Mt. Kenya
I currently offer climbs to one of the summits of the highest mountain in Kenya - Mt. Kenya, specifically to Lenana Peak (4985 m) through the Sirimon Route (both ways). This route is moderately difficult, 56 km long (both ways) and offers beautiful scenery. There are two camps on this route: the Old Moses camp (3300 m) and the Shipton camp (4200 m). Both of them provide accommodation in very simple huts equipped with bunk beds and mattresses. There are not any shops in these camps, but the huts have running cold water and flush toilets.
The Sirimon route starts at the Sirimon gate at 2440 meters above sea level. The first stretch is only 9 km long, so it is possible to leave Nairobi early in the morning, make the first trip on the same day and spend the night at the first camp. From the park gate to Old Moses camp, you walk on a wide and not very steep forest road. At first it winds through a rain forest, where you can see baboons and guerezas, various birds, and, if you are lucky, also elephants. Moorlands start at altitudes of about 3000 m. From Old Moses to Shipton camp (17 km), the road changes into a comfortable trail that crosses three valleys in an open landscape. This stretch is very beautiful, mainly the Mackinders Valley where Giant lobelias, Giant Rosette Plants and Dendrosenecias grow in large numbers. Mt. Kenya Park, as well as Mt. Kilimanjaro Park are listed as world heritage areas, as many endangered and endemic species live and grow here. From Shipton camp to the Lenana summit (about 3 hrs.), the trail is very steep and leads partly through scree (2 km). The summit itself is rocky and with fixed ropes in several places. Very warm attire including winter jackets, warm underwear, skiing gloves and caps are necessary (the peak is windy and often covered in snow). The trek to Mt. Kenya may also serve as acclimatization before climbing Kilimanjaro.
Offered options:
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Climb with only me (you carry your own backpack, food and water)
Sirimon Route (same return route), 3 or 4 days, $ 200 /group + 10-15 % tip
(plus entrance fee into the park - in 2013 it was $ 220 /person/3 days, and accomodation fees - about $ 18/person/night) -
Climb with the whole team - guide, cook and porters
Sirimon Route (same return route), 3 or 4 days, $ 600 /person + 10-15 % tip