Mt Longonot/Elephant Hill/Mt Kenya(7 Days)
Overview
Mount Longonot is a stratovolcano that overlooks Lake Naivasha. The mountain has lava canyons on its steep slopes and a caldera that is over one kilometre wide. Walk around the caldera. The view from Mt Longonot’s caldera is simply stunning. It is also a national park, meaning you could see some wildlife, though not the Big 5.Mount Kenya is Africa’s second highest mountain, after Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. Erosion and time have reduced the peak from 6500m to 5199 on the highest point today. This extinct volcano, dating back 2.5 million years old, is located about 200 kilometers north of Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, in the Mount Kenya National Park.
Elephant Hill hike trail starts at the Njabini Forest Station gate, at an elevation of 8,202ft (2,500m) above sea level, and ends at the summit, at an elevation of 12,000ft (3,658m) above sea level. The terrain is mostly wet and slippery within the bamboo forest, and rocky as you approach the summit
Mount Kenya has three main peaks, the two highest are highly technical (Batian and Nelion) and are rarely climbed in comparison to the third peak called Point Lenana which is a trekking peak.
This wonderful and scenic hike takes you to discover the unique landscapes of this region in Kenya.
Included/Exclude
- Guarantee price/guarantee trek on confirmation.
- Transfer to and from the base of the mountain
- Full board accommodation whilst on the trek In Mt Kenya
- Meal plan as detailed: B=Breakfast, L=Lunch and D=Dinner(in Mt Kenya)
- Accommodations in camps/huts as per the itinerary(in Mt Kenya)
- All park entrance fees to include government taxes
- Services of a professional guide, porters and skilled cook
- Treated water on the trek.
- Start and finish Nairobi
- Training cost and purchase of mountain gear.
- Emergency evacuation cover USD. 24.00 from Amref insurance Cover
- Meals outside the mountain
- Other Items not mentioned above
- Accommodation before/after the trek
- Trekking gears
- Tips
- Items of personal nature
- Day 1(Breakfast, Lunch, dinner)
- Day 2 (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
- Day 3(Breakfast)
- Day 7 (Lunch)
- Personal clothing and equipment (see equipment list)
Tour Amenities
Tour Plan
Early morning departure from Nairobi city driving westwards stopping at the viewpoint on the Great Rift Valley to view the Loita plains and the sparkling Lake Naivasha in the thousands of feet below.
Some people use Mt Longonot hike as a preparation to hiking the more difficult mountains like Mt Kilimanjaro or Mount Kenya.
Mt. Longonot is one of the volcanic mountains of the Great Rift Valley of geological importance. A hike on this mountain takes about 2 hours from the park gate to the rim of the crater and back. For those going round the crater, the hikes about 4 hours for the round trip. The path up the slope is pretty steep and slippery at some points, so you might need to be reasonably fit for the hike to mount longonot.
Optional boat ride at the Crescent Island is available at the lake. Bird watching and plant study by the lakeside will be compelling.
Itinerary
0600 hrs: Pick up from location/location within Nairobi.
0800 hrs: Arrive Mount Longonot Park Gate – Briefing
0830 hrs: Begin the hike to crater rim
0930 hrs – 1230 hrs: Hiking on Mt Longonot – Descend
1400 hours drive to Naivasha
Alternatively, at 1430 hours
Lunch in Naivasha. Boat Ride and Crescent Island Walking safari (extra cost)
Camping & Overnight : Camp Carnelley's
Hiking and trekking the elephant hills in the Aberdare ranges, Kenya is the best way to prepare for the big mountains like Mt. Kenya and Kilimanjaro.
All the stories you’ve heard about hiking at Elephant Hill are true. Elephant Hill may make or break a hiker. This trip is a great test for novice and experienced hikers alike. Located at an elevation of 8,202 feet (2,500 meters) above sea level, the trail begins at the Njabini Forest Station gate and travels to the peak and back over the course of 18 kilometers. It takes about 6-8 hours to make the round trip, assuming a reasonable pace.
Leave Naivasha at 6:00am
0730 hrs: Arrive at Elephant hill Park Gate – Briefing
0750 hrs: Begin the hike to Elephant Hill summit
0750 hrs – 1130 hrs: Hiking on Elephant Hill – Descend
1500 hours drive back to Nairobi
Distance from Naivasha: About 40 km
Starting/Ending Point: Njabini Forest Gate
Walking Duration: 6-7 hours
Max Elevation: 3,658m
Distance: 18km
Terrain: Dirt road, swampy trail, bamboo zone, rocky zones.
Trek Difficulty: Moderate to High. You need to be reasonably fit to do this climb.
Accommodation: Hotel in Nairobi
Depart from Nairobi at 0600hrs, driving through agricultural country up to Chogoria town for lunch. After lunch, we take 4×4 and drive up to the edge of the bamboo forest where we start our trekking through the dense bamboo forest for a distance of 10 km to the Mt Kenya Bandas.
Start: Nairobi (1795m)
Finish: Bandas campsite (2900m)
Altitude: ↑ 1105m
Walking time: 3 hrs
After breakfast and sorting of porter loads we set off up the mountain at a nice and easy pace . A slightly longer walk via Lake Ellis gives scenic views of Mugi, Ithanguni and the Giants Billiards Table, whilst if we follow the river near road head, upstream for about 3 km, the foreground scenery and flora is particularly beautiful. Lunch on the banks of a stream, then it’s time to cut up the left hand hillside to our camp at about 3,600m, well away from any of the more “touristy” areas.
Start: Meru Bandas (3000m)
Finish: Lake Ellis (3470m)
Altitude: ↑ 470m
Walking time: 4-5hrs
Similar early start. Again well off the beaten track to follow a ridge up the mountain for about 3 hours to eventually join the tourist track on the normal Chogoria route at an altitude of about 4,100m. Breathtaking views over the Gorges Valley and back over towards Ithanguni and the Northern Moorlands. Lunch is served at a small stream crossing, before continuing for a further hour to the Mintos Hut area at 4200m and our night’s rest. Afternoon is spent relaxing at camp, though a 10 minute walk to the “Temple” is well worth the effort. This is a 150 meters vertical cliff that gets its name from the position visitors often adopt when peering over the edge – they look as if they are praying. An early night is recommended as you are attempting the summit next day.
Start: Lake Ellis (3455m)
Finish: Mintos Camp (4290m)
Altitude: ↑ 745m
Walking time: 6-7hrs
Predawn attempt of the summit starts at 03:00 am. We hike for about three hours up to Point Lenana (4985m), the hiker’s summit, arriving there in time to watch the African sunrise. Descend to Shipton camp for breakfast. After breakfast, begin a 5 hour descent via Mackinder`s valley to the Old Moses camp (3,300m). The descent is gentle and it offers ample time to enjoy fascinating scenery which includes the moorlands before reaching the camp.
12-15 hrs / 695 ascent – 1,685 descent / 22km
Start: Mintos (4290m)-Lenana Peak-4985M
Finish: Judmier Camp (3300m)
Altitude: ↑ 695m
Walking time: 12-15hrs
After early morning breakfast, descend for 3 hours to the Sirimon Park gate to catch a vehicle and travel to Nairobi.
Start: Judmier camp (3300m)
Finish: Sirimon Gate (2660m)
Altitude: Descend 640m
Walking time: 3 hrs
Drive back to Nairobi: 4-5 hrs
End Safari..
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