Mount Kenya

Glaciers on the equator, alpine forest on the way up, and the trek to Point Lenana at 4,985m.

Climb Mount Kenya

The trek with the wildlife it sits next to, or four days on the mountain on its own. Guided, portered, and all-inclusive throughout.

8 Days Mount Kenya, Ol Pejeta & Samburu

Nairobi → Mount Kenya → Ol Pejeta → Samburu → Nairobi

The trek, then the wildlife it sits next to. Three nights on the mountain, two at Ol Pejeta with the last northern white rhinos, and two in Samburu for the northern species you do not see in the Mara. One vehicle, one guide, one price.

8 Days / 7 Nights Trek 3N · Ol Pejeta 2N · Samburu 2N

Jul – Oct, 15 Dec – 1 Janfrom €4,110 pp

Jan – Jun, Nov – 14 Decfrom €3,130 pp

Day by day (8 days)›

Day 1 · Nairobi – Sirimon Gate – Old Moses
North through Nanyuki to the Sirimon gate at 2,660m, roughly four hours depending on how Nairobi behaves. From the gate the path climbs through cedar forest, then bamboo and giant heather, onto open moorland. Around nine kilometres to Old Moses camp at 3,300m, and cold once the sun goes.
Day 2 · Old Moses – Shipton's Camp
The long day: about fourteen kilometres and seven hours, crossing the Ontulili and Liki North rivers and climbing into Mackinder's Valley. This is the zone of giant groundsel and lobelia, plants that grow nowhere else and look like it. Shipton's sits at 4,200m directly under the peaks.
Day 3 · Shipton's – Point Lenana – Met Station
Awake around half past two and onto frozen scree in the dark, because the hours before dawn are the only reliably clear ones. Point Lenana at 4,985m by sunrise, with Kilimanjaro on the horizon if the air is good. Then the whole descent in one go, down the Teleki Valley to Met Station at 3,100m. Eleven to twelve hours on your feet.
Day 4 · Off the mountain – Ol Pejeta
Down through the rainforest to the gate, then across to Ol Pejeta on the Laikipia plateau. An afternoon game drive if there is light left.
Day 5 · Ol Pejeta full day
A full day in the conservancy: the last two northern white rhinos in the world, black rhino, the Big Five, and a chimpanzee sanctuary that takes in animals rescued from the trade.
Day 6 · Ol Pejeta – Samburu
North into drier country. Samburu is another landscape entirely, red earth and doum palms along the Ewaso Ng'iro river. Afternoon game drive.
Day 7 · Samburu full day
The northern species you do not see in the Mara: Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk standing on its hind legs to feed, Beisa oryx and Somali ostrich. Elephants come down to the river through the day.
Day 8 · Samburu – Nairobi
A last morning drive, then the road south, arriving in Nairobi in the afternoon for drop-offs.

What's included›

The full four-day Mount Kenya trek, with guide, cook and porters
Private 4x4 Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof after the mountain
English and Swahili-speaking driver-guide
All park and reserve fees
Full-board accommodation, and all meals on the mountain
Bottled water daily
Nairobi pick-up and drop-off, and government taxes

Not included›

Personal trekking gear: sleeping bag, warm clothing, hiking boots
Alcoholic drinks and beverages
International flights
Kenya eTA visa
Personal items
Tips and gratuities
Medical, luggage and travel insurance

Plan this trip

9 Days Mount Kenya, Samburu, Ol Pejeta & the Aberdares

Nairobi → Mount Kenya → Samburu → Ol Pejeta → Aberdares → Nairobi

The eight-day trip with the Aberdares added: a night at a forest lodge built over a waterhole, where you stay put and the animals come to you. The quietest night of the trip, and usually the one people talk about afterwards.

