Day 01
Nairobi to Old Moses Camp via Sirimon Gate
Depart Nairobi for Nanyuki and continue to Sirimon Gate in Mount Kenya National Park.
Follow the uphill track for 10 km to Old Moses Camp.
Kenya · Rock Climbing
8-Day Mount Kenya SE Face Climb from Nairobi with Batian and Nelion
The journey
Trip highlights
- 01 Climb Mount Kenya's technical SE face route to Batian and Nelion
- 02 Summit Point Lenana in time for sunrise
- 03 Cross the Lewis Glacier on the approach to Nelion
- 04 Stay in adventurous mountain camps throughout the climb
Embark on the challenge of conquering Africa's second-highest peaks, Batian and Nelion on Mount Kenya. This 8-day adventure follows the technical SE face climbing route, combining trekking, glacier crossing, and high-altitude camping. Along the way, climb to Point Lenana for sunrise, cross the Lewis Glacier, and push on to the summits while staying in adventurous mountain camps. It is a rewarding expedition for climbers seeking a demanding ascent on one of Kenya's most iconic mountains.
Rise at 3:30 a.m., cross the Lewis Glacier, and head up to the base of Nelion, arriving at the top at around 1:00 p.m.
From the itinerary
At a glance
What this trip includes
Duration
8 Days
Tour type
Shared
Activity level
Challenging
Accommodation
Included · Budget
Transport
Included
Wheelchair access
Not applicable
Cities
Nanyuki, Nairobi, Mount Kenya, Chogoria
Languages
English, Swahili
Day by day
The itinerary
Day 02
Trek to Liki North Camp
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.
Day 03
Ascend to Shipton's Camp via Mackinder Valley
Ascend to the west side of the valley, cross over a ridge, and descend into Mackinder Valley to join the direct route. From here, continue along Mackinder Valley to Shipton's Camp.
Day 04
Sunrise at Lenana and climb to Austrian Hut
Rise at 2:00 a.m. and depart for the Lenana summit in time for sunrise. This section is long and hard, with a tough scree slope.
After enjoying the views, descend to Austrian Hut, your base, before climbing Nelion.
Day 05
Climb Nelion and Batian, then overnight at Ian Howell Hut
Rise at 3:30 a.m., cross the Lewis Glacier, and head up to the base of Nelion, arriving at the top at around 1:00 p.m.
Traverse the Gate of Mist to Batian summit, then return to Nelion and continue to Ian Howell Hut.
Day 06
Descend to Mintos Hut via Austrian Hut
Descend about 9 ropes to Austrian Hut for breakfast.
Continue down to Mintos Hut.
Day 07
Follow Gorges Valley to Meru Bandas
Descend to Meru Mount Kenya Bandas above Chogoria, following the Gorges Valley. Enjoy hot showers and a well-earned sleep.
Day 08
Forest descent and return to Nairobi
Continue down through the bamboo and indigenous forest to Bairunyi for your transport back to Nairobi.
Where this trip takes you
Batian summit, Nelion summit, Lewis Glacier crossing, Point Lenana sunrise
The route
Where you'll travel
The fine print
Trip details
What's Included
- Return transfer Nairobi-Nanyuki/Chogoria-Nairobi
- 3 meals per day while trekking
- 8-day Mount Kenya trek
- 7 nights' accommodation while trekking
- 2 transfers from Nanyuki/Chogoria to the park gate and back
- Tea, coffee, and drinking water
- All government park fees
- English-speaking Mount Kenya mountain guides, porters, and an experienced chef
- Accommodation at Nanyuki Simbas Lodge or similar
- Certificate after a successful climb
- Twin-sharing tent accommodation
What's Not Included
- First and last night accommodation in Nairobi
- Airport transfers
- Soft drinks
- Optional tours and activities diverting from the main itinerary
- Climbing gear (most items are available for hire at a reasonable fee)
- Travel insurance and related expenses; this can be arranged at the guest's request
- Tips for guides, porters, and other service staff (optional but recommended)
- All flights
- Items and expenditures of a personal nature
What to bring
Lists of climbing gear/kits
- TECHNICAL CLIMBING GEAR (recommended minimum items)
The weather can vary hugely, but commonly you would climb in quite a few layers. For example, a base layer, insulated Gillet, softshell jacket, hardshell jacket, thin softshell trousers, a hat under your helmet, liner socks inside your climbing shoes, and possibly close-fitting fingerless gloves. You may also need to throw on a warm belay jacket at stances.
Climbing Hardware
- Pair of 50 m half or twin ropes
- Climbing harness
- Helmet (& warm hat/balaclava to fit under it)
- Rock shoes (recommended not to have too tight a fit, and consider wearing thin socks inside)
- Belay/rappel plate to suit double rope above
- 3 HMS karabiners
- 2 locking karabiners
- 4+ short slings
- 2x Prussic loops
- Nuts/wires size 1-9
- Cams size approx. 0.5, 1.5, 2.5 (more if you have them) to suit cracks approx. 20-50 mm wide
- 5 long quickdraws/extenders with snap gates
- Small (-25 L) climbing pack, large enough for a spare warm belay jacket, gloves/mitts, and an emergency bivvy/blizzard bag
- 1 litre of water, sweets, chocolate, and a camera
- Note: For crossing the Mist's Gate between Batian and Nelion, B1 boots, crampons, and an ice axe may be required, subject to snow/ice conditions.
