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Climbing Mount Kenya
Overview
Are you prepared for an adventure of a lifetime? You can join us and immerse yourself in the exhilarating experience of climbing Mount Kenya, which is Africa’s second highest mountain. We will ascend using the Naro Moru or Chogoria routes, allowing us to appreciate the breathtaking views and encounter the remarkable wildlife along the journey to the summit, Point Lenana. Our team is fully prepared and the adventure eagerly awaits you; whether you prefer to join a group or embark on the hike solo with the support of our experienced climbing crew.
Our climbing package is tailored for those seeking more than just a view from the foothills; but for adventurous individuals who are eager to embrace the challenge of reaching the mountain’s peaks while enjoying stunning panoramic views. Ascending the mountain requires considerable perseverance, and it’s crucial to undergo acclimatization to minimize the risk of altitude sickness before embarking on the climb.
Planning Logistics
The team at Kenya epic safaris is involved in every step of the planning, preparation and packing of our expeditions. Behind the scenes we take care of all the nighty grities to ensure a smooth ripple effect for the purpose of a successful climbing of Mount Kenya.
Mountain guides & porters
Our mountain guides and porters are highly skilled in mountaineering, with years of experience climbing Mount Kenya. They are not only highly trained and certified, but also very knowledgeable, playing a key role in ensuring a successful climb to the summit. In addition, you will also have the opportunity to enjoy the company of our professional guides and porters as you climb Mount Kenya.
Accommodation
Accommodation on the mountain varies on the route a climber chooses. There are permanently built mountain huts, bandas and designated camping sites managed by the Kenya wildlife service. Our guides have selected various hotels for overnight stays close to the base of the mountain to ensure acclimatization and above all avoid mountain sickness.
Meals & Drinks
As part of our team; we have a dedicated professional cook who prepares excellent, delicious and healthy meals. Our cook will ensure a diverse menu accommodating different tastes and appetites. The menu consists of high protein foods, carbs, vegetables and fruits. Equally important we cater for special dietary requirements with advance notice at no extra charge. You are advised to bring your favorite snacks / energy bars.
You only require bottled water on the first and last day however on the mountain we will boil water or add purifying tablets then filter using MSR water filtering pump before refilling in your water bottles every morning.
Transport
Expeditions to Mount Kenya typically commence from Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya. The journey from the city to the mountain’s base generally spans three to five hours, with the duration being influenced by the chosen climbing route. Furthermore, the mode of transportation is determined by factors such as the number of individuals, their budget, and personal preferences. Options for transportation include shared shuttles, mini-vans, and jeeps.
Call To Action
Initiate your ideal climbing experience by contacting our team. We are here to provide you with essential information, outline what to expect and offer guidance. Reach out to us today to begin your adventure with our Mount Kenya climbing package. We aim to help you realize your travel aspirations.
- Nairobi Excursions.
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- Lake Nakuru Day Trip.
- Mount Longonot Day Trip.
- Amboseli Camping Safari.
- Masai Mara Camping Safari.
- Masai Mara / Lake Nakuru Budget Safari.
- Climbing Mount Kenya Sirimon Route.
- Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro Machame Route.
- Hiking Mount Kilimanjaro Marangu Route.
Six Days Mount Kenya Climbing Naro Moru / Chogoria Route. [Itinerary]
Day One: Nairobi – Naro Moru
First, a representative from Kenya epic safaris will meet you at your hotel or pick you up from the airport. Secondly, the rep will brief and hand you over to your assigned mountain guide, who will facilitate the climbing Mount Kenya venture.
Before you depart, the mountain guide will provide you with a detailed briefing about what to expect and will also check if you have the appropriate gear for the journey. Following the briefing, you will leave Nairobi and journey to Naro Moru town, passing through the picturesque countryside on your way to the slopes of Mt. Kenya. You will arrive in time for an early lunch.
An afternoon walk around the town is worthwhile and helps with acclimatization process. Dinner and overnight stay at a budget hotel.
Day Two: Naro Moru – Met Station Camp
Start your day with an early breakfast before joining the climbing crew for the day’s adventure. You will be driven to the Naro Moru park entrance gate at an elevation of 2650m, where your mountain guide will assist with park formalities and registration.
After the formalities, begin your hike following the park route, which traverses a broad ridge between the northern and southern Naro Moru valleys. Take your time to enjoy the hike through the forest, and after approximately three hours of walking, you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views of the Naro Moru valley.
As the day’s hike comes to an end, you’ll reach Met station at 3050m, where a well-deserved dinner awaits before settling in for an overnight stay.
[Time: 3 to 4 hours] Covering Ten kilometers.
Day Three: Met Station Camp – Mackinder’s Camp
Begin your day early to enjoy a delicious breakfast before beginning your hike through the final section of the forest on your way to the moorlands. You will follow a counterclockwise route, passing through Hausberg Col [4591m] and then between Oblong and Hausberg tarns. During your hike, you will have a hot lunch along the way.
