Mount Kenya 7-Day Sirimon Route–Batian–Lenana–Naro Moru

From

Duration

Tour Type

Adventure

Overview

This combines the quieter Likii North approach, a technical ascent of Batian (5,199 m), Point Lenana (4,985 m), and descent via Naro Moru.

Batian is the true summit of Mount Kenya and requires technical rock-climbing skills and equipment; Point Lenana is the trekking summit and does not normally require ropes.

Route: Sirimon Gate → Old Moses → Likii North → Shipton’s Camp → Batian → Point Lenana → Mackinder’s Camp → Naro Moru → Met Station → Naro Moru Gate

Highest point: Batian – 5,199 m
Trekking summit: Point Lenana – 4,985 m
Difficulty: Very demanding / technical
Best for: Experienced hikers and rock climbers with appropriate high-altitude experience
Approximate trekking distance: 55–65 km, depending on the Batian climbing line and exact camps.

The Likii North variation provides a quieter approach before joining the upper mountain around Shipton’s Camp

Included/Exclude

All camping equipment.
Transfer to and from the base of the mountain.
Full board accommodation whilst on the trek. Meals a day (special diet vegetarian).
Accommodations in camps/huts as per the itinerary.
All park entrance fees to include government taxes.
Service of an English speaking professional guide, porters and skilled cook.
Start and finish Nairobi.
Water
Emergency evacuation(rescue.co)-25$
H.F Radio communications for backup incase or rescue.

Laundry.
Tips.
Hiking equipments.
Soft drinks.
Accommodation before and after the trek.
Climbing gears (we have them for hire).
International flights.
Visas to Kenya.
Items of personal nature.
Any other extras not detailed in the above itinerary.
No mosquito net.
NB: Proper equipments are vital to safe and enjoyable trek.

Tour Amenities

Smoking Allowed

Tour Plan

Day 1: Nairobi/Nanyuki – Sirimon Gate – Old Moses Camp

Altitude:
Sirimon Gate ~2,600 m → Old Moses ~3,300 m

Distance: ~9 km
Walking time: 3–4 hours

After breakfast, drive from Nairobi to Nanyuki, where you meet the mountain crew, check climbing equipment and continue to Sirimon Gate.

After park registration, begin trekking through the montane forest. The trail gradually climbs through bamboo and forest before emerging into the higher moorland zone.

You will begin seeing giant heather and, higher up, the characteristic giant groundsel vegetation of Mount Kenya.

Overnight: Old Moses Camp
Meals: Lunch & dinner

Acclimatization objective: Keep the first day easy. Do not push the pace.

Day 2: Old Moses – Likii North Camp

Altitude: 3,300 m → ~3,990 m
Distance: ~9–10 km
Walking time: 4–5 hours

After breakfast, leave Old Moses and continue along the Sirimon route.

Instead of taking the direct trail toward Shipton's Camp, turn toward the Likii North Valley. This is a quieter section of the mountain and gives you additional time to acclimatize.

The trail crosses open moorland with spectacular views toward the northern side of Batian, Nelion and the subsidiary peaks.

Arrive at Likii North Camp, situated around 3,990 m.

The afternoon can be used for resting and a short acclimatization walk around the valley.

Overnight: Likii North Camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Likii North is commonly used as an acclimatization stop between Old Moses and Shipton's.

Day 3: Likii North – Shipton's Camp

Altitude: ~3,990 m → ~4,200 m
Distance: ~6–8 km
Walking time: 3–4 hours

Start after breakfast and climb out of the Likii North Valley.

The route crosses the ridge and descends toward the spectacular Mackinder Valley, where it joins the upper Sirimon route.

From here, the central peaks become increasingly impressive, with Batian and Nelion dominating the skyline.

Continue toward Shipton's Camp, located at approximately 4,200 m.

After lunch, the technical climbing guide conducts a briefing and checks:

Harnesses
Helmets
Climbing ropes
Carabiners
Belay devices
Climbing shoes
Slings
Protection equipment
Crampons/ice equipment if required by conditions
Personal technical climbing equipment

The team should also review the Batian climbing route and weather forecast.

Overnight: Shipton's Camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Shipton's is the principal high camp for approaches to the technical peaks and Point Lenana.

Day 4: Technical Climb – Batian Summit

Start: Approximately 4:30–5:00 am, depending on route and conditions
Climbing: Full technical climbing day
Difficulty: Technical / demanding

This is the expedition's main climbing day.

