+254 720 534012 : ITINERARY AT A GLANCE
Start Nairobi / End Nairobi
On this five-day trek up Mount Kenya, you’ll explore the mountain’s natural wonders, including dense rainforest, scenic moorlands and gentle valleys. This climb is for those mountaineers who have an adventurous spirit and want to ascend Pt. Lenana, (4,985m) in a leisurely fashion from a non-tourist route. The climber has a better chance of acclimatizing and getting fit for the attempt on Point Lenana, Mount Kenya’s third-highest peak!
Day 1: Nairobi – Nanyuki – Mountain Log Cabins
Imagine a city of glossy skyscrapers and bustling traffic. Now envision a sky-high stratovolcano, millions of years in the making and nearly deserted. Today, you fly into the former – Nairobi, the capital of Kenya – and then drive to the latter, the stately Mount Kenya.
Mount Kenya, 3 million years old, is the nation’s tallest volcano and the inspiration for our country’s name. As we bump along a rural road the mountain grows ever closer and ever larger. Its soft peaks, eroded by weather and ice, ascend ever higher, culminating at Batian peak (17,057 feet/5,199 metres in altitude). After a stop for lunch in Nanyuki.
You will be driven to the at NaroMoru track, a light hike is taken in the afternoon with a good day for acclimatization altitude of 3050m.
Spend the night at the Mountain Log Cabins.
Day 2: Mount Kenya
Rise with the sun to the sound of a silent mountain. A filling breakfast fuels us forward, up Teleki Valley through the moorlands of Mount Kenya. Here, icy glaciers have tempered the landscape, forming gentle valleys and shallow paths. Along the way, perfect spots for photo-ops of spectacular view of the main peaks.
Though the temperature has dropped, the 6-7 hour hike has kept your body temp toasty. By the time we arrive mid-afternoon at Mackinders Camp, you’re ready to relax and enjoy the view. And what a view it is – this basic mountain camp sits perched over spectacular panoramas of Mount Kenya’s two highest peaks: Nelion and Batian.
Overnight Mackinders Camp (4,150m).
Day 3: Mount Kenya
We’re up with the sun for another hike up. After an early breakfast, begin the circumnavigation of the main peaks by heading North. One traverse takes us below the South and West faces on our approach to Two Tarn Hut then across Western terminal and into Hausberg Valley and finally over Hausberg Col and into Mackinders Valley. Walking time approximately 6 hours. The highest point reached this day is 4,500m.
Our camp in Mackinder valley is at an altitude of 4,300m.
Day 4: Point Lenana
Today we ascend into the belly of the beast: the challenging, steep and exhilarating Point Lenana. A steaming cup of morning tea teases you out of your sleeping bag, and before you know it we’re working our way through the craggy rocks and snowy trail up to the summit. At 16,355 feet (4,985 metres) above sea level, this rocky point is Mount Kenya’s third tallest, overshadowed only by the magnificent Nelion (17,021 feet/5,188 metres) peaks and Batian (17,057 feet/5,199 metres).
When we reach the summit, more than chilly air awaits: 360º of mountain panoramas unfold north, south, east and west. All of Mount Kenya National Park sits at our feet, treating you to sights only mountain climbers have the privilege to experience – glacier lakes, glinting in the sun; puffy clouds beneath you; and the black profiles of statuesque mountains, shadowed by the powerful sun.
We will then descend into Teleki Valley and spend the night at our original camp completing a scenic traverse of the Mountain.
Overnight Mackinders Camp (4,150m).
Day 5: Met Station – Nairobi
Your last day on Mount Kenya introduces you to the mountain’s other personality: lowland rainforest, dense bamboo, open bush and forest. The 6-8 hour hike down the stratovolcano winds through scenic rainforest, where the trees drip with lichen and monkeys make mischief around every corner. Bamboo stalks tower 40 feet (12 meters), creating natural tunnels and picture-perfect photo ops.
Descend from the Mountain to Met Station and be transferred back to Nairobi, arriving in late afternoon.