Kenya · Trekking

5-Day Mount Kenya Trek to Point Lenana at Sunrise

5 Days Round trip from Nairobi Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Trek through the moorland landscape to Shipton Camp at 4200m
02 Explore the peaks on an acclimatization hike ascending to 4600m
03 Descend the scenic Chogoria route with views of the fascinating Gorges Valley
04 Take in superb summit views stretching as far as Mt. Kilimanjaro to the south

Trek to the summit of Mount Kenya on this 5-day tour and experience the second-highest snowcapped mountain in Africa. Hike through forest and moorland landscapes to Shipton Camp at 4200m, with chances to see high-altitude flowers, animals, and birds along the way. Ascend to Point Lenana at 4,985m in time for sunrise, with superb views stretching as far as Mt. Kilimanjaro to the south. Descend on the scenic Chogoria route, taking in the fascinating Gorges Valley before reaching Mt. Kenya Bandas camp.

Ascend to Point Lenana at 4,985m in time for sunrise, with superb views stretching as far as Mt. Kilimanjaro to the south.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 5 Days

Tour type Private

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

Cities Nanyuki, Nyeri, Nairobi, Mount Kenya, Chogoria

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Nairobi to Old Moses Camp via Nanyuki and Sirimon Gate

Pick up from the airport and, if time allows, drive from Nairobi through central Kenya towards Nyeri, with a nice view of Mt. Kenya and the Aberdares ranges in the clear evening.
Have a brief stopover at the Equator near Nanyuki, the base town, where the other team of porters will be picked up, then proceed to Sirimon Park Gate (2650m).
After clearing with the park authority, start the hike through the forest accompanied by the guides, cooks, and porters to Old Moses Camp at 3300m. (3-4 hrs walk).

Day 02

Old Moses Camp to Shipton Camp through Moorland

After breakfast, hike through the moorland, viewing high-altitude flowers, animals, and birds on the way to Shipton Camp (4200m). (6-7 hrs walk).

Day 03

Acclimatization Hike to the Peaks and Mackinder's Camp

After breakfast, take an exploration hike around the peaks, ascending to 4600m, where tarn lakes and permanent glaciers form the source of some of the most prominent rivers in Kenya.
Arrive at Mackinder's Camp (4300m) for lunch, dinner, and an overnight stay.

Day 04

Mackinder's Camp to Point Lenana and Mt. Kenya Bandas Camp

This will be the longest day on the trip. Take an early morning tea, and at around 2:30 am, start climbing along loose scree, which is sometimes covered with snow during the year, with a short rest at the Austrian Hut (4790m), then continue the climb to reach the summit of Lenana (4,985m) (4 hrs), the third peak on Mt. Kenya, in time to catch the sunrise. After a superb view from the summit as far as Mt. Kilimanjaro to the south, descend to Mintos Camp (3 hrs) on the eastern side of the peaks, where you will meet your cooks and porters for breakfast.
After breakfast, descend through a scenic trail on the Chogoria route, viewing the fascinating Gorges Valley, to Mt. Kenya Bandas Camp (2,950m) for a hot shower, dinner, and an overnight stay (6 hrs).
Lunch will be served en route. (Total 12-15 hrs).

Day 05

Chogoria Route Descent and Return to Nairobi

After breakfast, descend for 2 hrs through the rain forest to connect with your transfer off the mountain to Chogoria village.
Later, drive back to Nairobi via Nanyuki, arriving in the evening.