Mount Kenya Day Trip from Nairobi: Hike to the Teleki Valley
Short on time but keen to set foot on Africa’s second-highest mountain? This Mount Kenya day trip takes you from Nairobi to the Naro Moru side of the mountain and back in a single day. From Met Station, at about 3,000 m, you hike up through giant heather into the moorland to the head of the Teleki Valley and on to a ridge at 4,000 m, with a splendid view of the main peaks of Batian and Nelion.
Park: Mount Kenya National Park · Grade: B, moderate · Highest point: about 4,000 m · Starts and ends: Nairobi · Departs: any day
Why Take the Mount Kenya Day Trip?
- A quick visit to Mount Kenya. Take a day off from work or from your safari and hike on Africa’s second-highest mountain, without camping overnight.
- A good first taste of altitude. If you are planning to climb Mount Kenya or Kilimanjaro, a day at 3,000 to 4,000 m shows you how your body copes with the altitude before your main climb.
- Experienced mountain guides. Our guides have more than 20 years’ experience and have led many successful summit climbs, so you are in good hands.
Itinerary
- 1Nairobi Start
- 2Naro Moru
- 3Mount Kenya
- 1Nairobi Finish
By road
Day 1: Nairobi – Naro Moru – Met Station – Teleki Valley – Nairobi (L)
We leave Nairobi at 5:30 AM and drive north to Naro Moru town, arriving at about 8:30 AM, where your guides give you a briefing and sort out the equipment. Drive 16 km to the park gate to check in to Mount Kenya National Park, stopping for photos and to look for bushbucks, waterbucks, baboons and birds, then continue by 4×4 vehicle up the Naro Moru track to the roadhead at Met Station (about 3,000 m).
After a short talk from your guides about the plants around the camp, set off at a relaxed pace up the mountain, through hagenia trees and giant heather into the moorland of tussock grass, giant lobelias and groundsels, with wide views back over the lowlands to the Aberdare Range. Look out for the mountain’s birds and flowers along the way. After three to four hours, you reach the picnic rocks at the head of the Teleki Valley (3,700 m) for your packed lunch with a view.
After lunch, continue to the crest of the ridge at 4,000 m, where you have a splendid view of the main peaks and down the Teleki Valley. Then descend to Met Station, about two to three hours, where the 4×4 vehicles are waiting to take you back down the mountain and on to Nairobi, where the trip ends.
Hiking: about 5 to 7 hours in total · Highest point: about 4,000 m · Start of the hike: Met Station, about 3,000 m
Lunch
Package Includes
- Mount Kenya National Park entrance fees
- Return transport between Nairobi and Naro Moru
- 4×4 transfer between the park gate and Met Station
- Services of an experienced, English-speaking mountain guide
- Packed lunch on the mountain
- 1.5 litres of bottled water per person
- All government taxes and levies
Package Excludes
- Flying Doctors (AMREF) air ambulance evacuation cover – US$ 10 per person
- Tips for your guide
- Drinks, international flights, visas, travel insurance and personal expenses
What to Bring
Even on a sunny day it is cold and windy at 4,000 m, and the weather on the mountain can change quickly. Bring a small daypack with a warm fleece or down jacket, a waterproof jacket, a warm hat and gloves, a sun hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and lip balm. Wear comfortable, broken-in hiking boots, and bring a camera and your own snacks.
Climbing Gear for Hire
No need to buy or carry everything from home: you can hire the main cold-weather gear from us for your hike.
| Item | Hire price |
|---|---|
| Hiking boots | US$ 5 per day |
| Rain trousers and jacket | US$ 2 per piece per day |
| Gloves | US$ 2 per day |
| Warm freezer jacket | US$ 2 per day |
| Warm balaclava | US$ 2 per day |
| Walking poles | US$ 2 per pair per day |
Please let us know your boot size when you book, so we can have the right pair ready. No deposit is needed.
Mount Kenya Day Trip FAQ
How fit do I need to be?
The hike is graded moderate. You should be comfortable walking uphill for several hours. There is no climbing involved, and your guides set a steady pace, but the altitude makes the walk feel harder than it would at sea level.
Will I feel the altitude?
Many people notice the thin air above 3,000 m, with shortness of breath or a mild headache. Walk slowly, drink plenty of water and tell your guide if you feel unwell. As you only go up to about 4,000 m and come back down the same day, serious altitude sickness is rare.
Can I combine the day trip with a safari?
Yes. The day trip fits well into a safari that passes Mount Kenya, for example on the way to Ol Pejeta, Samburu or the Aberdares. Ask us and we will plan it into your itinerary.
