Mount Kenya - Summit Trek

You are prepared to join our Mount Kenia adventure. Your fllght to Kenya ideally arrives this evening.  

Latest arrival in Nairobi, Kenya.

Our driver will meet you at the airport and drive you to your hotel. Full day to relax at the hotel (located in the city center, with pool), to visit Nairobi or take a trip to the surrounding areas. Meeting with all participants, detailed tour briefing, last purchases (snacks, drinks etc.), dinner together.

• Overnight: Hotel*** accommodation with breakfast (double/twin sharing)
• Nairobi altitude: 1,800 m (5,900 ft)

After breakfast, we begin our 5-hour drive to Chogoria. Upon arrival, we switch to 4x4 vehicles and continue into the national park, reaching the park entrance and, if road conditions permit, driving all the way to shortly below the Chogoria Bandas.

• Drive time: Approx. 5-6 hours
• Hiking time: 1-2 hours
• Overnight: Camping, full board
• Chogoria Bandas altitude: 3,000 m (9,843 ft)

Note: After heavy rainfall, some roads may be impassable. In this case, we will hike up to 15km (9 miles) to reach our camp. The forest belt surrounding Mount Kenya is home to diverse wildlife, including elephants, leopards, and buffalo, so it’s important to stay together as a group. Wildlife sightings are rare, but it's always a thrilling experience to be in such a rich natural environment.

We ascend along a ridge, passing by the Chogoria Gorge before descending into it. Our camp at Lake Michaelson offers a truly unique experience in an awe-inspiring setting—one of the most breathtaking camps on the mountain. We’ll have the rest of the day to relax and enjoy the surroundings.

• Hiking distance: Approx. 14 km (8.7 miles) / 1,000 m (3,281 ft) ascent
• Hiking time: Approx. 6-8 hours
• Overnight: Camping, full board
• Lake Michaelson altitude: 3,960 m (12,992 ft)

Today, we plan to summit Point Lenana: The day begins with an early ascent (departure around 3:00 AM) to catch the stunning sunrise over Lake Michaelson, as we emerge from the gorge. Returning to the classic Chogoria Route, we pass Shimba Camp (Lion Camp) and ascend to Shimba Col (Lion Pass), then continue past Harris Tarn (a small lake) and ascend via the northern side to Point Lenana. Depending on the season, we descend as follows:

• Winter (Dec - March): Descent to the Austrian Hut (4,800 m), followed by a short break and onward to MacKinder’s Hut in the Teleki Valley (approx. 4,200 m).
• Summer (June - Sept): Descent on the northern side to Shipton's Hut (approx. 4,200 m).

Summit Day:

• Hiking distance: Approx. 12 km (7.5 miles) / 1,100 m (3,609 ft) ascent
• Ascent time: Approx. 6-8 hours
• Descent time: Approx. 4 hours (Winter) / 3 hours (Summer)
• Summit altitude: 4,985 m (16,355 ft)
• Overnight: Camping / Full board (or simple hut) at 4,200 m (13,780 ft)

Extra Day for your Mount Kenya Summit: This day serves as a reserve for the Point Lenana ascent, but it can also be used for additional hikes in the area or simply for rest.

For those feeling particularly fit, there’s the option to circumnavigate the main peaks (Nelion and Batian). For climbers, the day offers the opportunity to attempt a summit of Batian (5,199 m), the highest peak of Mount Kenya, as part of the "Trek & Climb" option (see the Mount Kenya Climbing Tour under Climbing).

• Rest day / Reserve day
• Hiking at your leisure

Depending on the season, we will choose the best route for the descent:

• Winter (Dec - March): From MacKinder’s Hut (approx. 4,200 m) through the Teleki Valley to Naro Moru.
• Summer (June - Sept): From Shipton's Hut (approx. 4,200 m) to Old Moses Camp, then to Nanjuki.

A vehicle will be waiting to take us back to Nairobi, where we will enjoy a final dinner with the group.

Hotel/Lodge: Overnight stay with breakfast (Double Room/Full Board).

Today, we say "Asante Sana Kenya" (Thank you, Kenya) for the completed Mount Kenya trek.

This is a free day and reserve day for additional activities, onward travel, or return flights.