Parks, Kenya and Kili Ascent

One of our most beautiful trips. The great Kenyan reserves serve as an introduction. Then, the traverse North to South through Mount Kenya, in the middle of unique landscapes, accustoms us to the altitude. Kilimanjaro (climbed via the Rongai way and descent via the classic route) constitutes the apotheosis of this circuit. Relaxation and the pleasures of water are not forgotten, on the beaches of Mombassa.

• Day 1/  Arrival in Nairobi
• Day 2, 3/  Samburu safari
• Day 4 to 8/ Mont Kenya ascent (Lenana 16,060 feet) by Shipton's Cave hut and Teleki and Michaelson lac
• Day 9, 10/  Amboseli safari
• Day 11/  Start of Kilimanjaro ascent (Rongai route)
• Day 12 to 16/  Climb from Rongai to School hut (15,584 feet), ascent of Uhuru Peak (19,340 feet), descent via the classic route (Horombo-Marangu). Taïta Hills.
• Day 17/  Morning game drives - Mombasa
• Day 18, 19/  Mombasa,  Indian Ocean coast
• Day 20/  Flight to Nairobi, depart from Nairobi.

Kenya and Tanzania are areas of adventure where the first English explorers remained fascinated by the beauty of the landscapes; contrasts between snow-covered summits and the hot and mysterious savanna. It is an unforgettable dive in a unique area that remained almost virgin.
Leading up to this exploratory trip, we discover large fauna sanctuaries: Masaï Mara, Nakuru and Samburu where we have all of the leisure to lengthily observe and to appreciate the beauty of African fauna straight  from the most beautiful animal picture books.
Then, after having scanned the dancing horizon on the dry tall grasses of the savanna, we finally approach the African giants: Mount Kenya and Kilimanjaro. Old volcanoes, they dominate the valley of the great Rift, immense furrow opening over the bowels of the Earth, traced from the Red Sea to Zambezi, over more than 5,900 miles long, 25 to 38 miles wide and hundreds of thousands of meters deep, this deep fault is at the volcanism's origin.
The easy ascent of Lenana pic, one of the three Mount Kenya summits (16,060 feet), makes us discover a splendid traversing route and a superb descent via the "Chogoria way". It provides us an excellent start to our altitude acclimatization for the following coveted conquest of Kilimanjaro (19,340 feet).
And, prior to leaving East Africa, the pleasures of the Indian Ocean and Monbasa beaches.

Day 1/ Arrival in Nairobi
After arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International airport, we will be met by a representative of Mountain World Travel and transferred to the Fairview Hotel (or similar) where we are booked on a half board.

Day 2/ Nairobi - Samburu
After breakfast, we drive from Nairobi to the Samburu game reserve north of the central highlands. The drive takes you through the fertile central highlands from where you can get a glimpse of the snow capped Mount Kenya Peaks, the second highest mountain in Africa before you descend to the semi arid areas of the Isiolo and Samburu District. Lunch will be on the way. A game drive en-route after passing the park gate takes us to Samburu Serena for dinner and overnight.

Day 3/ Samburu
Today we start the day early at 6.00 am because of the heat of the day. Samburu Game Reserve offers game seen only in this particular area, as it has adapted to the rough scrub desert conditions. In particular, the Gravy's zebra, the reticulated giraffe and the Beisa Oryx. The early morning game drive offers the possibility of seeing Lions, and leopards along the Ewaso Nyiro River in Buffalo Springs. Return to Camp for a late tasty breakfast and a rest. In the afternoon, as the sun starts to set and the game wakes up for their evening strolls and hunts, we head out for another game drive. Dinner and overnight will again be at Samburu Serena Lodge.

Day 4/ Samburu - Sirimon Gate - Old Moses
After breakfast, transfer to the Sirimon park gate (8,727 feet), the base of your Mt. Kenya trail. Here we meet with guides / porters, have our lunch and start our climb at noon. A 3 hours walk takes us to Old Moses Camp (10,827 feet) on the edge of the mountainous forest. Here we will spend the night in the dormitories of a simple mountain hut.

Day 5/ Old Moses - refuge Shipton's Cave
Today we leave the camp at 8.30 am and we continue our hike through the moorland characterized by many varieties of Seneca and Lobelia to Shiptons Camp (13,779 feet). Lunch will be taken on the way. The 9 mile hike takes about 6 hours. Overnight will be at the Shiptons hut just below the 3 majestic peaks - Batian, Nelion and Lenana.

Day 6/ Refuge Shipton's Cave - refuge Teleki
Our climb takes us around the peaks of Nelion and Batian via Hausberg and Nanyuki Tarn. Two screeds ? up to 15,092 feet will have to be passed before we reach Two Tarn Hut where we will break for lunch. After lunch our journey continues down to Teleki Hut at 13,779 feet in the Teleki Valley where we spent our night in preparation for the ascend to Mt.Kenya's third highest peak.

