Chogoria Gate (2,987m) → Swiss Army Camp (3,366m)
Trekking time: 2-3 hrs

On day one (1) you’ll be collected from your hotel after breakfast and driven to the park gate. Depending on your departure point this transfer should take between 3 and 5 hours. At the gate you’ll be met by our team, sign into the park and have lunch. After the meal the first day’s trek is a relaxed afternoon walk through timberline forest where open glades are punctuated by stands of towering cedar and African rosewood trees. The vehicle track is followed out of the trees and into the moorland until it terminates at the Chogoria roadhead. Shortly thereafter the route leaves the main Chogoria trail and takes you off the beaten path and down to our secluded campsite which is nestled in a valley beside a clear stream.
Camp: Swiss Army Camp (3,366m)
Temperature: 0-5°C at night

Distance: ~4.2 km

Elevation Gain: 184m

Walking Time: 2 hours

Today is a fantastic opportunity to acclimatise and enjoy the mountain scenery. It is possible to explore the nearby Nithi Falls, fish in the Nithi river or even head over to Lake Ellis prior to making the traversing trek to Soda Springs camp. Alternatively head straight to Soda Springs camp where, aside from our crew, you’ll be the only people there. It is a chance to explore some of the surrounding terrain in complete solitude. Either way the walking time and distance to the next camp is short and the altitude gain is minor. This is helpful to aid with acclimatisation and affords an opportunity to simply ‘be’ on the mountain. This day’s trek takes you southwards out of a valley and through heather and open grassland where there is a chance of seeing wildlife like Eland or Zebra.

Camp: Soda Springs (3,670m)
Temperature: 0–5°C at night

Distance: ~10 km

Elevation Gain: +820m

Walking Time: 6–8 hours

Today’s trek is a real adventure which starts after an early breakfast and takes you up a steep ridgeline directly south of the camp. Once the ridgeline is gained a long traverse over open moorland interspersed with large boulders takes you to a valley where a river is crossed just at the confluence of two tributaries. Then follows a steep ascent up to a ridgeline following game trails. The ridgeline is followed, more traversing southward through rugged terrain where strange rock formations and even stranger afro alpine plants dominate the landscape. A final ridge is crossed before a steep descent into the Hobley Valley. Follow the Rupingazi river that drains Carr’s Lakes up until the lakeside campsite is reached.
Lunch will be eaten on the trail on Day 3 and you should be in camp for late afternoon tea.

Camp: Carr’s Lakes Camp (3956m)
Temperature: -2–1°C at night

Distance: ~4km

Elevation Gain: +0m

Walking Time: 6–8 hour

Today is for reveling in the beauty of one of Mount Kenya’s most secluded and special places. It is for fishing for rainbow trout in the clear, cold water of lower Carr’s Lake. It is for a stroll up to upper Carr’s Lake, for idle birding with a cup of coffee and a pair of binoculars to hand or for lying in bed with a good book. These wonderful pursuits aside, a steep hike up to Enchanted Lake is highly recommended. Not only does the name of this lake point towards its magic, but the movement up to higher elevation and back down will also do wonders for your acclimatisation. In any case this day should go a long way towards replenishing your energy, helping you get to terms with the altitude and enjoying this hidden corner of the mountain.

Camp: Carr’s Lakes Camp (3956m)
Temperature: -2–1°C at night

Distance: ~5.7km

Elevation Gain: +830m

Walking Time: 5-7 hours

After breakfast the route takes you northwest, up the Hobley Valley and towards the main peaks. The gradient is steep at first out of Carr’s and then is gradual up the valley until Thompson’s Tarn is reached. This aquamarine jewel of a lake also boasts good fishing so for the avid fly fisher this is a worthy stop. After Thompson’s Tarn the gradient steepens considerably as you are now at the foot of the central massif. As you climb higher the vegetation dwindles, leaving an almost Martian landscape made stranger still by the giant groundsel and lobelia plants that somehow thrive in this barren place. Slow and steady steps up the scree bring you to an established trail that takes you the last kilometre or so to Austrian hut. This high-altitude camp offers breathtaking sunset views over the surrounding peaks.

Camp: Austrian Hut Camp (4,790m)
Temperature: 0 – -4°C at night

Distance: ~6.8km

Elevation Gain: +200 → -840m

Walking Time: 5-7 hours

Summit day. The beauty of summiting from Austrian is that you are very close to the top and therefore there is no need to wake up at some godforsaken hour. After something to eat and a cup of tea or coffee set off around 6.30 as the sun is rising. Not only does this allow for a warmer summit experience, and an appreciation of the views as you ascend, it also means the crowds who usually aim to be on top for sunrise should have left or be on the way down as you summit an hour later. Enjoy the views, sip a warm drink and celebrate - you’re on top! The technical summits of Batian and Nelion towering to the west are now the sole peaks above you, yet laid out below are the jagged spires of subsidiary peaks fringing the U-shaped glacial valleys that radiate outwards in all directions. After the summit the route descends the steep scree down to a breakfast/brunch below Shipton’s hut in the Mackinders valley. At brunch you can change your clothes, have a rest and then walk the hour or so down the valley to the final camp beside a river. Eat. Rest. Sleep.

Camp: Karumba Camp (3950m)
Temperature: -2–1°C at night

Distance: ~11km

Elevation Gain: -750m

Walking Time: 3-5 hours

After a breakfast spent enjoying the view of the peak you’ve just climbed, begin your traversing descent. You’ll follow the Mackinder Valley downhill before climbing a small rise up the ridgeline. From here the trail heads north, crossing two rivers and ridges before a final descent down to Old Moses for collection.

End Point: Old Moses (3,200m)
Estimated arrival: Early afternoon