Mount Kenya Summit Circuit
7
Days Kenya Safari
Safari Overview
The Mount Kenya Summit Circuit is an adventurous six day trek circling the jagged peaks of Nelion (5188m) and Batian (5199m) and then summitting the third trekking peak of Point Lenana (4985m). It is a special route taking in all the cols, ridges and glaciers of the mountain and is more demanding than the other routes with some long days on rocky trails and camping all the way.
A quiet route where you are less likely to see many people, it is particularly dramatic in places where the two main summit spires seem to overhang parts of the trail, and they are like giant cathedrals of rock as you look up. The itinerary is based on starting the journey in Naro Moru and finishing in Chogoria town but we are flexible with any travel needs or extra accommodation. We would also recommend visiting some of the Moving Mountain Projects on the lower slopes of Mount Kenya which we have supported for many years. The entire trek is within the Mount Kenya National Park, and from a distance the volcanic peak dominates the landscape. There is plenty of wildlife to hear and maybe see – elephant, Buffalo, Colobus monkey, Antelope and Giant Forest Hog are in the foothills of the 228 sq. mile park. From the lower forests of bamboo, the landscape develops to unusual high-altitude equatorial vegetation on the shoulder of the mountain with giant heather, lobelia and groundsels giving the slopes an alpine desert appearance and a striking feel. Higher up there is exposed rock and glaciated terrain, although climate change nowadays has reduced all of the permanent glaciers almost to nothing.
Mount Kenya also has very important cultural importance to the local tribes who traditionally viewed it as the meeting place and throne of their gods. For the country at large, it is the mountain that gave the nation of Kenya its name and it holds a significant place in Kenyan identity. To successfully summit Mount Kenya you’ll need clothing which keeps you warm, dry, protected from the sun/rain and comfortable in the various environments. There is a detailed list under ‘Mount Kenya trek kit list’. You can also read more about the type of terrain you’ll encounter on a Mount Kenya trek and the level of fitness required in the ‘More Information’ section under ‘Mount Kenya advice’.
7
Days / 6 Nights
Safari in Kenya
Mountain Climbing
DAY 1
Arrival - Transfer to Naro Moru - Travel Time: 175km 3-4hrs
DINNER & OVERNIGHT AT
A Hotel | Lodge in Naro Moru
If you are flying in to Kenya then we can help with airport transfers to Naro Moru, evening arrivals will mean at least one night in Nairobi before transferring up to Naro Moru on the West of Mt Kenya to meet the guides and porters who all live around Naro Moru and can meet you whatever day you arrive. There is plenty to see and do in Nairobi and Naro Moru where we can also help to arrange extra nights accommodation, city tours in Nairobi or day
DAY 2
Mt. Kenya Gate, Elevation: 2000-2500-3050m Travel Time: 10km
DINNER & OVERNIGHT AT
Met Station Camp
Today all the guides and porters will meet us in Naro Moru and we will load up the vehicle(s) for the short 15km drive up to the Naro Moru gate of Mount Kenya. There are often baboons and bushbuck wandering around the area as we sign in and then we head off along the vehicle track through the forests of bamboo and hardwood trees. We will stop for a picnic lunch at a convenient spot before continuing on up to our first camp at Met Station Camp..
