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Mount Kenya trekking holiday

country:Kenya
location:Mount Kenya 
trip type:High altitude trekking holidays
departures:2010: 15 Jan, 5 Feb, 23 Jul, 13 Aug
2011: 14 Jan, 4 Feb, 22 Jul, 12 Aug
price:From £1649 - £2229 (10 days) including flights from the UK. From £1099 - £1199 excluding flights.
vouchers:Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday
 
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the amazing things you'll be doing
An exhilarating trek up the second highest mountain in Africa - Mount Kenya

Mt. Kenya
The extinct volcanoes of East Africa are the highest mountains of the whole continent. After Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, the second highest is Mount Kenya; however, most who have trekked both believe Kenya to be the more beautiful climb. Starting from the north western side, you take the Timau route through stunning alpine moorland scenery. As you climb, the landscape becomes increasingly more barren and the views more dramatic. The aim of the trek is to reach Point Lenana at just under 5000m; from here the sheer rock faces loom another 200m above, inaccessible to trekkers.

Descent & Relaxation
After reaching the highest point on the climb, the descent is surprisingly quick. After a refreshing stop at Naro Moru you transfer to your lodge for a chance to relax.

Combine two trips
The Mount Kenya trip can be combined with a Kilimanjaro climb or it can be combined with a Kenyan safari on certain dates. Please ask your Travel Consultant for details.

day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Depart London; overnight flight to Nairobi
Day 2: Nairobi, city tour & Giraffe Centre The Kenyan capital stands at an altitude of 1670m above sea level on an elevated plain at the heart of the country, surrounded by fertile land that yields coffee, wheat, sisal and maize. After your overnight flight you’ll transfer to your hotel before heading out on a city tour for the morning. The tour includes a visit to the Giraffe Centre – a non-governmental, non-profit organisation, which was founded in a bid to save the endangered Rothschild giraffe. Here you can learn about giraffes, watch them up close and even feed them. There is also the option (additional cost) to visit Daphnie Sheldrick’s Elephant Orphanage - a conservation project where you get to view the animals in close proximity and learn about them and their plight in the modern world. It is possible to sponsor an elephant (details in Responsible Travel box); you can add an extra dimension to your trip by visiting your own orphan and following its progress. An optional end to your city tour could be a visit to the famous Carnivore Restaurant (at your own expense). Here you can taste just about any type of meat – including those you probably never imagined yourself eating. It is a culinary experience with a difference but not a good option for vegetarians! Hotel – 1 night
Day 3: Mount Kenya; Timau – Western Marania (3200m) This morning after an early start you transfer to the foothills of Mount Kenya. Mount Kenya is a volcanic formation associated with the creation of the Rift Valley. It is also the closest ice cap to the Equator in Africa, being only 40km from the central line. The jagged peaks of the mountain have been ravaged over the years by glacial erosion cutting the height of the mountain down to its present summit of 5199m. The original height of the volcano is debated but it is thought to have risen at least 1500m more than its height today. The nature of the peak is such that only those with technical climbing expertise can make the ascent to the actual summit. However, this wonderful trek takes you to Point Lenana, the highest ‘trekkable’ point. Your walk today is a leisurely start on the Timau route, hiking for approximately two hours. Initially you walk through slowly ascending forest where you continue past Timau camp and head up towards the Giant Heath zone. As you emerge from the forest the views open up and the giant heathers take centre stage. The flora in this climatic zone is unique to East Africa; some of it is unique to this mountain itself. There is a chance to see game with zebra and eland sometimes seen even at this height. You camp on the banks of the Western Marania river. Camping - 1 night (BLD)
Day 4: Western Marania; trek to Kathita East (4000m) Waking up on your first morning on the mountain you are immediately hit by the cool fresh air of altitude, having spent the night at 3200m. Today is a moderately challenging day – you will gain about 800m in altitude, so the pace will be quite slow to enable you to acclimatize and keep up your strength. You continue trekking over rolling moorland country to reach the headwaters of the Kathita East, where you will pitch camp for the night. You will hike for approximately six hours, camping at an altitude of 4000m. Camping - 1 night (BLD)
Day 5: Mount Kenya; walking via Halls Tarn, the Temple & Michaelson Lake (4100m) You start the day warming up on an uphill stretch, making your way to the spectacular Hall Tarns at an altitude of 4300m. Here the beautiful rock formation known as “The Temple” stands guard over Lake Michaelson, some 200m below. It is a beautiful spot to rest and take in the peaceful surroundings. After catching your breath you slowly descend to Lake Michaelson where you camp for the night, having walked for about five hours. This is a site rarely used by others for camping, and this secluded spot is arguably one of the most beautiful camp sites on Mount Kenya. Camping - 1 night (BLD)
Day 6: Mount Kenya; trek to Austrian Hut (4790m) Today is a challenging day as you work your way up to the Austrian Hut at 4790m. The route comprises several steep sections as well as stretches of gravel slope, giving you quite a work-out! Trekking time is only five hours, but it is tough going, making this quite a tiring day.  This overnight stop can vary. Depending on weather conditions and the group's reaction to altitude, you might return to Michaelson Lake for the night. Camping - 1 night (BLD)
Day 7: Mount Kenya; Point Lenana (4985) & Met Station (3100m) The trek will start at 05:00am so that you reach Point Lenana, the highest point on this trek, for sunrise at around 06:30 am. Point Lenana lies at 4985m and is the highest point on Mount Kenya that can be reached without technical climbing skills. You circle the peaks before beginning your descent, walking past Karni, Hausberg, Oblong and Hausberg Tarn. Walking for approximately nine hours, most of it downhill, you reach Met Station at 3100m, which is the spot for your final night’s camping. Camping - 1 night (BLD)
Day 8: Laikipia; afternoon game drive This morning you walk down from Met Station to Naro Moru Gate, where the safari vehicles are waiting for you. A scenic one and a half hour drive takes you to El Karama Ranch in the Laikipia region. Laikipia is a former stronghold of the Masai that was occupied after World War I by British settlers. Here you stay on one of the game ranches that mix cattle farming with conservation. You arrive in time for lunch and a well earned rest. The ranch is the perfect spot to relax with afternoon sundowners, before heading out for a night safari. Night time game drives hold a unique atmosphere: listening to the nightly sounds and searching for the eyes of wildlife reflected in the spot light is a special experience not to be missed. Lodge – 1 night (BD)
Day 9: Overnight flight; morning game drive The ranch is located on 14,000 acres of game land along the Ewaso Nyiro River and there are 75 species of mammal and over 350 bird varieties to keep an eye out for. Rising early you go out for an early safari soon after dawn, when the animals are at their most active. Heading back to the ranch, you enjoy breakfast before setting off. You re-cross the plains of the Mara and climb the Rift Valley’s eastern wall past Mount Suswa to make your way back to Nairobi (300km, approx. six hours drive). En route there may be opportunities to stop and make some final purchases. Once back in Nairobi you have time to go for dinner (not included) in a local restaurant before transferring to the airport where the trip ends for Land Only clients and those travelling on group flights to the UK check in for your overnight flight to London. (B)
Day 10: Arrive London

