Have you ever dreamt of standing on top of Africa's most awe-inspiring peaks? A Summit Awaits!
Join us for an unforgettable journey to the majestic Mount Kenya, the towering giant that beckons over 15,000 explorers every year from around the world. It is the highest peak in Kenya and the second tallest in Africa after Kilimanjaro!
Once an ancient volcano, estimated to have once been almost 22,000 feet tall, what now remains is a steep, eroded core, just over 17,000 feet in height. This stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site, designated in 1997, is home to breathtaking landscapes and diverse wildlife.
While the highest peaks, Batian (5,199 m) and Nelion (5,188 m), require technical climbing skills, our trek focuses on Point Lenana (4,985 m), a more accessible summit for trekkers of all levels.
This adventure is rated as moderate to adventurous, perfect for nature lovers and thrill-seekers alike!
Let us guide you through alpine scenery, past glaciers and into the heart of Mt. Kenya’s beauty. Every step brings you closer to the summit!
Important Notes:
Managed by a team of professionally trained leaders/guides who are responsible for all aspects of the operation of the trek. While every effort is made to keep the treks as per the proposed itinerary, however as this is an adventure trip, the itinerary will be subject to external factors. Weather conditions and health conditions of the trekking team can be a factor compelling us to change the itinerary. The leader will try to ensure that the trip runs according to the itinerary, but please be prepared to be flexible when and if necessary.
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The following list and description of different routes on Mount Kenya will help you make an informed choice on the best route to choose (we’ve outlined 5-day trip routes below, as these tend to be the most favoured by trekkers).
Trip route: Chogoria-Chogoria – (Option of 4 or 5 or 6 days)
Trip route: Sirimon-Sirimon – (Option of 4 or 5 or 6 days)
Trip route: Naro Moru-Naro Moru – (Option of 4 or 5 or 6 days)
Trip route: Chogoria-Sirimon – (Option of 4 or 5 or 6 days)
Trip route: Sirimon-Chogoria – (Option of 4 or 5 or 6 days)
Trip route: Sirimon-Naro Moru – (Option of 4 or 5 or 6 days)
Trip route: Timau-Sirimon – (Option of 4 or 5 days)
Eastern Side (Chogoria Route)
North Western Side (Sirimon Route)
Western Side (Naro Moru Route)
Northern Side (Timau Route)
Trip route: Chogoria-Chogoria – (Option of 4 or 5 or 6 days)
Day 1: Depart from Nairobi at 6.30am arriving at Chogoria Park gate by 2pm. Hike 7km to the Roadhead camp site (2,850m) where we spend the night.
Day 2: After breakfast, a slightly longer walk via Lake Ellis with scenic views of Mugi, Ithanguni and the Giants Billiards Table. Lunch on the banks of a stream, then to the camp (3,600m), away from the more ‘touristy’ areas.
Day 3: After breakfast, trek 12km up the mountain for about 3 hours to eventually join the tourist track on the Chogoria route with breathtaking views over the Gorges Valley. Lunch is served, then continues for a further hour to the Mintos Hut area (4,200m). Relax at camp, however a 10-minute walk to the ‘Temple’ is well worth the effort - a 150m vertical cliff that gets its name from the position visitors often adopt when peering over the edge, they look as if they are praying.
Day 4: Begin our ascent to Pt. Lenana at 0230 hrs just in time to catch the stunning sunrise. Pt. Lenana (4,985m) is the highest trekking peak on Mt. Kenya. It is possible to see Mt Kilimanjaro Kibo and Mawenzi peaks weather permitting. Descend down to Mintos Camp for breakfast then to Lake Michaelson for dinner and overnight.
Day 5: After breakfast, walk down through the rainforest to reach the Meru Bandas point (3,300m) in 4-5 hours. Here you will be received by your vehicle for a transfer to Nairobi via Embu.
