What is the altitude of Mt Kenya?

It is 4895m or 16355 ft above sea level.

Is Mt Kenya easier than Kilimanjaro?

The only thin that makes it "easier" is the altitude gain as it is not as high as Kilimanjaro but it is still a very step climb to summit. Different routes also offer different degrees of difficulty

Will we see much game and wildlife on Mt Kenya?

Mt Kenya is in a national wildlife park and so the chance of seeing animals like Giraffe and Buffalo as well as monkeys is high.

How many routes are there on Mt Kenya?

There are three main routes on the mountain that cater for 90% of all trekkers visiting the mountain- Naro Moru to the West, Sirimon on the North West and Chogoria on the South East. Most people go up and down a combination of these three. You can camp or use huts on all three days and the trek is normally 5 days to go up to Point Lenana and back down again.

How long does it take to climb Mount Kenya?

Typically Mount Kenya Climb takes a minimum of 3 days along the shortest routes, but it is best done in 5 days to get the most out of the trek and ensure better acclimatization.

When is the best time to climb Mt Kenya?

Like Kilimanjaro or Mt Meru in Tanzania, June to October is the best. Kenya is equatorial which means minimal variation between the seasons. However, there are two rainy seasons; the first is from March to May (short rains) and November to December (longer rains) which can make the forest track very muddy and of course, snow and/or rain higher up.

SIRIMON-CHoGORIA

SIRIMON CHOGORIA ROUTE

The Sirimon Chogoria route is one of the most scenic and diverse trekking routes to the summit of Mount Kenya, combining two of the mountain’s most beautiful and contrasting paths. Starting from the Sirimon Route on the west side of Mount Kenya, trekkers experience dry, rocky terrain with giant trees and stunning glacial views.

As you descend onto the Chogoria path, the scenery transforms, offering lush bamboo forests, highland woodlands, dramatic gorges, waterfalls, and mountain tarns.

Sirimon Route: A Popular Ascent with Glacial Scenery
The Sirimon Route is the most popular approach to Mount Kenya's summit, favored for its relatively gradual ascent and incredible glacial scenery. The route starts from the Sirimon Park Gate, where trekkers head up along an old 4x4 road track through the dusty lowlands. The path gradually enters the forest, leading to Old Moses Hut at 3,350 meters, offering self-service accommodation. This section provides trekkers with their first stunning views of the mountain’s glacial features.

Acclimatization at Liki North Hut
Altitude sickness can be a concern for trekkers on Mount Kenya, so we include an extra day of acclimatization at Liki North Hut before summiting at Point Lenana. This extra day helps ensure that your body adjusts to the high altitude, improving your chances of reaching the summit safely. The Liki North Hut route is a favored one, as it gives trekkers an additional day to acclimatize, which is crucial for successful high-altitude treks.

The Trek to Mackinder Valley and Shipton’s Camp
After Old Moses Hut, trekkers can choose between two routes: the direct route to Mackinder Valley, or the longer route that passes through Liki North Hut. The direct route contours the moorland across ridges, crossing the Liki North River, and then ascending to Mackinder Valley. Once in the valley, trekkers will head up to the cliffs beneath Shipton’s Cave, where Shipton’s Camp (4,250 meters) offers accommodation for 40 people.

Descent via Mintos Tarn and Gorges Valley
After reaching Point Lenana (the summit of Mount Kenya), the descent begins via Mintos Tarn, continuing through Gorges Valley with its lush vegetation and stunning landscapes. The route leads down to Mt Meru Kenya Bandas, where trekkers spend the night. The descent offers breathtaking views of proteas in bloom during the season and dramatic gorges that make this trek one of the most scenic in Africa.

Highlights of the Sirimon Chogoria Route:
Scenic diversity: From dry, rocky terrain to lush bamboo forests and dramatic gorges, the Sirimon Chogoria route offers diverse landscapes that captivate trekkers at every turn.
Acclimatization: The extra day at Liki North Hut helps trekkers adjust to the high altitude, ensuring a safer and more enjoyable experience.
Summit and descent: Reach the iconic Point Lenana and enjoy a stunning descent through Mintos Tarn, Gorges Valley, and massive proteas groves during peak season.
Glacial views: The Sirimon Route offers fantastic views of Mount Kenya’s glaciers, including the Mackinder Valley and Shipton’s Cave.

A Trekking Experience Like No Other
The Sirimon Chogoria route is one of the most rewarding treks in Africa, combining breathtaking scenery, varied terrain, and the opportunity to experience Mount Kenya’s highest peaks. With careful acclimatization, you’ll reach the summit at Point Lenana and enjoy some of the most stunning views of the Kenyan Highlands and the surrounding glacial landscapes.

