5 days (not including air travel)
Take this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to hike to the summit of Mount Kenya, the country’s tallest mountain and Africa’s second-tallest peak. An itinerary ideally suited for first-time high-altitude hikers and persons arriving from low-altitude regions, this more gradual climb offers a better chance of reaching the summit than a normal four-day climb, thanks to an extra day allotted for acclimatization before the final ascent to the summit.
Skirt the mountain’s high peaks and marvel at the splendid view of the rocky towers, tarns and suspended glaciers of the west face of Batian peak. We will attempt the summit from Mackinders’s Camp in the Teleki Valley and eventually descend via the scenic Sirimon Trail.
Day 1: Nairobi-Sirimon-Old Moses Camp
Transfer from Nairobi to Mount Kenya Sirimon Park gate, which stands at an elevation of 2600 meters. We will complete park entry formalities and get started with the first leg of our hike. On this first day, we take a three to four-hour hike through the forest, home to hundreds of buffaloes, elephants, bush bucks (antelopes) and a plethora of bird species. Ascending some 700 meters via a path lined by bamboo plants, rosewood and heather vegetation, this first trek will be a great introduction to the area’s scenic beauty and an opportunity to acclimatize. We will arrive at Old Moses Camp for our overnight stay.
Accommodation: Old Moses Camp is a wooden mountain cabin with dormitory-style decked beds with comfortable foam mattresses, a bed for each traveler. Each traveler is advised to carry his or her own sleeping bag.
Meals: Lunch and dinner
Day 2: Shipton’s Camp
We start our day with an early breakfast, and we will take an invigorating six to seven-hour (14 kilometer) trek to Shipton’s camp. The hike is awesome, and it will also be a good test of individual endurance on the mountain (we cover 900 meters in total). This day’s walk at such high elevations takes you across hills and valleys in the sprawling moorlands, where you can see unique and interesting plants and animals, including the giant groundsels, lobelias and the mountain hyrax. We will enjoy a much-needed break and a picnic lunch before we continue; this time, a gentle climb in the Mackinder’s Valley, named after the leader of the first European expedition to reach Mount Kenya’s top in the year 1899.
Accommodation: Shipton’s Camp is similar to Old Moses in terms of facilities and is set at the base of the main peaks.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 3: Mackinder’s Camp
Departing 8:00am, we ascend to Hausberg Col (4700m) then descend steeply to Hausberg Valley and the Oblong tarns before making a further steep ascent. The Col and the Valley derive thir names from C.B. Hausberg, photographer for the Mackinder expedition, the first group of Europeans to reach Mount Kenya’s summit. Crossing huge boulders via Two Tarn, we will make our way to Mackinder’s Camp (4,300m). The camp is located along the Naromoru Route, within the Teleki Valley.
Accommodation: Teleki Lodge, popularly known as Mackinders Camp, is a permanent dormitory-style structure, spacious enough for large groups and has decked beds with comfortable foam mattresses. Each traveler is advised to bring his or her own sleeping bag.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 4: Shipton’s Camp
We leave the camp at 3:00am and begin our very early morning hike up the steep scree slopes and glacier to Point Lenana (4985 meters), the hikers’ summit. The view we will behold will be well worth the early morning workout: We will arrive in time to witness the a breathtaking African sunrise, with the sun rising over the equator, reflecting its golden glow on the majestic peaks of Batian and Nelion. On a clear day, the glorious peak of Kilimanjaro can also be seen, just 350 kilometers to the southeast. Later, we will descend to Shipton’s camp (4200 meters) for breakfast and then relax for the remainder of the day.
Accommodation: Shiptons Camp is a wooden mountain cabin with dormitory-style decked beds and comfortable foam mattresses. There’s a bed for each traveler but bring your own sleeping bag.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 5: Nairobi
We will start with an early breakfast to boost our energy and then begin our descent to Sirimon Park Gate (2600 meters). This final trek will take four to five hours, and from there we will connect you with our vehicle for your transfer back to Nairobi.
Meals: Breakfast