7 days Mount kenya siremon route climb
7 days mount kenya Siremon route climb
Mount Kenya Climb Days 1–7
- Climb Mount Kenya via scenic trekking trails..
- Pass through forests, moorlands, and alpine landscapes.
- Acclimatize gradually for a higher summit success rate.
- Reach Point Lenana, Mount Kenya's trekking summit
- Enjoy spectacular sunrise views from the summit.
- Descend through beautiful mountain landscapes.
Day 1
Nairobi – Sirimon Gate – Old Moses Camp (3,300m)
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Arrive in Nairobi between 7-8 am where an East Africa Adventure representative will meet us. We leave Nairobi and drive towards Mt Kenya National Park through the Great Rift Valley, at its deepest point (in Kenya) north of Nairobi. As we drive through African plans it is easy to forget we are actually in the bottom of the world’s biggest valley system, the Great Rift Valley, which stretches roughly 5000 km in all and is in fact the reason that Mt Kenya, actually came to be. On a more local scale small communities, shepherds, Maasai Bomas (villages of mud and straw huts) and expansive views provide interest and an insight into Kenya whist we transfer to Bandas lodge near the mountain. Arriving for lunchtime we have the afternoon free as it has been a long journey, less than 24 hours passed since leaving the UK but we are ready to start our trek up the former volcano Mt Keya, have seen a small part of Africa and are in the
Great Rift Valley!
Distance: 9 km (5.6 mi)
Approximate Hiking Time: 3–4 Hours
Camping site; Old Moses Camp (3,300m)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
“Mount Kenya is an extinct volcano estimated to be over three million years old.”
Acclimatization Status; Good Start
(3,300 m / 10,827 ft)
Most trekkers feel comfortable at this altitude. The body begins adapting to thinner air while enjoying a gradual ascent through moorland landscapes.
Day 2
Old Moses Camp – Shipton's Camp (4,200m)
Leaving the lodge we drive to Mt Kenya National Park and transfer to 4 wheel drive vehicles to reach Chogoria Gate. The road to the gate climbs gradually up the lower slopes through mountain forest, home to bamboo and animals including antelope, colobus monkeys and many forest dwelling birds like turaco’s and bee eaters. This is the start of Chogoria trekking route on the east side of the mountain and the most spectacular approach to the peaks, as they catch the morning such making for great
photo opportunitie. The impressive outlines of the peaks make it easy to see why it is sacred for the Kikuyu tribe that have lived and farmed at its base for more than 400 years. This near the Equator it still seems surprising there are 15 glaciers and regular snowfall on the highest slopes but the altitude means the conditions are alpine. The snow and rain on the mountain forms streams and rivers, which feed the lakes on the lower slopes, and Kenya’s largest river, the Tana, flows roughly 250 miles//400 kms from Mt Kenya to the Indian Sea. Hydro-electric stations have been built along it and they supply Kenya with a large amount of its electricity. One of these lakes is the site of our first camp, Lake Ellis at 3400 metres. It is roughly 3 hours of walking that takes us through some of the different climatic on the mountain.
Distance: 14 km (8.7 mi)
Approximate Hiking Time: 6–7 Hours
Camping site: Shipton’s Camp (4,200m)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
“Mount Kenya is home to unique plant species found nowhere else in the world.”
Acclimatization Status: Moderate
(4,200 m / 13,780 ft)
Altitude effects become more noticeable. Some trekkers may experience mild headaches, fatigue, or disturbed sleep as oxygen levels decrease.
Day 3
Acclimatization Day at Shipton's Camp
Today we trek for about 6 hours through moorland and can see giant lobelia’s that are unique to the high slopes of East African Mountains. These large flowering shrubs grow to over 3 metres tall and thrive where other plants wither, one the way to tonight’s camp the trek takes us past some of the many rivers and waterfalls, with views of Vivienne Falls and Gorges Valley. Our campsite for tonight is Lake Michaelson at 4000 metres, possibly one of the most photogenic areas of the mountain with the backdrop of impressive cliffs called ‘The Temple’ and the giant lobelias near camp.
Distance: 5 km (3.1 mi)
Approximate Hiking Time: 3–4 Hours
Camping site: Shipton’s Camp (4,200m)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Acclimatization Status: High Altitude
(4,985 m / 16,355 ft)
The summit attempt usually starts before dawn. Breathing becomes more difficult, and trekkers may feel tired more quickly due to reduced oxygen levels.
