Mount Kenya is the highest mountain in Kenya  and the second-highest in Africa after mount Kilimajaro. The highest peaks of the mountain are Batian (5,199 metres (17,057 ft)), Nelion (5,188 metres (17,021 ft)) and Point Lenana (4,985 metres (16,355 ft)). Mount Kenya is located in central Kenya, just south of the equator,  around 150 kilometres (93 mi) north-northeast of the capital Nairobi.  Mount Kenya is the source of the name of the Republic of Kenya.

CLIMBING ROUTES

SIRMON -  NAROMORU ROUTE

DAY 1: NAIROBI TO NANYUKI

Pick up from your Nairobi hotel.  Transfer from Nairobi to the slopes of Mount Kenya for lunch. In the afternoon take a  nature walk through the forest reserve to Mau Mau caves, the former base for Kenya's freedom fighters. As you hike you learn about plants, birds and animals found in the forest from the escort naturalist guide.

Day 2: NANYUKI TO OLDMOSES CAMP (3300M)

Departure to the Mountain will be soon after breakfast together with your guide and porters. Drive for less than two hours to Sirimon Park gate (2600m). On completion of park entry formalities start a 3-4 hour hike through montane forest, bamboo, rosewood, heather zones to Old Moses camp. The hike gains you an elevation of 700m as you hike in an area that is home to hundreds of buffaloes, elephants, bushbucks and a plethora of bird species.

Day 3: OLDMOSES CAMP-SHIPTON'S CAMP (4200M)

Breakfast at 0700hrs followed by a 6-7 hours trek up the sprawling moorland zone covered in tussock grass and dotted with lobelias, scenecio and giant groundsel plants. The hike today is awesome with fascinating views as you descend a total of 900m to reach the shipton's Hut. Lunch stop is at a strategic point along the Mackinder Valley en route. Hikers who wish to ascend extremely slowly can achieve this by adding on a day at this stage and spend an extra night at Likii North campsite thereby splitting the ascend into 2 parts of 4 hours each.

Day 4: SHIPTON'S CAMP-LENANA-MACKINDER'S CAMP (4300M)

Your pre-dawn attempt of the summit starts at 0300hrs hiking for 3- 4 hours up a 785m. scree slope to Pt. Lenana (4985m), the hikers' summit. Arrival at the summit is scheduled to be in time to witness the marvelous african sunrise and golden glitter of the peaks as they reflect the sun rays. Descend for 2 hours to Mackinders camp (4300m) for breakfast then have the rest of the day to relax. Hikers having problems of getting to the summit to connect the cross-over path may use the easier summit circuit trail to reach Mackinders or forfeit the attempt and return on the Sirimon Trail.

Day 5: MACKINDER'S CAMP-NAIROBI 

Leave the camp at 0600hrs and walk for 4-5 hours down the Naromoru track up to the Naromoru Roadhead where you connect with the vehicle for transfer back to Nairobi. Arrive  early Evening and drop off at your hotel

SIRMON CHOGORIA ROUTE

DAY 1: NAIROBI TO NANYUKI

Pick up from your Nairobi hotel.  Transfer from Nairobi to the slopes of Mount Kenya for lunch. In the afternoon take a  nature walk through the forest reserve to Mau Mau caves, the former base for Kenya's freedom fighters. As you hike you learn about plants, birds and animals found in the forest from the escort naturalist guide.

Day 2: NANYUKI TO OLDMOSES CAMP (3300M)

Departure to the Mountain will be soon after breakfast together with your guide and porters. Drive for less than two hours to Sirimon Park gate (2600m). On completion of park entry formalities start a 3-4 hour hike through montane forest, bamboo, rosewood, heather zones to Old Moses camp. The hike gains you an elevation of 700m as you hike in an area that is home to hundreds of buffaloes, elephants, bushbucks and a plethora of bird species.

