At 17,057 feet, Mount Kenya is the second-tallest mountain in Africa. Every year, adventurers around the world make their way to the mountain for its numerous challenging treks and some of the greatest alpine climbs on the continent. And for anyone looking to experience Mt. Kenya without worrying about crowds, the under-visited and highly underrated Timau Route is the way to go! The route approaches the mountain from the north side. Initially, it meanders over gentle slopes, allowing for excellent acclimatization and plenty of chances to admire the endemic flora and fauna. However, after 14,000 feet, the route steepens, and climbers are faced with magnificent valleys, scenic rivers, and monumental peaks. To top it all off, the low rainfall and mild slopes create ideal climbing conditions for learners and experienced hikers alike. Answer the call of the wild and hike Africa’s majestic wilderness!
Ascend Mt. Kenya via some of Africa’s greatest trekking routes
Catch a glimpse of exotic animals and discover the endemic flora
The route’s low rainfall results in some of the best climbing conditions on the mountain
57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity.
We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, their guides, and the communities they’re traveling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in the Timau Route, Kenya, please refer to the U.K. Government’s travel advice for Kenya or the U.S. Embassy’s COVID-19 information site for Kenya.
Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!
What you get on this adventure:
What’s not included:
The best thing about hiking the Timau route of Mt. Kenya is that it requires no technical climbing skills. This hike’s change in elevation is gradual, allowing for good acclimatization to the altitude. The hikes will gradually start to increase in length, with you hiking anywhere between four to eight miles a day. This trek requires a well-established fitness base but it is certainly one of the more adventurous and rewarding treks on the mountain. Keep in mind, the weather can change quickly and you’ll also be packing a daypack filled with water and other things you’ll need throughout the day.
Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:
For camping, you need to bring:
Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans. Keep in mind that despite Mount Kenya being on the equator in Africa, it can get very cold. In the early morning hours the temperature can get to about -4 degrees Celsius and as high as 18 degrees Celsius during the day.
A porter can carry a max of 18kg/39.6Lbs, including food, accommodation, wages, etc. There will be multiple porters depending on the amount of baggage and in case your baggage weighs more, you can hire another porter for an additional fee.
Group sizes and prices:
Hiking in Mt. Kenya can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements:
If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
To get to the Timau Route, most people fly into Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi. From there, you can rent a car and go for a 3-hour drive to Nanyuki. Local flight options are also available. Your guide also offers transfer services from Nairobi to Nanyuki, priced at $100. From Nanyuki airport or the town, your guide will transfer you to the trailhead for a fee of $20 per person.
There are no direct flights from the US or Canada to East Africa. The fastest routes to Nairobi are usually two nonstop legs via London or another European city such as Amsterdam, Frankfurt, or Paris.
Once you and your guide agree on the details of your itinerary, your guide will suggest the best place to meet, whether that’s at the guide shop in Nanyuki Town or a predetermined location. The guide will choose the appropriate terrain dependent on conditions and the ability of the group.
Registration for an adventure with your guide requires a 50% non-refundable deposit. The balance of program fees will generally be due 90 days prior to the starting date of the program. It is your responsibility to adhere to the fee payment schedule. Late payment will result in cancellation of program reservations and forfeiture of all fees paid.
If your guide has to make an alteration to the time of departure or return to the your home exceeding 12 hours between the date of your booking and the date of departure to, you can decide no to proceed with the booking. In that case, you can:
If your guide increases the basic price of the trip by 10% or more and you do not wish to continue with the trip, you may cancel your booking and get a full refund in respect of the basic cost of the trip but your guide will not be responsible for other incurred costs.
Should you cancel for any other reason the following charges will apply:
If your guide is forced to cancel your trip, you will be given the opportunity either to:
If the reason for the cancellation less than 8 weeks before the advertised departure date is a lack of bookings, a compensation of $30 per properly booked person will be paid.
Your guides will transfer you from Nanyuki Town to the road head of the Timau Route, 8,860 ft (2,700m) above sea level. Start from the moorland zone and traverse patches of bamboo and heather. Have lunch at the rim of the crater, where you may come across rare mountain species, such as zebras, buffalo, and even the occasional elephant. Enjoy breathtaking views of Kisima, Lewa Downs, Samburu, and the Great Northern Frontier as you ascend. After a picnic lunch, proceed to Marania and camp on the edge of one of the mountain’s shoulders in heather moorland.
Altitude gain: 1,640 ft / 500 m
Distance: 5 miles / 8 km
Duration: 4 hours
Depart after breakfast, walking through the moorlands to the peaks ahead, making up the Mt. Kenya Massif. Have a picnic lunch at the Marania Spring, the source of the river running by Marania Camp, and you may even stumble upon a curious zebra. Arrive at Major’s Camp, located at the base of the valley near some dramatic rock faces, in the afternoon.
Altitude gain: 1,970 ft / 600 m
Distance: 8,1 miles / 14 km
Duration: 8 hours
Begin a long, gradual hike up towards the Lower Simba Tarn. This walk is unique due to the extremely lunar landscape coupled with very distinctive vegetation. The giant groundsel trees and colorful lobelias, named after two Maasai wise men, are endemic to Mt. Kenya’s Hobley Valley due to their adaptations to vast day-to-day temperature changes. Arrive at Simba Tarn camp at the top of the Hobley Valley and aptly named Gorges Valley, and marvel at the breathtaking views of Africa.
Altitude gain: 2,790ft / 850m
Distance: 7,8 miles / 12km
Duration: 8 hours
Depart for the climb very early in the morning for a sunrise summit. This is the best way to experience this climb and enjoy the expansive views of the mountainside, valleys, and the country beyond, all the way to the Kilimanjaro summit. Descend down to the southern side of the mountain along the Naro Moru route, and have brunch in the Teleki Valley. All that’s left is a final walk down to the MET station and a safe return home. If the weather doesn’t permit this route, the guide may use the Sirimon route for the descent.
Altitude gain: 1,100ft / 335m
Distance: 11,3 miles / 18km
Duration: 12 hours
