Mt. Kenya Climbing Adventure - Recommended Routes

A lifetime adventure achievement - Summit. Pt. Lenana

Mt Kenya4

Trip Adventure Details

Overview & Highlights

Overview of Naro Moru Route

Naro Moru Route: Transfer from Nairobi to Naromoru

4 Days Mount Kenya Climbing Naro Moru Route
Distance: 40 km | Difficulty: Moderate | Start/Finish: Nairobi

Naro Moru route is the fastest route to point Lenana but not very scenic. Often crowded with many climbers since it's the easiest climbing route compared to Chogoria and Sirimon route.

Overview of Sirimon-Sirimon Route

Sirimon-Sirimon Route: Transfer from Nairobi to Nanyuki

4 Days Mount Kenya Climbing Sirimon-Sirimon Route
Distance: 40 km | Difficulty: Demanding | Start/Finish: Nairobi

Is the least used of the three main routes, but features the most gradual ascent profile and best acclimatisation options and above all the most interesting since its on the drier side on the mountain. The route passes through impressive Yellowwood forests in the lower reaches and features abundant wildlife and beautiful alpine scenery higher up.

Much more scenic than Naromoru and it is on the drier side of the mountain which offers some of the finest walking. Climb up through forest into a wide ridge approach to the summit area. The route starts on the northwest side of the mountain near Nanyuki. Access is adequate and the bunk house facilities are the best on this side of the mountain.

Though the summit can be reached in 4 days as per the below itinerary, we strongly recommend an overnight acclimatization at the base in Nanyuki town. This can be arranged for at an extra fee.

=== Mt. Kenya's Sirimon route climbing is the least used of the three main routes, but features the most gradual ascent profile and best acclimatisation options and above all the most interesting since its on the drier side on the mountain. We recommend this route for a short climbing expedition

Overview of Sirimon down Chogoria Route

5 Days Sirimon Route Down Chogoria

Distance: 80 km | Difficulty: Moderate | Start/Finish: Nairobi

Summary

Combines the two most scenic routes of Mt Kenya. Ascent is on the dry side of mountain which offers some of the finest walking. Climb up through forest into a wide ridge approach to the summit area. The route starts on the northwest side of the mountain near Nanyuki. Access is adequate and the bunk house facilities are the best on this side of the mountain

Most scenic and interesting of the three main routes on the mountain. The route passes the enchanting Hall Tarns and looks down sheer cliffs into the spectacular Gorges Valley and onto the beautiful Lake Michaelson.

Overview of Chogoria down Naro Moru Route:

Transfer to Nanyuki for Overnight. Private transfer to Chogoria Park Gate in the morning

5 Days Mount Kenya Climbing Chogoria down Naro Moru Route
Distance: 92 km | Difficulty: Demanding | Start/Finish: Nairobi

Chogoria route is by far the most scenic route of all Mt Kenya climbing routes. However, it is the most difficult Mount Kenya climbing route owing to the fact that it begins from the steep side of the mountain.

The route is entirely a camping route, thus quite adventurous to the trekker and at the same offer the most rewarding scenic views. Pack camping gear and supplies to strike out west up this long but spectacular approach through the deep chasm of gorge valley.

The Gorges Valley is a major feature on the Chogoria Route. This route leads from Chogoria town up to the peaks circuit. The 32 km (20 miles) from the forest gate to the park gate are often done by vehicle, but it is also possible to walk. There is much wildlife in the forest, with safari ant columns crossing the track, monkeys in the trees, and the potential for seeing elephant, buffalo and leopard. The road is not in good condition, and requires careful driving and walking. Near the park gate the bamboo zone starts, with grasses growing to 12 m high (40 ft).

Once in the park the track passes through rosewood forests, with lichens hanging from the branches. At one point the path splits, with the smaller track leading to a path up the nearby Mugi Hill and across to Lake Ellis.

