Experience the spectacular beauty of Mount Kenya on a rewarding 5-day climbing trek to Point Lenana (4,985 m / 16,355 ft), the mountain’s highest trekking summit. This well-paced itinerary is ideal for hikers who want a scenic and adventurous Mount Kenya trek with more time for acclimatization, exploration and enjoying the changing mountain landscapes.
Your journey takes you through montane forest, open moorland, dramatic valleys and rugged alpine terrain, culminating in an early-morning ascent of Point Lenana for breathtaking views across Mount Kenya and beyond. Compared with shorter itineraries, five days allows a more comfortable pace and valuable time to adjust to the altitude.
Supported by an experienced team of professional mountain guides, porters and cooks, you can focus on the trek while the team assists with navigation, camp logistics, meals and carrying the necessary equipment. If you are looking for a challenging yet rewarding mountain adventure and a scenic alternative to climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, this 5-day Mount Kenya trek is an excellent choice.
Distance: 5.6 miles (9 km)
Trekking time: 3–4 hours
Elevation gain: 2,820 ft (860 m)
Overnight: Judmaier (Old Moses) Camp, 3,300 m (10,826 ft)
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Your 5-day Mount Kenya trek begins with a pick-up from your accommodation in Nairobi at approximately 7:30 AM. Drive to Nanyuki, a journey of about four hours, where you will stop for lunch before continuing to Sirimon Gate.
From Sirimon Gate, begin your trek through the montane forest along a steadily ascending trail. As you gain altitude, the forest gradually gives way to open moorland and higher-altitude vegetation. After approximately 3–4 hours of trekking, continue to Judmaier Camp, also known as Old Moses Camp, where you will have dinner and spend the night.
This first day provides a gentle introduction to the mountain and allows you to begin adjusting to the increasing altitude.
Distance: 10 miles (16 km)
Trekking time: 6–7 hours
Elevation gain: 2,950 ft (900 m)
Overnight: Shipton’s Camp, 4,200 m (13,779 ft)
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
After breakfast, continue uphill from Old Moses Camp along the Sirimon Route. At the first junction, take the left fork and continue toward the higher moorland.
After about an hour, cross the Ontulili River before turning toward the moorland and continuing across the Liki North area. The trail gradually climbs toward Mackinder Valley, where the landscape becomes increasingly dramatic and panoramic views open toward Mount Kenya’s main peaks.
Continue through the valley toward Shipton’s Camp, situated at approximately 4,200 metres. After reaching camp, enjoy dinner and rest overnight as you prepare for the summit and acclimatization day ahead.
Trekking: Acclimatization hike
Overnight: Shipton’s Camp, 4,200 m (13,779 ft)
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Today is dedicated to acclimatization at high altitude. Rather than making a major ascent, you will take a scenic acclimatization hike from Shipton’s Camp toward Kami Hut and the spectacular Hausberg Lakes, including Hausberg Tarn and Nanyuki Tarn.
The hike provides an opportunity to explore the dramatic alpine landscape around Mount Kenya while allowing your body additional time to adjust to the altitude. After the acclimatization walk, return to Shipton’s Camp for dinner and another night at altitude.
A dedicated acclimatization day is an important part of this 5-day itinerary, helping you prepare for the early-morning ascent of Point Lenana.
Distance: Approximately 20 miles (32 km)
Trekking time: 11–12 hours
Elevation gain to Point Lenana: 2,575 ft (785 m)
Summit: Point Lenana, 4,985 m (16,355 ft)
Overnight: Mount Meru Bandas, approximately 2,950 m (9,678 ft)
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
The summit day begins early, at approximately 3:00 AM. Leave Shipton’s Camp and ascend along a steep, rocky trail toward the higher slopes of Mount Kenya. The pre-dawn climb is challenging, but the goal is to reach Point Lenana (4,985 m) in time for sunrise.
After approximately 3–4 hours of ascent, arrive at Point Lenana, the highest trekking summit on Mount Kenya. From the summit, enjoy spectacular sunrise views across the surrounding mountains and landscapes before beginning your descent.
Continue down toward Mintos Hut, where you will stop for breakfast. After breakfast, trek for another 4–5 hours through the changing mountain scenery toward Mount Meru Bandas, where you will have dinner and spend your final night on the mountain.
This is the longest and most demanding day of the trek, but reaching Point Lenana at sunrise makes it the highlight of the Mount Kenya adventure.
Distance: 9 miles (14.5 km)
Trekking time: Approximately 2 hours
Overnight: Nairobi
Meals: Breakfast and lunch\
After breakfast, begin the final descent through the forest toward the forest clearance. From here, board a 4×4 transfer vehicle for the journey to Chogoria.
In Chogoria, meet your driver and begin the return journey to Nairobi. Lunch is included, and you can relax after completing your 5-day Mount Kenya trek to Point Lenana.
Your adventure ends in Nairobi with wonderful memories of Mount Kenya’s forests, moorlands, valleys, alpine scenery and spectacular summit views.
