Kenya · Trekking

4-Day Mount Kenya Trek to Point Lenana from Nairobi

4 Days Round trip from Nairobi Moderate pace

Wildlife at Nanyuki, a gateway to Mount Kenya and the wilderness of Mount Kenya National Park

Old Moses Mountain Camp, Mountain Cabin in Kenya

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Climb Mount Kenya, the second-highest peak in Africa
02 Cross the equator en route to the western slopes of the mountain
03 Trek through dense forests, bamboo, rosewood, and heather zones
04 Spot buffaloes, elephants, bushbucks, and many bird species near Old Moses Camp
05 Reach Point Lenana at sunrise with views of Batian and Nelion

Embark on a 4-day trek to Mount Kenya, the second-highest peak in Africa, and climb this extinct volcano estimated to be 2.5 million years old. Pass the equator en route and hike through dense forests and major ecological hotspots on your way to the mountain camps. Along the trail, look out for hundreds of buffaloes, elephants, bushbucks, and plenty of bird species around Old Moses Camp. The journey culminates in a predawn ascent to Point Lenana for sunrise views over the majestic peaks of Batian and Nelion.

The journey culminates in a predawn ascent to Point Lenana for sunrise views over the majestic peaks of Batian and Nelion.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 4 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

Cities Nanyuki, Nairobi, Mount Kenya

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Nairobi to Sirimon Gate and Old Moses Camp

Depart from Nairobi at 7 am with your Mt. Kenya trekking guide and travel to the western slopes of Mt. Kenya.
Stop in Nanyuki town for lunch, around 4 hours into the journey.
Receive a full briefing and check your equipment before beginning the mountain trek.
Meet the crew at this point. Each trekker will have a personal porter, with extra porters carrying mountain equipment and food. It takes about one hour to reach the Sirimon Park Gate (2600 m).
Cross the equator en route.
After completing park entry formalities, begin your 3-4 hour hike through forest, bamboo, rosewood, and heather zones to Old Moses Camp (3300 m).
Ascend 740 m and begin proper acclimatization. The forest and bamboo are home to hundreds of buffaloes, elephants, bushbucks, and many bird species.

Stay overnight at Old Moses Camp, also known as Judmaier Camp (3340 m).

Day 02

Trek through Mackinder Valley to Shipton's Camp

After an early breakfast, commence a 7-8 hour trek to Shipton's Camp (4236 m). The trek is long and interesting, but it is also a good test of individual fitness.
Ascend close to 900 m through the surreal Mackinder Valley, with its strange giant lobelia and groundsel vegetation unique to equatorial African mountains.

Stay at Shipton's Hut (4236 m), just below the glaciers and jagged peaks of bare rock surrounding the main summit.

Day 03

Predawn Summit Attempt to Point Lenana and Descent

Begin your predawn summit attempt at 3 am. Hike for about 3 hours up scree and along a bare rocky track to reach the hikers' summit, Point Lenana, at 4985 m in time to witness the African sunrise. Watch its golden glow reflect on the majestic peaks of Batian and Nelion over the equator at 6.30 am. On a clear day, Kilimanjaro is usually visible 340 km to the south, adding to the exhilaration.
Descend to Shipton's Camp for breakfast.
Continue descending to Old Moses Camp (3340 m), arriving after a further 4-5 hours.

Day 04

Descend to Sirimon Park Gate and Return to Nairobi

After breakfast, descend through the rain forest to Sirimon Park Gate.
Sign out at Sirimon Gate, board your vehicle, and bid farewell to Mount Kenya as you are escorted back to Nanyuki and onward to Nairobi.