Twin Peaks

An ascent on the remote routes of Mt Kenya and Mt Kilimanjaro will appeal to the seasoned trekker intent on climbing Africa's famous Twin Peaks while also appreciating the prolific wildlife and rich diversity of flora for which this region is renowned.

Our traverse of Mt Kenya ascends via the lesser known Chogoria Route with fine alpine walking that ensures we are well prepared for an exhilarating circuit of the summit peaks including Point Lenana (4985m). Transferring to Tanzania we prepare for our climb on Kilimanjaro (5985m). We aim to climb the remote and challenging Shira Route following less well-defined trails through dense forest to moorlands characterised by giant lobelia.

From the wilderness of the Shira Plateau we start our route underneath the Southern ice fields until we reach to the summit of Kilimanjaro and savour one of the best sunrises in the world.

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Itinerary / Highlights

DAY 1 Arrival and overnight in Nairobi
If you are arriving on the group flight you will be met and transferred to the group hotel for the rest of the day at leisure in Nairobi.
Meals: NIL

DAY 2 Mt Kenya National Park
This morning we head to Chogoria Village where in the afternoon you will ascend the steep and rutted track to the Bandas (cottages) in woodland near the Chogoria gate (9,396'/3,017m) of the Mt Kenya National Park where you will stay for two nights. Our gear will be transported by Land Rovers while we gain acclimatisation with our first walk at altitude.
Meals: B, L, D

DAY 3 Chogoria Bandas
Today is a good opportunity to acclimatise, as you will be staying at an altitude of around 3000m, as well as recover from jet lag and prepare and organise your gear for the trek ahead. There will also be opportunities to view some of the native wildlife (including elephants if you are lucky!) that live in this forest belt. The flora and fauna surrounding the Banda's is prolific. A walk will be organised to stretch our legs and explore the area around the Banda's.
Meals: B, L, D

DAY 4 Lake Ellis
The day starts slowly with a gentle game walk in the surrounding forest. Elephant, Buffalo, Antelope & Colobus monkey all live here as do Augur Buzzard & Verreaux's Eagle. After a late breakfast you will trek to Lake Ellis (11,480'/3,500m). Gradually the forest drops away and you enter a high moorland zone. Lake Ellis is a peaceful spot with good views of the main peaks - still 2 days
trekking away.
Meals: B, L, D

DAY 5 Lake Michaelson
The initial trek away from the lake ascends gentle moorland to attain a ridge that eventually joins the main Chogoria route at its best viewpoint. After enjoying views of Vivienne Falls and the Gorges Valley we descend to the little visited Lake Michaelson (13,120'/4,000m) and possibly the most beautiful campsite on the walk. Overhead tower the cliffs of the Temple while Tacazze Sunbirds flit amongst the giant Groundsel & Lobelia and Hyraxes hop around in the rocks.
Meals: B, L, D

DAY 6 Simba Tarn
The trek now enters the Alpine Zone - after quite a boggy start to the walk the walking surface soon becomes scree. You will climb several steep slopes to the Tooth (15,416'/4,700m), from where it is a gentle contour to Simba Tarn at 14,956'/4,4560m, which you should reach in time for a late lunch.
Meals: B, L, D

DAY 7 Point Lenana (4985m), descend to Old Moses Camp (3000m)
After a hot drink you will leave at 5.00 am for the steep ascent (2 hours) of Point Lenana (16,355'/4,985m) in time for sunrise. Although the climb is straightforward, the final section is hard work at this altitude. From the summit it is often possible to see Mt Kilimanjaro 320km away as well as the nearby climbing peaks of Mt Kenya; Nelion and Batian which should be bathed in golden
sunlight at this time of the morning. We descend back to Simba Tarn for a well-earned cooked breakfast, and continue our descent via the Sirimon Route via Old Moses Camp. The walk today is long and exhausting and will challenge even the fittest of walkers. However the thrill of standing on the roof of Kenya, will be sure to make the effort worth your while.
Meals: B, L, D

DAY 8 Descend to Sirimon, return to Nairobi
After breakfast we head through the Sirimon Valley and down through the lush forest belt to the Park Gate where your transport will be waiting to take you back to Nairobi at around 10am. Enroute we stop at Sweetwaters Game Reserve for a picnic lunch where you may experience up close some of Africa's greatest species including Elephants as well as the conservation work that aids in preserving African wildlife. Around 3pm we return to Nairobi for overnight, a shower and perhaps celebratory drink. We farewell our Kenyan crew on arrival in Nairobi.
Meals: B, L

