- Overview
- Trip Outline
- Trip Includes
- Trip Excludes
- Gallery
- FAQ
5 Days Mt Kenya Hiking, Mount Kenya Trekking
5 Days Mt Kenya Hiking. This out-of-ordinary hiking experience on Africa second-highest mountain takes you up the snow-peaked mountain to Point Lenana at, 4985m. This snow-peaked mountain offers several routes to its 3 top summits. These routes include the Naro Moru Route, the Sirimon Route and the Chogoria Route.
5 Days Mt Kenya Hiking Safari
Our 5 Days Mt Kenya Hiking Trip takes you on the Naro Moru Route to Point Lenana at 4985 meters. One day is for transfer to the base, preparation and acclimatizing. 3 days covers ascent and two days for descent.
You either sleep in mountain huts or tents in designated places on the mountain trail and are accompanied by your guides, porters and cooks.
5 Days Mount Kenya Hiking, Up Naro Moru Route - Down Sirimon Route
5 Days Mount Kenya Hiking;
Naro Moru Route Ascent – This route remains the most popular of the three principal routes. The reason is that it is the fastest route to Point Lenana and back if you enter from the main road, the only problem is the vertical bog where sometimes it gets wet. A factor that the hiker must consider is that it is also one of the steepest routes, and extra care should be taken here to avoid problems with Acute Mountain Sickness or Altitude Sickness(AMS).
Sirimon Route Descent - This is one of the most scenic and picturesque routes down the mountain. The gradient is gradual, and we pass a variety of vegetation. The Sirimon route has a lot of advantages that makes it more favorable and comfortable. It lies on the northwestern side of Mt. Kenya, and generally escapes some rainfall, making it drier than other routes most time of the year.
Distance to the summit – 36 km l Altitude at the start- 2360m, 7,750ft l Altitude at the summit (Point Lenana) – 4985m, 16,355ft
Itinerary - 5 Days Mount Kenya Hiking
Day 1: Nairobi to Naro Moru
Leave Nairobi at 8:00 am to Naro Moru which normally takes 4hrs drive, arriving Nanyuki at 12:00 o’clock time for lunch. After lunch, you will be walking to the Mau Mau caves for the nature walk and for acclimatization, then return to your base accommodation for dinner and overnight.
Day 2: Naro Moru - Met Station
- Hiking time: 3 hours
- Habitat: Rain forest
After breakfast proceed to Naro Moru gate which normally takes 45 minutes, you will have your picnic lunch at Naro Moru Gate and then start walking through rain forest for 3 hrs to Met Station 3,048m. Dinner and overnight at the Met Station.
Day 3: Met Station (3,048m) to Mackinders Camp (4,350m)
- Hiking time: 5–6 hours
- Distance: About 14 km
- Habitat: Bog and Moorland
After breakfast your climb continue to Mackinders camp which is approximately 5–6 hrs,14km. You will walk through the vertical bog and tussock grass. At this point the main peaks provide a spectacular view of Batian and Nelion, continue walking through Teleki Valley. Dinner and overnight at Mackinders camp 4,350m.
Day 4: Mackinders Camp (4,350m) to Pt. Lenana (4,985m) down to Shipton’s Camp (4,250m)
- Hiking time: 4 hours
- Distance: 7 km
- Habitat: Alpine desert
The ascension of the summit of Point Lenana begins before dawn at 3 o'clock to ensure time to view the sunrise from the peaks. The walk takes 3 hrs to Point Lenana 4,985m, third-highest peak. From here, on the clear day, you can see Kilimanjaro. After the summit, descend to Shipton's Camp for breakfast. Dinner and overnight at the camp.
Day 5: Shipton’s Camp (4,250m) to Old Moses Camp (3,300m) and Nairobi
- Hiking time: 5 hours
- Distance: 16 km
- Habitat: Moorland
After breakfast, continue walking down to Old Moses Camp via Mackinders Valley. It will take 5 hours to reach the Old Moses Camp 3,300m where you will have lunch and then meet up with your transport back to Nairobi.
