Route Duration: First day at the base lodge / 5 days on the mountain
Total Hiking Distance: 72 km

Preamble: The Burguret Route is a wilderness path that is little used. Mountain Rock is proudly recognized as the company that revived treks on this route. We ascend to Point Lenana, the hiker's summit, via this nature trail, then descend on the gradual Sirimon Route. Accommodation on the trek is primarily camping in roomy mountain tents shared by two people. When camping on our trips, you will not have to participate in camp chores.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: MOUNTAIN ROCK LODGE - 1,950 m
A.M. transfer: Nairobi – Mountain Rock Lodge (200 km / 3.5 hrs).
P.M. acclimatization nature hike: (12 km / 3 hrs).
Habitat: Montane Forest.

D1 Details: Depart from Nairobi and travel north, passing great views of farmlands en route to the base of Mount Kenya. Arrive at Mountain Rock Lodge, an old country hotel tucked away in the forest on the western slopes of Mt. Kenya at an altitude of 2,000 m, in time for lunch. Afterward, embark on a culturally oriented walk through local Kikuyu villages and farms. This provides fascinating insights into the lives of the people living on the mountain slopes. To acclimatize to the terrain and altitude, trek back to the lodge through virgin montane forest, where you might spot Colobus monkeys and scarlet-winged turacos. For those not interested in the cultural walk, alternative activities include horse riding, trout fishing, mountain biking, or bird watching. Overnight at Mountain Rock Lodge. (L, D)

Day 2: GIANT BAMBOO CAMP – 2,600 m
A.M. transfer: Base lodge – Gathiuru Forest by car (15 km / 1 hr).
P.M. trek: Gathiuru Forest – Giant Bamboo Camp (2,200 m - 2,600 m).
Ascent: +740 m.
Span: 10 km / 4 hrs.
Habitat: Montane Forest / Bamboo / Hagenia Zones.

D2 Details: After breakfast, enjoy a full briefing and equipment check before beginning your trek. Meet the crew, including your personal porter. It takes about an hour to reach Gathiuru Forest Station (2,000 m), passing by the Mau Mau caves, which sheltered freedom fighters during the struggle for independence. Your guide will share stories about their survival techniques and the ecology of the forests. Continue on to Gathiuru Forest for a thrilling walk through dense forest and towering bamboo to reach Giant Bamboo Camp (2,600 m). Look out for brightly colored birds and various monkeys, as well as elephants and buffalo. (B, L, D)

Day 3: HIGHLAND CASTLE – 3,700 m
Trek: Giant Bamboo Camp - Highland Castle (2,600 m - 3,700 m).
Ascent: +1,100 m.
Span: Approx. 10 km / 5-6 hrs.
Habitat: Montane Forest / Bamboo / Hagenia Zones / Moorland.

D3 Details: The second day on the mountain involves a long hike over a slightly steeper stretch. The bamboo stands give way to enormous podocarpus and pencil cedar forests as you climb higher, passing through the Hagenia zone (rosewood zone). Spend the night close to the sheer lava cliffs of the “Highland Castle” (3,700 m). Expect a trekking time of around 5-6 hours. (B, L, D)

Day 4: SHIPTON’S CAMP – 4,236 m
Trek: Highland Castle via Hausberg Col (4,600 m) – Shipton’s Camp (3,700 m - 4,236 m).
Ascent: +900 m to Hausberg Col; Descent: -400 m to Shipton’s Camp.
Span: Approx. 10 km / 5-6 hrs.
Habitat: Moorland / Alpine Desert.

D4 Details: Today's walk is spectacular as you trek to the base of the high peaks, following the summit circuit trail in a clockwise direction. Enjoy amazing views of the jagged volcanic peaks and glaciers, and keep an eye out for eagles and buzzards overhead. Your target is Shipton’s Camp (4,236 m), located in Mackinder’s Valley. This camp is one of the few permanent camps on the mountain, so you may encounter other climbers for the first time today. From the camp, enjoy panoramic views of the main peaks, including Terere and Sendeyo, two ancient parasitic vents of the main peaks. Expect a trekking time of around 5-6 hours. Climbing high and sleeping low is excellent for acclimatization. (B, L, D)

Day 5: SUMMIT – 4,985m / OLDMOSES CAMP – 3,340m.
(Summit climb), Shipton’s camp (4,236m) – Pt. Lenana (4,985m) – Oldmoses Camp (3,340m).
Ascent, 749m to the summit / Descent, -1645m to Oldmoses Camp.
Span, approx. 3kms / 4h to Pt. Lenana / 17Kms / 6h to Oldmoses Camp.
Habitat, Scree / rocky summit / Moorland

D5 Details: Just before dawn we are woken by our guides and hot tea is served before we begin the last leg of our trek to the summit. The trek begins beneath the stars as we zigzag our way up a large scree slope guided only by torchlight to reach Pt. lenana. It’s an exhilarating 3 hours from here to reach the hiker’s summit, Pt Lenana (4985m) in time for the sunrise! A further 2 hours down to Shipton’s camp (4200m) for a hefty breakfast. Then down to OldMoses Camp 3340m. for overnight.

Tip: Trekkers wishing to exit the mountain at this stage have the chance to do so. This involves scheduling a private vehicle to drive up (or partway up) to Oldmoses camp today for pick and transfer to our base lodge. This option reduces a day from the itinerary.

Day 6: MOUNTAIN ROCK LODGE / NAIROBI.
A.M Hike, Oldmoses – Sirimon gate (3340m - 2,600m).
Descent -740m. / Span, 10kms / 2hrs.Habitat, Hagenia / Bamboo / Montane Forest zones.
P.M transfer, Sirimon gate – Nairobi via Mountain Rock lodge. (230kms / 4-5hrs).

D6 Details: A short morning trek to Sirimon park gate (2600m) and connect with the vehicle for transfer back to Mountain Rock Lodge for a hot shower and lunch before the journey back to Nairobi.

Ascending Mount Kenya is not only about reaching the summit; it’s about experiencing the rich tapestry of its landscapes, cultures, and wildlife along the way. Join us at Mountain Rock Safaris for an unforgettable expedition to this majestic peak, and discover the thrill of adventure and the beauty of nature that awaits you at every turn. Your journey to the roof of Africa starts here!