5 Days Chogoria Route Down Naro Moru route
5 Days Chogoria Route Down Naro Moru route approaches from the East and there is a National Forest Reserve gate near the village of Chogoria and a National Park gate further up. The route is often described as the most attractive route on Mount Kenya. However, there is no hut for its high camp and it is quite a bit longer unless you use 4×4’s to cut out the lower part. It is normal to drive 4×4’s through the forest until close to or as far as the Meru Bandas (3000m). The next stage is following a 4×4 track a bit further up to the “Roadhead” where you can either branch left for a more direct route, or right to pass Mugi Hill and Lake Ellis. Both tracks re-converge near the head of a spectacular amphitheatre of cliffs know as The Temple, in the bottom of which is Lake Michaelson and at the West end, a large notch where the Nithi River enters. Just above the junction (4300m), is an old rickety hut that porters often sleep in, but clients have to camp. From here the path continues to rise, up to Simba Tarn, here it splits to head either North or South for Shipton’s or Austrian huts respectively.
This traverse will see you use the most scenic route and the most popular route in Mount Kenya National Park. Naro Moru route is also the fastest route to point Lenana. Take this beautiful route up Mount Kenya though th seee scenic lakes and gorges of Chogoria route and go down through the notoriously treacherous vertical bog and into the wide Teleki Valley beneath the Tryndall and the Lewis Glacier.
Day 1: Chogoria/Mount Meru Bandas – 4hrs, 16km walk, 950m ascent
Day one of 5 Days Chogoria Route Down Naro Moru route, Pick up from your hotel in Nairobi at 7am to Chogoria town for an early lunch. After lunch, take a 4x4WD vehicle to the forest clearance, 16km from where the walk starts. You will walk for 16km through the forest along the dirt and sometimes very muddy road for 4hrs to reach Mount Meru Bandas at 2950m. Dinner and overnight at Mt. Meru Bandas.
Day 2: Mount Meru Bandas – Road Head Camp, 3hrs, 9km, 570m ascent
Day two of 5 Days Chogoria Route Down Naro Moru route, After breakfast follow the track through giant heather and forest up to Chogoria road head from where the path drops to cross a stream then follows the broad ridge to the east of the gorges valley to reach Road Head Camp. Picnic snacks at Road End Camp followed by a stop at the magical Nithi falls with beautiful caves and water cascade.
Later after 1-2 hours walk we shall be at the beautiful lake Ellis, 3470m. The Hindu Valley forms a beautiful background for the lake and an amazing reflection carved on the lake in blue and green. Along the trails, we enjoy views of Mugi Hill and the Giant Billiard Table. Pure magic!!.
Later in the evening, we can try our luck at fishing and those still with energy are welcome to summit Mugi Hill. .. The views at the summit of Mugi Hills are to die for, the main peaks are in full view, Ithanguni is much closer and inviting..the sunset will be awesome here but you may find yourself running back to Lake Ellis because it's magical.. By the lake, we have dinner and take a rest B, L, D.
Overnight at Lake Ellis Camp at 3470m.
Day 3: Lake Ellis/Mintos Hut – 4 hrs, 12km, 730m ascent
Day three of 5 Days Chogoria Route Down Naro Moru route, After breakfast follow the track through giant heather and forest up to Chogoria road head from where the path drops to cross a stream then follows the broad ridge to the east of the gorges valley to reach Mintos Hut, 4200m. From the camp if the mountain is not shy reveals the two main peaks Lenana and Batian. In the afternoon if our energies are still up we can take a walk to Mintos Tarn and also down to the Temple- beautiful rock formation 20 minutes down the camp. Later in the evening early dinner is served and we retire to our tents for a good rest and prepare for an early morning summit, B, L, D.
Dinner and overnight at Mintos Hut.
Day 4: Mintos/Point Lenana/Met Station – 11-12 hrs, 29km, 785m ascent/1985m descent
Day four of 5 Days Chogoria Route Down Naro Moru route, After a light breakfast served at 2.00am we start our way up on gentle ground on one side blessed with beautiful rock formations and on the other side a valley full of giant Lobelia. Mintos tarns also charm our trek with a beautiful reflection with the moonlight(hoping we get). At first light we are at Point Lenana 4985m taking about 4hrs. The sunrise is to die for, red burn on the peaks warms our hearts, looking below where we have come from Harris Tarn on the immediate and Lake Michaleson far below, on the other side is the Lewis Glacier, the largest remaining glacier on the mountain. Below is the Austrian Hut. We start our Descent to Met station 3000m using the via Ferrata to Austrian Hut down to Mackinders Camp 4200m taking 2 hrs. Have breakfast then proceed to Met Station through another 4 hrs Teleki Valley moorland for an overnight stay B, L, D.
Dinner and overnight at Met Station Camp
Day 5: Met Station/Naromoru/Nairobi – 3hrs, 9km, 400m descent
Last day of 5 Days Chogoria Route Down Naro Moru route, After breakfast, descend through the rainforest which is 9km to Naromoru Park Gate at 2,600m where you will connect with your transport back to Nairobi, arriving at approximately 3pm, B,L.
- Park entrance fees
- Guide, cook and porters fee
- Mountain trek on payment confirmation
- Meals during the climb
All Ratings & Reviews
No Ratings and Reviews