9 Days / 8 Nights Trek 3N · Samburu 2N · Ol Pejeta 2N · Aberdares 1N

Jul – Oct, 15 Dec – 1 Janfrom €4,600 pp

Jan – Jun, Nov – 14 Decfrom €3,550 pp

Day by day (9 days)›

Day 1 · Nairobi – Sirimon Gate – Old Moses
North through Nanyuki to the Sirimon gate at 2,660m, roughly four hours depending on how Nairobi behaves. From the gate the path climbs through cedar forest, then bamboo and giant heather, onto open moorland. Around nine kilometres to Old Moses camp at 3,300m, and cold once the sun goes.
Day 2 · Old Moses – Shipton's Camp
The long day: about fourteen kilometres and seven hours, crossing the Ontulili and Liki North rivers and climbing into Mackinder's Valley. This is the zone of giant groundsel and lobelia, plants that grow nowhere else and look like it. Shipton's sits at 4,200m directly under the peaks.
Day 3 · Shipton's – Point Lenana – Met Station
Awake around half past two and onto frozen scree in the dark, because the hours before dawn are the only reliably clear ones. Point Lenana at 4,985m by sunrise, with Kilimanjaro on the horizon if the air is good. Then the whole descent in one go, down the Teleki Valley to Met Station at 3,100m. Eleven to twelve hours on your feet.
Day 4 · Off the mountain – Samburu
Down through the rainforest to the gate, then north into the dry country along the Ewaso Ng'iro. Afternoon game drive if the light holds.
Day 5 · Samburu full day
Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, Beisa oryx and Somali ostrich, none of which you will have seen on a Mara safari. Elephants come down to the river through the day.
Day 6 · Samburu – Ol Pejeta
South to the Laikipia plateau, with Mount Kenya behind you now instead of above you. Afternoon in the conservancy.
Day 7 · Ol Pejeta full day
The last two northern white rhinos in the world, black rhino, the Big Five, and a chimpanzee sanctuary for animals rescued from the trade.
Day 8 · Ol Pejeta – the Aberdares
Into the Aberdare forest and a lodge built above a waterhole, where the game comes to you instead. Buffalo, elephant and bushbuck through the evening, and a bell to wake you if something rare arrives in the night.
Day 9 · The Aberdares – Nairobi
Down out of the forest and back to Nairobi, arriving early afternoon.

What's included›

The full four-day Mount Kenya trek, with guide, cook and porters
Private 4x4 Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof after the mountain
English and Swahili-speaking driver-guide
All park and reserve fees
Full-board accommodation, and all meals on the mountain
Bottled water daily
Nairobi pick-up and drop-off, and government taxes

Not included›

Personal trekking gear: sleeping bag, warm clothing, hiking boots
Alcoholic drinks and beverages
International flights
Kenya eTA visa
Personal items
Tips and gratuities
Medical, luggage and travel insurance

Plan this trip

4 Days Mount Kenya Trek

Nairobi → Sirimon Gate → Naro Moru Gate → Nairobi

The standard Mount Kenya climbing route: up through the Sirimon gate on the drier northern side, and down the Naro Moru route on the west. Four days on the mountain with a guide, a cook and porters, sleeping in mountain huts or camping where the route requires it.

4 Days / 3 Nights 2 – 6 People

€1,150 pp

Day by day (4 days)›

Day 1 · Nairobi – Sirimon Gate – Old Moses
North through Nanyuki to the Sirimon gate at 2,660m, roughly four hours depending on how Nairobi behaves. From the gate the path climbs through cedar forest, then bamboo and giant heather, onto open moorland. Around nine kilometres to Old Moses camp at 3,300m, and cold once the sun goes.
Day 2 · Old Moses – Shipton's Camp
The long day: about fourteen kilometres and seven hours, crossing the Ontulili and Liki North rivers and climbing into Mackinder's Valley. This is the zone of giant groundsel and lobelia, plants that grow nowhere else and look like it. Shipton's sits at 4,200m directly under the peaks.
Day 3 · Shipton's – Point Lenana – Met Station
Awake around half past two and onto frozen scree in the dark, because the hours before dawn are the only reliably clear ones. Point Lenana at 4,985m by sunrise, with Kilimanjaro on the horizon if the air is good. Then the whole descent in one go, down the Teleki Valley to Met Station at 3,100m. Eleven to twelve hours on your feet.
Day 4 · Met Station – Nairobi
Down through bamboo and rainforest to the Naro Moru gate, loud with birds after two days of silence above the treeline. Four to five hours back to Nairobi.