The Temple is a large overhanging buttress overlooking Lake Michaelson, close to Hall Tarns.Near the trackhead a small bridge crosses the Nithi stream. Following the stream downriver a few hundred metres (yards) leads to The Gates Waterfall. The path heads up a ridge above the Gorges Valley, with views to the peaks, Lake Michaelson, The Temple, and across the valley to Delamere and Macmillan Peaks. Hall Tarns are situated right on the path and above The Temple, which is a 300 m (1,000 ft) cliff above Lake Michaelson.

As the path carries on it crosses the flat head of the Nithi River and then the slope steepens. The path splits, heading west to Simba Col, and south west to Square Tarn. These are both on the Peak Circuit Route.

Itinerary for Naromoru Route

Day 1: Naromoru River Lodge - Meteorological Station 3-4 hrs, 10km, 400m ascent

Transfer to Naromoru Park Gate for registration and where the hike starts, 2600m From the gate, keep to the park track, which follows the crest of a board ridge between the Northern and Southern Naromoru valleys. The going is easy and it’s a pleasant walking through the forest. About two thirds of the way up after the bridge there are good views to the left north down into the Northern Naromoru valley. The trek ends at Met station 3,000m where dinner and overnight rest will be, B, L, D

Day 2: Met Station/Mackinders Camp 5-6 hrs, 10km, 1200m ascent

Head uphill on the track to pass the radio must on your right after about half an hour. The trek runs into a path and after another 30 minutes, you will reach the end of the forest belt and enter the moorland. This is the vertical bog conditions range from damp to glutinous depending on when it last rained. Continue through until the going improves and you reach a fork overlooking Teleki Valley to reach Mackinders Camp, 4,200m. Dinner and overnight at Mackinders Camp, B, L, D

Day 3: Mackinders Camp/Point Lenana/Met Station 8-10 hrs, 11km, 785m ascent

The normal approach is to start at 2 am in order to reach point Lenana taking about 4 hr walk by sunrise at 6:30am. After sunrise, descend down to Mackinders Camp for breakfast, 2hrs and walk further 4hrs, way back to Met Station for dinner and overnight, B, L, D

Day 4: Met Station/Naromoru/Nairobi 3hrs, 9km, 400m

After breakfast, descend through the rainforest which is 9km to Naromoru Park Gate at 2,600m where you will connect with your transport back to Nairobi, arriving at approximately 3pm, B,L

Itinerary for Sirimon-Sirimon Route

Day 1: Nanyuki/Sirimon/Judmier Camp (Old Moses Camp) 3-4 hrs, 9km, 860m ascent
Pick up from your hotel in Nanyuki and proceed to Sirimon Gate (alt. 2440m). From the gate follow the track as it winds uphill though the forest which becomes heath land after about 3 hrs. About 3½ hours from the gate the track veers right to Judmier Camp, 3300m for dinner and overnight, L, D

Day 2: Judmier Camp/Shipton Camp 6-7hrs, 17km, 900m ascent
After breakfast, follow the track uphill, forking left at the junction. After one hour from Old Moses Camp, the track crosses Ontulili River. Go right contouring through the Moorland and crossing Liki North and continue uphill to Mackinders Valley from where there are panoramic views up the valley towards the main peaks. Dinner and overnight at Shipton Camp, 4200m, B,L,D

Day 3: Shipton Camp/Point Lenana/Judmaier Camp (Old Moses Camp) 9-10hrs, 21km
Leave at 3am up a steep stony quarry that cuts through a cliff clearing visible part towards lower Hall Tarns arriving point Lenana at 6:30am, taking about 3hrs. After the sunrise, descend down to Shipton Camp, 2hrs, for breakfast and further, 4hrs, down to Old Moses Camp for dinner and overnight, B,L,D

Day 4: Judmaier Camp/Sirimon/Nairobi 2-3hrs, 9km
After breakfast, walk down through the rainforest for 2 hours to connect with your transport vehicle back to Nairobi, B, L

Itinerary for Sirimon-Chogoria Route

Day 1: Nanyuki/Sirimon/Judmier Camp (Old Moses Camp) 3-4 hrs, 9km, 860m ascent
From your overnight stay in Nanyuki depart for Sirimon Park Gate Alt. 2440m. From the gate follow the track as it winds uphill though the forest which becomes heath land after about 3 hrs. About 3½ hours from the gate the track veers right to Judmier Camp, 3300m for dinner and overnight, L, D

