A hidden gem for the hikers. Nestled in the heart of East Africa, Mount Kenya stands as the second-highest peak on the continent, beckoning adventurers and nature enthusiasts from around the world. This dormant stratovolcano, shrouded in mist and myth, offers a challenging but rewarding trek that takes you through lush forests, alpine meadows, and glacier-clad peaks. Our 5-day trek takes you to the trekkers’ summit: Point Lenana (4,985m)– a stunning peak just below the highest peaks of Nelion and Batian which involve a true technical climb.
This trek passes through Sirimon-Chogoria route which has long been considered the most picturesque, dramatic, and varying route, it’s the most beautiful of the access routes to Point Lenana and the best for acclimatization as the gradient is the easiest. You are more likely to be the only climbers on this side of the mountain ensuring a unique wilderness experience. Whether you’re an experienced hiker or a novice seeking a new challenge, this 5-day Mount Kenya offers an unforgettable trek that will leave you with a pro.
4 Nights Mount Kenya National Park
Commence your day early by being picked up at 7.30am either from your hotel, residence, or the Nairobi airport. Our journey will lead us northwards from the city towards Mount Kenya, taking us through the picturesque countryside, where you can immerse yourself in the local way of life as it unfolds around you.
Our first stop will be in Nanyuki town, where you’ll have the opportunity to savor traditional Kenyan coffee. Meanwhile, your guide will be busy finalizing the provisions for your upcoming hike. Afterward, we’ll make our way to the Sirimon Gate of Mount Kenya National Park. At this point, you’ll be treated to a hot lunch while your guide takes care of your park fees and permits.
With lunch concluded, it’s time to embark on your hiking adventure. You’ll trek for approximately two to three hours, gradually ascending to an altitude of 3,300 meters. Along the way, you’ll traverse rain forest, Bamboo Forest, grassy terrain, and navigate rocky outcrops that flank your path. The day’s destination is Old Moses Camp, a cluster of charming wooden huts offering magnificent vistas of the mountain valleys.
Accommodation: Old Moses Camp
Destination: Old-Moses Camp
Meal Plan: Lunch & Dinner
Hiking Time: 2 to 3 hrs. (9 Kms)
Zone: Montane Rainforest/Bamboo
Starting your day at 6.30 am will guarantee you a fresh and energized beginning for the day’s challenging hike and the spectacular vistas that lie ahead. At the camp, you’ll enjoy a hearty breakfast accompanied by hot coffee or tea to provide you with the necessary sustenance for your trek.
The initial leg of your hike will involve ascending the Sirimon track and arriving at Liki North Valley, framed by the peaks of Teleki and Sendeyo, which are remnants of an extinct volcano. This location presents an excellent opportunity for capturing breathtaking photos as you reach an elevation of 3,990 meters. From this valley, you’ll continue your ascent to MacKinders Valley, offering expansive panoramic views of the mountain range.
Here, you’ll pause for a picnic lunch while admiring the numerous hills and smaller peaks that adorn Mount Kenya. Your lunch spot on the cliff’s edge will also afford you a view of your ultimate goal: the hiker’s peak of Mount Kenya. Following this break, the next three hours will involve a hike to Shipton Camp, where you’ll be welcomed with a steaming cup of tea or coffee prepared by one of the crew members who have advanced ahead of your party.
You’ll have the option to take a brief walk to acclimate yourself to the high altitude before dinner is served at the camp. Your night will be spent in the camp’s wooden huts at an elevation of 4,200 meters, where temperatures can drop below ten degrees Celsius!
Destination: Shipton Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Hiking Time: 6 to 7 hrs. (14 Kms)
Zone: Higher Alpine (groundsel vegetation)
Elevation: 900 M
No Accommodations
No Accommodations
No Accommodations
Spend the day acclimatizing with guided hikes. You will spend the day trekking to Kami Hut and down to Hauseberg Lakes (Hauseberg Tarn and Nanyuki Tarn). Walk back to Shipton for an early dinner and overnight in readiness for the next day’s summit attempt.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Hiking Time: 2 to 3 hrs.
Zone: Glacial/Higher Alpine Zones
No Accommodations
No Accommodations
No Accommodations
Rise early, preferably at 3:00 am, to begin your day with a light meal of tea or coffee and biscuits. This is recommended to maintain good digestion at high altitudes. You’ll then start your descent to the Alpine section of Mount Kenya, where the vegetation and climate may start to resemble that of Europe or the northern part of North America.
The journey to Point Lenana, which stands at an elevation of 4,985 meters, should take approximately four hours. Your arrival there will provide ample time to be in position for the sunrise. This ascent will present challenges, requiring not only physical strength but also a resilient mindset to reach the summit.
As the sun pierces through the darkness, you might be fortunate enough to have a clear day and catch a glimpse of Mounts Kilimanjaro and Elgon, as well as the Indian Ocean to the east. After immersing yourself in awe and capturing memories with your camera, it’s time to descend leisurely to Mintos Hut, a two-hour journey that culminates with a satisfying cooked breakfast.
