Climbing Mount Kenya /

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Destination

  Mt.Kenya National Park

Overview

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Prices Inclusive Of

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Park fees (For non-residents)
All activities (Unless labeled as optional)
A professional driver/guide
All transportation (Unless labeled as optional)
All Taxes/VAT

Prices Exclusive Of

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Tips
Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees.

Tour Activities

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Routes

1. The Sirimon Route

The Sirimon Route is the best option if you want to climb Mount Kenya in the shortest amount of time. You'll spend your first night at Old Moses Camp (3,300 meters), spend the next two nights at Shiptons Camp (4,250 meters), then begin a steady ascent to the summit on day four so you can watch the sunrise over East Africa from Point Lenana (4,985 meters), before descending all the way back to Old Moses Camp for your final night on the mountain.

Shiptons Camp puts you in close proximity to all of the summits and makes the final summit night the shortest of the options. There are no difficult exposed summit ridges to tackle, but for the more adventurous, the Naro Moru route is definitely worth considering for your descent; you don't need any extra days, but be prepared for the world's highest Via Ferrata on the descent from Point Lenana to Austria Hut.

2. The Narumoru Route

The Naro Moru Route is a five-day, four-night climb similar to Sirimon's, but it is much more scenic (the vegetation is particularly striking on the Naro Moru route) and difficult, especially on the second day of the ascent when you have to get through the "Vertical Bog" (although it's not actually vertical and only a bog in the rainy seasons and in the afternoons when it is more likely to rain). However, an early start should get you through the bog Met Station (3,050 meters) serves as the starting point before you ascend to Mackinders Camp (4,200 meters) for two nights. On day 4, you summit just in time for sunrise before descending all the way to Met Station for the final night. (alternative descent via Sirimon Route is possible without adding extra days to the itinerary)

The forest on the lower slopes of the Naro Moru route appears to have only minimal visible damage from the devastating Mt Kenya fires of 2012, unlike the Sirimon route where the forest had all but disappeared (saplings have been re-planted on the Sirimon side but it will take years before you have the same majestic trees that you find on the Naro Moru route) and as result you have much more chance of seeing wildlife, particulary on the trek to Met Station where it is not unusual to spot antelope, elephant, colobus monkey and buffalo, which are well known to enjoy grazing on the Met Station camp-site during the night.

The summit night on the Sirimon route is a little longer because there is a longer walk in to reach the scree slope that leads up to the Austrian Hut (4,800m) and the final partial Via Ferrata (named 'Olonana') along the exposed ridge towards Point Lenana. If a Via Ferrata at altitude makes you nervous, you should avoid the Naro Moru route, but most people enjoy it.

3. Chogoria Route

This is the most amazing and interesting route when you compare it to the other two. It passes the scenic Hall Tarns and looks below steep cliffs into the beautiful Gorges Valley and onto the spectacular Lake Michaelson.

Narumoru Accent - Chogoria Decent

Although climbing Mount Kenya through the Naro Moru ascent and Chogoria descent is far from being the most popular route, it is now Adventure Alternative's most popular itinerary in large part because it combines the two mountain's most difficult and spectacular routes. But, you may extend your stay at Meru Bandas, where you can drink a local beer, have a hot shower, enjoy an open fire in your banda, and observe wildlife from the veranda, which views out into a swamp/open area where animals come out of the jungle to graze at twilight and dawn. You must be prepared to camp for at least one night, but we believe it is worthwhile considering all that this route has to offer, including the breathtaking views, lakes, cliffs, waterfalls, and flora and fauna on the ascent and descent.

The first night of our Naro Moru/Chogoria traverse is spent at Met Station (3,050 meters), followed by an ascent to Mackinders Camp (4,200 meters) for two nights (you can also trek to Shiptons Camp on the Sirimon route on day 3 if you don't want to summit via the Via Ferrata on the Naro Moru route). On day 4, you will summit for sunrise before descending on the Chogoria route and spending your fourth night at Lake Ellis or Nithi.

This option is slightly more expensive due to the need for 4x4 transport from the Chogoria route, kit transfers from the west to east side of the mountain, and porters' transportation back to Naro Moru after the descent, but you get to come off the mountain on the other side where we have a guest house in the welcoming town of Embu which has many outdoor swimming pools, a great night life, stunning waterfalls, Moving Mountains projects, and if you can face it, lots more day trips.

Batian and Nelion (technical climbs)

The two highest peaks on Mount Kenya are Batian (5,199m) and Nelion (5,188m), both of which require multi-pitch technical climbs, therefore experience is required before considering summit attempts on either. The summer months in the northern hemisphere are when people typically climb Mount Kenya's North Face climbs. Due to Mount Kenya's equator location, the sun will be a little to the north of the peak during these months, which means there will be less snow and ice, making it simpler to climb the rock. Also, it signifies that the granite has been warmed and that you will be climbing with the sun directly in your face.

Kenya typically has wet weather in April, May, and November. Consequently, June through August are the best months to attempt to climb Batian via the North Face, however September and October are also a possibility. Consider climbing Nelion via the South East Face if you'd want to do it in the climbing months of January and February. All ascents of Batian or Nelion need a walk to Point Lenana, and they all generally follow a similar ascent and descent route for the summit circle, beginning with the Naro Moru route and changing to the Sirimon route for the ascending of Point Lenana (via the Chogoria Route).

Preparing For Your Trek

The very best way to prepare for climbing to high altitudes is to climb to high altitudes. Although this is difficult for most people, remember that the higher the altitude you can reach and the longer the hikes you do for training, the better. This also allows you to get used to your backpack and boots. You should be hiking with everything in your day pack that you anticipate carrying when climbing Mount Kenya on Mount Kilimanjaro.

Running and biking are also very good and at least take you outdoors so you can test your equipment. Stair masters and climbing machines at the gym will work if outdoor hiking isn’t an option. Try not to go for short hard blasts of exercise but long sustained workouts instead. An adequate training regime is to maintain 75% of your max heart rate (220 minus your age) for an hour, three to four days a week. Remember high altitude mountain climbing requires acclimatization and that a strong mind is as important as a strong body. If you are fairly fit and choose a climbing itinerary that allows plenty of time to acclimatize you have the formula for success

Tour Schedule

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The tour itinerary will be availed to you upon tour booking for the excursion.

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