Day 2: Judmier Camp/Shipton Camp 6-7hrs, 17km, 900m ascent
After breakfast, follow the track uphill, forking left at the junction. After one hour from Old Moses Camp, the track crosses Ontulili River. Go right contouring through the Moorland and crossing Liki North and continue uphill to Mackinders Valley from where there are panoramic views up the valley towards the main peaks. Dinner and overnight at Shipton Camp, 4200m, B,L,D

Day 3: Shipton Camp
Spend the day acclimatizing. Walk to Kami Hut down to Hauseberg Lakes (Hauseberg Tarn and Nanyuki Tarn). Walk back to Shipton for dinner and overnight.

Day 4: Shiptons/Point Lenana/Mount Meru Bandas (Chogoria Gate) 11-12 hrs, 32km, 785m ascent
Leave at 3am up a steep stony quarry that cuts through a cliff clearing visible part towards lower Hall Tarns arriving Mount Kenya point Lenana (6km from Shipton Camp) at 6:30am, taking about 3hrs. After the sunrise, descend down to Mintos hut (6km), 2hrs, for breakfast and 20km, 4-5hrs further down to Mount Meru Bandas, 2950m, for dinner and overnight on Mount Kenya, B,L,D

Day 5: Chogoria Bandas/Chogoria/Nairobi
Descend 2hr, 15km to forest clearance to catch a 4x4 transfer vehicle to Chogoria Village where you will connect with your transfer vehicle back to Nairobi, B,L

Itinerary for Chogoria-Naromoru Route

Day 1: Chogoria/Mount Meru Bandas - 4hrs, 16km walk, 950m ascent
Pick up from your hotel in Nanyuki or Meru to Chogoria town for an early lunch. After lunch, take a 4x4 vehicle to the forest clearance, 16km from where the walk starts. You will walk for 16km through the forest along the dirt and sometimes very muddy road for 4hrs to reach Mount Meru Bandas at 2950m. Dinner and overnight at Mt. Meru Bandas, B,L,D

Day 2: Mount Meru Bandas - Road Head Camp, 3hrs, 9km, 350m ascent
After breakfast follow the track through giant heather and forest up to Chogoria road head from where the path drops to cross a stream then follows the broad ridge to the east of the gorges valley to reach Road Head Camp taking approximately 3-4hrs. Overnight at Road Head Camp at 3300m.

Day 3: Road Head/Mintos Hut - 4 hrs, 12km
After breakfast follow the track through giant heather and forest up to Chogoria road head from where the path drops to cross a stream then follows the broad ridge to the east of the gorges valley to reach Mintos Hut, 4200m. Dinner and overnight at Mintos Hut, B, L, D

Day 4: Mintos/Point Lenana/Met Station - 11-12 hrs, 29km, 785m ascent/1985m descent
Leave shortly after midnight at 2am towards the main peaks and divide after an hour, above a flat green area at the head of the valley known as temple fields, arriving at point Lenana at 6:30am. After taking photographs, descend to Mackinders for breakfast and continue down to Met Station at 3000m for dinner and overnight rest, B,L,D

Day 5: Met Station/Naromoru/Nairobi - 3hrs, 9km, 400m descent
After breakfast, descend through the rainforest which is 9km to Naromoru Park Gate at 2,600m where you will connect with your transport back to Nairobi, arriving at approximately 3pm, B,L

Get in touch - Enquiry Form

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To be Included in the price:

Transfer from Nairobi to and from the base of the mountain
Overnight stay on B&B basis before the day of trek
Full board accommodation whilst on the trek.
Accommodations in camps/huts as dictated by route facilities
All park entrance fees
Service of an English speaking professional guide, porters and skilled cook
Treated water on the trek
On completion, successful climb Certificate

Excluded:

Laundry
Tips and gratuities
Sleeping bags and climbing gear
International flights, Visa
Items of personal nature
Any other extras not detailed as included above

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