Afterward, you will ascend to two tarns and then begin the descent to Mackinder’s Camp [4200m] located on the southwestern side of the peak, where you will have your dinner and spend the night.
[Time: 6 to 7 hours] Covering seventeen kilometers.
Day Four: Mackinder’s Camp – Austrian Camp
An easy morning with a leisurely breakfast before departing at 10:00 a.m. Embark on a challenging hike up a steep incline that winds along the left-hand side of Teleki Valley, ultimately leading to Lewis Glacier and continuing on to a rocky bluff where the Austrian hut awaits for a well-timed lunch.
The ascent typically requires three hours to complete. After reaching the Austrian hut, take the remainder of the day to unwind and make preparations for the upcoming summit attempt. Conclude the day with a satisfying dinner and an overnight stay at the Austrian camp, situated at an elevation of 4900m.
[Time: 3 hours] Covering four and half kilometers.
Day Five: Austrian Camp – Point Lenana – Chogoria Bandas
Today marks us the most challenging part of the climb. Wake early at 5:30 am for a light breakfast consisting of coffee or tea with some biscuits and set out from camp. The goal is to reach Point Lenana at 4985 meters before sunrise.
From this point, you can see Mount Kilimanjaro’s Kibo and Mawenzi peaks as the sky clears. The ascent takes about three hours. Once at the summit, enjoy the stunning views and take photos or selfies to remember your achievement. Afterward, begin the descent to Mintos Hut at 4300 meters, where a full breakfast awaits you.
Shortly after, continue down to the bandas. The trail follows a ridge that overlooks the breathtaking Gorges Valley. As you descend quickly, you leave the high moorlands behind and enter the forest zone surrounding Mount Kenya. Your destination is Chogoria Bandas at 3000 meters, where you will enjoy dinner and spend the night.
[Time: 9 to 10 hours] Covering twenty two kilometres.
Day Six: Chogoria Bandas – Nairobi
As you reach the final stretch of your climb, enjoy a delicious breakfast before making your way through dense bamboo and rainforests until the land opens up. A 4×4 jeep then takes you to Chogoria town for lunch.
In the afternoon, head back to Nairobi, arriving late in the day. The adventure concludes with a drop-off at a hotel or the airport, marking the end of your Mount Kenya climbing trip.
[Time: 2 to 3 hours] Covering ten kilometres.
End of services.
- Transport to and from the base of the mountain.
- Park entrance fees.
- Accommodation in mountain huts / bandas / Camps.
- Meals as described in the itinerary.
- Services of a mountain guide, porters & a cook.
- Rescue fee.
- H.F Radio communication for backup in case of an emergency.
- All government taxes.
- International airfares.
- Climbing equipments.
- All expenditure of personal nature such as telephone calls, hard drinks, soft drinks and laundry.
- Tips.
- Visas.
- Travel Insurance.
Mt. Kenya Accommodation
Met Station Campsite is situated at an elevation of 3050m on Mount Kenya, making it the first campsite along the Naro Moru route. Accommodation at the Met Station campsite consists of cabins built in a dormitory style.
Facilities at the campsite include a kitchen and a common dining area, providing a convenient setup for visitors. The campsite also offers ample water supply and climbers have the option to pitch their own tents if they prefer.
MacKinder’s Camp is situated at an impressive elevation of 4200m on Mount Kenya. Accommodation at MacKinder’s Camp consists of clean and well-maintained huts. The facilities at the camp include a kitchen and a common dining area.
For those who prefer pitching tents on the ground, access to the lodge’s facilities is available. MacKinder’s Camp is a popular choice for climbers to spend the night as they prepare for their summit attempt.
Austrian Hut is the highest shelter on Mount Kenya and serves as a useful base for reaching Lenana Peak. It also provides good conditions for acclimatization. The hut has three rooms that can host up to 30 climbers. It is equipped with a clean toilet and offers running water, making the stay more comfortable.
Chogoria bandas are situated on Mount Kenya at an altitude of 3000 meters. The accommodation options are simple, offering dormitory-style huts. Each hut, or banda, comes with beds that have clean sheets, blankets, and towels. Most climbers stay at the Chogoria bandas on their first night while hiking the Chogoria route.
Mount Kenya Climbing Routes
Many trekkers choose the Naro Moru route to reach Point Lenana. The route can be completed in just 3 days and offers bunkhouses at each camp. Beginning at Naro Moru town to the west of the mountain, the route ascends towards Mackinder’s Camp on the Peak Circuit Path. The terrain is generally favorable, but there is a challenging section known as the Vertical Bog.
The Chogoria route begins at Chogoria town and follows the trail to the peak circuit. The path travels through a forest area on the mountain’s southeastern side, leading to open moorland. Along the way, hikers can enjoy views of Ithanguni and the Giant’s Billiards Table. The trail then continues past Gorges Valley, passing the Temple site, before ascending to Simba Col just below Point Lenana.
