Hike Mount Kenya
Overview
Embark on adventure and hike mount Kenya, climbing on Naro Moru route with the purpose of summiting point Lenana, in addition you can join a group or undertake the hike solo in the company of our climbing crew.
Mount Kenya is the highest mountain in Kenya. It straddles the equator and the entire mountain contour forms the Mt. Kenya National Park.
Our hiking adventure is crafted for those who are not content to simply enjoy the view of the mountain from the foothills; it’s rather meant for thrill seekers willing to take the challenge of climbing the mountain to the top while enjoying various breathtaking vistas.
Scaling the mountain’s heights is a feat that takes plenty of perseverance and it’s important to undergo acclimatization before climbing the mountain to reduce the risk of altitude sickness.
Logistics
The team at Kenya epic safaris is involved in every step of the planning, preparation and packing of our expedition. Behind the scenes we take care of all the nighty grities to ensure a smooth ripple effect for the purpose of a successful mount Kenya hiking experience.
Mountain guides & porters
Our mountain guides & porters are highly skilled on mountaineering and more importantly they possess years of experience on climbing mount Kenya. They are highly trained, certified, very knowledgeable and play a key role to a successful climb to the summit. Furthermore you will also enjoy the company of our professional guides & porters as you hike 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
Our expeditions normally begin in Nairobi. Travel from the city to the base of the mountain takes three to five hours depending on the hiking route. In addition the number of people, their budget and preference dictates the mode of transport. You can opt for shared shuttles, mini vans or jeeps.
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Take a step towards the most ideal adventure hike by getting in touch with our personnel. We will assist you with information, what to expect and guide you where necessary so as to achieve your travel goals.
- Nairobi Excursions.
- Mombasa Excursions.
- Hell's Gate Day Trip.
- 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.
Five Days Mount Kenya Hike Naro Moru Route. [Itinerary]
Day One: Nairobi – Naro Moru
A representative from Kenya epic safaris will meet you at your hotel or pick you up from the airport and after formalities he or she will hand you over to your assigned mountain guide to facilitate your hike to mount Kenya.
The guide will brief you on what to expect and check if you have the right gear. Shortly afterwards depart Nairobi and travel to Naro Moru town through the country side to the slopes of Mt. Kenya arriving in time for lunch.
An afternoon walk around the town is worthwhile and helps with acclimatization. Dinner and overnight at a budget hotel.
Day Two: Naro Moru – Met Station Camp
After an early breakfast depart in the company of the climbing crew. You will be driven to Naro Moru park entrance gate [2650m] and at this point your mountain guide will assist in park formalities and registration; after this begin climbing mainataining the park route which follows a crest of a board ridge between the northern and southern Naro Moru valleys.
Enjoy the climb at your own pace through the forest which opens up to amazing views of the Naro Moru valley after walking for about three hours. The days hike ends at Met station [3050m] where dinner will be served followed by an overnight stay.
[Time: 3 to 4 hours] Covering Ten kilometers.
Day Three: Met Station Camp – Mackinder’s Camp
Rise and shine early for a scrumptious breakfast and shortly after begin hiking through the last bit of the forest paving to the moorlands. We will hike anticlockwise through Hausberg Col [4591m] and then pass between Oblong and Hausberg tarns.
Hot lunch en route. Ascend to two tarns and begin the descend to Mackinder’s Camp [4200m] on the South Western 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 – Point Lenana – Met Station Camp
Today you will face the most demanding stretch of the hike. Wake up very early at 2:30am and have a light breakfast; coffee or tea with some biscuits, depart camp and start your ascend to top hut [Austrian Hut – 4800m]. From this point we will summit point lenana arriving by sun rise.
Mt. Kilimanjaro Kibo and Mawenzi peaks are visible as the day gets clear from point lenana. The ascend takes about four hours; after enjoying the view and taking some photos / selfies of your victory of summiting Mount Kenya begin descending to Markinder’s camp [4200m] where your full breakfast will be served.
Not long after descend further down to Met station camp [3050m] for much needed rest, dinner and overnight stay. The descent walk takes about six hours.
[Time: 9 to 10 hours] Covering twenty one kilometers.
Day Five: Met Station Camp – Nairobi
The home stretch is here, after a scrumtious breakfast descend down through the rain forest to Naro Moru park gate [2650m] where you will sign out.
Transfer to Naro Moru town for lunch and later travel back to Nairobi arriving late afternoon. Drop off at a hotel in Nairobi or the airport where your hike to mount Kenya ends.
[Time: 2 to 3 hours] Covering nine kilometers.
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 located at an elevation of 3050m on Mount Kenya and in addition the first campsite you encounter on the Naro Moru route. Accommodation at Met Station campsite is in the form of cabins built in dormitory style.
Facilities include a kitchen and a common dining area. There is plenty of water and furthermore climbers can opt to pitch tents at the campsite.
MacKinder’s Camp is located at an elevation of 4200m on Mount Kenya. Accommodation at Mackinder’s camp is in form of huts which are clean. Facilities include a kitchen and a common dining area.
If you prefer pitching tents on the ground you can access facilities of the lodge. MacKinder’s Camp is where most climbers spend the night on preparation of the summit attempt.
Mount Kenya Hiking Route
The Naro Moru route is taken by many of the trekkers who try to reach Point Lenana. It can be ascended in only 3 days and has bunkhouses at each camp.
The route starts at Naro Moru town to the west of the mountain and climbs towards Mackinder’s Camp on the Peak Circuit Path. The terrain is usually good, although one section is called the Vertical Bog.
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 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.
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.