Mount Kenya Climb

With its rugged glacier-clad summits and forested middle slopes, a Mount Kenya climb is one of the most impressive landscapes in East Africa. You will be offered some of the finest views of Mt. Kenya’s spectacular rocky peaks as you pass through rolling hillsides covered with unique high elevation vegetation. The Sirimon Route is a non-technical ascent that requires no mountaineering skills. An extra day is built in for acclimatization, as altitude remains the main challenge. These 5 and 6 day routes will take you to Point Lenana at 4985 m. For more technical climbs to Batian and Nelion summits, see our 8 day climbs.

Rainy seasons in Kenya last from March to June and from October to December. It is possible to climb the mountain during the rainy seasons with slight difficulty experienced in the vertical bog and scree. Of all routes, Chogoria is the most scenic, longest and the toughest of all the routes. The highest peaks are Batian 5,199 metres (17,057 ft), Nelion 5,188 m (17,021 ft) and Pt Lenana 4,985 m (16,355 ft).

Tour Name: Mount Kenya Climb
Price Range: $1030 – $1395 US
Duration: 5 or 6 days
Country(s): Kenya
Tour Type: Private
Start & Finish: Nairobi
Tour Code: KMKC
Activities: Mountain climbing

Pricing:

Per person sharing, minimum 2 persons. Solo climbers, please ask for a quote. Due to KWS (Kenya Wildlife Service) ever changing entrance fees, we ask that you pay them directly at the gate upon registration in case of any adjustments.

Sirimon – Sirimon Route 5 days $1030 US (add $280 US approximate payable to Kenya Wildlife Service)
Sirimon – Naro Moru Route 5 days $1150 US (add $208 US approximate payable to Kenya Wildlife Service)
Sirimon – Chogoria Route 6 days $1295 US (add $260 US approximate payable to Kenya Wildlife Service)
Chogoria – Sirimon Route 6 days $1395 US (add $260 US approximate payable to Kenya Wildlife Service)

Included:

Accommodations in tents or huts while climbing
Mess tent, chairs and tables
All meals while climbing
Nairobi transfers
Mountain Guide and porters

Not Included:

Kenya Wildlife Service National Park entrance fees currently $52 US per day per person (payable upon registration at National Park gates and subject to change)
Visas, tips, souvenirs, beverages, climbing equipment and items of a personal nature.

Options:

8 day technical climb Mt Kenya
Fly in/fly out
Extend days
Add on safari Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania or Rwanda

Choose from 5 or 6 Day Itineraries

MOUNT KENYA CLIMBS TO POINT LENANA 4985 m

5 days Sirimon to Point Lenana, Sirimon descent – 4 nights on the mountain

Sirimon route is considered a gentle approach, gaining altitude from the north-west. The trail follows the line of the glacial Mackinder Valley to up the high camp, Shipton’s, under the summit spires of Batian and Nelion. Point Lenana summit is reached on scree and rocky paths becoming snow covered at Lewis Glacier. Thus, the last section to Point Lenana summit require some scrambling before rewarding you with stunning views. This route is remote, less frequented and easy to climb.

Day 1 Nairobi to Old Moses Camp 3300 m
Pick up in Nairobi for drive to Nanyuki. Proceed to Mt Kenya National Park Sirimon gate. Follow the track uphill for 10 kms to Old Moses. Hike for about 4 hours.

Day 2 Shipton’s Camp 4236 m
Hike through the Liki Valley via Mackinder Valley to Shipton’s Camp for 7 – 8 hours for splendid views of the north faces of Nelion and Batian peaks.

Day 3 Peak Circuit for Acclimatization
Ascend to a steep ridge through Kami Hut, Hausberg Col and Two Tarns Lake for about 4 hours. Return to Shipton’s Camp.

Day 4 Point Lenana 4985 m and back to Old Moses
Arise at 2:30 and ascend to Point Lenana for sunrise. From here, you can admire Mt. Kilimanjaro’s highest peaks, descend to Mackinder’s Camp for breakfast, and continue on to down Met Station for overnight.

Day 5 Nairobi
Depart camp for Naro Moru Gate. Drive to Nanyuki for lunch and then on to Nairobi, arriving in the late afternoon.

5 days Sirimon Route to Point Lenana, Naro Moru Descent – 4 nights on the mountain

The route climbs up through a recovering forest that gradually turns into moorland. Vegetation becomes more sparse before you come to Point Lenana for magnificent views. Sirimon route is considered a gentle approach, gaining altitude from the north-west. The trail follows the line of the glacial Mackinder Valley to up the high camp, Shipton’s, under the summit spires of Batian and Nelion. Therefore, Point Lenana summit is reached on scree and rocky paths becoming snow covered at Lewis Glacier. Point Lenana’s summit requires some scrambling before rewarding you with stunning views. The descent takes you through bamboo forest, alpine heath and bog, where there is a better chance of spotting wildlife.

