How many days do I need to reach the peak of mountain Kenya

Hiking Mountain Kenya takes about 4 to 6 days, but some can go up to 8 days depending on your route. Mountain Kenya is an extinct volcano. Mountain Kenya is unique with its stunning vegetation cover and several stunning spots. Montane forests, bamboo forests, alpine regions, and several others cover the lower bottoms of mountain Kenya.

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Locally, some natives regard Mountain Kenya as a spiritual mountain. While setting out to begin the hike up this mountain, you may meet some pilgrims who visit to pray by it.

Mountain Kenya has three famous peaks: Lenana, Batian, and Nelion. Batian is the highest peak, measuring about 5199 meters above sea level, Nelion is at 5188 meters above sea level, and Lenana is at 4985 meters above sea level. Several routes lead the hike up mountain Kenya, including the Sirimon route, Burguret trail, Chogoria route, Naro Moru route, Kamweti route, and Timau route, to mention but a few.

Before Hiking Mountain Kenya, you need to prepare for this adventure.

Routes to use while Hiking Mountain Kenya.

Expect to use either of the five routes to climb Mountain Kenya and these include

Burguret Route

The Burguret route is one of the most challenging trails on a mountain Kenya hike. If you wish to be unperturbed while climbing mountain Kenya, this isolated route would be the right choice because you may encounter hurdles, like walking through dense forest for a long time.

Expect to connect with other routes up mountain Kenya while taking the Burguret route. If you choose to take the Burguret route, you need an experienced and knowledgeable ranger guide to accompany you to get the most out of your experience.

Sirimon route

One of the most popular trails in Kenya is the Sirimon route. This route offers stunning views and unique plants. As you ascend Mount Kenya, you make stops at the old Moses camp, 3300 meters above sea level, and Shipton's camp, 4200 meters above sea level.

 As a popular route, the Sirimon route is mostly used for ascending and getting down by another trail like 

Naro Moru route

The Naro Mori route is one of the most popular hiking trails up mountain Kenya because of the short distance you cover before arriving the top of mountain at Lenana Peak. While taking this route, you may take about 2 days before arriving at the top of Mountain Kenya.

Look out for the unique and colorful vegetation along the way. This route ascends Mountain Kenya, and you encounter the vertical bog, which can sometimes be waterlogged. Note that the Naro Moru route is quite steep and recommended for those with good fitness.

While using the Naro Moru route takes about 3 to 4 days, some tourists prefer ascending by another route and descending by this route.

Timau Route

Hiking the Timau route takes you into the history of hiking in mountain Kenya. However, this trail is not used currently because there is no place to spend the night.

Chogoria route

When hiking Mountain Kenya, the Chogoria route is the most exciting. It offers opportunities to encounter sparkling waterfalls and a gorge. Look out for the different vegetation zones along the way. Its strategic location makes it exciting to follow when ascending and descending Mountain Kenya.

While taking the Chogoria trail, you have high chances of spotting elephants, duikers, buffaloes, mongooses, and other wild animals.

How to Prepare for Hiking Mountain Kenya

Do Pre Hiking Exercises

Before taking the mountaineering adventure on Mountain Kenya, you need to exercise to keep your body in shape. You also need to hike with your bags to practice getting up Mountain Kenya. Although you may hike with a porter on the ground to help carry your baggage, not all is carried by the porter at once, so you also have to lift some.

 While practicing to hike Mount Kenya, get your mind ready to encounter this adventure to the top, as determination is necessary.

Do Medical Checkup before travelling for Mountain Kenya Hiking

Doing a full body checkup helps you know the state of your body health and determine whether to continue the hike. In case you have infections like cough, flu, covid-19, chances of getting altitude sickness are high and may get intense as you climb higher.

Altitude sickness doesn't discriminate based on prior experience, good health, age, or physical capability. When you get altitude sickness, the best option is to move to a lower level.

Pack the right mountaineering gears.

Follow the right list of items to pack for a hike to Mountain Kenya, keeping in mind that if you get no help, you can lift them up the mountain by yourself. When up Mountain Kenya, you have a source of supplies, so ensure you pack the right gear.

Some of the must items on the list of what to pack for mountaineering adventure to Mountain Kenya include sleeping bag, hiking boots, backpack, foldable water bottle, energy eats, warmers and much more.

The Packing List When Planning to Hike Mountain Kenya.