What's included›

Transport from Nairobi to the mountain and back
All KWS park fees (€70 per day, four days)
Three meals a day on the mountain
Accommodation in mountain huts, or camping where the route requires it
Mountain guide, cook and porters
Government taxes

Not included›

Personal trekking gear: sleeping bag, warm clothing, hiking boots
International flights
Kenya eTA visa
Personal items
Tips and gratuities
Medical, luggage and travel insurance

Plan this trip

Which way up

Three ways onto the mountain. We take the first and come down the second.

Sirimon, going up: The driest of the routes, starting at 2,660m on the northern side and climbing through cedar forest and moorland. Its gentler profile is the reason we use it for the ascent: more time at altitude before the summit push.
Naro Moru, coming down: The quickest way off the mountain, starting lowest at 2,400m. It is also the busiest, and its moorland turns to deep mud in the wet, which is why we walk it downhill rather than up.
Chogoria, if you want the view: The most beautiful side of the mountain, past Lake Michaelson and the Gorges Valley, and a little harder for it. Same four days and the same price. Tell us if you would rather come up this way.

When to climb

January to February, and August to September.

The mountain makes its own weather, so even in the dry months expect clear mornings, cloud by mid-morning and rain in the afternoon. That is why the summit push starts at three in the morning: the pre-dawn window is the stable one. The long rains from March to May turn the lower moorland to deep mud, and we would rather not take you up in it. June and October can go either way.

Before you book

Four things worth knowing while it is still easy to change your mind.

You go high, and fast: Nairobi sits at 1,700m. Point Lenana is 4,985m and you reach it on the third day. Nobody can tell you in advance how you will handle that. Walk slowly, drink more than you want to, and tell your guide the moment a headache stops answering to painkillers.
Bring a sleeping bag: Rated to -10°C. It is not in the price and most operators on this mountain do not provide one, which catches people out. Rent in Nairobi if you would rather not fly with it, because there is nothing to hire at the gate.
Break your boots in: Waterproof and ankle-supporting, and worn in properly weeks before you fly. Four days of cold, wet ground in boots straight out of the box is how good treks turn miserable.
Point Lenana is a walk, not a climb: No ropes and no climbing experience needed, just legs and patience. Batian at 5,199m and Nelion at 5,188m are a different proposition: technical peaks needing a mountaineering guide and a week or more.

Or something else entirely

The two longer trips above are the combinations we run most, but nothing about them is fixed. Swap the Aberdares for the coast, come up Chogoria instead of Sirimon, add days where you want them, or bring a group and we will price it for the group. Tell us what you are after and we will build it around that.

Plan the whole trip

Mount Kenya

Glaciers on the equator, alpine forest on the way up, and the trek to Point Lenana at 4,985m.

Plan Your Trip

Climb Mount Kenya

The trek with the wildlife it sits next to, or four days on the mountain on its own. Guided, portered, and all-inclusive throughout.

