Mount Kenya Summit

Overview

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An ascent of Mount Kenya to the true summit of Batian via the Gates of Mist

Introduction

This expedition aims to climb Mount Kenya via the McKinders Route on the South East Face of Nelion, crossing the "Gates of Mist" to the true summit of Mt Kenya - Batian (5,199m). The route on Nelion has HS/VS standard climbing and is about 19 pitches with some moving together, so you need recent Alpine climbing experience at AD/D on rock. You will approach the mountain via the Chogoria route, which is by far the most scenic and interesting route through the forests and moorland areas of Mount Kenya National Park. It also has the advantage of providing a more gentle acclimatisation profile than some of the other routes to the base of Nelion.

Join us on Mount Kenya

• An alpine style rock climb to the highest summit of Mount Kenya
• Jagged Globe leaders at a ratio of one leader for every two team members
• Careful acclimatisation approaching the mountain via the Chogoria route and climbing Point Lenana before attempting the summit
• Well-supported expedition with local guides and porters
• Optional 2-day Safari Extension, or 7-day Kilimanjaro Western Breach Extension

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Experience Required

The ascent of Mount Kenya is suitable for Alpine climbers, who are confident moving quickly on rock and over mixed terrain in big boots. If the route was in the Alps it would be graded Alpine Difficile (D). You must have recent experience of climbing routes graded AD/D and of long, multi-pitch routes of VS/HVS.

There are 19 pitches to get to the summit of Nelion and 14 abseils, plus 3 short scrambles on descent.

The crossing of the Gates of Mist involves an abseil, several pitches of mixed snow and ice climbing and traversing in exposed positions.

Team members must have recently completed routes comparable to the South Ridge of the Dent Blanche or the Hornli Ridge of the Matterhorn, to consider joining this expedition.

Our Rock Climbing and Scrambling Courses and our Scottish Winter Courses provide good skills preparation for Mount Kenya.

Additional Information

If you wish to discuss any aspect of the expedition or your suitability for it, please phone +44 (0)114 276 3322 or contact us.

Dates & Prices

Date	With Flight	or Meeting in	Availability
Sun 10 Jan – Wed 20 Jan 2027	UK	Nairobi	Available Book now »
2 places left with £200 early booking offer	£6,595 £6,395	£5,895 £5,695

This expedition is available to book in GBP, USD and EUR.
Click to Change currency for prices on this site.

Group size: 2 – 6 people.

Single room supplement: £150

For comparison, this expedition starts from £536 (GBP) per day (price Without Flights).

With Flight pricing

Our 'With Flight' price includes an Economy class return airfare from the UK. The cost is based on a group fare that we have already reserved, or individual seats that we have budgeted for. Note that in some circumstances, the earlier you book, the less expensive the airfare and the 'With Flight' price.

Know Before You Go

Jagged Globe supports the British Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) 'Know Before You Go' campaign. We recommend that you read the FCDO Travel Advice for Kenya on the FCDO Website.

What the price includes

• Economy class return airfares from the UK (unless Land Only).
• UK taxes.
• Airport transfers (one each way).
• National Park fees and Peak Permits.
• 1 nights' hotel accommodation in Nairobi on a twin-sharing basis.
• All road transport by private vehicles.
• 8 nights' camping including all meals.
• All porterage costs to Austrian Hut.
• All costs for Jagged Globe leader, local Kenyan guides and helpers.
• Jagged Globe kitbag or Fleece.

What the price does not include

• Visa fees.
• Overseas airports taxes not paid in advance through the international airline ticket.
• Lunch in Nanyuki or Nairobi.
• Evening meals in Nairobi.
• Bar bills and laundry.
• Travel insurance.
• Optional trips (e.g. a Safari Extension) and sightseeing tours.
• Tips.