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner
how this holiday makes a difference
On this trip: Our groups will be led throughout by a professional local Group Leader and the treks fully supported by local trekking crew who know the area better than anyone. This not only provides vital local employment, but evenings around the campfire also give our travellers a real, genuine insight into local tradition, history and culture. When not camping, we stay in independently owned accommodation. All supplies for the trek are sourced locally. All aspects of this trek are organised in close conjunction with a local ground agent, who is chosen not only for their expertise and knowledge, but also for their commitment to sustainable and eco-friendly tourism, thus ensuring that the environments through which we are trekking are disturbed as little as possible.

We subscribe to the aims of the International Porter Protection Group and the guidelines published by Tourism Concern when it comes to caring for our porters – acknowledging the vital role they play during any trek. Among other things, the guidelines ensure the porters are suitably clothed, fed, paid and generally looked after while on trek.

During your stay in Nairobi you will have the opportunity to visit the Giraffe Centre and the Elephant Orphanage. The Giraffe Centre is a non-profit, non-governmental organisation, which has played an important role in the conservation of the endangered Rothschild giraffe. When the centre was founded, only about 130 of these giraffes remained in Kenya. Thanks to the centre and other conservation efforts, currently the population is estimated to be a much healthier 500.

The Elephant Orphanage rescues and raises elephants orphaned in accidents or through poaching, and places great emphasis on reintroducing the elephants into the wild, rather than raising them for life in a zoo.

Our Responsible Travel Code: Clients who travel with us will automatically receive a copy of our Responsible Travel leaflet. This contains details and advice on how you can make a positive difference when you travel. If you would like a copy in advance of travel please contact us.

Charity Partnerships: We work in partnership with Plan International. Plan works with some of the world’s poorest communities where three out of four children die before the age of five. We also support Friends of Conservation – an international charity committed to working with local people to develop a balance between their needs and the wildlife with which they share the natural habitat and ecosystems. Other charities that we work closely with include Born Free Foundation and The Travel Foundation, a UK charity that has been established to promote responsible travel practises throughout the whole of the travel industry.

Carbon Balancing: Global warming is a real issue and is a direct result of your travel. We have teamed up with Climate Care to give you the opportunity to offset the carbon emissions from your flight. You’ll be asked upon booking if you want to donate – with set amounts from £5. As a company we offset the carbon emissions from all staff travel in full.

Our Foundation: We’ve highlighted a few of the ways in which we offer our support, financially or otherwise, and now you can, too. We have set up our own foundation, which will administer funds donated by you. A small donation of £1 per person will be taken when booking a holiday and that money will be put to good use by one of our carefully selected projects. If you don’t want to make the donation, just tell us when you book.

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