6 NIGHTS SIRIMON – CHOGORIA ROUTE

SIRIMON – CHOGORIA ROUTE

6 NIGHTS

The descent by the Chogoria route, generally considered to have the most
spectacular landscape and geological features of cliffs cirques and lakes, is
long but worth it (especially on the descent) for far reaching views of high
lakes and glacial tarns, deep gorges and unusual rock formations. One
particular enormous amphitheatre of cliffs called The Temple holds the
beautiful Lake Michaelson. Camp is further down near Nithi Falls and past
Lake Ellis from where you can climb to local high points to see back to the
peaks and strange volcanic formations such as the “giant’s billiard table”.
The next day is a glorious descent to the forest and it’s possible to get picked
up at a small road head for the last few kilometres to the Meru Bandas at
Chogoria gate (this pick up needs to be organised in advance). From there,
the 4×4 takes you down the muddy track to the town of Chogoria and on to
Nairobi or to your onward safaris to Meru national park or Samburu.

01

On arrival you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel for 1 night including
Lunch and Dinner.

02

Breakfast at hotel / lodge. You will be collected at approx 06.30 for the 4 hrs
transfer to the Sirimon Gate where your Guide will register with KWS, the
Kenya Wildlife Service, and pay the park fees. The Cook and porters will
organize the distribution of the packs and provisions and then set off for the
first camp.
This is a four hour trek up a fairly steep vehicle track through the forest
where you will see evidence of elephant and buffalo and possible sightings
of bushbuck and baboons. If you are setting off around 11, you will have a
picnic lunch on the way, weather permitting. If your departure is delayed,
you may have an early picnic lunch at the gate. This walk takes you up to
3,300 metres to Old Moses camp.

03

After breakfast, you leave at around 7.30. An early start is advisable for the
best views, as the weather can close in during the afternoon. The walk crosses two ridges and several streams and in 3-4 hours, you reach the
beautiful valley of Liki North dominated by the peaks of Sendeyo and
Terere. This walk takes you from the moorland to the Afro alpine zone with
its giant groundsel and lobelia, evoking the Jurassic age. There is a small
mountain hut for cooking, and you camp overnight.

04

After an early breakfast, you climb out of the Likii North Valley, crest a
ridge and descend into Mackinder’s valley, dropping down to pick up the
trail on the valley floor. You then climb up the other side of the valley to
reach Shipton’s Camp at 4,236 metres. This 6km walk can take about 5
hours. Shipton’s Camp has a large bunkhouse and campsite. It is one of the
main bases for summit attempts, mainly by trekkers but also by
mountaineers.

05

This is a rest and acclimatization day at Shipton’s Camp to prepare for the
ascent of Point Lenana. It is well worth walking up to the Hausberg Col
from where you get spectacular views of the peaks including Point Peter and
Point Dutton. This is a good dry run as you reach 4,591 metres, only 394
metres lower than Point Lenana. Then an early supper and bed to get some
sleep before the next day’s very early start.

06

You leave Shipton’s Camp between 2.30 and 3am for your early morning
ascent of Point Lenana (4,985 m). This 4 km walk takes 3-4 hours due to
poor light and high altitude. The aim is to reach the summit by sunrise.
Then it’s a steep descent down a scree slope towards the spectacular Gorges
Valley. Dotted with giant groundsel, this is the most extraordinary
landscape. Breakfast is near Hall Tarns, a distance of about 4.5 kms, then
continue to the Meru Mount Kenya Lodge, a simple mountain lodge near the
Chogoria Gate.
This is a long day as the walk covers 14 km and takes about 6 to 7 hours, but the rewards are a hot shower and supper in front of a log fire.

07

After a leisurely breakfast, you walk about 10 kms down through the forest
to meet a Landrover to take you down the rest of the track and on to
Chogoria town. From here you take an onward road transfer (approx 4
hours) to Nairobi.