Kenya · Guided climb · Mountain trek
A traverse with time to acclimatise
A five-day Mount Kenya traverse with an acclimatisation day around the peaks before a sunrise ascent of Point Lenana and the descent down the Chogoria side.
USD 750 pp
The journey in brief
The experience
The extra day on this traverse makes a real difference. After reaching Shipton's Camp you walk a high circuit via Kami Hut and the Hausburg lakes to Austrian Hut, which helps your body adjust before the summit.
From Point Lenana you descend the Chogoria route, past tarns and gorges, to the Mount Meru Bandas and out through the bamboo forest.
Acclimatisation circuit around the main peaks
Point Lenana (4,985 m) at sunrise
Descent through the Chogoria side's lakes and gorges
Guide, porters and cook throughout
The route
Nairobi
Sirimon Gate
Old Moses Camp
Shipton's Camp
Austrian Hut
Point Lenana
Meru Bandas
Chogoria
Nairobi
Nairobi → Sirimon Gate → Old Moses Camp → Shipton's Camp → Austrian Hut → Point Lenana → Meru Bandas → Chogoria → Nairobi
Day by day
Walking times and distances are approximate and depend on your pace and conditions on the mountain.
Day 1 / Nairobi → Sirimon Gate → Old Moses Camp
Travel from Nairobi to Nanyuki, on the north-western side of Mount Kenya, to meet your porters and cook. A short drive continues to Sirimon Gate, where you register and set off on foot through the forest. The path climbs gently but steadily, and the vegetation thins as you gain height, until you reach Old Moses Camp at about 3,300 m. Settle in, take in the views across the plains below and rest before dinner.
Day 2 / Old Moses → Shipton's Camp
A long, varied day on the open moorland above Old Moses. Cross the Ontulili River and the Liki North valley, among giant groundsels and lobelias, then climb to a viewpoint looking down the length of the Mackinder Valley. The trail follows the valley up to Shipton's Camp at about 4,200 m, set at the foot of the main peaks, Batian and Nelion. Take it slowly; the height gained today is significant, and a steady rhythm helps your body adapt.
Day 3 / Shipton's Camp → Kami Hut → Austrian Hut
This is the day that makes the five-day route kinder on the body. With your guide, walk an acclimatisation circuit from Shipton's Camp past Kami Hut and down to the Hausburg lakes, small glacial tarns set among rock and scree beneath the main peaks. The route then climbs on to Austrian Hut, high on the mountain below Point Lenana, where you spend the night. Spending time high before the summit gives your body more time to adjust.
Day 4 / Austrian Hut → Point Lenana → Meru Bandas
Leave Austrian Hut at 3am for the final climb to Point Lenana (4,985 m), aiming to arrive around 6:30am to watch the sun rise over the peaks and the plains far below, conditions permitting. Your guide sets a steady pace and has the final say on turning back. From the summit, descend for about two hours to Mintos Hut for breakfast, then follow the Chogoria route down past tarns and deep, glacier-cut gorges to the Mount Meru Bandas at about 2,950 m, more than 2,000 metres below the summit.
Day 5 / Meru Bandas → Chogoria Gate → Nairobi
Walk down from the Mount Meru Bandas through the montane forest and bamboo of the mountain's eastern slopes to Chogoria Gate. Here a 4×4 transfer meets you for the drive to Chogoria town, and from there you travel back to Nairobi. It is a fitting end to a traverse that has shown you both the dry northern side and the wetter, greener east of Mount Kenya.
Where you stay
Nights are spent in the huts or campsites on the route, with your crew preparing meals.
Mount Kenya · 1 night
Mount Kenya · 1 night
Mount Kenya · 1 night
Mount Kenya · 1 night
Prices are in US dollars per person. Your written quote confirms the final price for your dates and party size.
Prices can depend on travel dates, party size, accommodation availability and changes to park fees. All terms are confirmed in writing before you book.
The details
Before you travel
Check passport validity and entry requirements for every country on your route with official government sources before you travel.
Ask a travel-health professional about vaccinations and malaria precautions, and take out travel insurance that covers your activities.
Walk slowly, drink plenty of water and tell your guide early if you feel unwell. Speak to a doctor before booking a high-altitude trek.
Questions travellers ask
Often, yes. Tell us what you would like to change and we will confirm what is possible for your dates.
Yes. Prices are in US dollars per person, as published in our catalogue. Your written quote confirms the final price for your dates and party size.
We reply with availability, any suggestions for your dates and a written quote. Nothing is booked until you have agreed the quote and booking terms.
No technical climbing experience is needed on this route, but you should be fit and prepared for long days at altitude. Speak to a doctor before booking.
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The next step
Tell us your dates and who is travelling. We will check availability and send a written quote; nothing is booked until you agree.
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Still deciding?
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USD 750 pp
