Overview
Experience this unforgettable trek to the ‘roof’ of Kenya. Mt. Kenya towers over the northeastern side of the Great Rift Valley. Rainforest, bamboo, tarns, alpine meadows, exotic high-altitude vegetation, sunbirds, hyrax and soaring eagles make a trek on this volcano one of the most unique mountaineering experiences in the world. Expert guides lead our group up less-traveled routes, allowing adequate time for acclimatizing and taking in the dramatic views across the Kenyan landscape.
Itinerary
Expand All FieldsDay 1: Meet your guides at the Jomo Kenyatta International airport in Nairobi.
Your guide will meet you in the evening at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi. Transfer to your hotel in Nairobi for a night of rest.
Day 2: Depart Nairobi and visit Karatina, the largest market in Africa. Settle into your lodge accommodations.
Leave Nairobi, passing through the coffee farms and tea farms of the central highlands. Interact with local farmers along the way and learn about their work. Stopover in Karatina, a town in central Kenya named for the largest market in Africa. Overnight at a lodge near the base of Mount Kenya.
Day 3: Begin your trek at 7,500 ft and hike 3-4 hours to old Moses Camp at 9,500 ft.
After a hearty breakfast, head to the mountain. Pass the equator and have lunch at Tam Trout Tree near Nanyuki town before heading to the Sirimon Park gate. Start hiking at an elevation of about 7,500ft in the thick of the montane forest zone. Continue hiking towards Old Moses Camp, 9,500ft above sea level in the Giant Heath zone. This hike will take approximately 3 to 4 hours. Overnight at Old Moses hut.
Day 4: Break camp and trek to the spectacular Likii and Mackinder Valley. Set up camp at Shipton's camp.
Hike up the sprawling Mooreland to the spectacular Likii Valley, an area of beautiful high altitude plants such as Ostrich Plum Lobelia and Cabbage Groundsel. Continue to the splendid Mackinder Valley, trekking past peculiar looking giant groundsel and lobelia plants to arrive at Shipton's camp at 13,796ft. Spend the night at Shipton’s, below the towering peaks and glaciers, with its resident populations of bizarre rock hyrax and beautiful sunbirds. This trek will take 6-7 hours.
Day 5: Spend a day acclimatizing at Shipton's.
To help with acclimatization, take a rest day at Shipton's. Short walks are possible on the summit circuit here. We can climb the Hausberg Col and then return to Shipton's for lunch. We will gain approximately 1,148ft of elevation. Climbing high and sleeping low is best for acclimatization. Short overnight at Shipton's hut.
Day 6: Rise early for a 3-4 hour push to the summit at sunrise.
Wake early in order to reach Pt. Lenana at 16,355ft for sunrise. The climb starts on frozen scree and continues on a rocky track with some very minor scrambling. With a good moon, you barely need a flashlight as the pollution-free sky gives you as good a view of the stars as almost anywhere on Earth. The climb takes between 3 and 5 hours, with an exhilarating view of Kilimanjaro usually visible on the horizon. After taking photographs to capture the moment, descend on the western side of the mountain to Mackinder’s Camp. This will take approximately 2 hours. You’ll have a meal and rest here or take short walks in the vicinity. Overnight at Mackinder’s Camp at 13,778ft. NOTE: Approximately 70% of the people who do this trip actually summit. The decision to summit is solely the responsibility of our guides. You will not summit if our guide decides it would be unsafe to do so.
Day 7: Break camp and descend to the Metrological station; transfer to Naromoru River Lodge.
After breakfast, descend down to either the Metrological station or the park gate and transfer to Naromoru River Lodge. This hike will take approximately 3-4 hours. Overnight at the lodge.
Day 8: Return to Nairobi and say farewell to your trip mates.
Return to Nairobi to continue your travels in Kenya - or for flights home.
Dates & Fees
Wilderness Inquiry leads trips to Mt. Kenya but currently has no dates scheduled for this itinerary. If you have a group of people interested, we can set up a customized adventure just for you! Please contact us or request a trip quote below if you are interested in a group trip to this destination.
Request Trip Quote »What to Expect
TERRAIN/ROUTE CHOICES: Mt. Kenya routes involve hiking 3-6 hours a day over rough terrain. No technical climbing is necessary to reach Pt. Lenana, Mt. Kenya’s 16,355ft summit.
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