Mount Kenya Overview

Detailed Itinerary [ Normal Route ]

Day 1: Nairobi – SIRIMON – JUDMAIER CAMP  (3300M)

Depart Nairobi at 7.30am to Nanyuki town for lunch, taking about 4 hours. Proceed to Sirimon Gate (Sirimon Park Gate), 1 hr, 2440m. From the gate follow the track as it winds uphill though the forest which becomes heath land after about 3 hrs. About 3½ hours from the gate the track veers right to Judmier Camp, 3300m for dinner and overnight.

Meal Plan: L,D

Day 2: JUDMAIER CAMP – SHIPTON CAMP (4200M)

After breakfast, follow the track uphill, forking left at the junction. Following one hour trekking from Old Moses Camp, the track crosses Ontulili River. Go right contouring through the Moorland and crossing Liki North. Continue uphill to Mackinders Valley from where there are panoramic views up the valley towards the main peaks (Nelion, Batian and Lenana). Dinner and overnight at Shipton Camp, 4200m.

Meal Plan: B,L,D

DAY 3: SHIPTON – MACKINDER’S CAMP (4200M)

For better acclimatization we kick off our peak circuit trek. Today we go anticlockwise, first through Hausberg Col at 4591m, and then pass between Oblong and Hausberg Tarns.
You then climb up to Nanyuki and Two Tarns before descending to Mackinder’s Camp on the South Western side of the peak, at about 4200 meters for dinner and overnight.

Meal Plan: B,L,D

DAY 4: MACKINDER’S CAMP – POINT LENANA (4,985M) – AUSTRIAN HUT (4,720M)

Today we continue our trek up to Top Hut (Austrian Hut) 4,800m. From this Hut we make a short ascent of Point Lenana, 4,985m,. Point Lenana is the common trekker’s Mount Kenya ” Summit”

Meal Plan: B,L,D

DAY 5: AUSTRIAN HUT – NELION (5188M) – BATIAN (5199M)

(CLIMBING DAY) South East Face of Nelion Grade IV. 7 Hours to BATIAN.

Meal Plan: B,L,D

DAY 6: AUSTRIAN HUT– MERU MOUNT KENYA BANDAS LODGE

After breakfast our trek out begins and we are to hike down by the Scenic Chogoria Route . Our trek out begins with a descent to Mintos Hut. From here we follow the backbone of a ridge, overlooking the spectacular Gorges Valley . Loosing elevation fast we leave the high moorlands and enter into the forest belt that surrounds Mount Kenya . As we approach the cabins of Meru Mount Kenya Bandas (our destination for the night) we are most likely to spot Cape buffalo, Bush Buck, and tracks of other wild animals. The Bandas are a welcome luxury! With hot showers, a fine evening logs fire, a BED! Without mentioning a cold beer.

Meal Plan: B,L,D

DAY 7: MERU BANDAS – CHOGORIA TOWN – NAIROBI

After breakfast we hike the first hour or so enjoying the bamboo forest. We often see Elephant tracks, and signs of many other wild animals. We continue further down up to the 10 kilometer mark where we are picked up by a 4 by 4 wheel drive vehicle and continue the drive to Chogoria town and switch to another vehicle for transfer back to Nairobi arriving by 17:hrs.

Meal Plan: B,L