Overview

4 days Mount Kenya – Sirimon Route Difficulty: Medium. Start / Finish: Nairobi or Diani Beach.

Tour Plan

Much more picturesque than Naro Moru and it is on the drier side of the mountain that offers some of the most beautiful walks. Hike through the rainforest up a wide ridge to the summit area. The route begins on the northwestern side of the mountain at Nanyuki. The ascent is reasonable and the sleeping berths are the best on this side of the mountain. Although Mount Kenya summit can be reached in 4 days, we strongly recommend an overnight stay at the Nanyuki base. This can be arranged for an extra charge. If you arrive from Diani Beach, you will be in Nanyuki one day earlier to acclimatize.

Day 1: Nairobi / Sirimon / Judmier Camp (Old Moses Camp) 3-4 hours, 9km, 860m altitude difference
They leave Nairobi at 8 am for lunch in Nanyuki, which takes about 4 hours. If you arrive the day before from Diani Beach, you are already in Nanyuki. You drive to Sirimon Gate, 1 hour, 2440m. From the gate you drive uphill through the rainforest, which becomes a heathland after about 3 hours. About 3½ hours away from the gate the route leads directly to Judmier Camp for dinner and overnight stay at 3300m. L, D

Day 2: Judmier Camp / Shipton Camp 6-7 hours, 14km, 900m ascent
After breakfast, follow the road uphill and turn left at the crossroads. After one hour from Old Moses Camp (Judmier Camp), the trail crosses the river Ontulili. Then turn right through the moorland and cross Likii North, then uphill to Mackinders Valley, from where you have a panoramic view over the valley to the main peaks. Dinner and overnight at Shipton Camp at 4200m. B,L,D

Day 3: Shipton Camp / Lenana summit / Judmaier Camp (Old Moses Camp) 9-10 hours, 21km
You leave the camp at 3am via a steep quarry that cuts through a visible part of the rock face of the lower mountain lakes and reach the Lenena summit at 6:30am. This takes about 3 hours. After sunrise the descent to Shipton Camp takes 2 hours for breakfast and further 4 hours down to Old Moses Camp for dinner and overnight. B,L,D

Day 4: Judmaier Camp / Sirimon / Nairobi 2-3 hours, 9km
Descent 2 hours for 15 km to the forest clearing to drive there with a 4×4 transfer vehicle to the Chogoria village, where a transfer vehicle waits back to Nairobi. B,L

Included / Not Included

After completion, trekking certificate
Catering plan as indicated: B=breakfast, L=lunch and D=dinner
National park & game reserve entrance fees as per itinerary
Supervised by an English speaking professional guide, carrier and experienced cook
Transfer to and from the foot of the mountain