Planning Your Climb
Do I need climbing experience to reach the summit?
Not for Point Lenana, at 4,985 m the third-highest peak on Mount Kenya and the one most trekkers aim for. It is a walking route — no ropes, no technical climbing. What it demands is stamina and a sensible pace at altitude.
Batian (5,199 m) and Nelion (5,188 m) are different. Those are technical rock climbs requiring ropes, experience and a qualified climbing guide.
How fit do I need to be?
If you can walk for six to seven hours on consecutive days over uneven ground, you can do this trek. Hill walking, stair climbing and long weekend walks with a loaded pack are the most useful preparation. We recommend starting eight to twelve weeks before you travel — our fitness and training guide sets out a full timeline.
When is the best time to climb?
The two dry seasons give the most reliable conditions: January to February and June to October. Skies are clearer, trails are firmer, and summit-day visibility is better. The long rains in April and May and the short rains in November make trails muddy and views unpredictable.
We run treks year-round, and shoulder-season departures are quieter on the mountain.
Which route should I choose?
Three main routes lead to Point Lenana:
- Sirimon — the driest approach, gentlest acclimatisation profile, and the best gradual introduction to the mountain’s vegetation zones.
- Chogoria — the most scenic, passing Lake Ellis and the Gorges Valley.
- Naro Moru — the fastest and steepest, which makes altitude sickness more likely.
Our most popular itinerary ascends Chogoria and descends Sirimon, a traverse that crosses the mountain rather than retracing one path. Our routes guide compares all three in detail.
How many days do I need?
Four to six days for Point Lenana. Five or six gives your body time to acclimatise properly and raises your chance of summiting considerably. Four is possible but leaves no margin.
We also run one-day hikes from Sirimon Gate for visitors who want the forest, bamboo and moorland without summiting.
Pricing and What’s Included
How much does it cost?
Our standard multi-day rate is USD 250 per person per day.
That covers park fees, all meals on the mountain, your guide, cook and porters, camping accommodation along the route, and hiking equipment.
A one-day Sirimon hike is USD 200 per person, plus USD 100 per group for transport, and includes park fees, two guides, snacks and water.
Do you offer group discounts?
Yes. For groups of four or more, the rate is USD 180 per person per day — a saving of USD 70 per person per day on our standard rate, with everything still included.
The reason we can do this is simple: your guide, cook and porter team costs the same whether they are looking after two climbers or six, so a larger group spreads that cost further. You get the same crew, the same meals and the same itinerary.
Children are charged reduced park fees of USD 40 each.
Is there a budget option?
Yes. If you bring your own food and tent, the rate is USD 150 per person per day, or USD 140 without porter support. Return transport from Nairobi to Chogoria is USD 150 per group.
We also offer guide-only bookings for experienced, fully self-sufficient groups. Mountain hut accommodation runs about USD 30 per person per night if you would rather not camp.
What is not included?
- International flights and Kenyan visa
- Travel and medical insurance
- Accommodation before and after the trek
- Personal clothing and boots
- Tips for your guide and crew
- Alcoholic and bottled drinks
How do I book, and what deposit do you need?
A 10% deposit confirms your dates and crew, with the balance settled before you set off. Message us on WhatsApp at +254 720 862220 with your dates and group size and we will send an itinerary and payment details.
Cancellations and Changes
What is your cancellation policy?
When you book, we commit on your behalf straight away — reserving park permits, booking your guide, cook and porters, and buying provisions for your specific dates. A late cancellation means those costs have already been spent, so our terms tighten as your departure date approaches.
Cancellations must be sent to us in writing — WhatsApp or email is fine. The date we receive your message is the date we apply.
- More than 30 days before departure — deposit only (10%)
- 15 to 30 days — 25% of the total trek cost
- 8 to 14 days — 50% of the total trek cost
- 7 days or fewer, or no-show — 100% of the total trek cost
The 10% booking deposit is non-refundable in all cases, because it is spent securing your permits and crew the moment you confirm.