From this point, you’ll continue your descent, which is typically easier than the uphill climb. Your day will conclude when you arrive at Bandas Camp, where you can rest your well-exercised legs, enjoy a hearty dinner, and retire in cozy wooden huts.
Destination: Lenana Peak & Chogoria Bandas
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Summit Ascent Time: 3 to 4 hrs. (4 Km)
Descent Time: 5 to 6 hrs. (15 km)
Zone: Glacial/Higher Alpine Zones/ Low Alpine/ Rainforest Zones
Elevation: 800 M
No Accommodations
No Accommodations
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After completing your hike, breakfast will be served at 7 am. With no need to rush, you can enjoy a leisurely descent from Mount Kenya this morning.
Following breakfast, you will be chauffeured through the rest of the journey within the park and reach the town of Chogoria.
Once you exit the park, you’ll have the opportunity to say goodbye to the supportive crew who accompanied you on your Mount Kenya hike and then commence your journey back to Nairobi in the south. While on the road, there will be a stop in a local town for a traditional Kenyan lunch.
You should arrive in Nairobi in the late afternoon, and from there, you can choose to be dropped off at the airport, your hotel, or your residence, depending on your future plans.
Destination: Nairobi
Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch
Travel Time: 4 to 5 hrs.
No Accommodation provided on this day.
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Starting your day at 6.30 am will guarantee you a fresh and energized beginning for the day’s challenging hike and the spectacular vistas that lie ahead. At the camp, you’ll enjoy a hearty breakfast accompanied by hot coffee or tea to provide you with the necessary sustenance for your trek.
The initial leg of your hike will involve ascending the Sirimon track and arriving at Liki North Valley, framed by the peaks of Teleki and Sendeyo, which are remnants of an extinct volcano. This location presents an excellent opportunity for capturing breathtaking photos as you reach an elevation of 3,990 meters. From this valley, you’ll continue your ascent to MacKinders Valley, offering expansive panoramic views of the mountain range.
Here, you’ll pause for a picnic lunch while admiring the numerous hills and smaller peaks that adorn Mount Kenya. Your lunch spot on the cliff’s edge will also afford you a view of your ultimate goal: the hiker’s peak of Mount Kenya. Following this break, the next three hours will involve a hike to Shipton Camp, where you’ll be welcomed with a steaming cup of tea or coffee prepared by one of the crew members who have advanced ahead of your party.
You’ll have the option to take a brief walk to acclimate yourself to the high altitude before dinner is served at the camp. Your night will be spent in the camp’s wooden huts at an elevation of 4,200 meters, where temperatures can drop below ten degrees Celsius!
Destination: Shipton Camp
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Hiking Time: 6 to 7 hrs. (14 Kms)
Zone: Higher Alpine (groundsel vegetation)
Elevation: 900 M
No Accommodations
No Accommodations
No Accommodations
Spend the day acclimatizing with guided hikes. You will spend the day trekking to Kami Hut and down to Hauseberg Lakes (Hauseberg Tarn and Nanyuki Tarn). Walk back to Shipton for an early dinner and overnight in readiness for the next day’s summit attempt.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Hiking Time: 2 to 3 hrs.
Zone: Glacial/Higher Alpine Zones
No Accommodations
No Accommodations
No Accommodations
Rise early, preferably at 3:00 am, to begin your day with a light meal of tea or coffee and biscuits. This is recommended to maintain good digestion at high altitudes. You’ll then start your descent to the Alpine section of Mount Kenya, where the vegetation and climate may start to resemble that of Europe or the northern part of North America.
The journey to Point Lenana, which stands at an elevation of 4,985 meters, should take approximately four hours. Your arrival there will provide ample time to be in position for the sunrise. This ascent will present challenges, requiring not only physical strength but also a resilient mindset to reach the summit.
As the sun pierces through the darkness, you might be fortunate enough to have a clear day and catch a glimpse of Mounts Kilimanjaro and Elgon, as well as the Indian Ocean to the east. After immersing yourself in awe and capturing memories with your camera, it’s time to descend leisurely to Mintos Hut, a two-hour journey that culminates with a satisfying cooked breakfast.
From this point, you’ll continue your descent, which is typically easier than the uphill climb. Your day will conclude when you arrive at Bandas Camp, where you can rest your well-exercised legs, enjoy a hearty dinner, and retire in cozy wooden huts.
Destination: Lenana Peak & Chogoria Bandas
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Summit Ascent Time: 3 to 4 hrs. (4 Km)
Descent Time: 5 to 6 hrs. (15 km)
Zone: Glacial/Higher Alpine Zones/ Low Alpine/ Rainforest Zones
Elevation: 800 M
No Accommodations
No Accommodations
No Accommodations
