Nairobi – Sirimon gate (2650m) – Judmier camp. ( 3,300m) 9km, 650 ascent.

Day 1: Depart Nairobi at the set time. We then drive to Nanyuki town for an early lunch, crossing the equator just before entering the town. After the paper work, we trek up through magnificent montane forest, a belt of short bamboo and giant heather zone. Finally, we reach our first hut (Old Moses camp 3,300m) for the night. This gentle trek will take us 3 hours gaining an elevation of 650m. It is an easy day for the first day of climb Mount Kenya via Sirimon route.

Judmier – Shipton camp (4200m). 7-8 hrs, 14km, 900m ascent

Day 2: After breakfast, we will hike uphill, forking right at the junction of Likii north camp. For the purpose of keeping hydrated, a water break is recommended at this juncture. We continue on the track crossing Ontulili River through the Moorland and crossing Liki North River. We hence continue uphill to the top of Mackinders Valley. There are panoramic views up the valley towards the Shipton Camp from this point. The camp is a surreal setting below the towering peaks and glacier of this ‘Holy Mountain’. Families of Rock hyrax and sun birds can be seen as you approach the camp. Total duration is 7-8 hours, with picnic lunch en-route. We finally get our dinner and overnight in the camp.

Shipton Camp – Acclimatization Day

Day 3: Today is an acclimatization day. As a consequence, we climb up to the Hausberg col. Not only do you go for a hike, you also gain a height of 370m. Afterwards, we return to the camp for lunch.
The ‘Climbing high and sleeping low’ concept is good for acclimatization.

Shipton – Point Lenana (4,985m)- Bandas / Mt Kenya lodge (2,950m) 11-12 hours, 785 ascent, 2,035 descent.

Day 4: We finally start our final assault around 3.am to reach point Lenana (4985m) in time for the African Sunrise.
We then descend to Minto`s hut for breakfast. After a short rest, we resume our descend further down to Mt Kenya Bandas / lodge. The descend is on top of the Gorges valley ridge, where you can enjoy good views of Lake Michelson, Lake Ellis, Mushroom rocks and Giants billiards table Mountain. Above all, lunch will be served at Road head camp (3300m)
Afterwards, we descend along the wide track to Meru Mt Kenya lodge for the last supper in the mountain. Besides that, a hot shower in the lodge. Last but not least, a Beer!!!

Mt Kenya Meru Bandas- Chogoria town. 2 hrs, 10km

Day 5: After breakfast, we descend through the bamboo forest and virgin rain forest where we meet our vehicle at the 10km mark. We will drive to Nairobi Fair View Hotel arriving by 17:00hrs where the tour end having successfully done the Mount Kenya Sirimon route.

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As Mount Kilimanjaro will be giving you the height, Mount Kenya Climb will surpass it with beauty and contrast! This is a dormant volcanic mountain which last erupted roughly 3.5 million years ago. It is regarded as a ‘Holly Mountain’ to the local Kikuyu and Meru people who live on the lower slopes of the mountain.

Our route of preference is the Chogoria. It is a dry route up the mountain and the walk along the Gorges Valley makes it spectacular. This is because of its scenic landscape stretching to the endless plains.
Going down the Sirimon route takes one through some beautiful pockets of Senecios. In the lower elevations, the bamboo forest and a belt of rain forest completes the South East to North West traverse of the mountain.

Tour Highlights:
– Climb Mount Kenya from South East to North West via the Chogoria and Sirimon routes.
– Summit Point Lenana, the highest trekking point on Mount Kenya.
– Climb via the quieter, longer and most spectacular Chogoria route

Nairobi  – Meru Mt Kenya Lodge (Bandas) 2,950m 3hrs, 10km walk, 950m ascent.

Day 1: Leave Nairobi after breakfast and drive through the rich agricultural Kikuyu and Meru up to Chogoria trading center for lunch. We meet the supporting crew and thus drive up to the edge of the bamboo forest. The forest comprises of ancient Cedar, Podo curpus, Meru Oak and many more trees. The distance is 10 km,through the dense bamboo forest. we will finally reach our camp before dusk. The compound is scattered with buffalo dung as they graze around at night and in the early hour of the morning.
An early dinner prepared by our chef is served. After the chit chat, we will retire to bed in the lodge. (2950m)

Mt Kenya Bandas – Road Head campsite (3,300m) 3-5 hrs, 7km, 350m ascent.

