Depart Nairobi after breakfast towards Thika Road and past Nyeri. Mount Kenya is located in central Kenya just south of the equator around 150 kilometres north-northeast of the capital Nairobi. It is the source of the name of the Republic of Kenya.
Arrive for lunch in Naromoru, Mount Kenya, the beautiful snow capped peak which is the second highest point in Africa at 5,199m. It is a challenging and popular destination for trekkers and climbers. The main summit is called Batian and the second summit Nelion (5,188m) both of which are technical climbs. But a third peak, Lenana, at 4,985m is more accessible and a very feasible goal for fit people. After lunch depart for the Naromoru Park gate where you leave your vehicle for the trek. Take a hike to the Met Station which has an altitude of 8,000 feet where you stay the night.
Meal Plan: Full Board
Accommodation: Met Station.
The mountain has several small glaciers, although fast disappearing, so it’s cold year round. At night at the higher elevations the temperature can drop as low as 14 Fahrenheit (-10 Celsius). Typically the early mornings on the mountain are sunny and dry and clouds often form by noon. It is possible to hike Mount Kenya throughout the year but it gets more difficult during the rainy seasons from mid March to mid June and October to mid December.
After breakfast hike to Mackinders Camp huts which is 14,000 feet above sea level.
Meal Plan: Full board
Accommodation: Mackinders Camp
Mount Kenya is surrounded by forests. The vegetation in the forests depends on rainfall and the species present differ greatly between the northern and southern slopes. As time has passed the trees on the edge of the forest have been logged and the farmland has encroached further up the fertile slopes of the mountain. Above the forest is a belt of bamboo. This zone is almost continuous but restricted to small isolated bunches in the north because of low rainfall. The bamboo is natural and does not require forest disturbance. Tracks are common through the bamboo and bamboo suppresses other vegetation so it is uncommon to find trees or other plants here.
The timberline forest is commonly in cloud. The trees are relatively small and covered in lichens and mosses. Above the bamboo is the timberline forest. The trees here are often smaller than the trees in the forests lower down the mountain. When the trees can no longer grow the vegetation changes into heathland and chaparral at around 3,000 m (9,800 ft). Heathland is found in the wetter areas on the west side of Mount Kenya and is dominated by giant heathers. Chaparral is found in the drier areas and grasses are more common. As the altitude increases the temperature fluctuations become extreme and the air becomes thinner and drier. This region is known as the Afro-alpine zone. Many of the species here are endemic with adaptations to the cold and fluctuating temperatures. Typical plants here include giant groundsels and giant lobelias.
This is a rest day at Mackinders Camp huts. Hike to Two turn for higher elevation acclimatization, then back to Mackinders for the night.
Meal Plan: Full Board
Accommodation: Mackinders Camp
Pre dawn hike to Point Lenana which is 16,355 feet above sea level where you arrive just about sunrise. Hike down to Mackinder’s Camp for breakfast.
After breakfast hike down to the Met Station Bandas where you overnight.
Meal Plan: Full Board
Accommodation: Met Station Bandas
Final breakfast at the mountain before departure and the ideal time to tip your mountain crew. Proceed to Naromoru Park gate for your vehicle to Nairobi. Or combine this with a safari to Nanyuki.
