Climbing Mount Kenya,Trekking guide

Climbing to 5,199 meters, Mount Kenya is the second tallest mountain in Africa. The scenery surrounding this designated World Heritage Site is breathtaking. It is a pristine wilderness with lakes, tarns, glaciers, dense forest, mineral springs, and a selection of rare and endangered species of animals, high altitude adapted plains game, and unique montane and alpine vegetation. Visitors can enjoy mountain climbing, camping, and caving with the mountain’s rugged glacier-clad peaks providing the perfect backdrop.

Weather, Climate, and Season.

Although Mount Kenya can be climbed all year round, the highest rainfall occurs between late March and the middle of May and slightly less between late October and mid-December.

Temperatures vary considerably with height and with a time of day. On the plains surrounding Mount Kenya, the average day temperature is about 25°C. At 3000m. frosts can be encountered at night while day temperatures range from 5 to 15°C. Night-time temperatures on the summit are well below freezing. The south-facing side of Mount Kenya receives more sunshine in the December to March period. During this time rock climbs are “in-condition” and snow and ice climbs gradually deteriorate. In the June to October period, the north-facing rock climbs and south-facing ice climbs are best.

Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints!

Trips

Climb Mount Kenya- Naro-Moru – Sirimon Route 4 Day

This is the fastest route to Point Lenana( 4,985m). It approaches from the west side of the mountain and is also one of the steepest routes. The route is not particularly scenic but has some of the best tourist accommodations. Most climbers begin at the park gate, although it is possible to drive a vehicle as far as the Met station (3050 meters). Among the challenges in this route include the vertical bog and the extremely steep trail on looses gravel while going up

Mount Kenya trek Chogoria – Sirimon 4 Day

The descent by the Sirimon route takes one through some beautiful forest tracks and completes the traverse of the mountain.

Trip Highlights:

Traverse the mountain from East to North via the Chogoria and Sirimon routes.
Climb Point Lenana, the highest trekking peak on Mount Kenya.
Ascend via the quieter and most dramatic Chogoria route

Mt Kenya trekking: Sirimon – Chogoria 4 Days

This creative climb joins two of the most scenic routes up Mount Kenya, Sirimon and Chogoria, producing a remarkably diverse and spectacular trek. Sirimon coming off the west of Mount Kenya passes through the dry side of the mountain with its giant trees and rocky terrain, and the descent onto the Chogoria path is exactly different with its lush bamboo and highland forests. The final nighttime ascent of Point Lenana can be as difficult as any ascent in East Africa, but the rest of the trek is generally considered easier than either Kilimanjaro or the Rwenzoris.

Mt Kenya Trekking Sirimon – Chogoria Traverse.

The Sirimon route is a good five-day hike for those who have not trekked much at high altitudes, with an effective extra day`s acclimatization, giving a better success rate. Experienced and already acclimatized hikers may opt for the more difficult 4-day ascent along the Sirimon route. This route is really attractive and is undoubtedly the busiest route on mount Kenya. Over 5 days, you have a fantastic trip and a great chance of summiting successfully. The climb begins at Sirimon gate, at an altitude of 2,600m, with an approach on the Northern side of the mountain. It passes through the Majestic forest on the first day, before continuing up the mountain to reach Old Moses camp at 3,300m.

Accommodation on this hike is in mountain huts. Nonetheless, if you prefer to camp you can do so all night on the mountain.

Mount Kenya Climb Chogoria – Sirimon 5 Days

The Chogoria route is our recommended African Climbing Tour and arguably the most magnificent ascent route to the summit area of Mount Kenya. It is the driest route up the mountain and the walk beside the is truly spectacular.

The descent by the Sirimon route takes one through some beautiful forest tracks and completes the traverse of the mountain.

