Overview:
4-Day Climbing Sirimon Route
Mount Kenya has been thought of and held in reverence by the local communities as God`s residence. The snow on the peaks astonished the explorers, who could not figure out its existence right at the equator. The roads were initially dug for military purposes to help access the forest and flush out Maumau freedom fighters. The mountain has not escaped the attention of notable filmmakers who have shot award-winning cinemas and documentaries. {Nowhere in Africa, The Night Climbers of Cambridge, and No Picnic on Mt Kenya, are just but a few.} Book writers have also written some best-selling titles, including “The Ascent”
Mt Kenya was recognized as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and later as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Mt Kenya is regarded as the most visually stunning of the ice-capped African peaks and is home to a great diversity of wildlife, including leopards, elephants, and buffalo. The ascent is an exhilarating and diverse trek, with relatively few hikers compared to Kilimanjaro. Many would argue that Mt. Kenya, despite not being as high as Kilimanjaro, is certainly the more enjoyable, interesting, and dramatic of the two mountains.
The Sirimon route is considered by many to be one of the easiest routes to reach Lenana. The route is on the dry side of the mountain and affords walks through old-growth forests on lower slopes and giant heather, alpine flowers, and lobelia at higher elevations.
Day 1: Nairobi – Old Moses Camp.
Pick up from your city hotel or residence at 7:00 a.m. The drive to Nanyuki will take four and a half {4½} hours. Here we meet the crew for the hike. Consequently, we replenish our supplies before heading to Sirimon Park Gate, 2,650 m. As park formalities and payments are finalised, we prepare and serve a picnic lunch. We hike for nine {9km} to Old Moses Camp (3,300 m) for dinner and overnight in bunkhouses.
Day 2: Old Moses – Shipton’s Camp
After breakfast, leave at 7:00 a.m. for Shipton’s camp, 13km away. We cross several small streams to reach the crest of the ridge between the Ontulili and Liki North Valleys, then into Mackinder’s valley. Lunch will be served en route. Dinner and overnight at Shipton’s Camp 4,200m asl.
Day 3: Shipton’s – Point Lenana – Old Moses camp
Wake up at 2:00 a.m., have tea and biscuits, then leave at 3:00 a.m. for the Lenana summit. This section is a long, hard slog, and the path is indistinct in places. Expected to reach point Lenana (4,985m) at 06:30 hrs and catch the sunrise.
After enjoying the views and taking your pictures, descend to Shipton’s camp for hot brunch at 9:00 a.m. A short rest of approximately one hour before a further descent to Old Moses Camp for dinner and overnight.
Day 4: Old Moses – Sirimon gate – Nairobi
Breakfast, then departure for Sirimon Gate, where we meet our transfer vehicle to Nanyuki. After lunch, we proceed to Nairobi after a very memorable climb up the 4-Day Climbing Sirimon Route! Expected to be back in Nairobi by 17:00 hrs.
Mountains have their own climate on account of their height. Rain clouds can appear without warning and be gone hours later. An early morning frost is possible at any time of the year, and guests should bring a fleece and light rain jacket, although, during the heat of the day, shorts and T-shirts should suffice.
Sleeping bag: one rated for four (4) seasons is fine. The bag should be a snug fit since if it is too large, there will be more cool air for the body to warm
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- Rain Trouser
- Rain Jacket [Poncho]
- Balaclava [Hat Woollen]
- Warm Clothes down jacket
- Thermal underwear
- Fleece Jacket
- Hiking Boots
- Gloves
- Walking Sticks
- Head Torch
- Sunglasses
- First Aid box
- Ruck Suck 65L (duffel bags are unacceptable) to be carried by porters
- Day Pack 35 [For your personal effects]
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- Optional comfort accessories:
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Walking poles, hot water bottle, Bivy bag
Wet wipes; ideal for those who want to stay fresh but are unable to bear dips in the freezing mountain weather
4: Passport/Identification Card {ID}
5: Personal travel/ medical insurance
Options are, of course, many and varied, and in many cases, we can be flexible about the itinerary for accommodation facilities and the extension of the safari destinations.
