Route Duration: 6 days on the mountain
Total Hiking Distance: Approximately 76 km

Preamble: This is the one route we take great pride in, having put it back to use ourselves after more than 30 years of disuse. The route was pioneered during colonial days and then abandoned for many years until it was re-opened by our guides in the early 90s. It provides a unique and natural mountain trekking experience and some of the most spectacular views on the way up to Point Lenana, followed by a descent on the Chogoria route to complete a classic traverse of the mountain.Going up this route is quite challenging: rough underfoot, going through bushy tracks more used by wild animals than humans, muddy when wet, with no accommodation huts and dense stands of giant bamboo and montane forest. So why are we so passionate about it? It’s for those who want a different experience away from the crowds, as well as to help ease pressure on the over-utilized Naro-Moru and Sirimon trails.

Detailed ItineraryDay 1: MOUNTAIN ROCK LODGE - 1,950 m
A.M. transfer: Nairobi (1,650 m) – Mountain Rock Lodge (2,000 m) by car (200 km / 3.5 hrs).
P.M. acclimatization nature hike.
Span: 12 km / 3 hrs.

D1 Details: Depart after breakfast and journey north past diverse agricultural lands and landscapes to the slopes of Mount Kenya. After lunch at the base lodge, you will take part in some easy walks around this predominantly Kikuyu area, exploring local farms and villages and perhaps local schools. We can gain privileged insight into the lives of the people who live on the slopes of Mt. Kenya, knowing that our visit contributes to their local economy. Meals and overnight at the 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 (2,600 m - 3,600 m).
Span: 10 km / 4 hrs.
Ascent: +740 m.
Habitat: Montane Forest / Bamboo / Hagenia Zones.

D2 Details: After breakfast, we will have a full briefing, equipment check, and meet the crew—each one gets a personal porter, and there are extra porters for camping equipment and food. Shortly afterwards, we will drive to Gathiuru Forest Station via the renowned Mau Mau caves, then embark on a 4-hour ascent through dense stands of towering bamboo to our own Giant Bamboo Camp at 2,600 m. Elephants and buffaloes are common here. (B, L, D)

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

D3 Details: The luxuriant bamboo yields to enormous podocarpus and pencil cedar forests before we climb to the Hagenia rosewood zone at the edge of the moorlands. This marks our lunch spot before heading up through the extraordinary giant lobelia and groundsels. We spend the night close to the sheer lava cliffs of the “Highland Castle” at 3,700 m. Today’s hike takes 5-6 hours with an ascent of 1,100 m. (B, L, D)

Day 4: SHIPTON’S CAMP – 4,236 m
Trek: Highland Castle via Hausberg Col – Shipton’s Camp (3,700 m - 4,600 m - 4,236 m).
Span: Approximately 10 km / 5-6 hrs.
Ascent: +900 m to Hausberg Col, then descend -365 m to Shipton’s Camp.
Habitat: Moorland / Alpine Desert.

D4 Details: Enjoy spectacular scenery as the jagged volcanic peaks and shimmering glaciers tower above our trek around the summit circuit. Turquoise tarns nestle in the valleys, and eagles and buzzards soar overhead. We might, for the first time, meet other trekkers here as we hike for 5-6 hours to overnight at Shipton’s Hut at 4,236 m. (B, L, D)

Day 5: NITHI CAMP - 3,300 m
(Summit attempt) Shipton’s Camp – Pt. Lenana – Nithi Camp (4,236 m - 4,985 m - 3,300 m).
Span: Approx. to Pt. Lenana (3 km / 4 hrs); to Nithi Camp (14 km / 6 hrs).
Ascent: 749 m to the summit; Descent: -1,685 m to Nithi Camp.
Habitat: Scree / Rocky Summit / Moorland.

D5 Details: After the wilderness experience comes the highlight of the Mount Kenya trek: the stiff, but exhilarating, scramble by starlight up to Point Lenana, the "trekkers’ summit," in time to see the African dawn from a vantage point of nearly 5,000 m. We leave at 4 am and climb the 800 m to the peak in 3-4 hours. A further 3 hours down to a late breakfast by Hall Tarns in the magnificent Gorges Valley. Then in the afternoon, we descend another 3 hours past spectacular chasms, waterfalls, and weirdly eroded lava flows to camp by the track-head in the giant heather zone. (B, L, D)

DAY 6: MERU BANDAS – 3300m.
Trek, Nithi Camp - Meru Bandas (3,300m - 3,000m).Span, approx. 7Kms / 2-3h.  
Descent: -300m.Habitats: Moorland / Giant heather/ Hagenia zones

D6 Details: Short descent through the forest zone to the mountain cabins and afternoon relaxing. Log fires, hot showers, beers, and beds for overnight. Wildlife viewing in evening - often from your cabin window as the elephant and buffalo graze outside! (B,L,D)

DAY 7: NAIROBI  - 1650m.
AM. Hike, Meru Banda’s – Pick up point (3,000m - 2600m).Span, approx.10kms / 2h.Descent: -400m.  Habitats: Bamboo / Montane Forest zones.P.M. Pick up point – Nairobi by car. (230kms / 4-5hrs).

D7 Details: Descent on a broad track for about 10 kms through bamboo and virgin rain forest to meet vehicles for the return to Nairobi - usually arriving mid to late afternoon. (B,L)

BLD indicates those meals included. i.e. B-breakfast, L-lunch, D-dinner 

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!