Accommodation on this hike is 2 nights in mountain huts and 2 nights camping. Nonetheless, if you prefer to camp you can do so all night on the mountain

Highlights:

Combining two of the most scenic routes on Mount Kenya
Spectacular views of the mountain through the Gorges valley
Varied mountain vegetation from Rain-forest, Bamboo, Moorland and Giant Lobelia
The chance to acclimatize at 3,300m

Mount Kenya climb Sirimon – Chogoria (6 Day)

Challenge yourself to climb Mount Kenya and experience the exhilaration of trekking the second highest mountain in Africa. Mount Kenya (pt. Lenana) stands at 4,985 meters and is an amazing 6-day trek in some of the most beautiful scenery Kenya has to offer. On your final summit day, an early start sees you on the summit circuit path, which is arguably the finest walking trail in all of East Africa. Experience stunning views, tarns, glaciers, ice-carved rock formations, and precipitous valleys, before ideally reaching Point. Lenana to see a spectacular African sunrise.

Mount Kenya Hike 6 Days Chogoria – Sirimon

The descent by the Sirimon route takes one through some beautiful forest tracks and completes the traverse of the mountain. Accommodation on this trek is 3 nights in mountain huts and 2 nights camping. Nonetheless, if you prefer to camp you can do so all night on the mountain.

Mount Kenya Climb: Burguret – Chogoria Traverse 6 Day

Going up this route is a challenge: rough underfoot, an overgrown track more used by elephants than humans, muddy when wet, no huts, and dense stands of giant bamboo and montane forest -why would you want to take it? Well, it's for real wilderness aficionados.

The route was pioneered during colonial days and then abandoned for many years until it was re-opened in the early '90s. It provides a unique and completely natural mountain trekking experience. Up to point Lenana then descend on the Chogoria route provides the most spectacular views and completes a traverse of Mount Kenya.

Gentle hike down a broad ridge enjoying magnificent views back up the valley to the Mt Kenya snowy peaks, and down to waterfalls, tarns and lava flows in the Gorges Valley itself. Overnight in the Meru Mt. Kenya cabins - log fires, hot showers, beds - and if the supply vehicles have made it up through the forest, Tusker beers! Wildlife viewing possible in the evening with elephants and buffalo often grazing outside our cabins and a large number of forest and moorland birds.

Mount Kenya Trekking Chogoria – Point Lenana

The Chogoria route is our recommended and arguably the most magnificent ascent route to the summit area. It is the driest route up the mountain and the walk beside the Gorges Valley truly spectacular. This trip allows 7 days with time to acclimatize and ascend the mountain in safety. The "Round the Peaks" circuit is justifiably a magnificent tour to complete offering ever-new views of the summits, glaciers, and tarns with their unique high altitude vegetation. The descent by the Sirimon route takes one through some beautiful forest tracks and completes the traverse of the mountain.

Accommodation on this hike is 4 nights in mountain huts and 2 nights camping. Nonetheless, if you prefer to camp you can do so on all night on the mountain

Mount Kenya Climbing: Timau – Chogoria Route

The Timau route, the main access route on the north side of the mountain, lies in a major rain shadow. Because of this, there is a very little forest on this side of the mountain. However, since you are inside a low rainfall zone it generally makes for a drier safari and a more pleasant trek.

The slope is gentle and because the peaks on Mount Kenya line up east to west the views from the north give you the impression you are trekking into a whole mountain range.

Mount Kenya Rock Climbing Batian

Go To Mount Kenya has qualified professional guides who are trained to lead rock climbing expeditions to Batian and Nelion on Mount Kenya. The Guides have undergone training with NOLS Africa.

Anybody intending to Summit Mt Kenya (Batian and Nelion) needs to be 5.9 American Standard climber or hard server European standard. You need at least two days plus normal hiking time for Batian or Nelion.

Climbing Mount Kenya is serious and it is important to acclimatize well before tackling the main summit.

Mount Kenya Climbing Nelion-Batian

The preferred route on Nelion is the MacKinders route. This is a 5th class rock route to a maximum difficulty of 5.6. There are easier sections where the party can move together, but typically, some 17 plus pitches are belayed. The descent is by the same route, with a few of the rappels taking more direct lines down the cleaner rock. This is a fun route, on generally good rock, sunny. Rock shoes are appropriate. Approach boots can be left at the base of the route. Though still long, this route is considered to be easier than the North Face Standard Route on Batian. With better rock and a sunnier position, it is also more fun.

The climbing season is usually November through March when the southeast face of the Nelion peak is relatively snow-free and climbing conditions are best.

To give you a clearer picture of the trip, kindly see below an itinerary for the entire climb.

“Come touch the sky”