Climbing Mount Kenyan is a must-to-do for travellers with adventurous instinct. For its beautiful landscape, scenic view, forests, safaris, especially the mountains, Kenya has become a top tourist destination. Tourists visiting Kenya are likely to enjoy their entire stay in the country. However, they are more excited about the thrill they imagine experiencing in Kenya.

Anyone planning to visit Kenya should also enlist mountain hiking in their travel itineraries. Hiking Mount Kenya is for sure an everlasting experience. However, reaching the peak demands the hiker to be a daredevil. The views from the mountains are so jaw-dropping and awe-inspiring that they convince the tourists to wear their backpacks, hold their trekking poles and start exploring the wonders in Mount Kenya and nearby areas.

Where is Mount Kenya?

Mount Kenya is the second-highest peaks in Africa after Kilimanjaro. Many travellers prefer Mount Kenya over other highest peaks in Kenya due to often better accommodation options available and lesser presence of crowds.

Planning a mountain hike is different from visiting other tourism spots within Kenya. For a safe trip, there are certain factors to consider whenever you plan such an activity. It may include the possible routes and other practical stuff.

The following article provides a complete guide to visiting one of the major national parks in Kenya, including how to reach there, possible hiking routes, and the duration it takes to climb Mount Kenya.

How do I Get to Mount Kenya?

The travel enthusiasts will find Mount Kenya 200 km northeast of Nairobi. Citizens from eligible countries first need to get their kenya e visa through an online process and keep all essential travel documents. After receiving eVisa, they can fly into Jomo Kenyatta International airport.

The Kenya eVisa has a validity of up to 90 days or three months. Upon request, the authorities may extend it to additional 90 days, allowing the tourists to include a trip to Mount Kenya in their trip plan and spend a good time there. When the traveller has arrived at the airport, he can travel to Mount Kenya from the airport by taking either a bus or private transport to the trail start point.

Visitors who have arranged a guided tour may get to Mount Kenya more conveniently. Those visitors will meet their expert guide at the airport, and the rest of the work is unto the Guide. Those who are beginners should connect with the guide to get the most out of the experience.

How long does it take to reach Mount Kenya from Nairobi?

It takes under 2 hours to drive from Nairobi city centre to Mount Kenya National Park. The visitors dying for this exhilarating experience can hire a car, a car along with a driver, or use a minibus service in order to reach Mount Kenya from the city centre of Nairobi. Road conditions are generally good.

Main Peaks of Mount Kenya

There are three principal peaks in Mount Kenya having different difficulty levels with respect to climbing. The difficulty level also depends upon the climbing skills of the hiker.

These are:

Batian

The visitors always ready to take on challenges and have past experience in hiking and climbing mountains should select this ascent with elevation 17,057 feet (5,199 m) est. It is the highest peak of Mount Kenya.

Nelion

Climbing Nelion is slightly less challenging than Batian but still requires the mountaineer to have experience. Nelion has an elevation of about 17,021 feet (5,188 m).

Point Lenana

Point Lenana is the easiest option, suitable for beginners or less experienced climbers. The travellers visiting this point should be physically fit. Other than that, this peak requires no special climbing skills. It has an elevation of about 16,354 feet (4,985 m).

The mountaineer climbing Batian and Nelion should be first of all well-experienced and have supplementary food items, energy drinks and exclusively Rock Climbing Equipment to ascend the peaks.

Due to the easiness of Point Lenana, this peak attracts most of the visitors to climb. Around 15,000 tourists visit Mount Kenya National Park annually.

Routes Used For Climbing Mount Kenya

Since Point Lenana is the lowest and least challenging of the three peaks, most tourists chose to climb this peak. There are several different trails. Many climbers choose two different paths to get exposure to two different routes on ascent and descent.

Sirimon route: the easiest route to climb Mount Kenya

Taking a Sirimon Route is the best decision to climb Mount Kenya for the travellers who don’t want to be more physically. This route is one of the most popular ways to trek Mount Kenya. It is common among tourists who are more interested in scenic views rather than risky adventures. It takes at least two days to reach the top. However, many hikers add one more day so that they have enough time to climb the mountains, as well as enjoy a steadier ascent.

Climbers can spend their first night at Old Moses Camp, at an altitude of 10,800 feet, and the second night at Shipton's camp at 13,800 feet.

Naro Moru Route: the most direct route to the peak of Mount Kenya

Naro Moru is one of the shortest paths to reach the peak of Point Lenana. Being the most direct route, it offers some steep climbs and is, therefore, very exciting for making the descent.

Naro Moru is also a fascinating option for hikers interested in scenic views with the zeal to climb to the top. Taking the Naro Moru route, they can see a wide range of vegetation. It is generally more scenic than the Sirimon Route.

Although the tourists can make it to this route in a single day, it is recommendable to expand the trail across two days. Using a two days scheme, the visitor can spend the night at Met Station of 10,006 feet or Mackinder’s Camp of 13,779 feet.

Climbers should be well aware that a part of the route can become waterlogged in the rainy season. This part is called a vertical bog. So it is recommendable to start early to avoid the afternoon rainfall safely.

Burguret: the wildest path in Mount Kenya

The Burguret route is another trail but not often used, as compared to the Sirimon or Naro Moru routes. Just a few ventures offer Burguret tours. This route is the ideal option for hikers who want to enjoy the wilderness of the trip to its fullest.

This trek is quite challenging in parts and often well-populated with vegetation. It takes at least three days to complete the route, spending the nighttime in a hut.

Other possible routes to climb Mount Kenya

• Batian and Nelion technical climbs

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• Chogoria route

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• Timau route

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How Much Will it Cost to Climb Mount Kenya?

The approximate cost for climbing Mount Kenya directly depends upon the length of the climb

Current Mount Kenya conservation fees are as follows: (Note that there can be a slight fluctuation in these fee packages)

• Day trip: $30

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• 3-day package: $85

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• 4-day package: $110

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• 5-day package: $140

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Climbers hiring a guide need to add on this cost which depends on the duration of the stay and the route selected.