Mount Kenya Trek

This traverse of Mount Kenya combines an ascent on either the Sirimon route or the Naro Moru route on the western side to Point Lenana (4,985m) and a descent of the spectacular Chogoria route on the eastern side. In total it takes five days and covers approximately 50 kilometres of extraordinary mountain terrain.

The Sirimon route is considered the more gentle approach — a longer path gaining altitude from the northwest of the mountain more slowly. The path follows the line of the classic glacial MacKinder Valley up to Shipton’s Camp under the dramatic summit spires of Batian and Nelion. The summit is reached on scree and rocky paths, eventually becoming snow-covered as they edge alongside the Lewis Glacier. The final metres require a scramble to reach the shapely summit, from where dawn reveals the plains of Kenya far below.

The descent via the Chogoria route is generally considered to have the most spectacular landscape and geological features of any route on the mountain — enormous amphitheatres of cliffs, beautiful high lakes and glacial tarns, deep gorges and unusual rock formations including the famous Temple containing Lake Michaelson. The descent passes Nithi Falls and Lake Ellis before reaching the forest and the Chogoria gate.