:30 am, then we proceed to Old Moses Camp. - On arrival we finalize with the crews and purchase of food to be used on the mountain. - After this, we proceed to the Sirimon Gate which normally takes not more than 1 hour, on arrival at the gate we will have lunch as we formalize the entry process and payments of the fees as required by the Park Authority. - After the process the walking starts from the gate to the camp, this normally takes 2-3 hours to get to Old Moses. - Dinner and overnight at Old Moses Camp. DAY 3 - Old Moses Camp - Shipton Camp - Depart Old Moses Camp after breakfast via Mackinders Valley to Shipton Camp (4200m). - The distance takes 6 to 7 hours. - Dinner and overnight. - Meal plan - breakfast, lunch, and dinner. DAY 4 - Point Lenana- Chogoria - Early morning departure (3:00 am) to the summit, a walk that takes 3 hours to point Lenana (4985m) arriving at 6:30 in the morning. - After sunrise, descend to Mintos Hut for full breakfast and later proceed down through the Gorges valley to Chogoria Bandas and campsite. - Dinner and overnight. DAY 5 - Chogoria - Sweetwaters park - After breakfast, set on the morning journey to Chogoria (32km). - 4WD vehicles are provided but during bad weather, climbers may have to walk some distance as vehicles may not reach the Bandas. - From Chogoria drive to Sweetwaters game sanctuary and enjoy the evening game drive. - Dinner and overnight at the hotel. DAY 6 - Sweetwaters Park - Lake Nakuru National Park - Depart Sweetwaters after breakfast for Lake Nakuru National Park, arriving at your hotel in time for lunch. - In the afternoon a game drive is planned. Besides the flamingos that Lake Nakuru is famous for, there are approximately 400 other species of birds found there. - Overnight at Chester hotel. - Meal plan - breakfast, lunch, and dinner. DAY 7 - Lake Nakuru National Park – Nairobi - After breakfast, drive to Nairobi arriving in time for lunch at your hotel. - On the way, you will do a boat ride in Lake Naivasha at an extra cost US$40 each. Lake Naivasha has so many hippos and other wild animals that can be seen right inside the lake. - Dinner and overnight at Kenya comfort Hotel booked on Bed and breakfast. DAY 8 - Nairobi - Arusha - After breakfast, we board the Tourist designed shuttle bus and head to Tanzania Arusha town arriving in time for lunch. - After lunch in Arusha town, we will proceed to Moshi for the next 2 hours and arrive late afternoon around. - Check in the QWine hotel in Moshi for dinner and overnight. DAY 9 - Marangu Gate (1980m) – Mandara hut (2700m) - The drive from Moshi to the Kilimanjaro National Park gate takes about 50 minutes. The journey passes through the village of Marangu, which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. - Once you reach the park gate, all hikers are requested to sign in at the Park office and make their final preparations for the climb. - Porters will be seen arranging and loading their packs, containing the food, water, cooking gas as well as most of your equipment. - Make sure that you have all your day pack items (containing at least drinking water, your lunch pack and extra clothing) with you as the porters ascend a lot quicker than the hikers. DAY 10 - Mandara hut (2700m) – Horombo hut (3720m) - From Mandara hut, the trail passes through a short stretch of forest, then skirts the base of the Maundi Crater and then emerges into the transition from rain forest to moorland. It is well worth a short detour to scramble up the rim of the Maundi Crater for your first really impressive view of the Kibo Crater. On a clear day, Kibo will glimmer in the distance, showing off her majestic glaciers in the morning sun. DAY 11 - Horombo hut (3720m) – Acclimatization day - This extra day and night at Horombo are for additional acclimatization. - A hike towards the Mawenzi hut, passing the Zebra Rocks on the way (about 3 hours up and 1.5 hours down), is strongly recommended. This hike will further assist with the process of acclimatization. Remember to drink enough water and move slowly! - All meals for the day are provided at the hut. - Retire to bed early and get a last good night’s rest. DAY 12 - Horombo hut (3720m) – Kibo hut (4700m) - After breakfast, continue your ascent into the Alpine desert habitat. The recommended lower route (left-hand fork) is much easier and nearly an hour and it also passes the last watering point at 4130m. - The summit is now a further 1195m up and you will make your final ascent the same night. Prepare your equipment, ski-stick and thermal clothing for your summit bid. This should include the replacement of your headlamp and camera batteries and make sure you have a spare set available as well. - To prevent freezing it will be wise to carry your water in a thermal flask. - Go to bed at round about 19:00 and try to get as much rest and sleep as possible. DAY 13 - Summit attempt, Kibo Hut (4700m) – Uhuru Peak (5895m) – Horombo Hut (3720m) - You will rise around 23:30, and after some tea and biscuits you shuffle off into the night, and this is where the going really gets tough. - The first section of the trail consists of a rocky path to the Hans Meyer Cave (5150m), also a good resting spot. The path then zigzags up to Gillman's point (5 681m), which is located on the crater rim. This section is very steep with a lot of stone screen, requiring a great physical and mental effort. - It is the most demanding section of the entire route. - From Gillmans Point you will normally encounter snow all the way up to Uhuru peak (5895m), the highest point in Africa. - Weather conditions on the summit will determine how long you will be able to spend, taking photographs, before the 3 hour descent back to Kibo hut. - After a short rest you gather all your gear you left behind for the ascent and head down to Horombo hut (3 hours) for your overnight. DAY 14 - Horombo hut (3720m) – Marangu Gate (1980m) - After breakfast, continue your descent (6 hours), passing the Mandara hut, down to the Marangu gate. - At Marangu gate you sign your name and details in a register. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. - Those climbers who reached Gillman’s Point (5685m) are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m), receive gold certificates. - You now drive back to Arusha for a long overdue hot shower, dinner and celebrations! - Overnight at a budget hotel. DAY 15 - Departure - Transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport for your flight back home or continue with your safari schedule end of our 15 Days Mount Kenya Chogoria Mount Kilimanjaro Marangu Route.