Mount Kenya Technical Climbing Kits Checklist:
- BAGS
- 80-100 litre duffle bag (optional but useful before climbing and for leaving gear at the hotel)
- 65-75 litre rucksack (for a porter to carry your main gear)
- Waterproof rucksack cover
- Small waterproof stuff sacks
- OUTER - SHELL
- Large, lightweight umbrella (can usually be bought in Kenya)
- Waterproof shell jacket
- Waterproof shell trousers
- Waterproof gaiters
- OUTER - WARM
- Warm insulated jacket (fleece/insulated)
- MID-LAYERS
- Microfleece/woollen top(s)
- Softshell jacket (optional but useful)
- Insulated Gillet (optional but useful)
- Trekking trousers (synthetic); zip-off ones are good x2-3
- Shorts (to cover thighs)
- BASE-LAYERS
- Long-sleeve base layer top(s) (synthetic)
- Leggings/running tights (optional)
- Underwear (synthetic dries quicker!)
- HEAD-WEAR
- Warm hat (to cover ears)
- Buff (optional but very useful)
- Wide-brim sun hat or cap with neck veil
- Sunglasses
- HANDS
- Thick insulated gloves or mitts
- Thin liner gloves (optional but useful)
- FOOTWEAR
- Liner socks (optional)
- Good trekking socks
- Waterproof trekking boots (not trekking shoes)
- Trainers/general shoes/flip-flops/sandals
- GENERAL TRAVEL/CITY CLOTHING
- General sweatshirt/tops
- General T-shirts/shirts, etc., x2-3
- General socks x4-5
- Underwear x4-5
- SLEEPING
- 3-4 season sleeping bag (comfort -5 deg C or lower)
- Sleeping bag liner cotton/fleece/silk (optional)
- Waterproof stuff sack for sleeping bag
- Thick foam mat or self-inflating mat
- ELECTRICAL
- LED headtorch & spare batteries
- Watch with light and alarm
- Camera, memory card & batteries (optional)
- Solar charger (optional)
- Old unlocked phone handset (optional)
- PAPERWORK etc.
- Passport
- Photocopies of passport
- Flight details
- Student card (if relevant)
- Insurance policy details
- Yellow Fever certificate (if relevant)
- Waterproof wallet for papers
- Cash/bank cards
- Notebook/diary, pencil + biro (optional)
- Books, maps & information (optional)
- Cards/games (optional)
- REPAIR KIT (optional but useful)
- Gaffer/duck tape
- Super glue
- Cable ties
- Needle + extra-strong thread
- Multitool/penknife
- EATING/DRINKING
- 2x 1-litre drinks bottles
- Favourite high-energy snacks/energy drink powder
- OTHERS
- Toilet roll in a plastic bag + spare bag
- Earplugs (optional but recommended!)
- TREKKING HARDWARE
- Walking poles (optional but useful)
- PERSONAL WASH KIT
- Antibacterial hand gel
- Wet wipes (optional)
- Toothbrush with cover
- Toothpaste
- Shampoo and/or shower gel
- Deodorant
- Shave kit + mirror (optional)
- Clothes wash liquid (optional)
- PERSONAL MEDICAL KIT (suggested contents)
- Paracetamol tablets
- Ibuprofen (tablets/gel)
- Antiseptic wipes
- Latex gloves
- Adhesive plasters
- Blister plasters
- Zinc tape
- Crepe bandage
- Sterile dressing
- Antihistamines (optional)
- Rehydration sachets
- Antiseptic cream
- Sunblock cream
- Lip salve (with SPF)
- Knee/ankle support
- Personal medications, e.g. anti-malaria tablets, inhalers, Epipen, etc.
Know before you go
- We ensure clients get enough well-cooked food throughout the trek.
- You can extend the climb with a safari, camping, lodge, or beach holiday.
- You can hire some of the equipment and items at a reasonable cost.
- Mountain huts are available at an extra cost for those who wish to upgrade from twin-sharing tent accommodation.
Note: The quoted price is based on a minimum of 2 people sharing. A quote for solo travellers is available on request.
Logistics
Meeting & route
Meeting point
Nairobi, Kenya
Tour start
Nairobi, Kenya
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey
Your 8 days finish where they began, in Nairobi.
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Starting from
USD
1,800
/person
Book This Tour
Starting from
Estimated room rates
Single Room
$1,800.00 — $1,924.00
Double Sharing
$1,800.00 — $1,924.00
When
Travellers
Rooms
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Total
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