Climbing Mount Kenya and Mount Kilimanjaro

Welcome at Jomo Kenyata Airport by our team (arrival flight before 12:00). We then head to the town of Naro Moru, where we will stay. On the way, stop for lunch. After check-in, the team will give you a briefing on the Mount Kenya trek, located 250 km away.

Heading to Mount Kenya National Park. The porters are waiting for you at the site entrance.

We begin our ascent of the mountain by taking the Sirimon route for a gentle warm-up. The trail winds through a tropical forest populated with rosewood, bamboos and heathers. The area is inhabited by elephants and buffaloes.

We reach the Sirimon Gate (2 650 m), then Old Moses (3 300 m). After 3 to 4 hours of hiking, we arrive at the refuge for a good night's rest.

Early departure to cross fields of giant lobelias and heathers. The peaks of Mount Kenya gradually appear. After 7 to 8 hours of hiking, we reach the overnight camp.

This is the longest and most difficult stage of the trek. Allow approximately 10 hours of hiking in total.

We break camp around 3 a.m. so we can enjoy the sunrise over Lenana Point. Today's route features a very steep slope, marked by rocks and volcanic stones. The team will help us with their hands to climb certain sections. At this altitude, the air can be thin.

Once we reach the summit, let's admire the view of the two other peaks that make up Mount Kenya: Batian and Nelion. The hike takes approximately 3 hours.

We then descend towards the Teleki Hut site. Fatigue gradually sets in during the 2 hours of walking. Along the way, we pass by the Lewis Glacier and the Austrian Hut. After a rest break, we resume our descent towards the Met Station refuge, at 3,050 m altitude, where we will spend the night.

We undertake an easy descent for approximately 2 hours, passing through the forest until the gate.

We say goodbye to our support team and take the vehicles towards Nairobi. Brief stop along the way for lunch. Upon arrival in Nairobi, we check in to the hotel for a night of rest.

Departure 8:30 am: shuttle bus transfer. Border crossing with formalities.

Lunch in Arusha.

Dinner and overnight in Arusha.

Morning transfer to the Machame gate at 1,500 m altitude, where we meet our English-speaking team. Upon arrival, we complete some formalities, while the guides and porters prepare the logistics.

We begin our ascent within a forest, where the roots of trees serve as steps. Among lichens and giant ferns, it is not uncommon to encounter monkeys along the way.

After several hours of hiking, we finally reach Machame Hut, our camping site for the day. Not far from the site, a small river flows, where we can perform a simple ablution. Dinner under the stars.

After breakfast, we hit the road again. We leave the forest behind us to discover new landscapes: groundsel fields, streams and waterfalls. We take the trail heading East to reach the Shira plateau. The giant stands before us, the surrounding landscape is breathtaking. After approximately 5 hours of hiking, we reach the Shira Hut site, located in the heart of a vast rocky plain at high altitude, above the clouds. With the team, we look for a flat spot to set up our tent.

Progressively the vegetation disappears, and the glacier faces us. We go around it, while appreciating the beauty of the landscape. We pass through a jumble of ridges and crevasses. The vegetation is gradually reborn, characterized by giant lobelias and groundsels. After 5 to 6 hours of hiking, we arrive at the Barranco Hut site at the bottom of an embedded valley. You must descend a steep path to access the place. Fatigue is taking its toll. It is time to relax and enjoy the sunset over the glacier. The summit is not far away. Today's route acclimatizes us to the altitude to ensure the success of the final ascent.

We pass through the last water point before entering the high altitude desert zone. The hike continues in a volcanic landscape marked by a vast field of rocks and gravel. We take a long trail on a ridge to reach the Barafu Hut site.

Arrival at Barafu Hut, after 6 to 7 hours of hiking, the team gets busy finding a small spot for the bivouac. Meanwhile, we contemplate the emerging peak. The trail leading to the summit is visible from our location. Dinner under the stars, before retiring early, as the night will be short. Indeed, early wake-up for the final ascent.

We are beginning today the most difficult stage of the Kilimanjaro ascent. We break camp around 1 a.m. While it is still dark, we advance slowly towards Uhuru Peak summit, the highest point in Africa. We climb a steep slope that can leave you breathless at times. After 5 hours of hiking, you reach Stella Point at 5,800 m altitude. The crater and sky illuminated by the first rays of sunlight erase our fatigue. A few final efforts to reach Uhuru Peak summit. After an hour of walking, we succeed! Arrival at Africa's highest point at 5,895 m altitude. Mission accomplished!

After enjoying the views and catching our breath, we head back down the mountain following the trail towards Mweka. The journey takes 5 to 6 hours. Well-deserved rest at the camp.

We say goodbye to our wonderful team, before being transferred to the city of Moshi. A room is put at our disposal to get some rest (until 6 p.m.).

The team escorts you to the airport for your return flight.