Ascent of Mount Kenya and Kilimanjaro

Welcome at Jomo Kenyata Airport by our local team (arrival flight before 12:00). After formalities, you head towards the town of Naru Moru, where you will spend the night. This journey allows you to gradually leave the hustle and bustle of Nairobi to reach a more rural region, at the gates of Mount Kenya. Along the way, a lunch break is planned.

You then continue to your accommodation in Naro Moru, a privileged departure point for expeditions to Mount Kenya. After your check-in, the team meets with you for a briefing dedicated to the Mount Kenya trek, located approximately 250 km from Nairobi. This moment of exchange allows you to present the course of the climb, the logistical organization and useful information to prepare for the next days of adventure.

Heading towards Mount Kenya National Park. Upon your arrival at the site entrance, porters await you to prepare for the trek departure and organize equipment distribution before beginning the ascent. We start climbing Mount Kenya using the Sirimon route, a progressive itinerary ideal for a first warm-up. The trail crosses a dense tropical forest where rosewood, bamboo and heather succeed one another, offering immersion in a preserved natural environment. This area is also home to discreet wildlife, notably elephants and buffalo.

You then reach the Sirimon Gate (2,650 m), the official entry point to the park, before continuing the ascent towards Old Moses (3,300 m). After approximately 3 to 4 hours of hiking, you reach the refuge where you will spend the night. This stage allows you to recover and gradually acclimatize to the altitude before continuing your adventure.

This is the longest and most demanding stage of the trek. Plan for approximately 10 hours of hiking in total. We break camp around 3 a.m. in order to reach Lenana Point at sunrise. The ascent takes place on steeper terrain, composed of rocks and volcanic stones. In some places, the team accompanies you and helps you cross certain passages. At this altitude, the effort is more noticeable and the air can become thinner. Once at the summit, you enjoy a clear view of the two other peaks that make up Mount Kenya: Batian and Nelion. The ascent to Lenana Point takes approximately 3 hours.

You then begin the descent towards the Teleki Hut site. During the 2 hours of walking, fatigue gradually sets in. Along the way, you pass through the Lewis Glacier as well as the Austrian Hut. After a break to recover, you continue the descent in the direction of the Met Station refuge, located at 3,050 m altitude, where you will spend the night.

You then begin a gradual descent of approximately 2 hours. The trail crosses the forest before reaching the park gate, marking the end of this hiking stage.

Departure at 08h30 for a shuttle bus transfer. You head towards the border where you complete the crossing formalities.
You then continue to Arusha, where a stop is planned for lunch.
In the afternoon, you resume your journey to reach the town of Moshi, starting point for many treks to Kilimanjaro.
Dinner and night at the hotel: Parkview Inn.

You head towards the Machame Gate, situated at 1,500 m altitude, where you will meet your support team. Upon arrival, you complete the park entry procedures while the guides and porters organize the logistics and prepare the equipment for the trek departure.

You begin your Ascent of Mount Kilimanjaro through dense forest. The trail progresses between tree roots, which in places form veritable natural steps. The vegetation is lush, with lichens and large ferns, and you may spot monkeys along the way.

After several hours of hiking, you reach Machame Hut camp, where you set up camp for the night. Nearby, a small river allows you to wash up after this first day of trekking. Dinner under the stars.

After breakfast, you resume walking. The forest gradually gives way to other landscapes: fields of groundsels, streams and small waterfalls accompany your progress. You follow a trail oriented towards the east to reach the Shira Plateau. In front of you, the silhouette of Kilimanjaro is outlined while the panoramas gradually unfold.

After approximately 5 hours of walking, you reach the Shira Hut site, located in the heart of a vast rocky plain at high altitude, often above the clouds. With the team, you look for a flat location to set up your tent and prepare the camp.

As you progress, vegetation becomes scarcer and the glacier appears before you. You make your way around it while enjoying the landscapes that gradually open up around you. The trail crosses terrain marked by an intricate network of ridges and crevasses. Gradually, vegetation reappears with giant lobelias and groundsels, characteristic of these altitudes.

After approximately 5 to 6 hours of hiking, you reach Barranco Hut, located at the bottom of a steep valley. To get there, you descend an abrupt trail. Fatigue begins to set in after this day of walking. It's time to rest and observe the sunset over the glacier. The summit is gradually drawing closer. This stage plays an important role in acclimatization to altitude and helps prepare you for the final ascent.

You pass by the last water point before entering the high altitude desert zone. The landscape changes gradually and the hike continues through a volcanic setting, made up of a vast field of rocks and gravel. You follow a long trail traced along a ridge that leads to Barafu Hut. After approximately 6 to 7 hours of hiking, you reach Barafu Hut.

The team then sets about finding a location to set up the bivouac. During this time, you observe the peak that stands out in the landscape. From the camp, the trail leading to the summit is already visible.

Dinner is taken under the stars before heading to your tent for a night of rest. You retire early as the night will be short: you will wake up during the night to begin the final ascent.

Today, you begin the most demanding stage of the Kilimanjaro climb. Departure is scheduled for around 1 a.m. In the darkness, you progress slowly towards the summit Uhuru Peak, Africa's highest point. The route follows a steep slope that requires sustained effort and may sometimes leave you breathless. After approximately 5 hours of hiking, you reach Stella Point on Kilimanjaro, located at 5,800 m altitude. At this point, the first light of day illuminates the crater and sky, offering a spectacle that makes you forget the accumulated fatigue. A few more efforts to reach the summit. About an hour later, you reach Uhuru Peak. You thus arrive at Africa's highest point, at 5,895 m altitude. Mission accomplished!

After enjoying the views from the summit and catching your breath, you begin your descent down the mountain following the trail towards Mweka. The journey takes approximately 5 to 6 hours. Upon arrival at the camp, you enjoy well-deserved rest after this day marked by the summit ascent.