Burguret 5 Day
The Burgeret Route approaches Mount Kenya on the Western side via Nanyuki Town. It is a much quieter route compared to the busy Northern slopes. The route starts of in the forest zone above the Gathiuru forest station, a station still used by the forestry department.
This route takes you through a few afro alpine zone. The first two days are in dense forest made up of Giant bamboo, Ceders, Podocarpus(Yellow wood) and East African Rose wood, which you will see as you start to leave the forest, as you enter the Heather and Mooreland zone.
And then you head up to where the vegetation stops and expansive views of the mooreland and the dazzling snow caped peaks tower above you. The beauty of this route is that you naturally “climb high and sleep low’, which is the best way to prepare your body for the altitude.
DAY 1 GATHIURU FOREST STATION TO GIANT BAMBOO CAMP (2,600 m)
Trekking time: 4 hours.
You will meet the African Ascents team and take the Burgeret track up the mountain. With porter support, you will trek from just above Gathiuru Forest Station to our first camp at about 2,600 meters. It is a long but thrilling walk through dense forest and towering bamboo to Giant Bamboo camp. In the forest there are many species of brightly coloured birds such as the Hartlaub’s Turaco and the Malachite sunbird and different species of monkeys.
DAY 2 GIANT BAMBOO CAMP TO HIGHLAND CASTLE (3,700 m)
Trekking time: 5-6 Hours
The bamboo gives way to enormous Podocarpus and Ceders forest and as we climb higher we pass through the Hagenia zone also known as the rosewood zone (generally found at 2850-3000m). We spend the night just above the Giant Heath zone at the "Highland Castle" bluffs.
DAY 3 HIGHLAND CASTLE TO TWO TARN (4,600m)
Trekking Time: 4-5 hours
This trek takes you up along the ridge to towards the base of the main peaks. By late morning you would have gained most of the altitude for the day, and if clear, you will get a glimpse of the dazzling peaks of Dutton Nelion and point John. Finally, you should reach camp by about midday which will be on the edge of the Two tarn.
DAY 4 TWO TARN TO KAMI (4,500m)
Trekking Time: 4hours
Depending on the weather, there is usually no rush to leave this camp as it has some spectacular views which deserve being soaked up.
After breakfast, the trek takes you clockwise around the peaks past "arthurs seat" and the Housberg col at 4700meters and fianaly down the hill to Kami campsite.
DAY 5 KAMI HUT TO POINT LENANA (4,985 m) TO OLD MOSES
Trekking Time: 8 hours
An early departure at 5.30am for a sunrise summit is the best way to experience this climb to point Lenana, and enjoy the expansive views of the mountainside, valleys and country beyond - even the summit of Kilimanjaro - whilst sipping a nice warm drink. The descent takes you down the Northern side along the Sirimon route where you will have brunch in the Mackinders Valley. Then it’s a final walk down to Old Mozes camp for collection. You will be back in the Nanyuki area by 3pm for a late lunch at Nanyuki airstrip.