Can I change my dates instead of cancelling?
Yes, and we would much rather you did. If you tell us more than 30 days before departure, we will move your booking to any available date within the next twelve months at no charge, and your deposit transfers with it.
Inside 30 days we will still try to reschedule wherever the mountain and our crew allow, though a fee may apply depending on what has already been committed.
What if I need to leave the mountain early?
If you descend early for any reason — altitude, illness, or a change of mind — there is no refund for unused days. Your guide and crew are booked and paid for the full itinerary, and we will always assign a guide to accompany you down safely rather than leave you to descend alone.
What if you cancel my trek?
If we cancel for reasons within our control, you receive a full refund, including your deposit.
If a trek cannot go ahead because of circumstances beyond our control — severe weather, Kenya Wildlife Service closing a route, or a genuine safety risk on the mountain — we will offer you the choice of an alternative route, a transfer to new dates, or a refund of everything except costs already paid to third parties on your behalf, such as non-refundable park fees.
Your safety decides this, not your itinerary. Our guides will turn a group around when conditions require it, and that judgement is not negotiable.
Do I need travel insurance?
We strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance covering trekking to at least 5,000 m, emergency evacuation and trip cancellation. It is the only thing that protects you financially if you have to cancel late for reasons outside anyone’s control.
On the Mountain
What equipment do you provide?
We supply sleeping bags, walking sticks and tents, along with camping and cooking equipment. You bring warm clothing and well-broken-in boots.
Individual items — down jackets, insulated trousers, gloves, fleeces, larger backpacks — are available to rent at USD 5 per item.
What should I pack?
Warm layers and good footwear matter more than anything else. The mountain crosses several climate zones in a single day: warm rainforest at the base, freezing pre-dawn conditions on summit day.
Our complete packing list covers every layer, including what not to bother bringing.
What is the food like?
Three cooked meals a day, prepared fresh on the mountain by our own cook. Hot drinks throughout, and hot water for flasks before summit day. Vegetarian, vegan, halal and allergy-specific diets are no problem — tell us when you book.
What about altitude sickness?
Mild symptoms — headache, poor sleep, reduced appetite — are common above 3,000 m and usually manageable. Our itineraries are paced to let your body adjust, and our guides monitor every client daily.
Serious altitude illness is rare on a properly paced trek, but our guides are trained to recognise the warning signs and will descend with you immediately if needed. No summit is worth the risk. Our altitude guide explains what to expect.
Is there mobile signal and charging?
Signal is patchy but present at several points, including parts of the moorland and around the huts. There is no mains power on the route — bring a power bank, and keep it warm overnight, as cold drains batteries fast.
Will I see wildlife?
Often, yes. The lower forest holds elephant, buffalo, colobus and Sykes’ monkeys, and a great deal of birdlife. Higher up the attraction is the plants: giant lobelia, giant groundsel and tree heather found almost nowhere else on earth. Our wildlife and plants guide has the full picture.
Getting There
Where do we meet?
Most clients meet us in Nanyuki, about three and a half hours north of Nairobi. We can also arrange collection from your Nanyuki hotel on the morning of your hike.
Can you arrange airport pickup and transport?
Yes. Our airport transfer package is USD 150, covering collection from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to your Nairobi hotel, plus transport from Nairobi to Nanyuki on your hiking date.
If you are driving to Chogoria yourself, we can arrange transport from Chogoria town to the park gate for USD 50.
Who will guide us?
Our lead guide is Patrick Kinyua, who has been guiding on Mount Kenya for years and personally leads many of our treks. Every group gets a dedicated guide, cook and porter team — including solo climbers joining a group departure, so you always get a personal experience rather than being absorbed into a crowd.
Still have a question?
Message us on WhatsApp at +254 720 862220, call +254 713 811 144, or use our contact page. We reply from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Saturday.