Tour overview

The shortest “reasonable” itinerary is 7 days Nairobi to Nairobi, which provides abit of acclimatization and gives you possible summit day however the most recommended itinerary is 8 to 11 days, where you have a bit more acclimatization time as well as options for second or third summit days to accommodate weather. We also recommend trying to include a complete or partial circumnavigation of the peak as part of your itinerary. This gives you more time to acclimate and also to get to know all sides of the mountain. Last, we really like to exit via the Chogoria route, spending nights at the Hall’s Tarns and also at Bandas, at road end. This is a beautiful and scenic route.

Included

  • All transportation to/from the mountain
  • All Park fees.
  • All food while on the Mountain.
  • Accommodation in mountaineering tents
  • All guiding services
  • Porter support for the climb.

Not Included

  • Personal clothing and equipment (see equipment list)
  • Tips and gratuities for guides and porters (recommended to be 10 – 15% of climb costs)
  • Beverages while not on the mountain

DAY 1: NAIROBI – SIRIMON GATE- OLD MOSES CAMP. ( 3,300M)

After pick up in Nairobi, drive to Nanyuki town for lunch crossing the equator en route to the Sirimon Park gate (2660m). From the gate, we trek up thro magnificent montane forest, bamboo and giant heather zone before reaching the high altitude moorland and our first hut (Old Moses camp 3,300m) for dinner and overnight.
This is a gentle trek that takes 3 – 4 hrs gaining an elevation of 680m.

DAY 2: OLD MOSES – SHIPTON CAMP (4200M)

After breakfast, follow the track uphill, forking right at the junction. After a water break, you continue on the track crossing Ontulili River before turning right contouring through the Moorland and crossing Liki North River and continue uphill to Mackinders Valley from where there are panoramic views up the valley towards the Shipton Camp.
This camp is a surreal setting below the towering peaks and glacier. Resident population is of Rock hyrax and sun birds.

DAY 3: SHIPTON – MACKINDER’S CAMP (4200M)

For better acclimatization we kick off our peak circuit trek. Today we go anticlockwise, first through Hausberg Col at 4591m, and then pass between Oblong and Hausberg Tarns.
You then climb up to Nanyuki and Two Tarns before descending to Mackinder’s Camp on the South Western side of the peak, at about 4200 meters for dinner and overnight.

DAY 4: MACKINDER’S CAMP – POINT LENANA (4,985M) – AUSTRIAN HUT (4,720M)

Today we continue our trek up to Top Hut (Austrian Hut) 4,800m. From this Hut we make a short ascent of Point Lenana, 4,985m,. Point Lenana is the common trekker’s Mount Kenya ” Summit”

DAY 5: AUSTRIAN HUT – NELION (5188M) – BATIAN (5199M)

(CLIMBING DAY) South East Face of Nelion Grade IV. 7 Hours to BATIAN.

DAY 6: AUSTRIAN HUT– MERU MOUNT KENYA BANDAS LODGE

After breakfast our trek out begins and we are to hike down by the Scenic Chogoria Route . Our trek out begins with a descent to Mintos Hut. From here we follow the backbone of a ridge, overlooking the spectacular Gorges Valley . Loosing elevation fast we leave the high moorlands and enter into the forest belt that surrounds Mount Kenya . As we approach the cabins of Meru Mount Kenya Bandas (our destination for the night) we are most likely to spot Cape buffalo, Bush Buck, and tracks of other wild animals. The Bandas are a welcome luxury! With hot showers, a fine evening logs fire, a BED! Without mentioning a cold beer!

DAY 7: MERU BANDAS – CHOGORIA TOWN – NAIROBI

After breakfast we hike the first hour or so enjoying the bamboo forest. We often see Elephant tracks, and signs of many other wild animals. We continue further down up to the 10 kilometer mark where we are picked up by a 4 by 4 wheel drive vehicle and continue the drive to Chogoria town and switch to another vehicle for transfer back to Nairobi arriving by 17:hrs.