Mount Kenya Day Trip Hike Chogoria Route (0600 Hours - 2100 Hours)
Our Mount Kenya day trip using the Chogoria Route approaches the mountain from the east, while the Naro Moru Route approaches from the west and the Sirimon Route from the north. Mount Kenya is a World Heritage Site located within the Mt Kenya National Park and is managed by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS).
To the Park – Mt. Kenya lies some 200 km north of Nairobi. Entry to and exit from the Mt. Kenya National Park are permitted only during daylight hours before 6 pm.
When climbing Mount Kenya, there are several routes one can take. These routes are as follows: Naro Moru (west side: Naro Moru Gate), Chogoria (east side: Chogoria Park Gate), and Nanyuki (north side: Sirimon Gate.
Of the three popular routes for climbing Mount Kenya mentioned above, the Chogoria Route is, without a doubt, the most scenic and rewarding for hikers interested in beautiful landscapes and the exotic flora of Mount Kenya.
The Chogoria route features lush vegetation, and, combined with the fact that the last eruption of Mount Kenya occurred on this side of the mountain, it is one of the most scenic parts of the area. Our day hiking tour begins from Nairobi, where you are driven to Chogoria town, located in the Mwimbi Division of Tharaka Nithi County in Kenya.
The town is about 225 km away from Nairobi. After a restroom stop, proceed by road up to the Chogoria Park entrance gate. The hiking begins from the gate to Mugi Hill, Lake Ellis, and the Gates (Road Head) to experience the magnificent scenery on the Eastern side of the mountain.
Mt Kenya National Park has over 800 recorded plant species, with 81 species being endemic to Mt. Kenya. There is also a wide variety of wildlife, such as elephant, buffalo, eland, bushbuck, waterbuck, zebra, hyena, colobus monkey, white-throated guineafowl, and, at higher altitudes, the ubiquitous Mt Kenya rock hyrax. Animals rarely seen include leopards, bongo, giant forest hogs, and rhinos.
After that, we descend to the park entrance for pickup and a transfer back to Nairobi.
|
Time |
Activity |
Details |
| 0600 Hours | Depart Nairobi | Start early to beat traffic, driving through Thika, Embu, and Chuka |
| 1000 Hours | Arrive: Chogoria Town | Brief stop for restrooms and to meet your mountain crew/guide |
| 1030 Hours | 4×4 Transfer | Drive 22–29 km on a dirt road through bamboo and tropical forest zones |
| 1100 Hours | Chogoria Park Gate | Complete Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) formalities at 2,950m |
| 1130 Hours | Start Hike | Begin the 6 km trek towards the ” Road Head ” (3,300m) |
| 1300 Hours | Lunch & Exploration | Picnic lunch at a scenic site; visit the 100ft Nithi Falls |
| 1400 Hours | Lake Ellis / Mugi Hill | Optional hike to Lake Ellis (3,500m) or Mugi Hill for panoramic views |
| 1530 Hours | Begin Descent | Return to the park gate for your vehicle pickup |
| 1630 Hours | Depart: Park Gate | 4×4 drive back down to Chogoria Town |
| 2100 Hours | Arrive Nairobi | Late evening arrival back at your residence or hotel |
Our Mount Kenya Chogoria day trip is a high-altitude hike that offers scenic beauty and focuses on the northeastern side of the mountain. Key highlights include trekking through dense, montane bamboo forests, viewing the dramatic Gorges Valley, and experiencing the stunning Lake Michaelson and Nithi Waterfalls.
The day trip is fast-paced and lasts 10–13 hours, beginning early (0400 Hours-0500 Hours) from Chogoria Town to maximize daylight at higher altitudes
Mount Kenya Day Trip using the Chogoria Route Highlights
✓ Nithi Waterfalls: A breathtaking waterfall, often a key stop for hikers passing through the scenic forest areas
✓ Gorges Valley: A deeply carved, dramatic valley providing spectacular panoramic views of jagged cliffs and flowing rivers
✓ Diverse Ecosystems: The route showcases a rapid transition from high-montane bamboo forests to afroalpine moorlands
✓ Mintos Camp Area/Temple: A high-altitude, rocky area offering stunning viewpoints of the main peaks (Batian, Nelion, and Lenana) and the Gorges Valley
✓ Moorlands & Giant Vegetation: The trail moves through moorland areas featuring unique, giant lobelias and senecios that create a prehistoric, surreal landscape
✓ Lake Michaelson: A beautiful, turquoise glacial lake sitting at 4,100m nestled within a valley, often viewed from cliffs above (the “Temple”) or visited on a slightly longer day itinerary
Mount Kenya Day Trip Hike Chogoria Route Itinerary
Day 1: Nairobi – Drive to Chogoria Town – Proceed to Chogoria Park entrance gate
0600 Hours: Depart Nairobi after an early breakfast at your hotel/ residence driving past several towns like Ruiru, Thika, Embu, and Chuka to get to Chogoria town.
After a restroom stop proceeds by road up to the Chogoria park entrance gate. This drive is 29 km on a dirt road passing through fertile farmlands before getting into a tropical forest, followed by a bamboo zone to the park gate at 2950 meters.
1100 Hours: After completing the park formalities, you begin the hike (6 km) further up the road to 3300 meters.
Since it only takes 2 hours to get to the Nithi River you explore the surroundings which include the Nithi falls approximately 100 feet high. Other attractions are Lake Ellis at 3500 meters and Mugi Hill which is located right next to Lake Ellis.
A climb to the top offers a bird’s eye view of the neighboring flat-topped Giants Billiard table – a mountain peak near Meru, Eastern, Kenya. It is considered the 24th highest mountain in Kenya.
1300 Hours: As you explore the surroundings and attractions of the area you stop to enjoy lunch at a cool picnic site.
1500 Hours: We trace our steps back to the park gate where we find our safari vehicle waiting for us and transfer back to Nairobi.
1900 Hours: On or about this time we arrive in Nairobi and transfer you to your hotel/ residence.
Mount Kenya Day Trip Hike Chogoria Route Prices
Mount Kenya Day Trip Hike Chogoria Route Rates Include
✓ Lunch is included while on the trek
✓ All applicable Game Park entrance fees
✓ Guaranteed window seating with open top
✓ The porters and guides are trained in cookery 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
| Dates From | Dates To | Price Per Person | Children Aged 8 to 12 Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st January 2026 | 31st December 2026 | Request for rates | Request for rates |
Notes
* You need to be reasonably fit to do this hike
* This tour departs daily, and private departures are also available
* Anyone contemplating one of our expeditions should take regular exercise
* It is recommended that you 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 Day Trip Hike Chogoria Route Rates Do Not Include
* International Airfare
* Accommodations 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
Booking & Reservations Mount Kenya Day Trip Hike Chogoria Route Contact
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