5 Days Mount Kenya Trek Trip
Trek mount Kenya to Point Lenana peak going up and down the Naro Moru and Sirimon routes on the North and West side of the mountain.
Overview
The following is a basic itinerary for good acclimatization to summit safely. It uses the Sirimon route for the ascent and the Naro Moru route for the descent but either works and ascending the Naro Moru route will give you the chance to summit via the Austrian Hut on what is currently the highest via ferrata route in the world.
Days Summary
Itinerary
Day 0
- Elevation N/A
- Travel time:175km 3-4hrs
If you will be flying to Kenya then we will offer airport transfer to Nanyuki, evening arrival will mean at least one night in Nairobi before transferring to Nanyuki on the west of Mount Kenya. Accommodation in a variety of places.
Day 1
- Elevation 2000-3300M
- Travel time:9km 3-4hrs
Load up the vehicle(s) for the 10km drive around the west of the Mountain and up to the Sirimon gate. After checking into the park, we head off along the vehicle track through the hardwood forest, after 15 minutes or so we cross the Equator, with the big sign post to let you that you are there! We stop for a picnic lunch at a convenient spot before continuing on up to our first camp at Old Moses (also known as Judymier Camp) where you have good view of the peaks ahead.
Day 2
- Elevation 3300m-4200M
- Travel Time: 13.5km, 7-8hrs.
.We set off across the Alpine health and moorland, and traverse around and over a couple of streams and ridges before dropping into the Mackinder’s Valley. We usually have lunch under a cave-like outcrop before continuing up the valley towards the main peaks. There is shot steeper section as we pass Shipton’s cave and then another as we arrive into Shipton’s Camp. Here we again set up a camp next to the huts and prepare dinner.
Day 3
- Elevation 4200-4590-4200
- Travel Time: 2-4km 2-4hrs.
Today is a day hike from Shipton’s, to aid acclimatization. There are a few options to this but a good one is to climb up the side of the valley to the west and onto the hausberg Col. The Col sits just next to the main peaks and high above the camp the valley we walk up the day before. It also allows us to see across to point Lenana and most of our route for the following day. We then return to Shipton’s for lunch, rest and final preparations for our early morning ascent to point Lenana.
Day 4
- Elevation 4200-4985-3050m
- Travel time:18km-11-13hrs.
This morning we will be up around 4am to prepare for our night-time ascend to point Lenana, it is an exhilarating feeling stepping out into the cold under the starlight and crunching up the frozen screen. Passing the bowl of Harris Tarn, we skirt above it and the cross an area of bare rocks and a small scramble. I we are ahead of schedule there is a small niche/cave where we can handle up for a rest before continuing to the top. The sun will rise around 6amand after enjoying the spectacular view, we drop down the ridge of Lenana on the Naru Moru route to Austrian Hut. The ridge is initially quiet narrow in sections but it does get broader as you get closer to Austrian Hut, and we will take our time over the short sections that needs hands as well feet. There are steel cables on the upper two thirds of the ridge and though they are not really necessary, they can be reassuring, From Austrian Hut we continue down to Mackinder’s Camp for brunch, before continuing our descent down the teleki valley and the infamous “Vertical Bog” to reach Met Station and our camp mid-afternoon.
Day 5
- Elevation 3050-2500-2000m
- Travel Time: 10km-2-3hrs
Leaving Met Station, we follow the track back down through the forest and bamboo to the Naru Moru gate. There are a couple of short sections where the track goes up-hill and this may try your patience a bit but soon enough we will be at the gate. We take the short drive back down to Narumoru.
It is possible to get back to Nairobi on this date, however if you have time then a couple in Narumoru is well worth it. Some great walk and other activities in the surrounding area, including the Mau Mau caves, a number of excellent restaurants and a day visit to the curio shops at the Equator.
Our options include tailor made safaris in game reserves around Mount Kenya, climbs on Kilimanjaro, or transfers back to Nairobi for city tours.
Price
$960 P/P. Minimum 2Pax
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Quotation price Includes:
- Return transfers from Nairobi to Mt Kenya (private)
- All Park fees.
- All food while on the Mountain.
- Accommodation in mountain huts/ camping where applicable.
- All guiding services
- Porter support for the climb.
Not included are:
- Personal clothing and equipment
- Tips and gratuities for guides and porter
- Beverages while not on the mountain