Distance: 80 km | Difficulty: Moderate  | Start/Finish: Nairobi

Summary

Much more scenic than Naromoru and it is on the dry side of mountain which offers some of the finest walking. Climb up through forest into a wide ridge approach to the summit area. The route starts on the northwest side of the mountain near Nanyuki. Access is adequate and the bunk house facilities are the best on this side of the mountain

Day 1: Nairobi/Sirimon/Judmaier Camp (Old Moses Camp) 3-4 hrs, 9km, 860m ascent

Leave Nairobi at 7.30am to Nanyuki town for lunch, taking about 4 hours. Proceed to Sirimon Gate, 1 hr, 2440m. From the gate follow the track as it winds uphill though the forest which becomes heath land after about 3 hrs. About 3½ hours from the gate the track veers right to Judmaier Camp, 3300m for dinner and overnight, L, D

Day 2: Judmier Camp/Shipton Camp 6-7hrs, 17km, 900m ascent

After breakfast, follow the track uphill, forking left at the junction. After one hour from Old Moses Camp, the track crosses Ontulili River. Go right contouring through the Moorland and crossing Liki North and continue uphill to Mackinders Valley from where there are panoramic views up the valley towards the main peaks. Dinner and overnight at Shipton Camp, 4200m, B,L,D

Day 3: Shipton Camp

Spend the day acclimatizing. Walk to Kami Hut down to Hauseberg Lakes (Hauseberg Tarn and Nanyuki Tarn). Walk back to Shipton for dinner and overnight.

Day 4: Shiptons/Point Lenana/Mount Meru Bandas (Chogoria Gate) 11-12hrs, 32km, 785m ascent

Leave at 3am up a steep stony quarry that cuts through a cliff clearing visible part towards lower Hall Tarns arriving Mount Kenya point Lenana (6km from Shipton Camp) at 6:30am, taking about 3hrs. After the sunrise, descend down to Mintos hut (6km), 2hrs, for breakfast and 20km, 4-5hrs further down to Mount Meru Bandas, 2950m, for dinner and overnight on Mount Kenya, B,L,D

Day 5: Chogoria Bandas/Chogoria/Nairobi

Descend 2hr, 15km to forest clearance to catch a 4x4 transfer vehicle to Chogoria Village where you will connect with your transfer vehicle back to Nairobi, B,L. 

Distance: 60km | Difficulty: Demanding  | Start/Finish: Nairobi

Day 1: Nairobi/Sirimon/Judmaier Camp (Old Moses Camp) 3-4 hrs, 9km, 860m ascent

Leave Nairobi at 8 am to Nanyuki town for lunch, taking about 4 hours. Proceed to Sirimon Gate, 1 hr, 2440m. From the gate follow the track as it winds uphill though the forest which becomes heath land after about 3 hrs. About 3½ hours from the gate the track veers right to Judmaier Camp, 3300m for dinner and overnight, L, D

Day 2: Old Moses | Liki North Camp, 10km, 3hrs, 3900m

 After climbing through the rain forest to 3993m. We will spend the night at Liki Camp north,B,L,D.

Day 3: Liki North Camp | Shipton's Camp, 5km, 2hrs, 4000m

 The trail proceeds to Shipton’s camp where we will rest in order to acclimatise overnight,B,L,D.

Day 4: Shipton Camp | Mackinders Camp, 7km, 3hrs, 4200m

From Shipton’s camp the trail leads to kami hut below the north face of Batian. Continuing west – southwest the trails climbs up switchbacks in the fine snow before reaching Hausberg col at 4590m. We will descend into the upper Hausberg valley and rest at the aptly named oblong and Hausberg tarns. Ascending to the crest of a ridge known as Arthur’s seat we see the trail winding along a beautiful series of rock ledges. We will descend to shipton’s camp for the night,B,L,D.

Day 5: Mackinders Camp | Point Lenana, 7km, 4hrs | Met Station, 23km, 7hrs

An early 2.00 am start for an attempt to reach point Lenana before descending to Mackinder’s camp for breakfast then on to Met Station for dinner and overnight,  B,L,D

Day 6: Met Station | Naromoru Gate, 9km, 3hrs| Nairobi

Descend to park gate and transfer to Nairobi,B,L