5 days in Mount Kenya
In summary
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Sports
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Duration7 days
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LevelConfirmed
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DestinationAfrica / Kenya
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AgeFrom 12 - 90 years
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CO₂-Emissions59.84 kg CO2
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Type of stayIndependent traveler
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Languages
German
English
French
Swahili
Italian
In a few words
Explore the wild slopes of Africa's second highest mountain on an exceptional route. This 5-day trek immerses you in the heart of unspoiled nature, beginning with a spectacular descent into a bamboo forest at 2,250 meters altitude, before reaching the mountain huts of the Mt. Kenya Bandas.
Over the course of several days, acclimatization takes place gently along the famous Chogoria route , renowned as the most scenic in the massif. You will first set up camp on the shores of the shimmering waters of Lake Ellis at 3,600 meters, then continue through an Afro-alpine landscape to Minto Camp . Each stage of the hike reveals lunar panoramas and unique rock formations.
The highlight of this alpine adventure comes at dawn with the final ascent of Point Lenana . At 4,985 meters , the sunrise offers an unforgettable reward on the snow-covered peaks. The descent then begins towards Camp Old Moses, and then on to Nanyuki, marking the end of an extraordinary sporting challenge in the heart of East Africa's parks.
The highlights
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A spectacular hike along a volcanic ridge with breathtaking views into the crater
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Exclusive encounters with wildlife in the heart of a protected national park
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The ultimate viewpoint for contemplating Kilimanjaro at dawn
Photos
Sport
Level
Hiking / Trekking
The expert's opinion
The Chogoria route on Mount Kenya is a visually stunning but physically demanding trek. It features steeper and more abrupt elevation gains than other routes, testing your cardiovascular fitness and endurance over long days of walking across rugged terrain. While the trek to Point Lenana (4,985 m) is not technically challenging, the steep gorges, scree slopes, and thin air make it a demanding trek requiring excellent physical condition.
In figures
Hiking
- Average duration/day: 6h
- Average distance/day: 14 km
- Average daily elevation gain: 538 m
- Average daily descent: 438 m
- Exposed Passages: Yes
Management
German
English
French
Swahili
Italian
Edward, our expert mountain guide, has over a decade of experience leading treks on Mount Kenya. His intimate knowledge of the terrain, weather conditions, and mountain wildlife makes him the perfect guide for our Mount Kenya treks. His calm leadership in challenging conditions, combined with a passion for nature, ensures that every trekker feels safe and inspired. Edward's dedication to both adventure and environmental preservation adds real depth to every climb, making him the ideal person to coordinate our trekking experiences.
All our guides are fully certified and Wilderness First Responders
Program
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Arrival
- Transportation Minibus - 04h - 200km
- Accommodation Hostel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
If you arrive in Kenya by plane, we can assist you with airport transfers to the village of Chogoria. If you arrive in the evening, you will need to spend at least one night in Nairobi before transferring to Chogoria, located east of Mount Kenya.
You will meet your guide for a briefing and equipment check to ensure you are fully prepared for your hike. All equipment can be rented on-site upon arrival. Once you arrive at the hotel, you will settle into your rooms and then have free time to enjoy the rest of your day.
Day 1 -
Bamboo forest (2,250 m) - Mt. Kenya Bandas (2,900 m)
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 4h
- Distance 10 km
- Positive elevation gain 400 m
- Negative elevation 50 m
- Accommodation Cabin
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
After breakfast, we drive to the edge of the bamboo forest, where we begin our hike through dense vegetation for a distance of 10 km to Mount Kenya Bandas.
Day 2 -
Mt. Kenya Bandas (2,900 m) – Ellis Lake Camp (3,600 m)
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 3h
- Distance 9 km
- Positive elevation gain 350 m
- Accommodation Cabin
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
After breakfast and the distribution of the porters' loads, we set off to climb the mountain at a leisurely and steady pace. A slightly longer walk via Ellis Lake offers spectacular panoramic views of Mugi, Ithanguni, and the Giant's Billiards Table . If you choose instead to walk upstream for about 3 km from the end of the road, the landscapes and flora in the foreground are particularly magnificent. After lunch on the banks of a stream, it's time to turn left onto the hillside to reach our campsite at an altitude of approximately 3,600 m, well away from the more "touristy" areas.