The Mountain Club of Kenya highlights Ithanguni and the Giant’s Billiards Table as some of the finest mountain trekking experiences in the country.
Mount Kenya National Park
The Park
Mount Kenya is the second highest mountain in Africa after Mount Kilimanjaro. The mountain is located 175 km north east of Nairobi in central and eastern province of Kenya. The mountain is surrounded by a forest reserve and together they make up the Mount Kenya National Park which was gazetted in the year 1949 and declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. Mount Kenya is the source of the name of the Republic of Kenya.
Mount Kenya stands at 5199 meters [17,057 ft] and the park covers an area of 750km2. Mount Kenya was once a volcano created 3 million years ago. It is estimated to have been 23,000 ft tall but has since eroded to 17,000 ft. Glaciation has coursed erosion of the slopes creating glaciers [small lakes]. The lower slopes of the mountain have been glaciated and are now cultivated or forested, they are distinguished by V shaped valleys.
Mount Kenya Zones
The higher part of the mountain which is now moorland is distinguished by U shaped valleys. There are about 11 small glacier on the mountain. Mount Kenya has three major peaks namely Batian at 5199 meters, Nelion at 5188 meters and Lenana at 4,985 meters. Batian and Nelion are only 250 meters apart separated by the “Gates of Mist”.
Mount Kenya is one of the five most significant water towers in Kenya that the country depends on for her water supply. It provides water for about 50% of the country’s population and produces 70% of Kenya’s hydroelectric power. There are two major rivers that originate from this water catchment namely Tana River and Ewaso Ng’iro River. Mount Kenya has different zones depending on the altitude.
Mount Kenya Vegatation
The base of the mountain is characterized by fertile farmland, followed by montane forest. Above the forest is a belt of bamboo. This zone is almost continuous, but is restricted to small isolated bunches in the north because of low rainfall. Above the bamboo is the timberline forest. The trees here are often smaller than the trees in the forests lower down the mountain. At around 3000m the vegetation turns to heath land and chaparral which paves way for Afro-alpine zone which begins at 3500m, the air here is drier and thinner.
Many of the species here are endemic, with adaptations to the cold and fluctuating temperatures. Typical plants here include giant groundsels [senecios] and giant lobelias. At 4500m we have the nival zone which is characterized by an area that has minimal or no vegetation whatsoever and has been glaciated.
Hiking Routes
There are eight walking routes up to the main peaks. Starting clockwise from the north these are the: Meru, Chogoria, Kamweti, Naro Moru, Burguret, Sirimon and Timau Routes. Chogoria, Naro Moru and Sirimon are the most frequently used.
Climbing / Hiking Gear & Equipments
- Walking trousers synthetic material is recommended.
- Long Underwear Tops – Light synthetic.
- Women’s sports bras Synthetic material.
- Light fleece with a warm layer.
- Long sleeve polypropylene shirt.
- Medium weight polypropylene/thermal leggings.
- Wind – waterproof – breathable jacket.
- Gloves- light weight.
- Warm Hat or Balaclava Sun hat – wool or synthetic.
- Face mask or neck gaiter.
- Medium or large duffel bag to pack your town clothes with a lock, this can be left at the hotel or we can store them for you.
- Medium duffel bag to pack your hiking stuff with a lock. [ The porter will carry this bag. ]
- A day pack to store your essentials with a capacity of about 25 to 35 liters is recommended.
- Walking/hiking shoes – comfortable and waterproof.
- Socks – Fitting socks one thick and one thin pair.
- Head lamp with extra batteries & bulbs.
- Adjustable trekking poles.
- Sleeping bag – Rated 3 – season.
- Gaiters – make sure they will fit over boots.
- Purification tablets or filters – water for drinking is fetched from mountain streams.
- Water bottle preferably one litre.
- Female or male hygiene supplies.
- Hand wipes and camp towel.
- Personal toiletry kit.
- Suncream.
- Lip balm.
- Sun glasses.
- Camera & extra battries.
- Passport, flight ticket, travel insurance, visa, cash & credit card.
- Basecamp entertainment i.e books, board games, playing cards or ipod.
- Favorite Snacks, candy bars or protein bars.
- Bandanas.
Do's & Dont's At Mt. Kenya
Do's & Dont's At Mt. Kenya
- Do not Litter the park.
- Do not feed the animals, i.e. monkeys or baboons.
- Do give the animals the right of way and do not disturb wildlife.
- Do not take any plant or animals remains, dead or alive.
- Do not start fires or throw cigarettes in the parks/reserve.
- Do stay in your vehicle except at designated viewing points.
- Do not shout, laugh loudly, honk or play loud music as this will keep away the animals.
- Do not provoke any animals; it’s dangerous.
Food for thought
Food for thought
Kindly don’t forget your patience, have an open mind, positive and relaxed attitude as things in this part of the world may be very different to what you are accustomed to but in the end the experience is price less and will always be memorable.