Climbing Mount Kenya

Mount Kenya is the highest mountain in Kenya and the second-highest in Africa, after Mount Kilimanjaro. The Mountain has several peaks but the highest peaks are Batian peak (5,199 meters (17,057 ft)), Nelion Peak (5,188 meters (17,021 ft)), and Point Lenana (4,985 meters (16,355 ft)). Batian and Nelion are permanently iced with snow and small glaciers, and home to an array of technical alpine climbs.

Mount Kenya is located in central Kenya, just south of the equator, around 150 kilometers (94 miles) north-northeast of Kenya’s Capital City, Nairobi. Mount Kenya is the source of the name of the Republic of Kenya.

Mount Kenya is an extinct volcano created approximately 3 million years after the opening of the East African Rift. Before glaciations, it was 7,000 m (23,000 ft) high. It was covered by an ice cap for thousands of years. This has resulted in much-eroded slopes and numerous valleys radiating from the center. There are currently eleven small glaciers. The forested slopes are an important source of water for Kenya.

Mount Kenya is close to the equator ad therefore the season for climbing the mountain depends on which side of the peak you want to take. Batian peak is most commonly climbed by the “North Face Standard Route” and the season for this is typically July to September. Nelion’s peak is commonly done by the MacKinder’s Route. The climb faces southeast and the season is normally December to February when the south side of the peak receives more sun. The famous ice routes of the Diamond Couloirs and Ice Window face south, and their best season is June to October.

Our trekking safaris to Mt. Kenya covers a broad spectrum of possibilities. We have designed many new itineraries to meet a variety of demands from all types of individuals. We cater to the needs of a range of visitors, from the nature admirer who simply wants to have a leisurely day around the Mt. Kenya National Park or a day hike to explore the unique lower forest of the Mt. Kenya slopes – hoping to have a glimpse of the summits. To the more ambitious, who wishes to summit Point Lenana, we feel that the suggested itineraries offer the best value. However, because the mountain is so large and offers such a diversity of trekking and climbing routes, should there be a need for a special itinerary that you require, please let us know and we will assist you in every way. We will be only too glad to tailor-make the itinerary suited to you.
Preparing for your trek.

The very best way to prepare for climbing to high altitudes is to climb to high altitudes. Although this is difficult for most people, remember that the higher the altitude you can reach and the longer the hikes you do for training, the better. This also allows you to get used to your backpack and boots. You should be hiking with everything in your day pack that you anticipate carrying when climbing Mount Kenya on Mount Kilimanjaro.

Running and biking are also very good and at least take you outdoors so you can test your equipment. Stair masters and climbing machines at the gym will work if outdoor hiking isn’t an option. Try not to go for short hard blasts of exercise but long sustained workouts instead. An adequate training regime is to maintain 75% of your max heart rate (220 minus your age) for an hour, three to four days a week. Remember high altitude mountain climbing requires acclimatization and that a strong mind is as important as a strong body. If you are fairly fit and choose a climbing itinerary that allows plenty of time to acclimatize you have the formula for success.
What to pack.

Items on this list have been chosen to maximize your comfort and safety while hiking on the mountain. The item can be hired from our mountain store as listed on the hiring charges – you are required to book in advance.

Tour Preview

This Safari to Mt. Kenya gives the visitor the opportunity to experience all the contrasting scenery of Mt. Kenya. This safari is a beautiful blend of all our itineraries, taking advantage of the best aspects of the three main approach routes to the peak area: Chogoria, Sirimon and Naromoru.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Nairobi- Meru Bandas (2,900m)

Pick up transfer from Nairobi to chogoria- Mt Kenya Bandas (2,900m)
Depart Nairobi at 0800hrs and be driven to the eastern of the mountain through Embu, Enjoying the good view of the mountain in various view point and agriculture field with the area up to Chogoria town arriving for lunch. After lunch, we take 4×4 and drive up to the edge of the bamboo forest where we start our trekking through the dense bamboo forest for distance of 10 km up to the Mt Kenya Bandas. Dinner and overnight in high altitude tents.

Day 2. Mt Kenya Bandas – Lake Ellis Campsite (3,600m)

After breakfast and sorting of porter loads we set off up the mountain at a nice and easy pace A slightly longer walk via Lake Ellis gives scenic views of Mugi, Ithanguni and the Giants Billiards Table, whilst if we follow the river near road head, upstream for about 3 km, the foreground scenery and flora is particularly beautiful.

Lunch on the banks of a stream, then it’s time to cut up the left hand hillside to our camp at about 3,600m, well away from any of the more “touristy” areas. Overnight in tents.

Day 3: Lake Ellis- Minto`s Camp. (4,200m)

Similar early start.  Again well off the beaten track to follow a ridge up the mountain for about 3 hours to eventually join the tourist track on the normal Chogoria route at an altitude of about 4,100m.  Breathe taking views over the Gorges Valley and back over towards Ithanguni and the Northern Moorlands.

Lunch is served at a small stream crossing, before continuing for a further hour to the Mintos Hut area at 4200m and our night’s rest.

Afternoon is spent relaxing at camp, though a 10 minute walk to the “Temple” is well worth the effort.  This is a 150 meters vertical cliff that gets its name from the position visitors often adopt when peering over the edge – they look as if they are praying. Overnight in tents.

Day 4: Minto`s camp – Acclimatization day.

After breakfast visit the gorges valley, down to the Vivian falls and Lake Michelson. Return to the camp in the afternoon for lunch and overnight in tents at the Mintos camp. Overnight in tents.

Day 5: Minto`s – Pt. Lenana –Shiptons camp (4,300 m).

Pre-dawn start from the Mintos camp and attempt the 3^rd highest peak – Pt. Lenana, 4,985m to be on the top of the summit by sunrise for good view of the main peaks and mountain environs. Then descend down through the Northface to Simba col down to Shiptons camp for breakfast and rest. Overnight in tents.

Day 6: Shipton – Teleki Valley- Met. Station.

After breakfast hike over the Mackinders valley down to Hausberg tarn, Two tarn down to Mackinders camp for lunch. The Mackinders is set on eastside of the mountain with clear view of the three main peaks Batian, Nelion and Lenana. The hike makes a complete circuit of the main peaks and views, sceneries from all main routes.

Afternoon proceed down through the moorland down to forest to Met. Station arriving at the camp late afternoon. Overnight at Met. Station in mountain hut, 3,100m.

Day 7: Met. Station – Nairobi.

After early morning breakfast, descend for 3 hours through the forest to Naromoru park gate for a pickup transfer to Naromoru then to your next destination.
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Tour Cost

Group Size Per Person rate

01 person US$ 1,655

02 – 03 people US$ 1,520

04 – 05 people US$ 1,440

06 – 07 people US$ 1,360

09 and above US$ 1,170