Climb Mt. Kenya via the Chogoria Route: Off the Beaten Path

Things to know

• Covid measures in Kenya

  57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity. 

  We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, guides and the communities they’re travelling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in Kenya please refer to the U.S. Embassy in Kenya websites.

  Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!

• What’s included?

  What you get on this adventure:

  • Trained local guides (at least 1 WFR certified guide)
  • Camp crew, a cook, and a great team of porters
  • Safety equipment
  • All accommodation during the hike
  • Meals as described in the itinerary
  • Tents and camping equipment 
  • Drinks on the hike (potable water, tea, coffee & hot chocolate)
  • Emergency medical evacuation as far as the relevant gate
  • Supplemental oxygen & pulse oximeters
  • Transport to and from the park gate — only from Nanyuki
  • All relevant park fees

  What’s not included:

  • Transportation to Nairobi or Nanyuki
  • Transportation to and from the park gate for Nairobi — available for an additional fee
  • Nairobi transfers
  • Showers and wash tents — can be rented for an additional fee
  • Items of a personal nature 
  • Alterations to this itinerary (i.e. if different accommodations and services are provided then the price will most likely vary up or down) 
  • Beverages in hotels (except those in your personal safari vehicle)
  • Hospital bills and international evacuation in the event of an emergency
• How fit do I need to be?

  The best thing about hiking the Chogoria route of Mt. Kenya is that it requires no technical climbing skills. This intermediate hike will see a little more change in elevation and hikes will start to increase in length, hiking anywhere between four to eight miles. This trek requires a well established fitness base but it is certainly one of the more adventurous and rewarding treks on the mountain. Keep in mind, the weather can change quickly and you’ll also be packing a daypack filled with water and other things you’ll need throughout the day.

• What do I need to bring?

  Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:

  • Day pack large enough to carry all the items listed (around a 35-45L bag)
  • Rucksack with cover (around a 55-65 bag, for a porter to carry your main gear) 
  • Dry bags
  • Hiking poles — optional
  • Water bottle or hydration bladder (2L capacity)
  • Warm hat and a buff or scarf
  • Sun hat 
  • Warm gloves or mitts, and thin liner gloves are also useful
  • Waterproof jacket and trousers
  • Waterproof gaiters
  • Warm jacket – fleece or down jacket, potentially ski jacket
  • Waterproof jacket over the top
  • Fleece tops or hiking shirts/sweatshirts
  • Base layers or T-shirts
  • Pair of trekking trousers and shorts
  • Leggings or thermal bottoms or running tights
  • Several sets of underwear – cotton best avoided
  • Several pairs of good quality trekking socks
  • Waterproof trekking boots 
  • Trainers or flip flops/sandals
  • Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.)
  • Favourite snack bars
  • Headtorch
  • Power pack for charging phones etc
  • Wash kit — no showers on the mountain but you can have a bucket wash
  • Flask for hot drinks — optional, useful on summit night
  • Earplugs — optional
  • Sunglasses
  • Camera — optional (but recommended)

  For camping, you need to bring:

  • Sleeping bag
  • Sleeping bag thermal liner
  • Pillow
  • Thick foam mat or self-inflating mat (like a Therm-A-Rest)

  Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans. Keep in mind that despite Mount Kenya being on the equator in Africa, it can get very cold. In the early morning hours the temperature can get to about -4 degrees Celsius and as high as 18 degrees Celsius during the day.

  A porter can carry max 18kg/39.6Lbs, including food, accommodation, wages, etc. There will be multiple porters depending on the amount of baggage and in case your baggage weight more, you can hire another porter for an additional fee.

• Group sizes and age requirements

  Group sizes and prices:

  • For the private adventures, the usual client to guide ratio is 4:1 with up to 8 people in a group. 
  • The cost per person decreases as the group grows, so it’s the perfect opportunity to hike with friends and family!

  Hiking in Kenya can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

  Min. age requirements:

  • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
  • Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the hike on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.

  If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

• Getting there and meeting location

  To get to Mt. Kenya, most people fly into Nairobi International Airport which is under an hour away from the trailhead. Nairobi is the major hub for East Africa and is served by many airlines so there’s a competitively priced choice of flights. From there, you can rent a car or take a shuttle service.

  There are no direct flights from the US or Canada to East Africa. The fastest routes to Nairobi are usually two nonstop legs viaLondon or another European city such as Amsterdam, Frankfurt or Paris.

  Once you and your guide agree on the details of your itinerary, your guide will suggest the best place to meet, whether that’s at the guide shop or a predetermined location.

• Deposits and cancellation policy

  Registration for an adventure with your guide requires a 50% non-refundable deposit. The balance of program fees will generally be due 90 days prior to the starting date of the program. It is your responsibility to adhere to the fee payment schedule. Late payment will result in cancellation of program reservations and forfeiture of all fees paid.

  If your guide has to make an alteration to the time of departure or return to the your home exceeding 12 hours between the date of your booking and the date of departure to, you can decide no to proceed with the booking. In that case, you can:

  • transfer your booking to another trip without incurring a transfer charge but subject to an appropriate adjustment up or down to the sums payable
  • cancel your booking without penalty.

  If your guide increases the basic price of the trip by 10% or more and you do not wish to continue with the trip, you may cancel your booking and get a full refund in respect of the basic cost of the trip but your guide will not be responsible for other incurred costs.

  Should you cancel for any other reason the following charges will apply:

  • more than 30 days before the expedition – loss of deposit
  • 20 to 29 days before departure – 30% of total cost
  • 11 to 19 days before departure – 60% of total cost
  • less than 10 days before departure – 100% of total cost.

  If your guide is forced to cancel your trip, you will be given the opportunity either to:

  • receive a refund of the basic cost of the trip paid to African Ascents
  • transfer to another trip without charge. If there is a difference in price between the cancelled trip and the trip to which you elect to transfer your booking, your guide will refund the difference if it is cheaper or invoice you for the supplement if it is more expensive.

  If the reason for the cancellation less than 8 weeks before the advertised departure date is a lack of bookings, a compensation of $30 per properly booked person will be paid.