This climb offers you a thrilling trek of Mt. Kenya along the Sirimon route, which is more scenic than the Naromoru route and is on the drier side of the mountain, giving you some of the finest walking in the area. The route starts on the northwest side of the mountain near Nanyuki. Access is easy and the bunkhouse facilities are the best on this side of the mountain.
Depart from Nairobi at 0730hrs and transfer to Nanyuki, an approximately three-hour journey. You will later transfer to Sirimon Gate and hike three to four hours (9kms) to Old Moses Mountain Hut (3300m) for your overnight. Old Moses Camp is where you will acclimatize and be exposed to a variety of different vegetation. This is also where most hikers spend the first night of their trek. At Old Moses you will have the option of sleeping in dormitory like bunkers or camping in the spacious surrounding grounds. Both huts have a kitchen and a dining area plus a clean and well-maintained bathroom.
After breakfast you will hike six to eight hours to Shipton’s Camp (4200m) through the Liki and Makinders valley. Shipton’s Camp is located just below the main peaks of Mount Kenya and is used by most hikers their final day before summiting. Here you can also sleep in bunkers within the mountain hut.
For better acclimatization you can take a rest day at the Shipton’s camp. You can participate in short walks or day hikes to the Oblong and Hausberg tarns, gaining an elevation of 370m before returning to the camp for lunch. The afternoon will be spent at your leisure. Climbing high and sleeping low is excellent for acclimatization.
Note: This day can be omitted if you are pressed for time, however, its not advisable unless there is no other alternative.
You will wake up at 3:00am and hike up a steep, stony quarry that cuts through a cliff clearing towards the lower Hall tarns. You will arrive at point Lenana at 6:30am and enjoy the sunrise and sights for about three hours before descending down to Shipton’s camp (a two-hour hike). You will have breakfast and then proceed on another four-hour hike down to Old Moses Camp for dinner and overnight.
After breakfast you will walk down through the rainforest for two hours and then exit Mount Kenya National Park. From here you will connect with your transport vehicle back to Nairobi.
