We start hiking from Sirimon route which offers some of the finest and easy walking reaching Shiptons camp. The route starts on the northwest side of the mountain near Nanyuki town. Access is adequate and the sleeping huts are good although there’s camping option too.
Hiking down the Chogoria route is the most scenic of all the principal routes as it offers the best sceneries and photogenic to its users.
Lenana Peak is the highest summit of Mt Kenya that most hikers access without technical support at 4,985m.
Nelion Peak is the Second highest summit on Mount Kenya at 5,188m (17021ft). The south east side normal route tackling Nelion peak it is in condition from December – Mid March from Austrian Hut base camp at 4,790m.
Batian Peak is the highest summit on Mount Kenya at 5,199m (17,057 ft).
The rocks hold granite rock which runs vertically and horizontally with weathered fissures but they offer good holds and friction. Helmets are recommended. Although the guide leads, it is important to have good belay skills when following and be familiar with all types of belay devices. Controlling the risks and hazards relies highly on your skills and experience as well of those of the guide. Below is a 7 days rock climbing itinerary up Sirimon and down Chogoria routes.
Hike Highlights;
INCLUDES IN THE COSTS;
EXCLUDES IN THE COSTS;
Altitude Gain from Nairobi; 1,500m
Hiking distance; 9km in 3 hours
Habitat; Rain forests
Accommodation; Old Moses hut with bank beds or Tent.
Meal Plan; Lunch & Dinner
Leave from your pick hotel or residence around 8.00 am and drive along the great northern highway of Kenya passing the central highlands to plain fields arriving Nanyuki town in 4 hours. Make your final snack shopping from this town, meet the rest of your climbing crew (porters) and continue driving to Mount Kenya Sirimon gate for another 45 minutes.
Lunch will be provided by our cook, check in the park and start your hiking along a paved road through rain forest with high chances of spotting wildlife.
Altitude Gain; 900m
Hiking distance; 14km in 7-8 hours
Habitat; Alpine bush & moorland
Accommodation; Shiptons hut with bank beds or Tent.
Meal Plan; Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After having breakfast, leave the camp trekking along a single trail through alpine and moorland vegetation crossing Ontulili, Likii and Mackinders valleys that offers great sceneries, fresh water rivers and like no other alpine vegetations.
Lunch will have been packed for you to ensuring a no hesitation experiences.
Altitude Gain; 700m
Altitude Drop from Lenana peak to Austrian Hut: 195m.
Hiking Distance; 3km in 4-5hrs
Habitat; Bare Rocks and snow
Accommodation; Austrian Hut with bank beds or Tent.
Meal Plan; Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Optional climbing Lenana peak in the dark or on an early morning after breakfast, whereby you can discuss with your guide to which preference will suit you. The hike takes 3 hours reaching this highest peak of the Mt Kenya that you can access without technical support.
Afterwards continue to Austrian Hut for relaxing and acclimatization.
Altitude Gain from Austrian Hut to Batian Peak; 409m.
Altitude Gain from Austrian Hut to Nelion Peak; 398m
Accommodation; Austrian hut/tents
Habitat; Vertical granite rock
Meal Plan; Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
When the weather is clear one of these two days, have an early breakfast at around 0430 hours, pack your gears and head out in the dark crossing Lewis Glacier up to the base of Nelion, which normally takes 1.5 hours walk. Start your climb at 7:00 am, arriving Nelion peak (5,188m) at around 1:00 pm.
This route is about 400 meters vertical and don’t follow a direct line. Much of climbing on this route is not above Grade III. This climb is completed in one long day in a series of up to 18 solo pitches with longest pitches around 50-60 meters. Well acclimatized and fit climbers climb swiftly and reach the summit of Nelion in about 8 hours. It is possible for them to cross the Gate of Mists [Grade IV] to Batian peak in another 3 hours, though sometimes is difficult because of snow or ice while on transverse. Making a bivouac on the summit of Nelion at Howell’s hut is possible if the darkness caught up before descent.
Abseiling follows a slightly different route to the ascent using bolted rings on the rock. It is important to be completely familiar with rope work and all associated skills Traverse the Gate of Mist [note here you need ice axe and crampons].
Altitude Drop; 1,340m
Habitat; Alpine moorland and giant heather.
Hiking Distance; 11km in 5-6hrs
Meal Plan; Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
After an action-packed multiple pitches climb and safely return to base camp, have your breakfast and head down via Chogoria route passing via Mintos camp to Ellis for a relaxed overnight by the alpine lake.
Dinner and Overnight at the Lake Ellis camp.
Altitude Drop; 1,650m
Habitat; Giant heather & rain forests
Hiking Distance; 11km in 3-4hrs
Meal Plan; Breakfast
After having breakfast, leave the camp trekking down with a detour via the scenic Nithi waterfalls reaching Chogoria exit with high chances of spotting wildlife, check out of the park gate and board on your waiting ride driving back to Nairobi hotel for your onward destination next day.
END OF THE TRIP.
