Mt. Kenya hike Chogoria route – day trip hike

For travelers and adventure lovers, climbing Mt. Kenya is a must have bucket list item for Kenya destinations. At 5199m, Mt. Kenya is the second tallest mountain in Africa and the highest in Kenya. The mountain is endowed with breath-taking sceneries including magnificent lakes, beautiful flora, endangered species animals, glaciers, mineral springs, waterfalls, tarns, rivers, and ancient structures such as Mau Mau caves and Urumandi huts. The mountain has three peaks; point Lenana, Nelion, and Batian with three established routes including Chogoria, Naro Moru, and Sirimon routes. For an experience of the bliss that is Mt. Kenya, one may choose to go for a 5-day climb with camping to get to the peaks or a day trip hike.

The day trip hike includes a one-day trek of the mountain using the Chogoria route. The trip is ideally suited for a getaway to escape the busy schedules and draining work and school life. After a week, month or months of exerting your body it is time for a needed break to recharge and savor the beauty of nature. It is also an excellent pre-experience for the 5-day climb. The 6-8 hour (to and fro) hike is an immersive trek with scenic views like a walk in the park. The icing on the cake is you don’t have to be a professional hiker for this trip; you just need to be reasonably fit — countless squats to prepare for the trip not needed either.

The highlight of the trek is Lake Ellis where hikers get to rest and snack after ascending the mountain. The lake is flawless with clear calm waters that soothes the mind and gives you that yogi feels. For swimmers the water is so inviting, calling you to enjoy to the maximum the coolness that it has to offer more so on a sunny day. Other views include; Nithi Falls, Mau Mau
caves, animals such as Colobus monkeys, and various types of birds.