Day 7/ Teleki Hut - crossing Lenana - lake Michaelson
After an early morning breakfast at 4.00 am, the path leads via a steep screed? to the Austrian Hut at 15,715 feet. Here there will be a short break before the final summit challenge to point Lenana (16,060 feet) via Lewis Glacier. We descend on the northern side via Simba Cole to the Mintos Hut (13,779 feet) for lunch before we hike down to the gorge valley floor for an overnight in a fly camp on the scenic shores of Lake Michaelson.

Day 8/ Lac Michaelson - Meru Mont Kenya Bandas
Today, after a late breakfast we descend to Meru Mt. Kenya Bandas at 9,843 feet. On our 4 to 5 hour hike you may encounter buffaloes, klippspringer, zebras and sometimes elephants. At the bandas, the crew prepares a delicious barbeque dinner while we enjoy our first hot shower since the start of our Mount Kenya adventure. Overnight will be at the bandas.

Day 9/ Meru Mont Kenya Bandas - Amboseli
Drive via Nairobi with lunch on the way to Amboseli famed for its elephant herds; the Amboseli National park offers spectacular views of Mount Kilimanjaro. Our dinner and overnight will be at Tortillis Camp, a spectacular luxury establishment in the shadow of Kilimanjaro.

Day 10/ Amboseli
This day will be spent for game drives at Amboseli National Park, "the home of elephants". This park hosts a great variety of wildlife. This will be our great opportunity to take scenic wildlife shots in the backdrop of Kilimanjaro. Dinner and overnight will be at Tortillis Camp. In the evening we will get our mountain briefing and later you will pack our mountain gear.

Day 11/ Amboseli - Rongaï - Sekimba Campsite
After an early breakfast at 6.30am we pack our climbing gear and drive ( 31 miles) to the starting point of your Kilimanjaro Tour in Tanzania. After completing immigration formalities in Loitokitok and Rongai, you will drive on a further 8 Km to Nalemoru (6,890 feet) where the mountain crew will be waiting. After brief introductions, the climb starts through a natural rain forest where we may see Colobus monkeys and birdlife. The days' 6 mile walk will take about 4 hours. Overnight will be spent in tents at the Sekimba Campsite on the edge of the forest belt.

Day 12/ Sekimba Campsite - Kilelewa caves camp
Today we will have your first breakfast in the open with excellent views of the plains below and the massive Kibo towering above you. Starting at approximately 8.00 am, your hike.... At about 8.00 am our hike through the moorland leads to the Kikelewa caves (11,811 feet). The approximately 9 mile climb takes about 6 hours with a lunch break at the 2nd caves (10,827 feet). The Kikelewa caves are situated next to the Kikelewa River, where we can opt to take a dip, while enjoying an evening view of the towering Mawenzi peak. Overnight will be in a fly camp.

Day 13/ Kilelewa caves camp - Third cave camp
Today's target is the Mawenzi Tarn Hut which is at an altitude of 14,206 feet. Lunch will be taken on the way. From the Tarn Hut, we will enjoy a magnificent view of Kibo, the ultimate destination of your trek. The scenic tarn at the foot of the Mawenzi peak is also our last water point before the summit. Experienced rock climbers can opt to conquer Hans Meyers peak (16,893 feet), however they do this at their own risk. The night will be spent in tents.

Day 14/ Third cave camp - School Hut
Today's hike crossing the Kibo saddle is meant for acclimatization by descending to about 13,000 feet and ascending again to 15,584 feet at the school Hut. This Hut has been renovated by us with a joint effort of Snowcap Mountain Climbing Camp and Hauser Exkursionen International. The exclusive use of the hut gives us a much better chance to rest in preparation for the next day's challenge.

Day 15/ School Hut - Uhuru Peak - Horombo
After a short night and a hot drink, the final ascent starts at about 1.30am.The path gets gradually steeper finally taking us to Gillman's point (18,652 feet) where we can watch the sunrise and the magnificent ice fields. After a short break, we now proceed along the crater rim to the Uhuru peak (19,340 feet) reaching there at about 9.00am. After our summit photo, descend to Kibo Hut for lunch before another 3 hours descent to Horombo (12,205 feet) where the night will be spent in a fly camp. The brave ones can have a cold dip in the nearby stream which is surrounded by senecia and lobelia on the river banks.

