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Mount
Kenya Climbing Itineraries
Mount
Kilimanjaro Climbing Itineraries
MOUNT
KENYA
Africa's second highest mountain at 5,199m forms part of the central highlands
and is a very complex mountain. It has more than one peak, many rock spires
and summits. Of the three main peaks (Batian, Nelion and Lenana) only
Point Lenana can be reached by trekkers, the other two being only for
technical climbers. Although Mount Kenya can be climbed all year round,
it is best to avoid the two rainy seasons from mid-March until June and
from late October to the end of December. After the cultivated farmlands
on the lower slopes the trails pass through the rain forest, rich in trees
of many species but noticeably camphor's, then onto a bamboo zone growing
to heights of more than 12m or more, up through open moorland before reaching
the moonscape of the higher slopes. The forest are rich in wildlife including
elephant, buffalo and monkeys with even the moorlands offering along list
of mammals including the rock hyrax, the nearest living relative of the
elephant.
See Available Itineraries
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ROUTES
There are three main routes that penetrate the forest and the moorland.
They are Naro Moru, Sirimon and Chogoria, each of which has something
different to offer. Naro Moru is the fastest route to Point Lenana but
not as scenic as the other two. Chogoria is the most scenic and Sirimon
the most interesting because it is on the dry side of the mountain. Please
note that the normal weather pattern on Mount Kenya is for clear mornings
with mist closing in from about 10.00 am although this can clear by evening
so early morning starts are the order of the day including a 2.00 am start
for the final climb to Point Lenana if you want if you want to catch the
sunrise.
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MT KILIMANJARO.
This perfectly shaped volcano, still active, rises sheer from the plains.
At 5,895m it is the highest in Africa and is snowcapped. Mount Kilimanjaro
can be climbed at any time of the year but there is usually a lot more
rain during April, May and November. At the lower levels you will pass
through cultivated farmlands rising through tropical rain forest, onto
alpine meadows and finally the barren landscape leading to the snow and
ice-capped summit. The lower levels also offer the chance to view a wide
variety of animals birds and fauna in their natural habitat.
See Available Itineraries
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ROUTES.
There are 6 major routes through the forest and Moorland areas before
joining the south circuit path at between 3,500m and 4,500m.They are:
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MARANGU , MACHAME, MWEKA, UMBWE ,SHIRA , RONGAI.
From the south circuit path various walking (Trekking) scrambling and
technical climbing trails take you the last 1,200m or so to the summit.
Most people however take the final leg of the Marangu route unless you
are technical climber in which case the summit may be reached via Rebmann
Glacier, Decken Glacier or Heim Glacier amongst others. The final ascent
to the summit starts normally at about 2.00am from Kibo Hut so that it
is reached before dawn to watch the sunrise and gaze out over the vast
expanses of African bush land.
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