Chogoria Route
The most spectacular of the three, passing enchanting Hall Tarns, the Gorges Valley and Lake Michaelson. Starts on the wet, eastern side of the mountain.
- Nithi Falls
- Lake Ellis
- Gorges Valley
- Lake Michaelson
- Hall Tarns
Mount Kenya Climbing
Climb Africa's second highest peak.
5,199m of ancient volcano, glaciers, giant lobelias and sunrise from Point Lenana. Trek Chogoria, Sirimon or Naro Moru with expert local guides.
Summit (Batian)
5,199 m
Trekking peak
Point Lenana 4,985 m
From Nairobi
~200 km north
Best months
Jan–Feb, Aug–Sep
Natural history
A volcano older than Kilimanjaro
Mount Kenya is Africa's second-highest mountain at 5,199m (17,058 ft). Roughly circular and 60km across, the massif rises sharply from around 4,500m into the summit peaks of Batian (5,199m), Nelion (5,188m) and Point Lenana (4,985m). Only Point Lenana can be reached by trekkers — Batian and Nelion require technical climbing.
Mt. Kenya is an ancient volcano, much older than Kilimanjaro. It's believed to have once risen well above 6,000m; what remains today is a volcanic plug eroded into a jagged central skyline. High on the mountain the syenite rock is similar to granite — rough, hard and full of features, making the climbing world-class.
Trails climb from cultivated farmland into rainforest rich in camphor, through a bamboo zone that can reach 12m, then across open moorland into the moonscape of the high slopes. Elephants, buffalo, monkeys and the rock hyrax (the elephant's closest living relative) live here, alongside giant groundsels, lobelias and soaring eagles.
Choose your route
Three main routes to Point Lenana
Each route reveals a different face of the mountain. We help you pick the one that matches your time, fitness and appetite for scenery.
Sirimon Route
The least used route with the most gradual ascent profile — ideal acclimatization. On the drier north-western side, passing Yellowwood forests and abundant wildlife.
- Old Moses Camp
- Mackinder Valley
- Shipton's Cave
- Shipton's Camp
Naro Moru Route
The most popular and quickest route to Point Lenana — can be done in 3 days. Bunkhouses at each camp, so no tent required. Features the famous 'Vertical Bog'.
- Met Station
- Vertical Bog
- Mackinder's Camp
The summits of Mount Kenya
| Peak | Elevation | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Batian | 5,199 m (17,058 ft) | Technical |
| Nelion | 5,188 m (17,022 ft) | Technical |
| Point Lenana | 4,985 m (16,355 ft) | Trekking |
| Point Pigott | 4,957 m (16,266 ft) | Technical |
| Point Dutton | 4,885 m (16,027 ft) | Technical |
| Point John | 4,883 m (16,016 ft) | Technical |
Best months to trek
The safest, driest and most reliable windows are January–February and August–September. Avoid the long rains (mid-March to June) and short rains (late October to end of December). Rock climbers prefer Dec–Mar for south-facing routes and Jun–Oct for north-facing.
Mornings are usually clear with mist rolling in from around 10 am — that's why summit attempts start at 2 am to catch sunrise from Point Lenana.
Getting there
Mount Kenya is around 200km north of Nairobi. Tarred roads reach the nearest towns for each trailhead:
- Naro Moru town — for the Naro Moru route
- Nanyuki town — for the Sirimon route
- Chogoria town — for the Chogoria route
The last ~25km from town to trailhead is on dirt roads that often need a 4x4, especially in the wet season.
4, 5 & 6-day trekking packages
MKC 602
6 Days Sirimon → Naro Moru Peak Circuit
Sirimon up, Naro Moru down via peak circuit
Request datesFeatured — MKC 601
6 Days Chogoria → Naro Moru
Distance: 75 km • Difficulty: Demanding • Start / Finish: Nairobi
From
US$ 980 / person
The Chogoria–Naro Moru traverse is the most scenic way to reach Point Lenana. You ascend on the wet, eastern side of the mountain through tropical forest, bamboo and moorland — passing Nithi Falls, Lake Ellis, the Gorges Valley, Lake Michaelson and Hall Tarns — then descend the classic Naro Moru route. Descent via Sirimon / Shipton's Camp is also possible on request.
- Day 1
Nairobi → Chogoria Town
2,000m • L, DPick up from your Nairobi hotel at 8am and drive north to Chogoria town on the eastern side of the mountain for lunch. Afternoon leisure walk to acclimatize. Dinner and overnight at Lizlo Hotel, Chogoria.
- Day 2
Chogoria → Mount Meru Bandas
4 hrs • 16km • 950m ascent • B, L, DAfter breakfast, take a 4x4 vehicle to the bamboo forest clearance where the hike begins. Walk 16km through forest along a dirt (often muddy) track for around 4 hours to reach Mount Meru Bandas at 2,950m. Afternoon walks around camp. Overnight camping at the Bandas.
- Day 3
Meru Bandas → Road Head Camp
3 hrs • 9km • 350m ascent • B, L, DFollow the track through giant heather and forest up to Chogoria road head. The path drops to cross a stream, then follows the broad ridge east of the Gorges Valley to Road Head Camp at 3,300m. Optional detour via Lake Ellis.
- Day 4
Road Head → Mintos Hut
4 hrs • 12km • B, L, DContinue through giant heather and forest, dropping across a stream and following the ridge east of Gorges Valley to Mintos Camp at 4,200m. Dinner and overnight at Mintos.
- Day 5
Mintos → Point Lenana → Met Station
11–12 hrs • 29km • 785m ascent / 1,985m descent • B, L, DLeave shortly after 2am towards the main peaks of Batian, Nelion and Point Lenana. Summit Point Lenana around 6:30am for sunrise and photos. Descend via Naro Moru route (or optionally Sirimon / Shipton's). Breakfast at Mackinder's, continue down to Met Station at 3,000m for dinner and overnight.
- Day 6
Met Station → Naro Moru Gate → Nairobi
3 hrs • 9km • 400m descent • B, LDescend through rainforest for 3 hours (9km) to Naro Moru Gate at 2,600m. Transfer to Naro Moru town for lunch, then onward to Nairobi arriving around 3pm.
What's included
- Guaranteed price / guaranteed trek on confirmation
- Round-trip transfer to the base of the mountain
- Full board accommodation in camping while on the trek
- 1 night full board at Chogoria Transit Hotel
- All park entrance fees and government taxes
- English-speaking professional guide, porters and skilled cook
- Treated water on the trek
- Mount Kenya climbing certificate on successful summit
Not included
- Meru Mount Kenya Lodge / Bandas upgrade (optional)
- Tips, laundry, sleeping bags and drinks
- Accommodation before / after the trek
- Personal climbing gear
- International flights and Kenya visas
- Items of personal nature
Ready to stand on Point Lenana at sunrise?
Tell us your dates and fitness level — we'll match you with the right route, guide and gear.
Plan my Mount Kenya climb