Climbing Mt Kenya
Challenge yourself by climbing Mt Kenya, Africa’s 2nd highest, and Kenya’s highest peak, at 5199 m. With its rugged glacier-clad summits and forested middle slopes, Mount Kenya is one of the most impressive landscapes in East Africa. You will be offered some of the finest views of Mt. Kenya’s spectacular rocky peaks as you pass through rolling hillsides covered with unique high elevation vegetation. There are over 800 plant species in the national park. In addition, a wide variety of wildlife exists such as elephant, buffalo, eland, bushbuck, waterbuck, zebra, hyena, colobus monkey, white-throated guegnon and, common at higher altitudes, the ubiquitous Mt Kenya rock hyrax. Animals rarely seen include leopard, bongo, giant forest hog and rhino.
There are various routes and here we list some treks to the summits of Nelion and Batian. If you wish to do a shorter or different version than what you see here, please contact us or see Mount Kenya 5, 6 or 7 day climbs.
With the superb climbing potential on Mt Kenya, its tarns and exotic high altitude vegetation, and wildlife, the circuit around the peaks is one of the most beautiful expeditions in the East African mountains.
The peak area is formed from the hard core or plug of the volcano, the crater having long since been eroded away, and rises steeply on all sides some 450 m above the glaciers and scree slopes. There is excellent rock and ice climbing of a high standard to the twin summit peaks of Batian (5199 m) and Nelion (5188 m). The third highest peak is Pt. Lenana (4985 m) which can be reached by any fit walker, suitably equipped.
Rainy seasons in Kenya last from March to June and from October to December. The highest rainfall occurs between late March and the middle of May, and slightly less between October and mid-December. Rain and snow can be encountered at any time of year, even in the driest months January –February.
Watch a client descending the mountain with guide!
Tour Name: Climbing Mt Kenya
Price Range: $1860 – $1980
Duration: 8 days
Country(s): Kenya
Tour Type: Private
Start & Finish: Nairobi
Tour Code: KCMK8
Activities: Mountain Climbing
Pricing
Pricing per person sharing, minimum 2 persons. For solo climbers, the rates are a bit more. Please ask for a quote. Due to KWS (Kenya Wildlife Service) ever changing entrance fees, we ask that you pay them directly at the gate upon registration in case of any adjustments.
- Old Moses Liki SE Face – Chogoria 8 days – $1980 US (add $364 approximate US payable to KWS)
- Old Moses Liki North Face – Chogoria 8 days – $1980 US (add $364 approximate US payable to KWS)
- If you wish to do either of these climbs in 7 days, by leaving out an acclimatization day, the price will be $1860 US (add $312 approximate US payable to KWS)
Included
- Accommodations in tents or huts while climbing
- Mess tent, chairs and tables
- All meals while climbing
- Nairobi transfers
- Mountain Guide and porters
Not Included
- Park Entrance fees currently $52 US per day per person (payable upon registration at National Park gates). Note that these fees are highly subject to change.
- Visas, tips, souvenirs, beverages, climbing equipment and items of a personal nature.
Options
- Fly in/fly out
- Extend days on the mountain up to $120 US
- Add on a safari in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania or Rwanda
- Add on some volunteering in the region
Choose from SE Face or North Face Routes:
Itinerary SE Face – Usual Route December to February
Day 1 Nairobi – Old Moses Camp 3300 m
Depart Nairobi for Nanyuki, and proceed to Mt Kenya National Park Sirimon gate. Follow the track uphill for 10 kms to Old Moses.
Day 2 Shipton’s Camp 4236 m
Follow the trail around the head of a large valley, crossing several small streams to reach the crest of the ridge between the Otulili and Liki North Valleys. Ascend the west side of the valley, over a ridge, then down into the Mackinder Valley to meet the direct route. From here, we follow Mackinder Valley.
Day 3 Peak Circuit for Acclimatization, Shipton’s Camp
Ascend to a steep ridge through Kami Hut, Hausberg Col and Two Tarns Lake for about 4 hours. Return to Shipton’s Camp.
Day 4 Austrian Hut (Top Hut) 4700m
Trek to Austrian Hut, located just east of Point Lenana. This will be your base before climbing Nelion.
Day 5 Point Lenana 4985 m, Austrian Hut 4700 m
Climb to Point Lenana, a long and hard section with tough scree. This will help with acclimatization and also provides great views of Mackinder’s Valley.
Day 6 Summit Day – Nelion and Batian summit 5199 m
Arising early, we can reach the base of the route to the summit in about an hour. Crampons are generally used to cross the small glacier. It is not steep, but the snow is often quite firm. The summit day is fairly long, from 10 to 12 hours for the round trip.
Day 7 Met Station 3048 m
For a quicker descent we can elect to go out to the the south past what is known as the “Met Station”.
Day 8 Nairobi
We continue our trek out, meeting our vehicle and return to Nairobi. It is possible to depart Nairobi late that evening or, better, the following day.
Itinerary North Face
Day 1 Nairobi – Old Moses Camp 3300 m
Depart Nairobi for Nanyuki, and proceed to Mt Kenya National Park Sirimon gate. Follow the track uphill for 10 kms to Old Moses.
Day 2 Shipton’s Camp 4236 m
Follow the trail around the head of a large valley, crossing several small streams to reach the crest of the ridge between the Otulili and Liki North Valleys. Ascend the west side of the valley, over a ridge, then down into the Mackinder Valley to meet the direct route. From here, we follow Mackinder Valley.
Day 3 Peak Circuit for Acclimatization, Shipton’s Camp
Ascend to a steep ridge through Kami Hut, Hausberg Col and Two Tarns Lake for about 4 hours. Return to Shipton’s Camp.
Day 4 Kami Hut 4600 m
Today, ascend to Kami Hut, normally taking 2hrs. This is the base camp for climbers who are doing the North Face.
Day 5 Firmin Tower
Ascent of Batian by the North Face Standard Route. Starting in the early morning dark, usually between 4 and 5 am, we may climb the first couple of pitches by headlamp. This section is rocky and frozen scree. Start climbing 10 ropes, spending the night at Firmin Tower.
Day 6 Summit Batian 5199 m to Shipton’s Camp 4250 m
From Firmin Tower, continue rock climbing until you reach Batian peak at 5,199m, at around midday. Afterwards, abseil down to the bottom and walk to Shipton’s Camp for dinner and overnight.
Day 7 Meru Bandas 3000m
Ascend Simba col then down to Meru Mount Kenya Bandas above Chogoria, following the Gorges Valley. It will take 7 hours to reach the bandas.
Day 8 Nairobi
Continue walking down through the bamboo and indigenous forest to Bairunyi to meet up with your transport back to Nairobi.
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