7 DAYS TIMAU ROUTE
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- 7 DAYS TIMAU ROUTE
7 DAYS TIMAU ROUTE
7 DAYS TIMAU ROUTE

01
Timau to Marania Camp
Departure from Glamping kenya (base lodge of Mount Kenya). Continue by road to the trailhead of the Timau route north of Timau town at 2,700m above sea level.
The hike starts at the start of the moorland zone and takes you up through patches of bamboo and heather. We will stop for lunch on the rim of the crater, which offers a chance to see some of the rare mountain species including eland, zebra, buffalo and even the occasional elephant.
The view as you ascend is breath-taking, looking down across Kisima, Lewa Downs, Samburu and the great Northern Frontier beyond and up to the glaring peaks of Mount Kenya ahead.
Stop for a picnic lunch and continue on your way to Marania Camp on the edge of one of the mountain’s shoulders in heather moorland.
Distance: 8 km
Hours Trekking: 4 hrs.
Altitude gain: 500m, 1,640 ft
Overnight at Marania Camp (3,200 m 10,500 ft)
Timau to Marania Camp
Departure from Glamping kenya (base lodge of Mount Kenya). Continue by road to the trailhead of the Timau route north of Timau town at 2,700m above sea level. The hike starts at the start of the moorland zone and takes you up through patches of bamboo and heather. We will stop for lunch on the rim of the crater, which offers a chance to see some of the rare mountain species including eland, zebra, buffalo and even the occasional elephant. The view as you ascend is breath-taking, looking down across Kisima, Lewa Downs, Samburu and the great Northern Frontier beyond and up to the glaring peaks of Mount Kenya ahead. Stop for a picnic lunch and continue on your way to Marania Camp on the edge of one of the mountain’s shoulders in heather moorland.
Distance: 8 km Hours Trekking: 4 hrs. Altitude gain: 500m, 1,640 ft Overnight at Marania Camp (3,200 m 10,500 ft)
02
Marania to Major’s Camp
We will depart the camp after breakfast, walking up through the moorland towards the peaks ahead that make up the Mount Kenya Massif.
A picnic lunch will be set up at the Marania Spring, the source of the river that runs by Marania camp. It's a beautiful lunch spot, especially if there are some curious zebra around.
You will arrive at Major’s Camp in the afternoon, which is located at the base of the valley near some very dramatic rock faces. Some wildlife has been known to frequent the area, and previous guests have had sightings of the rare Serval cat!
Distance: 14 km
Hours Trekking: 8 hrs.
Altitude gain: 600m, 1,970 ft
Overnight at Major’s Camp (3,800 m 12,470 ft)
Marania to Major’s Camp
We will depart the camp after breakfast, walking up through the moorland towards the peaks ahead that make up the Mount Kenya Massif. A picnic lunch will be set up at the Marania Spring, the source of the river that runs by Marania camp. It's a beautiful lunch spot, especially if there are some curious zebra around. You will arrive at Major’s Camp in the afternoon, which is located at the base of the valley near some very dramatic rock faces. Some wildlife has been known to frequent the area, and previous guests have had sightings of the rare Serval cat!
Distance: 14 km Hours Trekking: 8 hrs. Altitude gain: 600m, 1,970 ft Overnight at Major’s Camp (3,800 m 12,470 ft)
03
Major’s to Simba Tarn Camp
You will begin the long, gradual hike up towards the Lower Simba Tarn. This walk is an experience unlike any other, with a unique lunar landscape coupled with very distinctive vegetation.
You'll catch your first glimpse of the fabulous Giant groundsels and Lobelias, particularly in the Hobley Valley below the massifs of Terere and Sendeyo (named after two Maasai wise men). This vegetation is endemic to Mt Kenya.
You will arrive at the Simba Tarn camp at the top of the Hobley Valley and the aptly named Gorges Valley. The views from Simba Tarn camp are staggering.
Distance: 12 km
Hours Trekking: 8 hrs.
Altitude gain: 850m, 2,790 ft
Overnight at Simba Tarn Camp (4,650 m 15,255 ft)
Major’s to Simba Tarn Camp
You will begin the long, gradual hike up towards the Lower Simba Tarn. This walk is an experience unlike any other, with a unique lunar landscape coupled with very distinctive vegetation. You'll catch your first glimpse of the fabulous Giant groundsels and Lobelias, particularly in the Hobley Valley below the massifs of Terere and Sendeyo (named after two Maasai wise men). This vegetation is endemic to Mt Kenya. You will arrive at the Simba Tarn camp at the top of the Hobley Valley and the aptly named Gorges Valley. The views from Simba Tarn camp are staggering.
Distance: 12 km Hours Trekking: 8 hrs. Altitude gain: 850m, 2,790 ft Overnight at Simba Tarn Camp (4,650 m 15,255 ft)
04
Simba Tarn to Teleki camp site via Point Lenana
An early departure at 5.30am for a sunrise summit is the best way to experience this climb, and enjoy the expansive views of the mountainside, valleys and country beyond - even the summit of Kilimanjaro - whilst sipping a hot tea or coffee.
The descent takes you down the southern side along the Naro Moru route, where you will have brunch in the Teleki Valley and spend the rest of the day enjoying the view of the surrounding peaks
Distance: 18 km
Hours Trekking: 5-6 hrs.
Altitude gain: 335m, 1,100 ft
Altitude at Lenana: 4925m
Simba Tarn to Teleki camp site via Point Lenana
An early departure at 5.30am for a sunrise summit is the best way to experience this climb, and enjoy the expansive views of the mountainside, valleys and country beyond - even the summit of Kilimanjaro - whilst sipping a hot tea or coffee. The descent takes you down the southern side along the Naro Moru route, where you will have brunch in the Teleki Valley and spend the rest of the day enjoying the view of the surrounding peaks
Distance: 18 km Hours Trekking: 5-6 hrs. Altitude gain: 335m, 1,100 ft Altitude at Lenana: 4925m
05
Teleki valley to Mackinder valley campsite via the Eastern Terminal traverse
After breakfast, we press on, passing the Hut tarn, Arthers seat and around to a camp just below the Shiptons camp in the Mackinders valley.
This is arguably one of the most beautiful sections to walk on Mt Kenya.
Distance: 18 km
Hours Trekking: 6hrs.
Altitude: 4300m
Teleki valley to Mackinder valley campsite via the Eastern Terminal traverse
After breakfast, we press on, passing the Hut tarn, Arthers seat and around to a camp just below the Shiptons camp in the Mackinders valley. This is arguably one of the most beautiful sections to walk on Mt Kenya.
Distance: 18 km Hours Trekking: 6hrs. Altitude: 4300m
06
Mackinder Valley Camp to Old Moses Hut (3,200m)
Depart after breakfast for a walk down the Mackinder valley to the Old Moses Hut for collection and transfer to your hotel, where you can enjoy a well deserved shower and a hot meal!
Mackinder Valley Camp to Old Moses Hut (3,200m)
Depart after breakfast for a walk down the Mackinder valley to the Old Moses Hut for collection and transfer to your hotel, where you can enjoy a well deserved shower and a hot meal!
07
Return to your hotel/ lodge.
After breakfast, transfer back to Glamping Kenya for a hot shower and a well earned sleep after Mt Kenya climb.
Return to your hotel/ lodge.
After breakfast, transfer back to Glamping Kenya for a hot shower and a well earned sleep after Mt Kenya climb.