Insurance

You will need a travel insurance policy that caters for the activities you will undertake on your trip with Jagged Globe. It is a requirement of our booking conditions that you have such a policy. For a list of insurers who specialise in mountaineering, trekking and skiing, please see our Travel Insurance page »

Itinerary

Here is an outline itinerary for this trip. A more detailed day-to-day itinerary is available as a downloadable PDF »

Outline Itinerary

Day 1:	Fly to Nairobi. Airport transfer. Overnight hotel.
Day 2:	Drive to the mountain, trek to campsite on edge of the forest. Drive to the park and walk the final few kiliometres to camp on the edge of the forest.
Day 3:	Trek to Lake Ellis (3,400m).
Day 4:	Trek to Lake Michaelson (4,000m). Trek to this beautiful campsite, where you'll spend the next two nights.
Day 5:	Acclimatisation at Lake Michaelson (4,000m).
Day 6:	Ascend to Simba Tarn (4,620m).
Day 7:	Trek via Point Lenana (4,985m) to Austrian Hut (4,790m). You'll climb the famous trekking peak of Point Lenana, to further aid acclimatisation.
Day 8:	Reconnaissance the first few pitches of the climb. Climb to Point John (4,883m).
Day 9:	Climb Nelion (5,188m) and Batian (5,199m). The first few pitches on Nelion are relatively easy if the rock is dry, but prove to be more difficult if covered in ice. You traverse to the 'Rabbit Hole', which you struggle through to reach the upper chimneys. The De Graafs variation is the crux of the route. Easier climbing allows you to cross over the ridge to reach the Mackinders Chimney. In the dry, the Mackinders Chimney is straightforward, but in the wet it proves to be vey interesting. Once up this you climb another two pitches and make a traverse to a gully. There is some loose rock that you need to take extra care of, but the route is straightforward until you reach the short chimney, which is surmounted. From here two shorter pitches lead to the top, where you can get a well-earned brew at the Howell's Hut. Cross the Gates of Mist to Batian. The traverse involves some abseiling and Scottish Grade II snow and ice. On return to Neilion (5,188m) you abseil 11 pitches to the base of the route. Descend to Teleki campsite.
Day 10:	Descent from Teleki camp to MET Station hut. 3 - 4 hours trek to the roadhead. Drive to Soames hotel and restaurant for Lunch, then return to Nairobi. Late evening flight or overnight hotel.
Day 11:	Arrive home.

IMPORTANT NOTE:
Every effort will be made to keep to the above itinerary, but as this is Adventure Travel in a remote mountain region, we cannot guarantee it. Weather conditions, road conditions, vehicle breakdowns and the health of climbers can all contribute to changes. The Expedition Leader and our local agent will try to ensure that the trip runs according to plan, but an easy going nature will be an asset!

Optional Kilimanjaro extension

Why not extend your stay in Africa and use your acclimatisation to make an ascent of Kilimanjaro?

Day 11 Fly from Nairobi to Kilimanjaro International Airport. Transfer to Moshi. Overnight hotel.

Day 12 Begin ascent of Kilimanjaro. Climb to Forest Caves (3,000m) on the Umbwe Route.

Day 13 Climb to Baranco Camp (3,900m).

Day 14 Baranco Camp to Karanga Camp (13,300ft / 4,050m).

Day 15 Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp (15,090ft / 4,650m).

Day 16 Barafu camp to Uhuru Peak - Kilimanjaro Summit (19,340 ft / 5,896m), descend to Millennium Camp

Day 17 Descent via the Mweka Hut. Return to Moshi. Overnight hotel.

Day 18 Fly home.

Price based based on one person taking part. Price does not include flights to Kilimanjaro International Airport from Nairobi, which will be quoted at the time of booking.

Price £2595 per person

Photos & Videos

• 
• Mount Kenya Summit - Dec '16

Reports & Reviews

Total: 3 trips

Have you been on this trip? If you'd like to contribute a trip report then we'll post it up on the site.

Team Member Reviews

• “It was a great rock climbing expedition, with superb scenery.” MT, Mount Kenya Summit - Dec '16