5 Days Mount Kenya Climbing- Sirimon Route

Description

This Mount Kenya climbing safari tour offers you the opportunity to experience Mount Kenya’s diversity. Sirimon is more scenic than Naromoru route and it is on the dry side of Mount Kenya which offers some of the finest walking. We climb up through forest where we’ll be able to see wildlife and birdlife into a wide ridge approach to the summit area. The route starts on the northwest side of Mount Kenya near Nanyuki town. Access is adequate and the bunk house facilities are the best on this side of the mountain.

More about Sirimon route: It is the least used, but features the most gradual ascent profile and best acclimatization options. The route passes through impressive Yellowwood forests, which gradually turns into moorland covered with giant heather.

In the higher reaches Sirimon route features abundant wildlife and beautiful alpine scenery. The Austrian Hut and Point Lenana are reached from the head of Mackinder’s Valley via Simba Col.

Major camps and landmarks: Sirimon Gate (2500 m), Old Moses Camp (3300 m), Liki North Camp (4000 m), Mackinder’s Valley, Shipton’s Camp (4200 m)

Day 1: Nairobi/Sirimon/Judmaier Camp (Old Moses Camp) 3-4 hours, 9km / 5.59mi, 860m ascent

Leave Nairobi city (the capital of Kenya) at 7.30am for Nanyuki town, taking about 4 hours. Lunch in Nanyuki town. Proceed to Sirimon Gate, 1 hour, 2440m. From the gate we follow the track as it winds uphill though the forest which becomes heathland after about 3 hours. About 3½ hours from the gate the track veers right to Judmaier Camp, 3300m for dinner and overnight, L, D

Day 2: Judmier Camp/Shipton Camp 6-7hours, 17km / 10.5mi, 900m ascent

After a hearty breakfast we, follow the track uphill, forking left at the junction. After an hour from Old Moses Camp, the track crosses Ontulili River. We go right contouring through the Moorland and crossing Liki North and continue uphill to Mackinders Valley from where there are panoramic views up the valley towards the main peaks – Batian, Nelion and Point Lenana. Dinner and overnight at Shipton Camp, 4200m, B,L,D

Day 3: Shipton Camp

Spend the day acclimatizing. Walk to Kami Hut down to Hauseberg Lakes (Hauseberg Tarn and Nanyuki Tarn). Walk back to Shipton for dinner and overnight.

Day 4: Shiptons/Point Lenana/Mount Meru Bandas (Chogoria Gate) 11-12hours, 32km / 19.8mi, 785m ascent

We leave at 3am up a steep stony quarry that cuts through a cliff clearing visible part towards lower Hall Tarns arriving Mount Kenya point Lenana (6km from Shipton Camp) at 6:30am, after about 3 hours. After taking in the magnificent sunrise, descend down to Mintos hut (6km), 2hrs, for breakfast and 20km, 4-5hrs further down to Mount Meru Bandas, 2950m, for dinner and overnight on Mount Kenya, B,L,D

Day 5: Chogoria Bandas/Chogoria/Nairobi

We descend 2hr, 15km to forest clearance to catch a 4×4 transfer vehicle to Chogoria Village where we will connect with our transfer vehicle back to Nairobi, B,L.

As it’s the case when climbing any other mountain it is important to acclimatize well to enjoy climbing Mount Kenya. Altitude sickness can be avoided by ascending slowly and if at all possible spending an extra day half way up to acclimatizes. Descending to a lower altitude can cure it.

Some of the items needed on the climb can be hired from the tour operator. They include; Dacron jackets, Iceland Sweaters, Under jackets, Under trouser, Socks, Boots, Kit bags, Gloves, Sleeping bags, trekking pole, Foam mat, Goggles, Rain coat, and Gaiters.

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