Kenya · Rock Climbing

8-Day Mount Kenya North Face Climb to Batian via Firmin Tower

8 Days Round trip from Nairobi Challenging pace

Admire the sunrise at the top of Mount Kenya

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Technical climb of Batian via Mount Kenya's North Face Standard Route
02 Trek through Mount Kenya National Park to high camps including Old Moses and Shipton's Camp
03 Early morning ascent with headlamp climbing and an overnight at Firmin Tower
04 Reach Batian Peak at 5,199 m, the second-highest summit in Africa
05 Descend through the Gorges Valley to Meru Mount Kenya Bandas above Chogoria

Take on a technical ascent of Mount Kenya's North Face on this 8-day trekking and climbing adventure to Batian, Africa's second-highest peak. Designed for climbers with experience beyond standard trekking routes, this journey combines scenic approaches through Mount Kenya National Park with a demanding rock climb via the North Face Standard Route. Trek through valleys and high camps including Old Moses, Shipton's Camp, and Kami Hut before summiting Batian at 5,199 m. The route finishes with a descent through the dramatic Gorges Valley to Chogoria and onward to Nairobi.

Take on a technical ascent of Mount Kenya's North Face on this 8-day trekking and climbing adventure to Batian, Africa's second-highest peak.

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 Yes

Cities Nanyuki, Nairobi, Mount Kenya, Lake Nakuru National Park, Chogoria

Languages English, French, German, Spanish, Swahili

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Nairobi to Old Moses Camp via Sirimon Gate

Depart Nairobi for Nanyuki, then proceed to Sirimon Gate in Mount Kenya National Park.
Follow the track uphill for 10 km to Old Moses Camp at 3,300 m.

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

Cross into Mackinder Valley to Shipton's Camp

Ascend the west side of the valley, cross over a ridge, then descend into the Mackinder Valley to meet the direct route.
Continue from here through Mackinder Valley to Shipton's Camp at 4,250 m.

Day 04

Ascent to Kami Hut Base Camp

Ascend to Kami Hut, a climb that normally takes 2 hours.
This is the base camp for climbers attempting the North Face.

Day 05

North Face Climb to Firmin Tower

Embark on the ascent of Batian by the North Face Standard Route. Starting in the early morning darkness, usually between 4 and 5 am, you may climb the first couple of pitches by headlamp.
This section is rocky and covered with frozen scree.
Climb 10 ropes and spend the night at Firmin Tower.

Day 06

Summit Batian and Return to Shipton's Camp

Continue rock climbing from Firmin Tower until you reach Batian Peak at 5,199 m, at around midday.
Abseil down to the bottom, then walk to Shipton's Camp for dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 07

Cross Simba Col to Meru Bandas

Ascend Simba Col, then descend to Meru Mount Kenya Bandas above Chogoria, following the Gorges Valley.
It will take about 7 hours to reach the bandas.

Day 08

Forest Walk to Chogoria Gate and Return to Nairobi

Continue walking down through the bamboo and indigenous forest to Bairunyi to meet your transport back to Nairobi.

Where this trip takes you

Old Moses Camp, Firmin Tower, Batian Peak, Gorges Valley

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Nairobi 5 cities · 8 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Return transfer Nairobi-Nanyuki/Chogoria-Nairobi
3 meals per day while trekking
8-day Mt. Kenya trek
7 nights' accommodation while trekking
2 transfers from Nanyuki/Chogoria to the park gate and return
All government park fees
English-speaking Mt Kenya mountain guides, porters, and experienced chefs
Accommodation at Nanyuki Simbas Lodge D/B/B
Mt Kenya certificate for successful climbers
Two-man camping tent

What's Not Included

First and last night accommodation in Nairobi
Travel & medical insurance, but can be arranged at guest request and expense
Tips and gratuities for the guide, porters, and other service staff (optional but recommended)
All optional tours, excursions, and activities diverting from the main itinerary
Soft drinks, but tea, coffee, and drinking water are provided
All flights, cabs, and shuttle services not featured in the itinerary

What to bring

Lists of climbing gears/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, 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.
- Mount Kenya Technical Climbing Kits Checklist. This kit list is specifically for those planning to climb the technical peaks of Batian and Nelion.
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, emergency bivvy/blizzard bag
- 1 litre of water, sweets, chocolate, camera
- Note: for a crossing of the Gate of the Mists between Batian and Nelion, B1 boots, crampons, and an ice axe may be required, subject to snow/ice conditions.
Bags
- 80-100 litre duffle bag (optional but useful before the climb and to leave 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 (left at the hotel)
- 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 a 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 cert. (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
- Superglue
- 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

You can hire some of the equipment available at a reasonable cost.
You can extend the climb with a safari, either camping or lodge-based, or with a beach holiday.
We ensure clients get enough well-cooked food.
Mountain banda/hut accommodation is available at an extra cost for those who want to upgrade.

Logistics