Mount Kenya Lenana & Batian Expedition(7Days)
Overview
Mount Kenya expedition combining Point Lenana (4,985 m) and Batian (5,199 m), I would recommend Chogoria ascent → Point Lenana → Batian technical climb → Sirimon descent. This gives better acclimatization and includes the spectacular Gorges Valley and Lake Michaelson. Batian requires substantial multi-pitch rock-climbing experience.
Route: Chogoria → Lake Ellis → Mintos → Point Lenana → Batian → Shipton’s → Old Moses → Sirimon
Highest point: Batian – 5,199 m
Trekking summit: Point Lenana – 4,985 m
Approx. trekking distance: 55–65 km, depending on the exact approach and summit route.
| Day | Route | Altitude | Distance | Elevation gain | Overnight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nairobi → Chogoria → Meru Bandas | 2,950–3,000 m | 5–7 km | ~300 m | Meru Bandas |
| 2 | Meru Bandas → Lake Ellis | 3,400–3,500 m | ~10 km | ~450 m | Lake Ellis |
| 3 | Lake Ellis → Minto’s Camp | 4,200 m | ~12 km | ~750–800 m | Minto’s Camp |
| 4 | Minto’s → Point Lenana → Shipton’s Camp | 4,985 m / 4,200 m | ~10–12 km | ~785 m | Shipton’s |
| 5 | Shipton’s → Batian summit → Shipton’s | 5,199 m | ~8–10 km* | ~1,000 m* | Shipton’s |
| 6 | Shipton’s → Old Moses | 4,200 → 3,300 m | ~17 km | Descent ~900 m | Old Moses |
| 7 | Old Moses → Sirimon Gate → Nanyuki/Nairobi | 3,300 → 2,650 m | ~9 km | — | End of trek |
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
Tour Plan
Drive from Nairobi to Chogoria, then use a 4×4 to reach the upper Chogoria approach. After registration and gear checks, walk a short distance to Meru Bandas.
Altitude: ~2,950–3,000 m
Walking: 5–7 km
Gain: ~300 m
Purpose: Easy first day and initial acclimatization
Trek through the forest and moorland toward Lake Ellis. This is intentionally a relatively moderate day, allowing the body to begin adapting to altitude.
Altitude: ~3,400–3,500 m
Distance: ~10 km
Gain: ~450 m
Overnight: Lake Ellis.
Continue toward the high alpine zone, passing through the spectacular Chogoria landscape with views toward Gorges Valley, Lake Michaelson and the main peaks.
Start: ~3,450 m
Finish: ~4,200 m
Distance: ~12 km
Gain: ~750–800 m
Overnight: Minto's Camp.
This is an important acclimatization day because you are sleeping at approximately 4,200 m.
Start around 2:30–3:00 a.m. and climb toward Point Lenana.
Reach Point Lenana – 4,985 m around sunrise, then descend toward Shipton's Camp.
Distance: ~10–12 km
Highest altitude: 4,985 m
Gain: ~785 m
Descent: ~785 m
Overnight: Shipton's Camp, ~4,200 m.
Point Lenana is the trekking summit; Batian at 5,199 m is the true highest summit and requires technical climbing
Very early start for the technical climb of Batian (5,199 m) via the North Face Standard Route.
The climb involves exposed multi-pitch rock climbing, belaying, route finding and rappelling. Depending on the climbers' speed and conditions, the summit day can be very long.
Start: ~4,200 m
Batian: 5,199 m
Vertical gain: approximately 1,000 m including the technical route
Duration: potentially 10–13+ hours
Overnight: Shipton's Camp.
The North Face Standard Route is a serious technical alpine climb and is generally undertaken by experienced rock climbers with appropriate equipment and guides.
After breakfast, descend through the Mackinder Valley toward Old Moses.
Start: 4,200 m
Finish: 3,300 m
Distance: ~17 km
Elevation loss: ~900 m
Walking: 6–7 hours
Overnight: Old Moses Camp.
Final descent through the forest to Sirimon Gate.
Distance: ~9 km
Altitude: 3,300 → ~2,650 m
Walking: 3–4 hours
Transfer to Nanyuki and onward to Nairobi.
The Sirimon section is known for its relatively gradual descent and is commonly used as the exit route for technical expeditions.
Important note for Batian + Lenana
For a 7-day program, this is quite an ambitious itinerary. I would strongly recommend that the climbers have solid outdoor multi-pitch rock-climbing experience, good fitness, and previous high-altitude experience. Batian is not simply an extension of the Lenana trek—it is a serious technical climb.
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