Day 1 Old Moses Camp 3300 m
Depart Nairobi for Nanyuki, and proceed to Mt Kenya National Park Sirimon Gate. Follow the track uphill for 10 kms to Old Moses. Hike for about 4 hours.

Day 2 Shipton’s Camp 4236 m
Hike through the Liki Valley via Mackinder Valley to Shipton’s Camp for 7 – 8 hours for splendid views of the north faces of Nelion and Batian peaks.

Day 3 Peak Circuit for Acclimatization
Ascend to a steep ridge through Kami Hut, Hausberg Col and Two Tarns Lake for about 4 hours. Return to Shipton’s Camp.

Day 4 Point Lenana 4985 m and Met Station 3048 m
Arise at 2:30 and ascend to Point Lenana for sunrise. From here, you can admire Mt. Kilimanjaro’s highest peaks, descend to Mackinder’s Camp for breakfast, and continue on down to Met Station for overnight.

Day 5 Nairobi
Depart camp after breakfast for Naro Moru Gate, 2 hours walk. Transfer to Nanyuki for lunch and then on to Nairobi, arriving in the late afternoon.

6 Days Up Sirimon to Point Lenana and Down Chogoria – 5 nights on the mountain

Day 1 Old Moses Camp 3300 m
Depart Nairobi at approximately 06:30 for Nanyuki, and proceed to Mt Kenya National Park Sirimon Gate. Your guide will register and you can pay your park entrance fees here. Follow the track uphill for 10 kms to Old Moses.

Day 2 Liki North 3993 m
Follow the trail around the head of a large valley, crossing several small streams to reach the crest of the ridge between the Otulili and Liki North Valleys.

Day 3 Shipton’s Camp 4250 m
Ascend the west side of the valley, over a ridge, then down into the Mackinder Valley to meet the direct route. From here, we follow Mackinder Valley, and then up to Shipton’s Camp.

Day 4 Peak Circuit for Acclimatization, Shipton’s Camp 4250 m
It is well worth walking up to the Hausberg Col from where you get spectacular views of the peaks including Point Peter and Point Dutton. You will reach 4591 metres so it is a good dry run for your next day attempt at point Lenana.

Day 5 Point Lenana 4985m – Meru Mount Kenya Lodge 3017 m
Arise at 2:30 a.m., and depart for the Lenana summit. This section is a long and hard with tough scree. Continue up the north face for the sunrise at 6:30 a.m. After enjoying the views and taking photos, a steep descent leads you the Gorges Valley and extraordinary landscapes. Continue to Meru Mount Kenya Lodge.

Day 6 Nairobi
Walk down through the indigenous forest to Chogoria Gate, which will take you down the remainder of the track and continue your transfer to Nairobi.

6 Days Up Chogoria to Point Lenana and Down Sirimon – 5 nights on the mountain

Chogoria route follows the Gorges Valley, before heading down through moorland and forest. Considered to have the most spectacular landscape and geological features, the route is long but well worth it. There are far-reaching views of lakes and glacial tarns, deep gorges and unusual rock formations including “The Temple” amphitheatre and “The Giant’s Billiard Table” volcanic formations.

Day 1 Chogoria Bandas
Depart Nairobi at approximately 6 am for Chogoria Park Gate (2950 m) and then transfer to Chogoria Bandas for overnight up a steep track for another 1.5 hours. Total travel time is approximately 6 hours from Nairobi. Take a gentle stroll in the afternoon to acclimatize.

Day 2 Lake Ellis 3405 m
Follow the trail towards the conical Mugi Hill. Turning off the main route, you will then walk to Lake Ellis. Opt to take a detour to Nithi Waterfalls for picnic lunch.

Day 3 Lake Michaelson 3900 m
Ascend steadily to Lake Michaelson to camp overnight. This takes 6 hours of climbing although the last section is a descent down to the lake.

Day 4 Shipton’s Camp 4236 m Point Lenana 4985 m
Walk up to Simba Col at 4620 m on route to Shipton’s Camp, 3 km, and if the weather is good, you can attempt ascent of Point Lenana, at 4985 m, another 2 – 3 hours.

Day 5 Point Lenana, Kongoni Camp
If you did not ascend to Point Lenana the day before, arise at 2:30 a.m., and depart for the Lenana summit. This section is a long and hard with tough scree. Continue up the north face for the sunrise at 6:30 a.m. After enjoying the views and taking photos, descend to Old Moses Camp and a transfer to Nanyuki via Sirimon Gate. Overnight is at Kongoni Camp.

Day 6 Nairobi
Enjoy breakfast followed by your transport back to Nairobi.

Full Itineraries

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