Day 4
Shipton's Camp – Austrian Hut (4,790m)
We leave camp today and follow the stream that flows into Lake Michaelson. As we get higher the vegetation decreases and is slowly replaced by hardy grasses and volcanic rock and ash. The only wildlife we may see are buzzards and eagles but there are small rodents in the cover of the rock, though buffalo and elephant skeletons have actually been found as high as 4400 metres. Our camp for tonight is samba Tarn (4600 metres) at the top of steep scree, below samba col on the north ridge to point lenana, (Simba is the Swahili word for lion). There are good views from camp both up to tomorrow’s summit and down to the moorland and forests. We reach camp in the early afternoon after about 5 hours trekking leaving plenty of time for resting and sorting our gear out for the start to the summit early in the morning.
Distance: 6 km (3.7 mi)
Approximate Hiking Time: 4–5 Hours
Camping site: Austrian Hut (4,790m)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Acclimatization Status: Very Challenging
(4,790 m / 15,715 ft)
Austrian Hut is the highest mountain hut on Mount Kenya and is located just below the main peaks, Batian and Nelion. At this altitude, oxygen levels are significantly reduced, and many trekkers begin to feel the effects of high altitude.
Day 5
Austrian Hut – Point Lenana (4,985m) – Mintos Camp (4,200m)
Aiming to leave camp for the summit by 4 am we need to get up at 3 am. It is about an hour and a half to reach Simba Col and and roughly 30 minutes more to Point Lenana, at 4985 metres, this is Mt Kenya’s trekking peak. The true summit is reached by way of rock climbing and only experienced and wellequipped parties should attempt to reach the top, Point Lenana is the recognized high point for trekkers, s it requires no technical climbing, it is cold at this height until the sun comes up but we should be climbing through this and reach the summit in time for sunrise over the African Plains. On a clear day the views from the summit are of the plateau and steppes of the Great Rift Valley stretching out below and over 250 km away over the African plains the glaciers of Mt Kilimanjaro can be seen catching the first rays of the morning sun, after photos we descend the same route past Simba tarn and stop at a different campsite called Shiptons camp where we will stop for a celebratory breakfast, which is very welcome, from here we now join a different path, and the rest of the day is spent descending on
the Sirimon route, through moorland on the north of Lenana to a height of roughly 3400 metres where we will camp for the last time on Mt Kenya at the ‘Old Moses’ camp site. The summit day on Mt Kenya has a height gain of roughly 350 metres from our top camp and a descent of 1600 metres in a total walking time of roughly 8 hours.
Distance: 10 km (6.2 mi)
Approximate Hiking Time: 7–9 Hours
Camping site: Mintos Camp (4,200m)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Acclimatization Status: High Altitude
(4,985 m / 16,355 ft)
The summit attempt usually starts before dawn. Breathing becomes more difficult, and trekkers may feel tired more quickly due to reduced oxygen levels.
Day 6
Mintos Camp – Meru Mount Kenya Bandas (2,950m)
The last day on Mt Kenya is spend trekking down through moorland and then forest, another chance to see the wildlife and flora of this unique volcano. It is about a 3 hour walk to the park gates to meet the cars and drive back to Nairobi. We stay at the Boulevard hotel and can clean up and relax in the swimming pool before our flight home early the next morning.
Distance: 16 km (10 mi)
Approximate Hiking Time: 6–7 Hours
Accommodation: Meru Mount Kenya Bandas (2,950m)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Acclimatization Status: Recovery
Descending to lower elevations increases oxygen availability, helping the body recover rapidly.
Day 7
Meru Mount Kenya Bandas – Chogoria Gate – Nairobi
After breakfast, continue your descent through lush forests and beautiful mountain scenery toward Chogoria Gate. Upon arrival, complete exit formalities and meet your transfer vehicle. Drive back to Nairobi while enjoying views of Kenya’s countryside. Arrive in the city during the afternoon, marking the end of an unforgettable Mount Kenya trekking adventure.
Distance: 10 km (6.2 mi)
Approximate Hiking Time: 2–3 Hours
Camping site: Not Included
Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch
Acclimatization Status: Recovery
Descending to lower elevations increases oxygen availability, helping the body recover rapidly.
Items included:
- All national park entry fees and conservation fees
- Professional, experienced mountain guides
- Dedicated mountain cook and support crew
- Porters for carrying camping equipment and supplies
- Quality mountain tents and camping equipment
- Sleeping mattresses
- Three freshly prepared meals per day during the climb
- Tea, coffee, hot chocolate, and drinking water on the mountain
- Accommodation before and after the climb (if applicable)
- Daily health monitoring and basic first-aid support
- Emergency oxygen cylinder
- Emergency evacuation arrangements
- Mount Kenya summit certificate
- Government taxes and VAT
Items not included:
- International and domestic flights
- Tanzania visa fees
- Travel and mountain rescue insurance
- Laundry services
- Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks
- Personal expenses and souvenirs
- Telephone calls and internet charge