Day 2: After breakfast, we commence a short trek a long the ridge through the rolling down land. If lucky, occasional sights of elephants, bush-bucks and buffaloes emerging from the forest will add excitement. Higher up the tree line, we will hike through heather land to the camp. We will set up the camp and enjoy our hot lunch. We visit the Nithi Falls in the afternoon. It is an idyllic place with butterflies dancing among the orchids and red hot poker. The moment of icy spray and the weight of the white water dashing on your shoulders like ice or fire makes it unique. After dinner, we retire to bed for a serene night, for the purpose of much awaited rest.

Road head- Lake Michelson (4000m) 5-7hrs, 10km, 700m ascent.

Day 3: After we take our breakfast, our beautiful day starts after crossing Nithi River to reach the moorlands. It is a jaw-dropping beautiful hike! The picturesque is immense from the upper region. The sunlight and shadows playing across endless miles of forest in the lower region, the Gorges Valley, Mushroom rocks, The Temple, Billiards table- a huge, flat-topped volcanic platform, and the higher peaks of Batian, Nelion and Lenana- all named after Maasai leaders. There is a site of the Vivienn Falls- Named after a colonial hunter who came to Kenya in 1922, the time for colonial hunting safaris. (Her family planted a wooden cross nearby to commemorate her stay and love of Mount Kenya). Our camp will be set on the shores of this beautiful lake. We retire to bed after an early dinner.

Lake Michelson – Upper Simba Tarn (4500m), 8km, 500m ascent.

Day 4: After the sun reaches the camp, we enjoy the warm breakfast. Today we set out late because it is a short day. Having broken the camp, we will hike for 4-5hr to the camp. The trail is full of the peculiar mountain plants, thus making it a very enjoyable hike. We will take all the meals in the camp. In all honesty, this is a lovely short day. Dinner and overnight stay in the camp.

Simba Tarn- Pt Lenana ( 4,985m) Old Moses Camp (3,300m) 11-12 hrs, 485m ascent, 24km walk, 1,685m descent

Day 5: We attempt the summit at 0430hrs and we hike for about one and half hours up to Point Lenana (4,985m), the normal hiker’s peak, arriving there for the African sunrise. Above all, we will take a photo session if the weather will permit. We will then descend to Shipton camp for breakfast (4,200m). After breakfast, begin the 5 hours descend via Mackinder’s valley to the Old Moses / Judmiere camp ( 3,300m). This is journey is gentle and it offers ample time to enjoy amazing scenery which includes the peculiar mountain plants. Dinner and overnight stay will be in the camp.

Judmiere Camp – Sirimon gate – Nairobi. 2 hrs. walk.

Day 6: After breakfast, we descend for 2 hours on the newly tarmacked road to Sirimon Park gate (2650m). Zebras, black and white Columbus monkey, elephants, water bucks, bongo, baboons and other smaller mammals can be seen on the way down. With luck on your side, you can be able to see the leopard basking on the sun, however, a bit of luck is needed. After checking out of the national park, we meet our diver and drive to Nanyuki for lunch. At this point, we bid farewell to the supporting crew, there after we drive back to Nairobi Serena Hotel arriving by 1800 hrs. You have conquered the second highest Mountain in Africa!

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NB:

We always encourage expedition members to stay on trails where they exist. This protects the vegetation and prevents soil erosion.

When hiking where no trails exist, we spread the impact by avoiding to trek in a single file so that we don’t create new trails. When taking a rest, we encourage the members to choose areas that will not show as much sign that people have been there. We recommend areas such as bare rock and bare ground. Vegetation destruction is highly discouraged by our team.

Day 1: Nairobi – Timau River Lodge

Depart Nairobi in the morning and drive north, passing some rich agricultural kikuyu land to Nanyuki town. Stop at the Equator line and then proceed to Timau River Lodge for lunch. Afternoon spent cross checking the necessary trekking gear and a nature walk around the lodge. Dinner is served before getting the much deserved sleep in the lodge.

Day 2: Timau River Lodge – Marania camp (3700m) 4-6hrs

After breakfast, transfer to the Timau road head. Hike across the beautiful northern moorland of Mount Kenya, with its unique flora and possibly seeing some of the wildlife which wander up those northern slopes. We camp near the Western Marania River for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 3: Marania Camp – Majors Camp (4000). 6-8hrs

We continue our trek over rolling topography and moorland country to camp at the headwaters of the Kathita East drainage. Lunch will be served en-route. We get our dinner and overnight stay in the camp.