Day 16/ Horombo Hut - Marangu Gate - Taïta Hills
After breakfast and a final glance at the Kibo summit, which we have now conquered, it is time to start on the final leg. The 6 hour hike takes you from the moorland into a beautiful natural forest characterized by giant ancient trees. After lunch at Mandara we will arrive at the Marangu gate (5,905 feet) at between1.00 - 3.00 pm, depending on our speed. Here we will be awarded certificates for a successful climb. After bidding the crew goodbye we will be transferred (3hours) to Taita Hills in Kenya for a luxurious overnight at the Saltlick Lodge.

Day 17/ Taïta Hills - Mombasa
After morning game drives in Taita Hills and an early lunch at the lodge, you drive 106 miles to Mombasa. After a 3 to 4 hour drive us cross the busy Likoni ferry and drive down the South coast to Mombasa Leopard beach hotel , arguably one of the best 5 star establishments on Kenya's coast for our dinner and a relaxed overnight.

Day 18, 19/ Mombasa
These 2 days you can relax at the hotel's swimming pool or take a stroll along the white sandy beach and reflect on the experiences of the last 3 weeks. We are booked here on half board and can opt to have dinner or lunch in the modern Diani shopping center nearby

Day 20 / Mombasa - Nairobi
Today is the last day of your journey and we will be transferred to the airport for a flight to Nairobi to connect with your international flight.

- If your flight leaves Nairobi earlier than 3.00pm you have to stay an extra night in Nairobi.
- The walking time schedules are given only as an estimate.
- For different reasons involving trip organization, daily schedules and planned altitude gains (ascent or descent) may be modified without any prior notice.

- During ascents and hikes, every participant walks with a light back pack.
- On summits, transport of the group and individual's luggage is insured by a porter's team.
- At the start, you will be issued a bag to carry your personal belongings: sleeping bag, change of clothes, personal pharmacy.... The weight of it is limited to 20 pounds maximum.
Your traveling bag is entrusted with our local representative during your ascent. It will be returned to you after the climb, for the duration of the trip.

The guides
- a Western English-speaking professionnal and trained mountain guide
- an English-speaking professional Kenyan or Tanzanian guide (depending on the location of the summit)
- some guide assistants (flexible number depending on the group size)
- a local guide depending on the area
- for transfers and safaris, one or more guide-drivers; excellent drivers who are also African fauna specialists.
The local team
- a kitchen team : cooks and assistants
- a porters/carriers team during treks and ascents
Note: during summit ascents, many members of the local team will stay with the group. This team might regularly change during the trip, without hindering the dynamics of the organization at all.

- Minibus and 4x4 vehicle transfers in private tourism vehicles
- During photo Safaris or Game Drives inside National Parks or Animals Reserves, 8 to 12 place Minibus or 4x4 vehicles.
To note: during wild game drives, all of our vehicles are equipped with large sliding roofs for an excellent vision for all passengers, and perfect for photographing or filming in all directions. For safety reasons, it is forbidden to leave the vehicles any time during safaris.

- In Nairobi, Mombasa : nice standard hotel, 4 stars and 5 stars in Mombasa, based on double occupancy, with swimming pool.
- At the bottom of Kilimanjaro and Mont Kenya routes: nice standard lodges and hotels
- During ascents and treks: 3 people sleeping tents, but double occupancy use of these tents, mattresses, community tent for meals and evenings: or huts (dormitories equipped with mattresses), water for cleaning purpose close by, except at Kibo Hut and School Hut.
- During safaris: "De Luxe" lodging, with swimming pool, based on double room occupancy.

The names of accommodations (hotels, lodges, etc...) when they are indicated, are only indicative.
Depending on availability, accommodations (hotels/Lodges, etc...) may be replaced by another equivalent type.
It is possible that accommodations may change without prior notice due to a number of factors.

Meals
Downtown: in restaurants, generally the hotel's restaurant one. Most of the time, meals are served buffet style.
Note: in Nairobi, dinner is “a la carte” in any of the hotel restaurants. We have pre paid US $ 25; you are responsible for drinks and other items over and above the $25.
On terrain: meals are prepared with local products. In the morning, copious breakfast; lunch, picnics or sometimes a warm dish; diner, soup, main dish and dessert.
Snacks while on route.
During treks, dry fruits, cereal, chocolate and cookies are provided.

Drinks
During ascents, water is boiled by our team. During safaris, transfers and at restaurants, mineral water is provided.

Organization in Africa can be, by certain aspects, diverting for travelers. The kitchen and porter bearing teams are very numerous. They change regularly and function allocation can seem random. Even if you are surprised by this different concept of organization, reassure yourself... each task is achieved and your belongings will always arrive safely back to you, no matter who is in charge of them! In the same way, to appreciate your voyage fully be patient because the concept of time and guest service in Africa differs from our Western standards.