DAY 3
Trek from Met Station Camp to MacKinder's Camp
DINNER & OVERNIGHT AT
MacKinder's Camp
The heath and moorland continues and also sports Giant Cabbage Groundsel and Giant Lobelia Deckenii as we make our way up past the over-dramatically named ‘Vertical Bog’ to the outcrop known as picnic rocks, for lunch. From lunch we continue on the moorland for a bit longer before joining the edge of the Teleki Valley and winding between Giant Tree Groundsel and Ostrich Plume Lobelia and then onto grasses in the valley floor as we cross a river
DAY 4
Trek from Mackinder's Camp - Hausberg Col - Shipton's Camp
DINNER & OVERNIGHT AT
Shipton's Camp
Morning to relax and after lunch from MacKinders Camp we climb up to Hut Tarn, which sits right on the edge of the upper Teleki Valley and gives a great view across to the main summits and glaciers. Continue past Nanyuki Tarn and towards the Eastern Terminal and on to a slotted pass at Arthur’s Seat before dropping down to Oblong and Hausberg Tarns, past the Kami Tarn and down to Shiptons Camp (4,200m). Elevation: 4200-4535-4200m, Travel Time:7km
DAY 5
Acclimatisation: Icy Mike (Elephant skeleton) - Shipton's Ca
DINNER & OVERNIGHT AT
Shipton's Camp
An interesting day walk from Shiptons Camp to find an elephant skeleton called Icy Mike, the elephant that tried to climb Mt Kenya! From Shiptons Camp we start to descend the MacKinder Valley before contouring around and up towards the peak of Sendeyo where we drop into a wide couloir above the Hinde Valley. From Icy Mike we can either return by the same route or complete a circuit by dropping lower into the Hinde Valley, contouring to the south
DAY 6
Shiptons to Point Lenana and descend to Lake Ellis or Nithi
DINNER & OVERNIGHT AT
Lake Ellis Camp
This morning we will be up just after midnight to prepare for our night-time ascent to Point Lenana, it is an exhilarating feeling stepping out into the cold under the starlight and crunching up the frozen scree. We skirt the rocky outcrop above the camp then cross a flat area before joining the scree. We then zig zag our way up and then follow a broad ridge and a steeper slope up over the skyline. Passing the bowl of Harris Tarn we skirt above
DAY 7
Lake Ellis or Nithi Falls via Meru Banda's - Chogoria
This morning we set off again downhill. The path can be quite indistinct at first on this less-used trail but we generally follow the line of a watercourse until we hit the 4×4 track that takes us down to the forest boundary. Here we have the option of heading straight down to Meru bandas (cabins) or a diversion around to the beautiful Nithi Falls. Back at the bandas, or just a little after them we’ll meet up with our 4×4’s for the drive back dow
Mount Camping Accommodation
Suggested Accommodations
We start the ascent on the popular Naro Moru route where we will reach Mackinders camp before starting to explore the summit circuit and moving across to Shipton’s camp. It will be from Shiptons Camp that we summit Point Lenana and descend along a ridge from the summit to Austrian Hut and off the mountain using the Chogoria route, where we camp on the edge of Lake Ellis, or Nithi Falls on a quicker descent.
You are welcome to adjust the itinerary and add extra nights in Nairobi or Naro Moru or Embu. Ol Pejeta Conservancy is very close to Naro Moru (or a reasonably short drive from Embu) and is a great location for an optional add-on safari for example. You can also visit some of our Moving Mountain Projects.
The advertised price is the per person cost based on a minimum group of 2 people. Contact us for the single person supplement cost, or for extra nights or safari options. Park fees vary on Mount Kenya, it is cheaper to climb from the start of March through to the end of June as that is low season, high season is from the start of July through to the end of February so the advertised prices reflect the higher National Park fees. Other options include tailor made safari’s, climbs on Kilimanjaro, visits to other Moving Mountains projects and Game Reserves around Mount Kenya or transfers back to Nairobi for city tours.
The Tour Price Includes
- Private transport from Naro Moru to the trek start point (Mt Kenya National Park gate)
- Park fees, camping fees and park rescue fees
- Park certified guides (ratio of 1:4)
- Porters and cooks, plus equipment for them (porters carry your main bag)
- All group camping equipment including tents
- All meals on the mountain – fresh food, 3 meals per day with hot drinks
- Bottled water when not on the mountain (we use mountain water during the trek)
- 4×4 transport from Meru Banda’s to Chogoria town on the descent
- Kit transfer from Naro Moru to Embu (for any kit that you don’t take on the mountain with you)
- Guide and porter transport from Embu back to Naro Moru after the climb
The Tour Price Excludes
- Kenyan Visa
- International airfare
- Vaccinations and malaria tablets required
- Personal expenses and travel insurance
- Airport transfers and / or transfers to Naro Moru before the climb and transfers from Chogoria after the climb
- Any accommodation needed in Nairobi, Naro Moru or Embu
- Mountain Staff Tipping guidelines paid in local currency to main guide for distribution in Chogoria after the climb