8 Days Mount Kenya, Ol Pejeta & Samburu

Nairobi → Mount Kenya → Ol Pejeta → Samburu → Nairobi

8 Days / 7 Nights Trek 3N · Ol Pejeta 2N · Samburu 2N

Jul – Oct, 15 Dec – 1 Janfrom €4,110 pp

Jan – Jun, Nov – 14 Decfrom €3,130 pp

Day by day (8 days)›

Day 1 · Nairobi – Sirimon Gate – Old Moses
North through Nanyuki to the Sirimon gate at 2,660m, roughly four hours depending on how Nairobi behaves. From the gate the path climbs through cedar forest, then bamboo and giant heather, onto open moorland. Around nine kilometres to Old Moses camp at 3,300m, and cold once the sun goes.
Day 2 · Old Moses – Shipton's Camp
The long day: about fourteen kilometres and seven hours, crossing the Ontulili and Liki North rivers and climbing into Mackinder's Valley. This is the zone of giant groundsel and lobelia, plants that grow nowhere else and look like it. Shipton's sits at 4,200m directly under the peaks.
Day 3 · Shipton's – Point Lenana – Met Station
Awake around half past two and onto frozen scree in the dark, because the hours before dawn are the only reliably clear ones. Point Lenana at 4,985m by sunrise, with Kilimanjaro on the horizon if the air is good. Then the whole descent in one go, down the Teleki Valley to Met Station at 3,100m. Eleven to twelve hours on your feet.
Day 4 · Off the mountain – Ol Pejeta
Down through the rainforest to the gate, then across to Ol Pejeta on the Laikipia plateau. An afternoon game drive if there is light left.
Day 5 · Ol Pejeta full day
A full day in the conservancy: the last two northern white rhinos in the world, black rhino, the Big Five, and a chimpanzee sanctuary that takes in animals rescued from the trade.
Day 6 · Ol Pejeta – Samburu
North into drier country. Samburu is another landscape entirely, red earth and doum palms along the Ewaso Ng'iro river. Afternoon game drive.
Day 7 · Samburu full day
The northern species you do not see in the Mara: Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk standing on its hind legs to feed, Beisa oryx and Somali ostrich. Elephants come down to the river through the day.
Day 8 · Samburu – Nairobi
A last morning drive, then the road south, arriving in Nairobi in the afternoon for drop-offs.

What's included›

The full four-day Mount Kenya trek, with guide, cook and porters
Private 4x4 Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof after the mountain
English and Swahili-speaking driver-guide
All park and reserve fees
Full-board accommodation, and all meals on the mountain
Bottled water daily
Nairobi pick-up and drop-off, and government taxes

Not included›

Personal trekking gear: sleeping bag, warm clothing, hiking boots
Alcoholic drinks and beverages
International flights
Kenya eTA visa
Personal items
Tips and gratuities
Medical, luggage and travel insurance

Plan this trip

9 Days Mount Kenya, Samburu, Ol Pejeta & the Aberdares

Nairobi → Mount Kenya → Samburu → Ol Pejeta → Aberdares → Nairobi

9 Days / 8 Nights Trek 3N · Samburu 2N · Ol Pejeta 2N · Aberdares 1N

Jul – Oct, 15 Dec – 1 Janfrom €4,600 pp

Jan – Jun, Nov – 14 Decfrom €3,550 pp

Day by day (9 days)›

Day 1 · Nairobi – Sirimon Gate – Old Moses
North through Nanyuki to the Sirimon gate at 2,660m, roughly four hours depending on how Nairobi behaves. From the gate the path climbs through cedar forest, then bamboo and giant heather, onto open moorland. Around nine kilometres to Old Moses camp at 3,300m, and cold once the sun goes.
Day 2 · Old Moses – Shipton's Camp
The long day: about fourteen kilometres and seven hours, crossing the Ontulili and Liki North rivers and climbing into Mackinder's Valley. This is the zone of giant groundsel and lobelia, plants that grow nowhere else and look like it. Shipton's sits at 4,200m directly under the peaks.
Day 3 · Shipton's – Point Lenana – Met Station
Awake around half past two and onto frozen scree in the dark, because the hours before dawn are the only reliably clear ones. Point Lenana at 4,985m by sunrise, with Kilimanjaro on the horizon if the air is good. Then the whole descent in one go, down the Teleki Valley to Met Station at 3,100m. Eleven to twelve hours on your feet.
Day 4 · Off the mountain – Samburu
Down through the rainforest to the gate, then north into the dry country along the Ewaso Ng'iro. Afternoon game drive if the light holds.
Day 5 · Samburu full day
Grevy's zebra, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk, Beisa oryx and Somali ostrich, none of which you will have seen on a Mara safari. Elephants come down to the river through the day.
Day 6 · Samburu – Ol Pejeta
South to the Laikipia plateau, with Mount Kenya behind you now instead of above you. Afternoon in the conservancy.
Day 7 · Ol Pejeta full day
The last two northern white rhinos in the world, black rhino, the Big Five, and a chimpanzee sanctuary for animals rescued from the trade.
Day 8 · Ol Pejeta – the Aberdares
Into the Aberdare forest and a lodge built above a waterhole, where the game comes to you instead. Buffalo, elephant and bushbuck through the evening, and a bell to wake you if something rare arrives in the night.
Day 9 · The Aberdares – Nairobi
Down out of the forest and back to Nairobi, arriving early afternoon.