Trip route: Sirimon-Sirimon – (Option of 4 or 5 or 6 days)
Day 1: Depart from Nairobi and arrive at Nanyuki town for lunch. From Sirimon Park gate (2,660m) hike through the forest for 3-4 hours covering 9 km to Judmaier Camp (3,300m) for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 2: After breakfast, trek to Ontulli river crossing, Liki North towards Mackinder’s Valley. After a 6–7-hour hike covering 14 km reach Shipton’s Camp (4,200m) which is tucked underneath the towering snow-capped peaks for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 3: Acclimatisation day. After breakfast, depart for a peak circuit around the towering peak at a modest height of 4,650m. This circuit offers spectacular views of Simba Col, Oblong Tan, Lake Ellis, Butterfly Tarn and the valleys below. Return to Shiptons after a good 4-5 hours in time for lunch. Dinner and overnight at the camp in preparation for the summit.
Day 4: Summit day! Leave at 3am up a steep stony scree through a cliff clearing towards lower Hall Tarns arriving at Point Lenana (4,895m) around 6.30am, in time for a spectacular sun-rise. Then descend for 2 hours to Shipton's Camp for breakfast then descend further 5-6 hours down to Judmaier Camp (3,300m) covering 21km for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 5: After breakfast, walk down through the rainforest to reach the Sirimon Park gate in 2-3 hours. Here you will be received by your vehicle for a transfer to Nairobi via Nanyuki.
Trip route: Naro Moru-Naro Moru – (Option of 4 or 5 or 6 days)
NaroMoru is the most popular route although not the most scenic. However, it is also the fastest route to Point Lenana.
Day 1: Depart from Nairobi and arrive at Naro Moru Park Gate (2,600m) via Nanyuki town. Walk through the rain forest to the Met Station (3,000m) for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 2: After breakfast, continue to the end of the forest belt and enter the moorland. This is the vertical bog where conditions range from damp to glutinous depending on when it last rained. Stop for lunch, the trek overlooks Teleki Valley until you reach Mackinder’s Camp (4,200m) for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 3: Acclimatisation day. Ascent to around 4,600m to acclimatise to the high altitude. Return to the camp for lunch and rest. Dinner and overnight at the camp in preparation for the summit.
Day 4: Summit day! Leave at 2am to reach Point Lenana (4,895m) around 6.30am, in time for a spectacular sun-rise and witness the breathtaking views of Nelion, the Lewis Glacier and other surrounding peaks. Descend to Mackinder’s Camp for breakfast, and descend a further 4 hours to Mett Station (3,000m) for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 5: After breakfast, walk down through the rainforest to reach the Naro Moru Park gate in 2-3 hours. Here you will be received by your vehicle for a transfer to Nairobi via Nanyuki.
Trip route: Chogoria-Sirimon – (Option of 4 or 5 or 6 days)
Day 1: Depart from Nairobi at 6.30am arriving at Chogoria Park gate by 2pm. Hike 7km to the Roadhead camp site (2,850m) where we spend the night.
Day 2: After breakfast, ascend to Mintos Camp (4,297m), enjoying views of Lake Ellis, the Gorges Valley, Lake Michaelson and the 1500ft (457m) Vivienne waterfalls (position 117 on the list of the world’s tallest waterfalls). Relax at camp, however a 10-minute walk to the ‘Temple’ is well worth the effort - a 150m vertical cliff that gets its name from the position visitors often adopt when peering over the edge, they look as if they are praying.
Day 3: Acclimatisation day around Mintos Camp. Option of taking a walk up to about 4,600m before heading back to camp.
Day 4: Begin our ascent to Pt. Lenana at 0230 hrs just in time to catch the stunning sunrise. Pt. Lenana (4,985m) is the highest trekking peak on Mt. Kenya. It is possible to see Mt Kilimanjaro Kibo and Mawenzi peaks weather permitting. Descend down to Shiptons Camp on the Sirimon side for breakfast then to Judmaier Camp (3,300m) for dinner and overnight.
Day 5: After breakfast, walk down through the rainforest to reach the Sirimon Park gate in 2-3 hours. Here you will be received by your vehicle for a transfer to Nairobi via Nanyuki.