Day 3 -
Ellis Lake (3,600 m) – Minto Camp (4,200 m)
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Distance 12 km
- Positive elevation gain 600 m
- Accommodation Cabin
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
A similar early start. We once again venture off the beaten track to follow a ridge that ascends the mountain for about three hours before joining the classic Chogoria route at an altitude of approximately 4,100 meters. The views across the Gorges Valley, Mount Ithanguni, and the northern moors are breathtaking. Lunch is served by a small stream crossing, and then we continue our trek for another hour to the Mintos Hut area (4,200 meters) for the night. The afternoon is spent relaxing at camp, although a 10-minute walk to the "Temple" is well worth the effort. This is a 150-meter vertical cliff that gets its name from the position visitors often adopt while gazing down into the void: it looks as if they are praying. An early night's sleep is recommended, as you will be attempting to reach the summit the following day.
Day 4 -
Minto Camp (4,200 m) – Point Lenana (4,985 m) - Old Moses Camp (3,300 m)
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 12h
- Distance 24 km
- Positive elevation gain 800 m
- Negative elevation 1700 m
- Exposed passages Yes
- Accommodation Cabin
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
The final push to the summit begins before dawn, at 3:00 am. We hike for about three hours to reach Point Lenana (4,985 m), the summit accessible to hikers, in order to arrive in time to admire the sunrise over Africa.
We then descend back to Shipton Camp for breakfast. After lunch, we begin a 5-hour descent through the Mackinder Valley to Old Moses Camp (3,300 m). The descent is gentle and offers ample time to appreciate the fascinating scenery of the alpine moorland before reaching the camp.
Day 5 -
Old Moses Camp (3300m) – Nanyuki (1946m)
- Accommodation Hostel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
After an early breakfast, you will descend for 3 to 4 hours to the Sirimon and Nanyuki gate to spend the night.
Day 6 -
Departure
- Transportation Minibus - 00h30 - 15km
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Today we return to Nairobi towards the airport for your departure or for the start of your safari.
Distance: 175 km
Duration: 3 to 4 hours
Day 7
Accommodation
Enjoy a comfortable stay in a charming 3-star lodge with a refreshing swimming pool. Nestled in a calm and serene setting, the lodge offers the perfect environment to relax and recharge before or after your climb. Guests can enjoy beautifully decorated rooms, stroll through the lush gardens, and appreciate the beauty and tranquility of the surroundings.
Mount Kenya offers rustic, permanent mountain huts along its main routes, providing essential shelter from the harsh alpine weather. Standard huts, such as Old Moses and Shipton's, have large communal dormitories with basic mattresses, shared pit toilets, and simple dining areas where climbers gather to warm up and eat. While rudimentary and unheated, these wood and stone structures offer a welcome communal refuge and a friendly atmosphere for trekkers before their final push to the summit.
Access
International flights are at your own expense and must be booked independently. Our driver will be ready to meet you at the airport at any time to ensure your transfer to the accommodation included in your package. At the end of your expedition, we will arrange your return transfer to the airport for your departure flight, unless you choose to extend your adventure with a safari or a beach stay.
Go to the starting point
We tailor transfers to your arrival and departure flights. Upon arrival, you will meet our driver and mountain guide. They will be holding a sign with our logo and your name.
Price details
The price includes
- Return transfers between Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) and your accommodation.
- 2 nights in a hotel (one night before and one night after the trek).
- Private round-trip transportation between your hotel and the gate of Mount Kenya National Park.
- Parking fees
- High-altitude accommodation in permanent wooden and stone mountain huts along the route
- Mount Kenya National Park relief costs and coordination of emergency evacuations.
- All applicable Kenyan government taxes and service charges are included.
- Mountain team
- Three hot and nutritious meals prepared daily throughout the trek.
- Sufficient quantities of purified, treated and filtered drinking water are provided daily.
- Hot water is provided for basic daily washing in the camps.
- Fair, respectful and transparent wages for the entire local mountain team.
- Regular checks with a saturometer (pulse oximeter) to monitor blood oxygen levels and ensure proper acclimatization.
- Complete emergency first aid kit carried on the trail.
The price does not include
- Meals and drinks in town: Lunches, dinners and drinks at your hotel before and after the climb.
- International or domestic flights.
- Laundry service
- Personal equipment
- Tips:
- Guides: $20 / day / guide
- Chef: $12/day
- Porters: $8 / day / porter
Options
- Sleeping bag rental : CHF22.87 / person
- Winter jacket rental : CHF22.87 / person
- Rental of 2 hiking poles : CHF9.15 / person
- Rain poncho rental : CHF7.32 / person
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate what formalities are required for entry and stay in the destination country. You can also consult this information on the France Diplomatie website ( https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/ ).
For connecting flights operated by different airlines, also check the formalities for countries you transit through.
It is your responsibility to ensure that you are compliant, in particular regarding the validity of your identity documents (for example, some countries require your passport to still be valid 6 months after your return) , visa requirements, necessary vaccinations and health recommendations. And don't forget to take into account customs restrictions and other obligations of the destination or transit country.
ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date — remember to regularly check official websites.
Equipment
Equipment provided on site
- Floor mattress / sleeping mat
- Chairs
- Tables
- Kitchen utensils
Equipment to bring
- Sleeping bags (available for rent)
Clothing to bring
Clothes
- Breathable T-shirts: For low altitudes in forested areas.
- Hiking jacket (Soft-shell): Windproof for everyday walking.
- Hiking pants: Lightweight and modular models (convertible into shorts) are ideal.
- Fleece sweater/jacket: Essential mid-layer for cooler afternoons.
- Fleece pants: A comfortable layer for evenings in mountain huts.
- Waterproof jacket: Hardshell type, waterproof and breathable, to cope with the changing mountain weather.
- Rain pants: Crucial for staying dry during afternoon showers.
- Heavy winter jacket (warm down jacket): Essential for the freezing nights at the summit.
- Winter hiking pants: Insulated or windproof for the final assault on the summit.
- Thermal underwear (Base layers): High-quality tops and bottoms, made of merino wool or synthetic materials.
- Hiking shorts: Optional, only for the first hot day at low altitude.
- Sports bra: For women.
Technical equipment
- 4-season sleeping bag: Minimum comfort temperature of -15°C (essential for high-altitude camps like Shipton's).
- Trekking poles: Highly recommended for steep ascents and descents in scree.
- Headlamp: Crucial for the assault on the summit in the middle of the night (bring plenty of spare batteries, as the cold drains them quickly).
- Duffel bag / Travel bag (90 liters): Waterproof, designed for porters to carry your main equipment.
- Daypack (30-35 liters): To carry your daily essentials (water, rain gear, camera).
- Waterproof bags: To keep your electronic devices and clothes perfectly dry inside your bags.
Head and hands
- Sun hat / Cap: To protect yourself from intense UV rays at high altitude.
- Warm winter hat: Insulated and covering the ears well.
- Balaclava / Neck warmer: Essential to protect your face from the icy winds at the summit.
- Lightweight undergloves: Windproof, used for evenings in lower camps.
- Thick winter gloves / Mittens: Waterproof and with reinforced thermal insulation for the night at the summit.
Shoes and accessories
- Hiking shoes: High-top, waterproof and perfectly adapted to your foot (already worn) before the trip.
- Camp footwear: Lightweight sneakers or sandals to wear in shelters.
- Thermal hiking socks: Several pairs (wool blends are preferable).
- Gaiters: Highly recommended to prevent mud, pebbles and scree from getting into your shoes.
- Lightweight crampons / Microspikes: Recommended depending on the season, particularly if you are reaching Point Lenana via snowy or icy routes.
Hydration and sun protection
- Sunglasses: Category 3 or 4 UV protection to prevent snow blindness.
- Ski mask: Optional, but very useful in case of strong winds and snow gusts near the peaks.
- Water bottles (2 x 1 liter): Insulated bottles or insulated covers are recommended to prevent the water from freezing on the night of the summit.
- Water bladder / Camelbak (2 liters): Ideal for low altitude trails, but note that the tube can freeze at altitudes close to the summit.
Personal effects, health and logistics
- Personal medications: Including prophylactic treatment for acute mountain sickness (e.g., Diamox) if prescribed by your doctor.
- High protection sunscreen (SPF 50+): Extreme UV exposure near the equator.
- Lip balm with SPF: To prevent severe chapping.
- Insect repellent (with DEET): For lowland rainforest and bamboo areas.
- Hand sanitizer: For hygiene in shelters and on the trail.
- Quick-drying travel towel and toiletries: Biodegradable soap and shampoo.
- Wet wipes: Essential for "cat grooming" in unheated shelters.
- Energy snacks: Chocolates, nuts, energy bars or gels for a quick calorie boost.
- Electrolytes (powder or tablets): To be dissolved in your drinking water to promote hydration.
- Personal first aid kit: Blister plasters (Compeed), painkillers, rehydration salts and anti-diarrheal medication.
- Camera and external battery (Power bank): Keep spare batteries close to your body (warm) to prevent them from discharging in the freezing mountain air.
The Elizabeth team
Specializing in East Africa for over 10 years, this tour operator relies on three branches dedicated to Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. The team offers unparalleled local expertise to design authentic journeys to the heart of the region.
The team stands out for the diversity of adventures it offers: from iconic safaris in the Serengeti or the Masai Mara to challenging expeditions on Kilimanjaro and the Rwenzori Mountains. They also organize memorable treks to encounter gorillas, as well as relaxing stays on the beaches of Zanzibar and the Kenyan coast. Between wild savannah and crystal-clear shores, each itinerary is led by passionate experts to guarantee a fully immersive experience.