If you are looking for answers to specific questions, read here

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SIRIMON CHOGORIA route at a glance

Overnight in Tents and huts on the mountain

From 5 trekking days but best done in 6 days

Starts from the West and end in the east near the village of Chogoria

Longer but more scenic approach

Summit via Liki North and Shiptons Camp

SIRIMON CHOGORIA ROUTE ITINERARY

Day-1: Old Moses camp (3300m)

At 08:30hrs, we will depart Nairobi and transfer to Mt Kenya Sirimon Gate at 2600m. After meeting our trekking crew we will trek through the lush forest belt for about 9km, towards Old Moses camp (3300m) for our overnight stay. Picnic lunch & dinner. (3-4 hours)

Day-2: Liki North Camp (3990m)

Todays trek starts with a short 300m climb up the hill behind the hut to an old communications station. Just beyond this point the track splits with the left hand route proceeding to the Mackinder Valley direct, and the right hand route going via the Liki North Hut. The route via Liki North hut is tougher but also more beautiful with better acclimatisation chances. Liki North routes heas up towards a rounded hill called the Barrow and then along a marshy trail down to the Liki North Hut (3,990m). The hut no longer exists but there is a campsite.

Day-3: Liki North to Shiptons Camp 4200m

Our hike today climbs the ridge and then descends into the Mackinder Valley to join the direct route. This will take us along the standard route from the valley floor to join the Mackinders Valley, as we trek up to an altitude of 4200m, to Shiptons Camp. On the way, we will come across the giant groundsel and sunbirds, as well as various streams which tend to make the ground quite marshy in places. Picnic lunch & dinner. (5-6 hours)

Day-4: Shiptons to Pt Lenana to Mintos Hut 4300m

At about 03h00, we will begin our trek toward to Point Lenana at 4985m, aiming to reach there around 06h30 for a sunrise summit. We then descend to Mintos Hut or tarn area for an overnight stay in in tents at 4300m. (5 hours)

Day-5: Meru Mount Kenya Bandas

We spend about 5 hours descending to Chogoria Park Gate for our overnight stay, at Meru Mount Kenya Bandas. (5 hours

Day-5: Chogoria

Today, we will have a leisurely descend leisurely through the Chogoria forest to connect with our transfer vehicle to Nairobi after your Mt Kenya Trek.

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bELOW ARE SOME OF THE QUESTIONS WE ARE FREQUENTLY ASKED about mount KENYA

Is Mt Kenya a technical climb?

Mt Kenya comprises three peaks, two of which are technical climbs and one which is a trekking peak. The two major technical rock and ice climbing peaks are called Nelion and Batian. The third peak is known as Point Lenana and is a trekking peak, easily achieved via hiking or walking. Our Mt Kenya treks all go to Lenana, so our tours are to the trekking peak where no technical expertise is needed.

What is the highest peak of Mt Kenya?

The highest peaks of the mountain are Batian 5,199 metres (17,057 ft), followed by Nelion 5,188 metres (17,021 ft) and finally Point Lenana 4,985 metres (16,355 ft).

Do we stay in huts or camp on Sirimon Chogoria route?

It really depends on which route you take as some have shared mountain huts and others use tents. A number of huts are found on all the main routes. The mains camps on the western ascent routes are: Sirimon - Old Moses Camp, Liki North Camp and Shiptons Camp and then on Naro Moru route there is Met Station, Mackinders Camp and Austrian Hut just below Pt Lenana. On the Chogoria route there is also the Chogoria Bandas. When following Sirimon Chogoria along Liki North you need to camp at Liki North and Mintos Tarn.

How long does it take to climb Mt Kenya?

The shortest number of days required to climb to Lenana on Mt Kenya is three days. The longest trek is around 6 days. It all depends on which route you choose. As a general rule of thumb, any trek where the ascent is very quick makes the overall success rate, lower, so it is better to add on extra days to increase your chances of success.

What are the routes to climb Mt Kenya?

• The following are the major and frequently used routes:-
• The Chogoria route leads from Chogoria town up to the peaks circuit path
• The Naromoru route is taken by many of the trekkers who try to reach Point Lenana in a few days.
• The Sirimon route approaches Mount Kenya from the plains in the Nanyuki Timau area on the north-west.

When is the best time or months to climb Mt Kenya?

The warmest months with the clearest trekking days, are from mid to late December, January, February, September and October. The rains often come in April and the start of May with the possibility of some snow. June through to August are superb trekking months, though evening temperatures tend to be colder. The wettest months are November and early December, where snowfalls are likely. Note however, that as this is a mountain it is not impossible to get sporadic snow or rainfall at odd times throughout the year, although the snow normally only falls above 4800m.

How will the altitude affect me?

This is a really difficult one to answer directly - "how will I cope with the altitude". To be honest, this is an ' unknown' factor as no-one can predict how your body will cope at altitude. People who have been to altitude many times in the past without problems, may on one climb suddenly develop problems. There are many factors that play a role. The only way to help combat this, is to take all of the necessary precautions, and walk slowly, pole pole.

Where can I get climbing Insurance for Mount Kenya?

If you are going hiking or climbing or trekking then you need extra cover for your activities. Hiking and Climbing have become popular for many adventure seekers looking to add a climb up Kilimanjaro or a trek to Everest Base Camp, Annapurna or even Island Peak to their list of amazing adventures. But any climb to high altitude carries with it a number of risks and having the correct and good trekking insurance is an absolute must. We recommend two different groups depending on which country you reside in. For further details, click on the icon