Day 4: Majors Camp – Upper Simba Tarn (4500m). 5-6hrs.

After breakfast, we hike through the moorland habited by tussock grass and giant lobellias. Lunch served en route. Arrive at the camp for a 4 o’clock tea. We take our early dinner and overnight in the camp.

Day 5: Simba Tarn – Pt. Lenana (4985m) – Meru Mt Kenya Lodge (2950m)

Summit the trekkers peak, at 4:30am for the African sunrise. Return back to the camp for breakfast. Descend all the way down to Meru Mt Kenya lodge for a much awaited hot shower. Lunch served en route. Stay in the lodge with dinner served by our chef.

Day 6: Meru Mt Kenya Lodge – Nairobi

After breakfast, we start the scenic descend on the dirty road to 10km mark where we meet our driver. We drive to Nairobi Meridian Court Hotel arriving by 1800hrs having successfully done the climbing mount Kenya through Timau down Chogoria. https://traverseafrika.com

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The best route for Rock climbing in Mount Kenya to Nelion is the Normal route. It is a 5s class rock route to a maximum difficulty of 5.6. Some sections are easier. This means that the party can move together. However, some 17 plus pitches are belayed. We descend the same way. But a few of the rappels will be taking more direct lines down the cleaner rocks. Rock shoes are very appropriate. The approach boots can be left at the base point. Though still being a long climb, this route is considered to be easier than the North Face Standard Route to Batian.

The Rock Climbing in Mount Kenya season is better in November through March. Because the southeast face of the Nelion peak will be relatively snow-free and climbing conditions will be better and less risky.

7 Day Mt Kenya climb Chogoria – Sirimon Traverse.

Nairobi- Mt Kenya Bandas (2,900m) 3 hrs, 10km, 950m ascent.

Day 1: Leave Nairobi after breakfast and drive through the rich agricultural countryside to Chogoria trading center for lunch. We meet the supporting crew and drive to the edge of the bamboo forest. From here we start our trek through the dense bamboo forest for a distance of 10 km to the Meru Mt Kenya lodge also referred to as Bandas.

An early dinner prepared by our chef is served. A short briefing by our senior guide follows before retiring to bed in the lodge.  (2950m)

Mt Kenya Bandas – Lake Ellis Campsite (3,400m) 3hrs, 9km, 800m ascent.

Day 2: On finishing our breakfast we start the hike to Lake Ellis. There are scenic views of Mugi hill, The Giant Billiards Table and Ithanguni, makes it a beautiful day.

With interest, a hike to Mugi hill is recommended for acclimatization. All meals are served in the camp.

Lake Ellis- Minto`s Camp (4,200m) 5hrs, 12km, 600m ascent.

Day 3: After an early breakfast, we go well off the beaten track to follow a ridge up the mountain for about 4 hours. We then eventually join the tourist track on the normal Chogoria route at an altitude of about 4,100m.  There are breathtaking views over the Gorges Valley and back over towards Ithanguni.
Lunch is served en route. We continue for a further 2 hours to the Mintos Hut at 4200m.
This is a scenic area, and a 10-minute walk to the “Temple” is well worth the effort.

Minto`s hut – Top hut (Austrian hut) – (4,700M).

Day 4: After a full English breakfast, we hike up along the foot of huge rock walls. From the top, we`ll have an excellent view of Mount Kenya. From Tooth Col, we will traverse the scree to the Austrian Hut. An optional short ascent to Point Lenana, 4,985m is possible. Enjoy a warm plate of lunch. Rest of the day spent on exploring the remaining glacier and the Ice Caves.
Dinner and stay overnight in the hut.

Austrian hut – Nelion- Batian (5,199m)

Day 5: (Rock Climbing )

Leave the hut at 4am to the base camp. Start the Big climb! Overnight can be done at Howel hut in case of a slow climb. Finally, you are on top of Mt Kenya!

Austrian hut- Old Moses Camp (3,300m)

Day 6: After taking our breakfast, descend to Shipton camp via Simba col. After a short rest, we then begin a 5-hour descent via Mackinder`s valley to Old Moses camp. Dinner and overnight stay at Old Moses camp.

Old Moses – Nairobi.

Day 7: Once we take our breakfast, we start the 2 hours descend to the Sirimon Park gate.  We connect our vehicle and drive back to Nairobi Stanley Hotel arriving by 4pm, have successfully achieved your dream of rock climbing in Mt Kenya

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