Review: Your Awesome 4-Day Mount Kenya Climbing Trip
Alright, so you’re dreaming about tackling Mount Kenya? Very cool! Perhaps a 4-day climbing safari sounds like, you know, just the ticket to get you up there. Let me walk you through what you might expect, covering routes, what to pack, plus some, very useful, pointers, that can, arguably, turn your trek from hard work into a walk – okay, maybe not a walk – but certainly make it more of a blast. Trust me, climbing this place is a real adventure, a thing you will keep in your memory. That climb can also feel more epic if it’s properly planned.
Picking Your Route: The Naro Moru Path
Now, when you look into that 4-day option, you’ll see the Naro Moru route is the popular choice, a very well liked choice. Why? So, it’s fairly direct, meaning, pretty quick to get you up to the peaks, and also back down. Because of this directness, well, it’s quite a steep climb in some sections, I mean you are going up the side of a mountain so expect to break a sweat. Still, tons of climbers like your, pick Naro Moru. It offers some seriously, truly amazing views and a decent challenge. I would say it’s pretty awesome. Just picture it: breathtaking views once you get higher. By the way, do remember it is useful if you are reasonably fit. It helps, you know?
Usually, first, you go through the rain forest belt, so, remember it can be quite muddy. Make sure you’ve got boots that you like and are ready for that stuff! Next, you’re onto vertical bog, so, more dampness is coming. Day two is generally when you move into a place called Mackinder’s Camp, the whole time climbing. Finally, from there, on day three, many, often get up very, very early to hit Point Lenana – so it is one of Mount Kenya’s three peaks, just to make you aware. If the weather plays along, well, seeing the sunrise from up there? I think, for you it will be seriously unforgettable, literally mind blowing. Pack a camera!
Other Route Choices
Right then, if Naro Moru doesn’t grab you, well, there is also the Sirimon route, and the Chogoria route. The Sirimon route tends to be a bit drier and slightly easier, and because of that, I might add, it is a decent alternative to Naro Moru if you’re not quite so fond of all the mud. Plus, it has, actually, some terrific scenery too. Chogoria, in contrast, it is known for great panoramic views, seriously some of the best. The climb is seen as pretty scenic; and its descent can be more tough than the others, like your climb and others. If you pick these routes, I would guess that means adapting the 4-day itinerary a bit, by the way, because those routes sometimes need more days, in that case, keep an eye on that. Anyway, whatever you pick, the views will certainly reward you for getting to the summit.
What to Pack: Gear Up for the Heights
Okay, so, packing time. Very exciting! Mount Kenya weather? It’s something of a mood swing type thing, literally from super warm to freezing. Bring clothes for all types of weather. Here’s a short hit-list of what you should probably, pretty probably bring:
- Warm layers, maybe lots of them, I reckon
- So then a seriously waterproof jacket and pants.
- Comfy hiking boots that are, that you love!
- Several pairs of warm hiking socks
- Good gloves, so like very warm.
- A hat, probably for sun and another for keeping warm, very practical.
- Loads of sunscreen – honestly, the sun up there, can be stronger than you might guess!
- Sunglasses that protect your eyes very well.
- A headlamp. Actually that’s essential if you want to get to the summit at sunrise.
- A daypack for everything that you love and want available easily
Oh, remember things, very important things, for altitude sickness! You might want, really want to discuss this stuff with your doctor, a little prior to your travel time, and make sure you have any medicines just if! If you want to hydrate, a reusable water bottle or hydration pack is just spot-on too. That way, like, you stay hydrated going up!
On the Mountain: What to Expect
Going uphill, basically? Now, here’s something you should, I believe, know: The mountain is more than the view. First day: Well, you are getting your legs used to uphill paths, the same with the day after that and then again after that. Very fun but prepare, and make yourself available, for lots of tree cover on your trip. As a rule, this offers loads of shade. Second day: See, there is a push uphill, which goes up through the moorland, which opens you up more and more towards some amazing mountain vistas, truly mind blowing views. By day three, you are, it seems, hitting higher camps such as Mackinder’s Camp where many, regularly hang about and get themselves settled down and ready for their sunrise climb the day after, so they get a tiny amount of sleep before walking some more in the dark. Then on the fourth day, well, for many that signals pushing onto one of the peaks if possible and trekking down.
Okay, keep in mind that your team, your guide, your porters are, just spot-on at supporting you, and actually help with tips, just to let you know how the mountain acts. I would suggest that you follow them very very closely. Hear their warnings about altitude issues or weather problems or other problems. It seems like you will definitely want to keep yourself tuned in.
Choosing a Climbing Company
Now, deciding who is to get you up the hill. So, here are just some pointers I want you to read. Research the climb group carefully: what is the opinion from others about their support and safety? Look at whether they have, maybe have properly-trained guides and good support staff. The mountain is, after all, to be respected, it’s good if the people with you also agree with that. Just verify the itinerary closely, very closely, especially about acclimatization plans – are the times for gradual ascent and descent actually sufficient? Confirm also: Does the gear and food included in the cost come with suitable standards? Lastly: So, see what their disaster plans entail: how about emergency support? So, what occurs if folks get mountain illness quickly? Knowing your company is sound it’s, actually, a big part of enjoying your mountain holiday.
Post-Climb Relaxation Ideas
Right then, you made it! So what should you do to celebrate? Here are some ways to catch your breath again!
- Staying at a place, a spot around Nanyuki. It will give your body that break it, possibly it, really wants, and you could treat your muscles with, well, a nice massage.
- Wanting to see other things about Kenya after that trek, like your trip up there is done? Many tourists move onto wildlife tours. Places such as Masai Mara as well as Amboseli park offer you completely, really completely, something a world apart than mountain areas: It might add, so it can, even more brilliance for your vacation plan!
Budgeting For Your Climb
Alright so, how many, do you imagine, like you will be needing to spend, so basically, I have laid this out, so you can picture it. Trip firms? Now that’s very variable; many can be very affordable, and some, conversely, they come at an extremely, very large cost. Think: Does it cover the things like park entry costs, team wages or gear charges if rented locally? I should explain to you too about personal expenditures because of money concerns because people forget about money, such as: Tipping team workers and treating one to post mountain trips, like what gifts shall be offered! Now, the total spend is adjustable: so the decision on things that feel necessary or non, seriously will alter your final payment bill amount!
To enjoy your awesome hike it might seem worthwhile when carefully priced out. Do spend a chunk of money getting well designed equipment, such as footwear so that there won’t likely occur injuries on steep rises that will make the tour, maybe make your, fun days there far from funny! It is quite worth planning!
Tips for a Smooth Climb
For getting the trek to unfold in the right conditions? Now here some little tips might just, very probably, do that!
- Have lots of conditioning done: Physical training will increase confidence levels by mountain paths that could appear intense.
- Do things progressively in order to acclimatise. So go slowly towards altitudes. This step can impact your full journey since climbing and hiking slowly allows the acclimatisation required so physical strain due to climbing might then get limited significantly for enjoyment’s benefits!
- Ensure constant hydration with your bottled beverage all throughout: Altitude draws off liquids quicker in many! Ensure one drinks constantly for a better and healthier outing!
- Treat, very very good, feet: Keep off getting feet infections, foot cuts/scrapes by choosing high quality boots designed to give excellent, seriously great ankle care at the same instance with wearing the right socks designed, it would appear, ideally to decrease swell risks from that trek duration and also provide, very practical insulation whenever, may I say it, it seems like feet could likely be overly dampened through snow melts or rainfall drops on peaks top positions during ascent ventures.
