This is the year of experiencing mountain differently, we seek to reach the summits but we also commit to being aware of every moment on the way… we call it connection with self and nature, a beautiful journey up this snow-capped mountain of East Africa right at the Equator.
Mt. Kenya is one of the places every human should visit at least once in a lifetime. It offers a wholesome experience of fun, connection and self-discovery; so come with us and create your memories..and live to tell your mountain story!
Below is a brief description of the route…
Day 1: Nairobi – Giant Bamboo Camp – 2,600m.
We leave Nairobi at 7.00am expected in Nanyuki at 11.00 am, have an early lunch in Nanyuki as we meet our support team of guides and porters and soon afterward, take a transfer vehicle to Gathiuru Forest gate approximately 17kms taking about an hour’s drive.
We start our trek at Gathiuru Forest Station 2000m ASL. From here it is a beautiful walk through dense partly indigenous forest and towering bamboo to Giant Bamboo camp. On the way we will be lucky to sight enough bird species especially the scarlet winged turacos and monkeys, even luckier we might sight Elephants and Buffalos. We are expected at the camp at 4.30pm where we enjoy the evening, have dinner and rest in preparation for tomorrow.
Day 2: Giant Bamboo Camp – Highland Castle – 3,700m ASL
We have our breakfast at 7.30 am and start our hike at 8.00am. The trek is approximately 11kms taking about 5-6hours and a total ascent of 1,100M. The beautiful and calming bamboo forest gives way to enormous welcoming podocarpus and pencil cedar forest. As if the this is not enough, as we climb higher we pass through the reddish hard to ignore Hygenia or Hypercium zone also known as the rosewood zone (generally found at 2850-3000m). We camp the night close to the sheer lava cliffs of the Highlands Castle Camp.
Day 3: Highland Castle Camp – Shipton’s Camp – 4,236m
Today we enter the Giant Lobelia Zone. We go up 900m before going down 400m to aid our bodies in acclimatization. We start the day again at 7.30am aiming for Shipton’s Camp via Hausberg col (4,600m ASL) . The main peaks will be the main attraction of the day with amazing views of the volcanic peaks and the few remaining glaciers. From the camp we enjoy the exotic views of all the main peaks including our aim Lenana, other include Nelion, the big one Batian and the lesser one but no less beautiful Terere and Sendeyo.
We take some good rest in the evening as we prepare for an early morning in summit bid.
Day 4: Point Lenana – 4,985m / Old Moses Camp – Nairobi
This is the longest day of this trek . We start off at 4.30am after a light breakfast aiming to reach point Lenana at 6.30 am as the sun pierces the edges of earth, quite a spectacle for you to take in. Views of the Aberdares and Kilimanjaro if the day is clear are excellent. We take our moments here this is what we came all the way.. nature to awe us, to cleanse our souls and renew our spirit.
After celebrations at the top, we start down to Shipton Camp (4200m) in 1.5hrs hours for our second breakfast then proceed further down to Old Moses Camp where our transfer vehicle awaits and drive to Nairobi.
