Mount Kenya Climbing Chogoria Route 2 Days 1 Night Trek

Our 2-day, 1-night Chogoria Route hike is designed as a scenic Mt Kenya nature trek, focusing on attractions such as Nithi Falls and Lake Ellis, rather than an attempt to reach Point Lenana.

 2 Day Chogoria Route Mt Kenya Hike Highlights

✓ The Temple: Passing by this impressive 300-meter sheer cliff that overlooks the Gorges Valley
✓ Chogoria Bandas (Overnight): A relaxing, comfortable overnight stay, often featuring hot showers and a cozy fireplace, surrounded by nature
✓ Less Crowded Atmosphere: As one of the quieter routes, it offers a more intimate and less crowded wilderness experience compared to other trails
✓ Gorges Valley & Waterfalls: The route passes through the dramatic, narrow Gorges Valley, featuring views of the Nithi Falls and dramatic, rocky scenery
✓ Lake Michaelson & Lake Ellis: Trekkers often visit or camp near the stunningly scenic Lake Michaelson, surrounded by high cliffs, or hike past the high-altitude Lake Ellis
✓ Diverse Flora & Fauna: The ascent passes through dense rainforest and bamboo zones, offering chances to see wildlife like monkeys and varied bird species, before opening into high-altitude moorland

2-Day 1-night Mt Kenya Chogoria Route Hike Itinerary

Day 1: Nairobi – Chogoria Town – Meru Bandas (2,950m) – Lake Ellis (3,470m) 

0600 Hours: Depart Nairobi for Chogoria town, passing through agricultural landscapes
1100 Hours: Arrive in Chogoria, meet guides, and switch to a 4×4 vehicle to ascend toward the national park
1300 Hours: Arrive at Meru Bandas. Start the trek hiking through bamboo forests and dense montane forests
1500 Hours – 1700 Hours: Continue hiking toward the scenic Lake Ellis, surrounded by rocky terrain and heather
1800 Hours: Set up camp at Lake Ellis, enjoy dinner, and overnight (approximately)
Total Hiking Time: Approx. 3-4 hours of scenic hiking

Day 2: Lake Ellis – Nithi Waterfall – Meru Bandas – Nairobi

0800 Hours: After breakfast, hike toward the breathtaking Nithi Waterfall.1000 Hours: Explore the Nithi Waterfall area, which is about high, offering excellent photography opportunities
1200 Hours: Rejoin the main track and walk back down to the Meru Bandas/Road Head 
1400 Hours:  Meet the 4×4 vehicle for the return journey to Chogoria town
1800 – 2000 Hours: Return to Nairobi. Total Hiking Time: Approx. 3-4 hours

Note: Alternative Day 2: Instead of Nithi Falls, some itineraries focus on walking from Meru Bandas to the Road Head or Mugi Hill for views
Acclimatization: This route is fast, so stay hydrated
Highlights: Incredible views of the Gorges Valley and low-altitude moorland, often without the crowds of other routes

 2-Day 1-night Mt Kenya Chogoria Route Hike Inclusions

✓ Supplies: Drinking water and sometimes light snacks
✓ Park Fees: Mount Kenya National Park entry fees for 2 days
✓ Equipment: Basic camping equipment (tent, foam mattress)
✓ Meals: All meals while on the mountain (Day 1: L/D, Day 2: B/L)
✓ Support Crew: Certified professional guide, assistant guide, and cook
✓Accommodation: Camping in 2-man tents or staying at the Chogoria Bandas (subject to booking)
✓ Transportation: Round-trip private transport from Nairobi (often starting at 0530 Hours) to Chogoria Forest Gate

Mount Kenya Climbing Chogoria Route 2 Days 1 Night Trek; Chogoria Route is by far the most spectacular and beautiful route on Mount Kenya. Of the three popular routes for climbing Mount Kenya, the Chogoria Route is, without question, the most scenic and rewarding for hikers interested in both sightseeing and summiting.

The Chogoria route is on the east side of the mountain, while the Naro Moru and Sirimon routes are on the west and north sides of the mountain, respectively. The day starts with a drive to the park entrance and a hike to Mugi Hill, Lake Ellis, and the Gates (Road Head) to experience the magnificent scenery on the Eastern side of the mountain.

Spend a night at Mt Kenya Meru Bandas. Different excursions can be made to different places from this side.

Day 1:  Nairobi – Drive to Chogoria Town – Hike to Mount Meru Bandas
Day 2:  Mount Meru Bandas – Hike up 2 Hours – Drive to Chogoria Town – Nairobi

Day 1:  Nairobi – Drive to Chogoria Town – Hike to Mount Meru Bandas

0800 Hours: Pick up from your hotel in Nairobi after breakfast and drive north to Chogoria town for lunch.

1200 Hours: Lunch in Chogoria Town. After lunch, we will then drive up through the forest in 4×4’s. It is usually possible to drive all the way to our camp, but we will decide where to be dropped off so that we get the acclimatizing benefits of a walk.

In addition, we have the opportunity to soak up the sights and sounds of the forest and get ‘in-tune’ with our surroundings. We will probably walk around 5-10 kilometers before we arrive at the Meru Bandas, where we will spend the night.

This is a good spot to see wildlife in the evening, including monkeys, buffalo, and even elephants.

Dinner and overnight at Mount Meru Bandas

Accommodation Options:
Budget Accommodation: Mount Meru Bandas

Meal Plan: {Lunch & Dinner}

Day 2:  Mount Meru Bandas – Hike up 2 Hours – Drive to Chogoria Town – Nairobi

0800 Hours: After breakfast, hike 7 kilometres further up to the Road head at 3300 meters. Since it only takes 2 hours to get here, that leaves you with plenty of time to explore the surroundings.

One of the attractions here is the Nithi waterfalls, approximately 100 feet high, accessible by crossing the river and following the trail to the left for about 300 meters. Other attractions are Lake Ellis at 3500 meters and about 3 kilometers to the right of the road head, and Mugi Hill next to the Lake.

If you climb to the top of Mugi Hill, you’ll get a bird’s eye view of the neighboring flat-topped Giant’s Billiard table. From this point, you’ll retrace your steps. We will walk back along the vehicle track to the Meru Bandas and sign out of the National Park.

We will then load up our 4×4 for the drive back down through the forest to Chogoria and on to Nairobi.

Mount Kenya Climbing Chogoria Route 2 Days 1 Night Trek Rates Include

✓ All meals included while on safari
✓ All applicable Game Park entrance fees
✓ Guaranteed window seating with open top
✓Accommodation at the Mount Meru Bandas
✓ The porters and guides are trained in cooking and service
✓ Round-trip transport from Nairobi to Mount Kenya and back to Nairobi
✓ Our professional local guides provide quality service on this mountain trek

Notes

* This tour departs daily, and private departures are also available
* Anyone contemplating one of our expeditions should take regular exercise. You should start a training program at least one, if not two, months before your safari. “Running, swimming, cycling, and stair-climbing are all good ways of toning up muscles.”

Mount Kenya Climbing Chogoria Route Rates Do Not Include

* International Airfare
* Accommodation in Nairobi
* Cost of obtaining a passport and visas
* Gratuity for your professional Mountain guide
* Gratuity for Porterage/ waiters at hotels, camps, and airports
* Personal expenses such as transfers to/ from the airport (supplement airport transfer cost applies for tours starting from the airport)
* Personal expenses such as traveling insurance, excess baggage fee, communication charges that include laundry, emails, faxes, and phone calls, beverages including luxury champagne, luxury spirits, beer, and wines during meals or meals not indicated in the itinerary

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