DAY 9 Nairobi to Arusha
This morning we are transferred by bus to our Lodge in Arusha. We will cross the Kenya - Tanzania border at Namanga and arrive early afternoon. After an afternoon at leisure we will have a pre Kilimanjaro briefing in the early evening and prepare for our ascent.
Meals: B

DAY 10 Drive to Londorossi, commence climb to "Shira One" (3550m)
After completing the necessary registration formalities at Londorossi National Park gate, we drive a short distance on a steep track through farmland and plantations (2,800 m.), and continue climbing steadily on foot through shrub forest and stands of giant heather to reach the rim of Shira Plateau (3,350 m.). The views across the surrounding plains open out as we climb and our first camp is in
the centre of the plateau at "Shira One" (3,550 m.)[4-5 hours walking]
Meals: B, L, D

DAY 11 To Shira Hut 3840m [4-6 hours walking]
A shorter day that begins by climbing up a steep ridge to reach a small semicircular cliff known as Picnic Rock. There are excellent views of Kibo and the jagged rim of Shira Plateau from here, and it is a good rest point too! The trail continues less steeply to reach the Shira Plateau. We camp near Shira Hut (3,840 m.) which has some of the most stunning views on Kilimanjaro; close to the huge
volcanic cone of Kibo, the spectacular rock formations of Shira Plateau, and looking across to Mt. Meru floating on the clouds.
Meals: B, L, D

DAY 12 To Barranco valley 3900m (approx 5-7 hrs walking)
A morning of gentle ascent and panoramic views, leaving the moorland plateau behind to walk on lava ridges beneath the glaciers of the Western Breach. After lunch near the Lava Tower junction (4,550 m.) we descend to the bottom of the Great Barranco valley (3,900 m.), sheltered by towering cliffs and with extensive views of the plains far below.
Meals: B, L, D

DAY 13 To Barafu camp 4600m (approx 6-8 hrs walking)
A steep climb up the Barranco Wall leads us to an undulating trail on the south-eastern flank of Kibo, with superb vistas of the Southern Icefields. Lunch is usually taken at Karanga, the last water point, in a steep valley. After lunch, the terrain changes to scree and we climb steeply to reach the Barafu campsite (4,600 m.) by mid afternoon. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent before a very early night. [6-8 hours walking]
Meals: B, L, D

DAY 14 Uhuru Peak 5896 m (10-14 hours)
We will start our ascent by torchlight at about 1 a.m. so that we can be up on the Crater rim by sunrise. The steep climb over loose volcanic scree has some well-graded zig-zags and a slow but steady pace will take us to Stella Point (5,735 m.), in about five or six hours. We will rest there for a short time to enjoy the sunrise over Mawenzi. Those who are still feeling strong can make the two
hour round trip from here along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (5,896 m.), passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area. The descent to Barafu is surprisingly fast, and after some refreshment, we continue to descend to reach our final campsite (3,800 m.) at Millennium Camp. Today's trekking involves from 10 to 14 hours walking which is made to feel more strenuous by the effects of altitude and extreme cold. This section of the trek is one of the steepest and most demanding and should not be taken lightly. It is a great idea to have your own head torch so that your hands are free for balance. Most people are surprised by the extreme cold and the best advice is to follow the clothing list and pack your warm clothes - you will need them!
Meals: B, L, D

DAY 15 Descend to Mweka (4-6 hours walking)
A sustained descent through lovely forest with lush undergrowth takes us to the National Park gate at Mweka (1,650 m.); and on through coffee and banana farms to Mweka village. [4-6 hours walking] Overnight at our comfortable hotel in Arusha.
Meals: B, L

DAY 16 Return to Nairobi where trip concludes
After breakfast we make our return journey by private bus (for groups of 7-16 people) or shuttle bus (groups of 4-6 people) to Nairobi via Arusha. The exact return schedule and connections through Arusha will be confirmed in the process of trip finalisation. You will be able to be dropped off at any of the main city hotels in Nairobi that should have been booked in advance.
Meals: B