Itineraries
Day 1
Time : 7:30 am
Travel from Nairobi to Naro Moru, the Base of the mountain.
Day 2
Time : 7:30 am
Naro Moru - Met Station
Transportation to Met Station then begin hike through tropical rain forest.
Day3
Time : 7:30 am
Met Station (3,048m) to Mackinders Camp (4,350m)
Hike for 5 to 6 hours over a distance of about 14 kilometers through bog and moorland as you continue your ascent.
Day 4
Time : 3:00 am
Mackinders Camp (4,350m) to Pt. Lenana (4,985m) down to Shipton’s Camp (4,250m)
Start your final assault on the mountain at 3 o'clock. Catch the dawn over the mountain at 6 am and then after celebrating at Point Lenana start your descent to Shipton's Camp.
Day 5
Time : 7:00 am
Shipton’s Camp (4,250m) to Old Moses Camp (3,300m) and Nairobi
This is your final day on the mountain, and you start your descent after breakfast. After lunch at Old Moses Camp, you reach the gate and are transported back to Nairobi
5 Days Mt Kenya Hiking Package Cost Includes:
- Pick up from JKIA Airport or Nairobi Hotel
- Transport from Nairobi to the mountain Basecamp and Back
- All food and accommodation on Mount Kenya.
- Services of professional Guide, Cook and Porter on the trail
- Park Fees and Camping/hut fees.
- Any route of ascent or descent (Naro-Moru, Sirimon or Chogoria).
5 Days Mt Kenya Hiking Package Cost Excludes:
- Drinks (including tea) and Bar Bill (beverage)
- Mountain Rescue Fees - Helicopter evacuation in case of emergency
- Personal insurance (personal, accident, luggage, travel)
- Tipping to Guide, Porter and Cook
- If a hotel night in Nairobi is planned, then an extra Airport to Hotel cost is incurred:
- Pre- and Post-Hike Accommodation in Nairobi
Ideal Climbing Seasons:
Dry Seasons: The best weather conditions for climbing Mount Kenya are during the dry seasons, typically January to March and June to October. These months offer clearer skies, less rain, and better overall climbing conditions.
Year-Round Climbing: While the dry seasons are ideal, Mount Kenya can be climbed year-round. However, be aware of:
Rainy Seasons: April, May, and November are typically the rainy seasons, bringing wetter conditions, slippery trails, and potentially reduced visibility.
Climate Change: Recent years have seen unpredictable weather patterns, making it harder to guarantee perfect conditions even during the dry seasons.
Additional Notes:
Specific routes on Mount Kenya may have slightly different optimal climbing times due to factors like sun exposure.
Chogoria route is an awesome route to use when climbing Mount Kenya and the best option to use when ascending and descending the volcano, this route offers spectacular scenery including views of waterfalls and amazing gorge. Climbing Mount Kenya using Chogoria route takes 6 days, including 3 days for descending
While Mount Kenya is a challenging and physically demanding climb, it is possible for beginner-level hikers to successfully summit the mountain. However, most are only able to conquer the central peaks. The final peak requires some technical climbs.
The Mt. Kenya Sirimon route is considered the easiest of the Mount Kenya routes. The climb starts at the Sirimon gate off the Nanyuki - Isiolo highway. As with the Naro Moru route, the trek begins with an initial 9km walk on an all-weather road to Old Moses Camp (3,300m)
Wear base and fleece layers, climbing trousers with some stretch and a hard finish to them, a down belay jacket with a hood, outer shell jacket and trousers, a warm hat under your helmet, wool socks and good quality tactile gloves which are warm yet provide enough feel on the rock.
Related Trips
5 Days Mount Kenya Climb
5 Days Mount Kenya Climb – Traverse the mountain starting on the Chogoria Route and Descending on the Sirimon Route. One of the most magnificent routes on the mountain hike.
Full Day Mount Longonot Hiking
Full Day Mount Longonot Hiking Excursion offers the outdoors person an excellent opportunity to go hiking just 80 kilometers outside Nairobi up the slopes of an extinct volcano, seated on the floor of the Great Rift Valley.