This is the longest route in to summit to the Mount Kenya peaks and follows the Nyamindi West River.It is a restricted route , a very scenic route though.
DAY 1: NAIROBI- OLD FOREST STATION 1600-2400M
Depart Nairobi early in the morning and drive to Forest Castle Lodge (200m) safari on the slopes on Mt. Kenya. After packing of the gear and a short lunch break you hike for 3 hours through the natural forest to the old forest station (2400m) Spent your night in tents. On the way you may come across elephants and buffaloes.
DAY 2: OLD FOREST STATION – SAGANA RIVER CAMP 2400-2980M
After breakfast you will hike to the Sagana River camp at an altitude of 2980m. The hike takes about 6 hours through a dense bamboo forest. After crossing Sagana River you will have already arrived at the campsite for dinner and overnight. If lucky you may encounter some game on the way.
DAY 3: SAGANA RIVER CAMP – THEGO RIVER CAMP 2980-3750M
After a good night rest your walk continues through the bamboo forest to the heath and moorland. The Thego River camp at 3750m is your next destination. Lunch en route. The hike takes about 5 hours and if lucky you may encounter some game on the way.
DAY 4: THEGO RIVER CAMP – MACKINDER’S CAMP 3750-4300M
Your climb continues through senicia and lobelia to Lake Hohnel where you stop for a lunch break enjoying the clear waters of the lake. The hike takes about 3 hours. After another two hours you finally reach Mackinder’s Camp at 4300m in the Teleki Valley. Overnight at the Teleki Hut to prepare you for the next day’s Lenana ascent.
DAY 5: MACKINDER’S CAMP – SUMMIT PT. LENANA 4300–4790-4895M (LENANA) – 4210 MAJOR’S CAMP
After an early morning breakfast at 4.00 am, the trek leads via a steep scree slope to the Austrian Hut at 4790m. Here there will be short break before the final ascent of point Lenana (4895m) via Lewis Glacier. You descend on the northern side via Simba Cole to Majors Camp (4210m). The hike, inclusive guiness of lunch break at the Hinde valley, takes about 10 hours.
DAY 6: MAJOR’S CAMP – NANYUKI 4210-1950M
Descend through West Marania to Road head on the Timau trail for lunch and transfer to Nanyuki for dinner and overnight.
DAY 7: MAU MAU CAVES VISIT AND NAIROBI
After breakfast, drive 15km on the Nairobi road to the junction leading to the Mau-Mau cave. 3 to 4 hours walk will see you to the caves and back to the junction ready to be transferred to Nairobi.Lunchatthe cave site.
The cave (Mau Mau cave) is set into the equatorial rain forest part of Mt. Kenya forest known as Gathiuru forest. Because of the river, which is graced by a waterfall, the cave was a favourite hiding place and conference centre for the Mau Mau generals and fighters. It was later discovered by the British fighter planes and bombed. It’s still remains standing firmly.
IMPORTANT
- Climbers must be prepared to walk for up to 8 hrs a day and on the day of the Lenana crossover, for up to 10 hours.
- Our porters carry 16 kg of personal climbing gear.