What's included›

The full four-day Mount Kenya trek, with guide, cook and porters
Private 4x4 Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof after the mountain
English and Swahili-speaking driver-guide
All park and reserve fees
Full-board accommodation, and all meals on the mountain
Bottled water daily
Nairobi pick-up and drop-off, and government taxes

Not included›

Personal trekking gear: sleeping bag, warm clothing, hiking boots
Alcoholic drinks and beverages
International flights
Kenya eTA visa
Personal items
Tips and gratuities
Medical, luggage and travel insurance

Plan this trip

4 Days Mount Kenya Trek

Nairobi → Sirimon Gate → Naro Moru Gate → Nairobi

4 Days / 3 Nights 2 – 6 People

€1,150 pp

Day by day (4 days)›

Day 1 · Nairobi – Sirimon Gate – Old Moses
North through Nanyuki to the Sirimon gate at 2,660m, roughly four hours depending on how Nairobi behaves. From the gate the path climbs through cedar forest, then bamboo and giant heather, onto open moorland. Around nine kilometres to Old Moses camp at 3,300m, and cold once the sun goes.
Day 2 · Old Moses – Shipton's Camp
The long day: about fourteen kilometres and seven hours, crossing the Ontulili and Liki North rivers and climbing into Mackinder's Valley. This is the zone of giant groundsel and lobelia, plants that grow nowhere else and look like it. Shipton's sits at 4,200m directly under the peaks.
Day 3 · Shipton's – Point Lenana – Met Station
Awake around half past two and onto frozen scree in the dark, because the hours before dawn are the only reliably clear ones. Point Lenana at 4,985m by sunrise, with Kilimanjaro on the horizon if the air is good. Then the whole descent in one go, down the Teleki Valley to Met Station at 3,100m. Eleven to twelve hours on your feet.
Day 4 · Met Station – Nairobi
Down through bamboo and rainforest to the Naro Moru gate, loud with birds after two days of silence above the treeline. Four to five hours back to Nairobi.

What's included›

Transport from Nairobi to the mountain and back
All KWS park fees (€70 per day, four days)
Three meals a day on the mountain
Accommodation in mountain huts, or camping where the route requires it
Mountain guide, cook and porters
Government taxes

Not included›

Personal trekking gear: sleeping bag, warm clothing, hiking boots
International flights
Kenya eTA visa
Personal items
Tips and gratuities
Medical, luggage and travel insurance

Plan this trip

Which way up

Three ways onto the mountain. We take the first and come down the second.

Sirimon, going up: The driest of the routes, starting at 2,660m on the northern side and climbing through cedar forest and moorland. Its gentler profile is the reason we use it for the ascent: more time at altitude before the summit push.
Naro Moru, coming down: The quickest way off the mountain, starting lowest at 2,400m. It is also the busiest, and its moorland turns to deep mud in the wet, which is why we walk it downhill rather than up.
Chogoria, if you want the view: The most beautiful side of the mountain, past Lake Michaelson and the Gorges Valley, and a little harder for it. Same four days and the same price. Tell us if you would rather come up this way.

When to climb

January to February, and August to September.

Before you book

Four things worth knowing while it is still easy to change your mind.

You go high, and fast: Nairobi sits at 1,700m. Point Lenana is 4,985m and you reach it on the third day. Nobody can tell you in advance how you will handle that. Walk slowly, drink more than you want to, and tell your guide the moment a headache stops answering to painkillers.
Bring a sleeping bag: Rated to -10°C. It is not in the price and most operators on this mountain do not provide one, which catches people out. Rent in Nairobi if you would rather not fly with it, because there is nothing to hire at the gate.
Break your boots in: Waterproof and ankle-supporting, and worn in properly weeks before you fly. Four days of cold, wet ground in boots straight out of the box is how good treks turn miserable.
Point Lenana is a walk, not a climb: No ropes and no climbing experience needed, just legs and patience. Batian at 5,199m and Nelion at 5,188m are a different proposition: technical peaks needing a mountaineering guide and a week or more.

Or something else entirely

Plan the whole trip