Although we are an experienced adventure travel company doing our best to respect the itinerary schedule as presented on this detailed itinerary, there is always the possibility that we may need to modify it for different reasons beyond our control. Please read the Registration Conditions: Terms and Booking conditions – Limitations of Liability.

• International flights in/out Nairobi
• All services mentioned in Services +/extensions/options
• Personal medical & Travel Insurance
• All items not expressively mentioned in "What's included".

• Visas, 50$ for Kenya (at Nairobi airport), 50$ for Tanzania (at the border, Day 11)
• Lunches (2) in Mombasa, allow 10 to 20$ per lunch
• Drinks (except mineral water during meals)
• Personal expenses.
• Tips for guides and drivers
• All items not expressively mentioned in "What's included".

As airfare is NOT included in our adventures, please check if your trip is "a guaranteed departure" before confirming your own airline travel arrangements. You can check your trip status at the Mountain World Travel website or contact the Mountain World Travel office at 1-970-544-WALK (1-970-544-9255) or at 1 888-MWT-TREK (698-8735).
If your flight leaves Nairobi earlier than 3.00pm you have to stay an extra night in Nairobi.

Our preferred airlines to fly to Nairobi:

• Skyteam (Delta, Northwest, Continental, Air France - KLM), operates daily flights from anywhere in the States to Nairobi, through Amsterdam or Paris.
• StarAlliance (United, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways) operates daily flights from anywhere in the States to Nairobi, through Frankfurt, Munich.

Formalities for US, Canada, EU, Australia, NZ passports travelers: a passport valid at least 6 months after your anticipated return date. A visa ($50) is necessary for both countries; it can be purchased upon arrival at the border.
For US citizens, please check with
US Government Travel Entry Exit Requirements (Kenya)
and
US Government Travel Entry Exit Requirements (Tanzania).
For other nationalities, please contact the Kenya and Tanzania embassy of your country.

Vaccination against yellow fever is obligatory for these destinations.
We also advise you to be up date with traditional vaccinations: diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis, typhoid fever.
Vaccination against Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B is strongly recommended.
Visit: US Department of Health

A treatment against Malaria is strongly recommended for this trip.
It is, however, best to consult your health care practitioner, in any case. If you do opt for a vaccine, it is given as a prescription which is adapted to each person and each voyage. A regulation is necessary to obtain a treatment against Malaria adapted to each person and each voyage. It is important to scrupulously follow the prescription directions.

Dentist and doctor
A check up before your departure is recommended

Acclimatization and preventive treatment against altitude sickness
For all the trips with summits, we conceive our routes by respecting the best possible "stages of altitude acclimatization", however the make-up of the country can require an abrupt climb. A hyper baric chamber is provided during committed treks in very high altitude, for emergency treatment of AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness). And so, it is preferable to consider, with your doctor, a preventive treatment against altitude sickness (Diamox) and to check your capacity to evolve in altitude (specific tests may be considered).
Please visit: http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/yellowBookCh6-AltitudeIllness.aspx

LEVEL 6
At least 4 months prior:  Hike over 13 miles every weekend or on two consecutive days, carrying a backpack of 18 to 22 pounds AND you should be engaged in another intense sports activity that develops endurance on a year round basis.  

 

Basic equipment
- A warm fleece hat
- A cap or a hat to protect from the sun
- Sun glasses (minimum index 3 or 4 for high mountain)
- Thermal top and bottom, short and long) underwear (fast drying).
- Fleece turtle neck top
- A warm fleece jacket (light weight/well insulated).
- A waterproof/breathable shell jacket (Gore-Tex).
- A pair of gloves
- A rain poncho
- Hiking shorts
- Lightweight hiking long pants
- A Camelback or a water bottle.

Shoes and technical material
- Hiking socks
- Waterproof ankle hiking boots and a sole offering good traction.
- Gaiters
- Head lamp
- A pair of telescopic walking poles

Sleeping
- Sleeping bag (that will keep you warm from a temperature of 23° F to 32° F).

Luggage
- A back pack equipped with broad straps, with an adjustable anatomical back reinforcement, and a capacity of 7 to 9 gallons, for your daily belongings
- A soft travel bag, which can hold between 18 to 23 gallons that will be transported by the porter team or by vehicle during the day.

Miscellaneous
- A change of clothes.
- A pair of replacement shoe laces
- A dop-kit and a bath towel.
- Toilet paper.
- A pocket knife (not in carry on luggage).
- Some plastic bags to protect your belongings.
- Duct tape.
- A bathing suit.
- A small pocket anti-theft protection device, to always keep on yourself, along with your identity papers, money, certificate of insurance.

Some advice
During your flight your back pack should contain fragile and useful items that you might need while on the plane (camera, memory cards, jacket, books, magazines, medication, dop-kit etc).