Another 5 days route we can cover is as follows:
Chogoria Park Gate – Lake Ellis – Lake Michaelson Camp – Simba Col Camp – Pt Lenana – Judmaier Camp – Sirimon Park Gate
Trip route: Sirimon-Chogoria – (Option of 4 or 5 or 6 days)
Day 1: Depart from Nairobi and arrive at Nanyuki town for lunch. From Sirimon Park gate (2,660m) hike through the forest for 3-4 hours covering 9 km to Judmaier Camp (3,300m) for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 2: After breakfast, trek to Ontulli river crossing, Liki North towards Mackinder’s Valley. After a 6–7-hour hike covering 14 km reach Shipton’s Camp (4,200m) which is tucked underneath the towering snow-capped peaks for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 3: Acclimatisation day. After breakfast, depart for a peak circuit around the towering peaks at a modest height of 4,650m. This circuit offers spectacular views of Simba Col, Oblong Tan, Lake Ellis, Butterfly Tarn and the valleys below. Return to Shiptons after a good 4-5 hours in time for lunch. Dinner and overnight at the camp in preparation for the summit.
Day 4: Summit day! Leave at 3am up a steep stony scree through a cliff clearing towards lower Hall Tarns arriving at Point Lenana (4,895m) around 6.30am, in time for a spectacular sun-rise. Then descend to Mintos Hut on the Chogoria side for breakfast, then descend further to Lake Michaelson for dinner and overnight stay. The afternoon can be spent visiting the ‘Temple’ and the Vivian falls.
Day 5: After breakfast, descend back to Meru Bandas via the Roadhead. We will be met by our representative and transferred to Chogoria where we change vehicles for the return back to Nairobi.
Trip route: Sirimon-Naro Moru – (Option of 4 or 5 or 6 days)
Day 1: Depart from Nairobi and arrive at Nanyuki town for lunch. From Sirimon Park gate (2,660m) hike through the forest for 3-4 hours covering 9 km to Judmaier Camp (3,300m) for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 2: After breakfast, trek to Ontulli river crossing, Liki North towards Mackinder’s Valley. After a 6–7-hour hike covering 14 km reach Shipton’s Camp (4,200m) which is tucked underneath the towering snow-capped peaks for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 3: Acclimatisation day. After breakfast, depart for a peak circuit around the towering peaks at a modest height of 4,650m. This circuit offers spectacular views of Simba Col, Oblong Tan, Lake Ellis, Butterfly Tarn and the valleys below. Return to Shiptons after a good 4-5 hours in time for lunch. Dinner and overnight at the camp in preparation for the summit.
Day 4: Summit day! Leave at 3am up a steep stony scree through a cliff clearing towards lower Hall Tarns arriving at Point Lenana (4,895m) around 6.30am, in time for a spectacular sun-rise. Then descend to the other side of the mountain for 2 hours past Austrian Hut down to Mackinder's Camp for breakfast, then descend a further 5-6 hours down to Mett Station (3,000m) through the notorious bog for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 5: After breakfast, walk down through the rainforest to reach the Naro Moru Park gate in 2-3 hours. Here you will be received by your vehicle for a transfer to Nairobi via Nanyuki.
Trip route: Timau-Sirimon – (Option of 4 or 5 days)
The Timau route is one of our classics. It has a gradual gradient allowing for good acclimatization to the altitude. The route is also remote and underutilized and can be extended with an extra day/camp between Marania and Major’s camp when acclimatizing for the summit.
Day 1: Depart from Nanyuki to the Timau route north of Timau town (2,700m). Hike through the moorland zone and stop for a picnic lunch on the rim of the crater. After a 4-hour hike covering 8 km, reach Marania Camp (3,200m) for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 2: After breakfast, trek through the moorland for a picnic lunch at Marania Spring. Arrive at Major’s Camp (3,800m) in the afternoon after covering 14 km in 8 hrs for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 3: Acclimatisation day.
Day 4: After breakfast, begin the hike towards Lower Simba Tarn which has an extremely unique landscape and very distinctive vegetation endemic to Mt Kenya. After covering 12 km in 8 hrs arrive at Simba Tarn Camp (4,650m) at the top of the Gorges Valley.
Day 5: Summit day! Leave at 5.30am for a sunrise summit arriving at Point Lenana (4,895m). Then descend on the southern side along Sirimon route where you will have brunch in the Mackinder Valley. Take a final walk to Judmaier Camp towards Sirimon Park – total distance covered in 8 hrs is about 17km. Depending on weather conditions the descent route may be diverted to the Naro Moru Route.
MAP SHOWING THE ROUTES
