Countries: Kenya
Destinations: Mount Kenya
Itinerary at Glance
Day 1: Hike to Marania Camp (3,200 m)
Day 2: Hike to Major’s Camp (3,800 m)
Day 3: Hike to Simba col (4,650 m)
Day 4: Summit attempt and descend to Met Station
Trip Overview
Mount Kenya is the second highest mountain in Africa, standing at 5,199 meters above sea level, Mt Kenya is the second highest mountain in Africa and provides a range of stunning challenging treks and some of the best technical alpine climbing in Africa. The highest peaks of the mountain are Batian 5,199 meters, 17,057 ft., Nelion 5,188 meters, 17,021 ft. which are technical ascents and Point Lenana 4,985 meters, 16,355 ft.
The Timau route is one of our classics. It has a gradual gradient allowing for good acclimatization to the altitude. The route is also remote and underutilized. It is unlikely that you will see another group until you are near the summit.
This itinerary is one of the best on Mt Kenya for good acclimatization and can also be extended with an extra day / camp between Marania and Major’s Camps OR two nights in Major’s camp (for example when acclimatizing for summit bids of Nelion + Batian).
Day 1: Timau to Marania Camp (3,200 m)
Day Itinerary
You will be transferred from Nanyuki Town to the road head of the Timau route north of Timau town at 2,700m above sea level. This hike starts off at the start of the moorland zone and takes you up through patches of bamboo and heather. We will stop for lunch on the rim of the crater, which offers a chance to see some of the rare mountain species such as eland, zebra, buffalo and even the occasional elephant. The view as you ascend is breath taking, looking down across Kisima, Lewa Downs, Samburu and the great Northern Frontier beyond and up to the glaring peaks of Mount Kenya ahead. You will stop for a picnic lunch and continue on your way to Marania Camp on the edge of one of the mountain’s shoulders in heather moorland.
Distance: 8 km
Hours Trekking: 4 hrs.
Altitude gain: 500m, 1,640 ft
Overnight at Marania Camp (3,200 m 10,500 ft)
Day 2: Hike Marania to Major’s Camp (3,800 m)
Day Itinerary
We will depart the camp after breakfast, walking up through the moorland towards the peaks ahead that make up the Mt Kenya Massif. A picnic lunch will be set up at the Marania Spring, which is the source of the river that runs by Marania camp, which is a beautiful lunch spot, especially if there are some curious zebras around. You will arrive at Major’s Camp in the afternoon, which is located at the base of the valley near some very dramatic rock faces. Some wildlife has been known to frequent the area, previous guests have had sightings of the rare Serval cat.
Distance: 14 km
Hours Trekking: 8 hrs.
Altitude gain: 600m, 1,970 ft
Overnight at Major’s Camp (3,800 m 12,470 ft)
Day 3: Major’s to Simba Tarn Camp (4,650 m)
Day Itinerary
You will begin the long, gradual hike up towards the Lower Simba Tarn. This walk is definitely an experience that resembles no other, with an extremely unique lunar landscape coupled with very distinctive vegetation; this will be your first glimpse of the fabulous Giant groundsels and Lobelias, particularly in the Hobley Valley, below the massifs of Terere and Sendeyo, which are named after two Maasai wise men. This vegetation is endemic to Mt Kenya with its unique adaptations to the vast day to day temperature changes. You will arrive at the Simba Tarn camp at the top of the Hobley Valley and aptly named Gorges Valley. The views from Simba Tarn camp are breath taking.
Distance: 12 km
Hours Trekking: 8 hrs.
Altitude gain: 850m, 2,790 ft
Overnight at Simba Tarn Camp (4,650 m 15,255 ft)
Day 4: Simba Tarn, summit attempt and descend
Day Itinerary
An early departure at 5.30am for a sunrise summit is the best way to experience this climb and enjoy the expansive views of the mountainside, valleys, and country beyond – even the summit of Kilimanjaro – whilst sipping a nice warm drink.
The descent takes you down the southern side along the Naro Moru route where you will have brunch in the Teleki Valley. Then it’s a final walk down to the MET station for collection. Should the weather not permit, the guide may use the Sirimon route as the descent route.
Distance: 18 km
Hours Trekking: 12 hrs.
Altitude gain: 335m, 1,100 ft
Altitude at Lenana: 4925m
No accommodation.
The hiking package includes;
- Trained local Mt Kenya guides (at least 1 WFR certified guide per 7 guests, 1 guide: 4 guests ratio)
- Camp crew, cook, a great team of porters
- All relevant Park fees
- Emergency medical evacuation as far as the relevant gate
- Supplemental oxygen & pulse oximeters
- All accommodation, meals and drinks as described in the itinerary
- Tents and equipment as per specification selected
- Drinks on the hike (potable water, tea, coffee & hot chocolate)
The hiking package excludes;
- Tips & gratitude’s
- Drinks while at the tented camps & lodges
- Laundry at the tented camps & lodges
- International Flights
- East African Visa
- Travel Insurance
- Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
- All items of personal nature
- Covid test fees, where need be
- International health requirements
- Optional activities under the programme
- Photography equipment
- Additional sightseeing or deviation from the itinerary
- Nairobi accommodation and transfer
Please contact us for a free detailed quote on the option of your choice. We can tailor a request that suits your interests, and budget, as well as we can change or upgrade the lodge options, as well as arrange multi – days / destination combined safaris. Write to us with more details about your safari.