5 Days Mount Kenya Climb Sirimon Naromoru Route

You’ll be picked up from airport or Nairobi hotel in the morning and journey north past diverse agricultural lands and landscapes to the slopes of Mount Kenya. After meeting your crew you’ll have a full briefing and equipment check. Each person has a personal porter and there are extra porters for food and camping equipment. Today is a short walk to the first hut at 3,340m, a total ascent of 740m in just 2-3 hours. On this route, you will pass through zones of dense forest, bamboo, giant heather and out onto high open moorland. The trail follows a dirt road that has recently been put in by the Kenya Wildlife Service to reduce response times to emergencies on the mountain. The dense vegetation is home to buffalo, elephants and is teeming with birdlife. Whilst there will be evidence of large game everywhere, your chances of seeing them are small. Approx 10km / 2.5 hrs from Sirimon Gate with 740m altitude gain from the gate.

Meals Included: Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Old Moses Hut

In order to aid acclimatization we break the ascent from Old Moses to Shipton’s with a night at Liki North Camp (3990m). Today is a moderate day which leaves plenty of sleeve to take your time. Reach camp by early to midafternoon and recommend taking a short afternoon walk higher for altitude gain and descend back to the camp. Approx. 5 hours walking and 850m ascent

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Camping at Liki North Camp

After a short touch climb out of the valley we drop into the main Liki Valley from where it is comparatively easy going up the broad valley past a bizarre jurassic landscape of glacial features, giant lobellia and Senecio plants. There is a strong chance you will see beautiful sunbirds and the Hyrax, a close relative of the elephant, but more like a baby seal in size and shape. Finally there is a further short climb past Mackinders Caves before reaching Shiptons Camp where you’ll enjoy a much deserved rest. Again a short acclimatization walk to gain 100m before descending back to the camp is recommended for acclimatization.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Shiptons Camp Hut

The big day, after a very early 3am start and a quick cup of tea and biscuits it is time to don all the layers you can manage and head out into the pitch dark. The early start is designed to get you to the summit just in time for sunrise. It also increases your chances of summiting without cloud cover. The climb is a steady ascent up scree and rock, with a scramble up the last 30m. The views from Point Lenana are superb, showing off the tarns, glaciers and jagged peaks of Mount Kenya at their resplendent best. On a clear day, you can see Mount Kilimanjaro in the distance. Temperatures can be very cold on the summit (as cold as -20 degrees C plus wind chill) so after quick photos and a moment to take it all in, you’ll head back down again. After a 2 hour walk past the glacier down loose scree you will reach Mackinder’s Camp and a very welcome hearty breakfast. If you are feeling up to it after a couple of hours rest you can head on down the further 9km to Met Station for the overnight, if not you can rest and stay the night at Mackinder’s. Approx. 750m up and 3km in length to Point Lenana (4985m) followed by 685m descent and 3.5km to Mackinder’s Camp (4,300m) or onto Met Station (4hrs) to reduce the walking distance on the last day.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Mackinder’s Camp or Met Station (both huts)

A long descent through attractive vegetation on the windward side of the mountain. The trail winds through the infamous vertical bog, dense bamboo and virgin rain forest to meet the vehicles at the park headquarters at Naromoru gate. There will be time for a shower and lunch at Mountain Rock Lodge at the foot of the mountain before proceeding with your onwards plans. If you are heading back to Nairobi expect to get there by early evening. Walk 22km / 6 hours from Mackinder’s Camp (4,300m) to Naro Moru Gate (2,600m)