• Camera to take photos while at Mountain Kenya is a task that is on the bucket list of many adventure seekers worldwide.
• Hiking boots that are comfortable for hiking for a long distance must also be water-proof.
• Sunscreen to protect your skin from getting sunburns.
• Sunglasses to protect your eyes from the direct sunlight and buzzing insects.
• Insect repellant to protect your skin from stinging insects you may find along the way.
• Garden gloves to protect your fingers from touching rough surfaces along the way.
• Some extra clothes to change into after the long day on the mountain.
• Energy bites to munch on when hungry because meals are taken from designated points.
• Hiking rods will give you extra support when hiking the mountain.
• Backpack to carry with your belongings so that they do not scatter while you hike.
• A torch to use for lighting.
• Some cash in case you need to do on ground purchases like hiring hiking equipment, even porter hiring before starting your hike, purchasing food, cooking equipment, fuel and others
• Warmers because the higher you go, the cooler it becomes.
• A pair of binoculars to get better visibility of far ranging features.
• A pair of stockings to protect your feet from getting cold.
• Head gears to cover yourself from getting cold while hiking to get to the top of mountain Kenya
• Sleeping bag for your nights on mountain Kenya.
• First aid kit with emergency medication in case you need it.
• Rainproof gears to protect you from getting wet and cold when it rains while up the mountain.

When Is the Best Time To Hike Mountain Kenya?

Mountain Kenya can best be hiked in the dry season, when the trails are dry and ascending is quicker. Since sunlight keeps the weather dry, moving up Mountain Kenya in this season is quicker since there is limited precipitation. The dry season is normally June to Early October and December to February.

Even when setting up camps on the way up mountain Kenya, the dry season favors your high time, but you have to wake up early to cover a longer distance before it gets too hot. You need to have some fitness level, as any mountaineering adventure requires determination.

This being the peak season, you need to book your mountaineering adventure in advance so that all necessary arrangements can be made upfront. Expect to be in the company of other tourists as this is peak season when more people join the party.

The wet season may not favor hiking mountain Kenya that is March to May and November. The trails get slippery and grass along the way obstructs the routes to be followed while ascending and descending mountain Kenya.

Is Mountain Kenya safe to hike?

Mountain Kenya is safe to hike as long as you choose the right time and ensure you are accompanied by a ranger guide. The Kenya Wildlife Service rangers are professional and experienced, so do not start the hike without a guide.

As tourists, you need to pack emergency medication in case you need it while climbing the mountain. Follow the ranger guide's path to avoid falling into some boggy surfaces along the way. Wear the right hiking gear to protect your feet from the rough jungle surfaces.

If it falls while you are climbing Mount Kenya, you may take an extra day so that the ground gets dry before you can continue instead of moving on a slippery path. Carry some insect repellant to wear on your skin and keep away biting insects that you may encounter along the way.

What Are The Guidelines For Hiking Mountain Kenya?

• Never hike Mountain Kenya without a ranger guide, as you may encounter harsh conditions while up the mountain.
• Desist from dumping garbage along the way because this alters the nature of the environment around mountain Kenya. In case you encounter this garbage, do carry it down so as to keep the environment clean.
• Use the path followed by the ranger guide to avoid making more routes, as this leads to vegetation degradation.
• While at the camp, keep it to allow others to rest and also be kind to share some of the supplies with fellows, such as the stove, lighting, and others.
• Don't pick anything from up the mountain so that to keep everything intact.
• Avoid spitting in the vegetation or soil along the way, as this will keep the environment clean.
• If you need to defecate, do it at the hut so that hygiene is maintained in the mountain, which is the water catchment area for the surrounding places.
• If you get altitude sickness, report to the ranger guide so that the best solution can be found before things get tough. The high altitude and wet cold weather conditions on Mountain Kenya can affect any traveler, experienced or not.
• Ensure you pack sleeping bags, warm clothes, and other necessary hiking equipment so that you do not run out of supplies while on the mountain.
• Ensure you rehydrate while on the mountain so that you do not get dehydrated while hiking Mount Kenya. Ensure you have enough drinking water to use while up on Mount Kenya.

Is Hiking Mountain Kenya Difficult?

Yes, the hike up Mount Kenya is challenging, but with determination and good health, you can make it to the top. You need to be at least some level of fitness and have some energy bites to keep you going. You may also pack dry fruits or vitamins to keep your body in good health.

Pack a foldable hiking rod to give you extra support while moving up mountain Kenya. Hire some porters to help carry your belongings while moving up mountain Kenya. Hiring porters is one of the best direct ways to give back to the people in the local community. They use the funds collected from being porters to support their families through education, medical treatment, dressing, and much more.

What is the cost of hiking Mountain Kenya?

The cost of hiking Mount Kenya varies with the number of days you spend on the mountain. The number of days depends on the route you decide to take and even the number of porters you hire to help with your bags. 

If you are traveling with people to hike up Mount Kenya, the cost varies. Other than that, the cost of Park entrance fees before hiking Mount Kenya is a must for every participant. This is a compulsory cost as this is one way to support park maintenance.

Have you hiked Mountain Kenya yet? Here is your chance to let us organize your hike to Mountain Kenya today. Contact us for more information.