After an early breakfast, approach the North Face of Batian with the technical climbing guide.

The standard North Face route involves exposed rock climbing and multiple technical pitches. Current climbing references describe the classic route as involving approximately seven belayed pitches, with climbing around the 5.7–5.9 range.

The exact climbing schedule depends heavily on:

Weather
Rock conditions
Climbers' ability
Acclimatization
Route conditions
Traffic on the route

The objective is to reach Batian Summit – 5,199 m, take summit photographs and descend carefully.

After completing the climb, return to Shipton's Camp for dinner and recovery.

Overnight: Shipton's Camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Important

Batian should not be treated as an ordinary hiking summit. Climbers should have solid outdoor rock-climbing experience, be comfortable climbing exposed multi-pitch terrain and have appropriate technical equipment and professional guiding.

If the weather or route conditions are unsuitable, the Batian attempt should be postponed rather than forcing the climb.

Day 5: Shipton's – Point Lenana – Mackinder's Camp

The trekking summit day

Start: Approximately 2:30–3:00 am
Shipton's: ~4,200 m
Point Lenana: 4,985 m
Mackinder's Camp: ~4,200 m

This is another demanding day, particularly following the Batian climb.

Wake up very early, have a light breakfast and begin the climb toward Point Lenana.

The ascent is non-technical but takes place at high altitude, in darkness and often in very cold conditions.

The final ascent takes you toward the summit ridge and Point Lenana at 4,985 m. Pre-dawn summit starts are standard, with many trekkers reaching Lenana around sunrise.

Point Lenana

At the summit, enjoy sunrise over the Kenyan landscape and take photographs with Batian and Nelion behind you.

After the summit, descend toward the Teleki/Mackinder's Valley.

Continue down to Mackinder's Camp, where you have breakfast/brunch and rest.

Overnight: Mackinder's Camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

This day gives you the opportunity to stand on both of Mount Kenya's principal summit objectives: Batian and Point Lenana.

Day 6: Mackinder's Camp – Met Station

Altitude: ~4,200 m → ~3,050 m
Distance: ~11–12 km
Walking time: 5–7 hours

After breakfast, begin descending through the Naro Moru route.

The trail passes through the upper alpine zone and continues toward the moorland.

You eventually reach the famous Vertical Bog, one of the characteristic sections of the Naro Moru route.

Depending on weather conditions, this section can be wet and muddy, so gaiters and trekking poles are useful.

Continue down toward the Meteorological Station (Met Station) at approximately 3,050 m.

Overnight: Met Station / mountain camp
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Naro Moru is the most direct western descent but is generally steeper and can be wetter than Sirimon.

Day 7: Met Station – Naro Moru Gate – Nairobi/Nanyuki

Altitude: ~3,050 m → ~2,600 m
Distance: ~9–10 km
Walking time: 3–4 hours

After breakfast, continue descending through the forest toward Naro Moru Gate.

Complete the park exit procedures and meet your vehicle.

Transfer to Naro Moru/Nanyuki for lunch before continuing to Nairobi if required.

Trip ends: Nairobi or Nanyuki.

Summary itinerary

Day	Route	Altitude	Approx. time
1	Sirimon Gate → Old Moses	2,600 → 3,300 m	3–4 hrs
2	Old Moses → Likii North	3,300 → 3,990 m	4–5 hrs
3	Likii North → Shipton's	3,990 → 4,200 m	3–4 hrs
4	Shipton's → Batian → Shipton's	4,200 → 5,199 m	Full day
5	Shipton's → Point Lenana → Mackinder's	4,200 → 4,985 m → 4,200 m	7–9 hrs
6	Mackinder's → Met Station	4,200 → 3,050 m	5–7 hrs
7	Met Station → Naro Moru Gate	3,050 → 2,600 m	3–4 hrs

What makes this itinerary special

1. Sirimon approach – gradual ascent and good acclimatization.

2. Likii North – quieter and less repetitive than taking the direct Sirimon trail.

3. Batian – the true summit of Mount Kenya at 5,199 m and the technical highlight.

4. Point Lenana – the classic trekking summit at 4,985 m and excellent sunrise objective.

5. Naro Moru descent – completes the traverse rather than returning by the same route.

This is substantially more demanding than a standard 4–5-day Point Lenana trek. A longer itinerary with an additional acclimatization day would be preferable for climbers coming directly from low altitude. Standard Point Lenana itineraries commonly use 4–6 days, while technical Batian expeditions are generally planned over roughly 6–7 days or longer.