Day 3: OLDMOSES CAMP-SHIPTON'S CAMP (4200M)

Breakfast at 0700hrs followed by a 6-7 hours trek up the sprawling moorland zone covered in tussock grass and dotted with lobelias, scenecio and giant groundsel plants. The hike today is awesome with fascinating views as you descend a total of 900m to reach the shipton's Hut. Lunch stop is at a strategic point along the Mackinder Valley en route. Hikers who wish to ascend extremely slowly can achieve this by adding on a day at this stage and spend an extra night at Likii North campsite thereby splitting the ascend into 2 parts of 4 hours each.

Day 4: SHIPTON'S CAMP-LENANA-Mintos campsite (4300M)

Pre-dawn attempt of the summit starts at 0300hrs, taking 3-4 hours to reach Pt. Lenana 4985m (the hikers summit) in time to watch the sunrise. When the morning skies are clear, you can see the snow capped summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro several miles away to the south. Descend to Minto's hut  for breakfast. Descend   along the left bank of Gorges Valley with a chance to enjoy the great scenery of the Temple, mushroom rocks, lakes etc. You arrive at the Meru Mt Kenya lodge after a 5-6 hours trek. Picnic lunch is served enroute.Dinner and Overnight at chogoria bandas.

Day 5: Leave at 0700 hrs, walking down the Chogoria Forest to or the Base Lodge. Those traveling directly to Nairobi will arrive by 1700hrs.Tip: Clients wishing to avoid the long trek from Old Moses to Shiptons and the strain it may cause them can break up the trekking distance into two phases. On the first phase, hike up to Likii North (3900m) in approximately 4hours to spend the night in tents and proceed on to Shiptons the following day in another 4 hours. Alternatively, clients can hike directly to Shipton's and spend an extra day there relaxing or walking around the peaks for acclimatisation. This would mean adding on an extra day or two to the regular itinerary.

DAY 5. CHOGORIA- NAIROBI

After breakfast, set on morning journey down the  Chogoria forest to meet with our vehicle for transfer back to Nairobi  arriving late afternoon. Drop off at your hotel.

Chogoria sirmon

Day 1: NAIROBI-CHOGORIA PARK GATE/MERU MOUNT KENYA LODGE (3000M)

Depart by 0800hrs for a drive to Chogoria. Pass through the central agricultural country to arrive at the Chogoria Village. Lunch on arrival. The vehicle will drop you within the Chogoria forest (2600m) to offer you the chance to hike the remaining distance to the Park gate (3000m). The montane forest is lush and green with several plant species such as Podo and cedar while the Bamboo belt is dense and luxuriant. Both zones are home to hundreds of wildlife species.

Day 2: CHOGORIA PARK GATE/MERU MOUNT KENYA LODGE - NITHI RIVER CAMP (3300M)

Hike for 3-4 hours to the Roadhead Camp (3300m), which is located along Nithi River. There are occasional sightings of elephant, bushbuck, buffalo and impala during the walk through the forest. Optional climb to the peak of Mugi hill (3500m) before heading on to the camp or an alternative visit to the Nithi Falls to enjoy the splendid beauty of the lower valley.

Day 3: NITHI RIVER CAMP-MINTOS CAMPSITE (4300M)

Leave the camp early and hike for 5 hours along the edge of Gorges Valley to Mintos/Hall Tarn camp(4300m). A chance to catch one of the best views of the awe-inspiring Gorges Valley. Other fascinating scenery includes lakes, the Temple, mushroom rocks, Billiards Table, the high peaks ahead and several species of unique montane plants and flowers.

Day 4: MINTOS CAMPSITE-LENANA-SHIPTON'S CAMP (4200M)

Predawn attempt of the summit starts at 0300hrs and you hike for about 3-4 hours to Point Lenana (4985m), 'the hikers summit', arriving there in time to see the African sunrise. After the summit conquest descend to Shiptons

Day 5: SHIPTON'S CAMP-NAIROBI

Descend via Sirimon to pick up your transport back TO Nairobi arriving late afternoon. Drop off at your hotel 

Read More