Mount Kenya Traverse

Mount Kenya Traverse


From £2,045
Altitude 4,985m Grade: T4

Our traverse of Mt. Kenya makes a gradual ascent of Africa’s second highest peak, linking the Sirimon and Naru Moru trails.

Our traverse of Mt. Kenya makes a gradual ascent of Africa’s second highest peak, with plenty of time to acclimatise to the altitude and climate. From Nairobi we cross the equator and head to Mt. Kenya’s Sirimon Park gate to commence our Mount Kenya traverse via Point Lenana (4985m), the massif’s highest non-technical summit. Our choice of route provides excellent acclimatisation by traversing and circling Mt. Kenya linking two of its most famous trails – the Sirimon and Naru Moru trails. The trek offers spectacular ever changing scenery: vistas of vast plains bordering the Great Rift Valley, dense forest, deep gorges, waterfalls, moorland, glaciers and mountain tarns.

For experienced climbers there is the option to add on a climb of Kenya’s technical peaks, Nelion (5188m) and Batian (5188m) (please contact the Adventure Peaks office for details).

Why not extend your stay in Kenya - we have a wide variety of safari extensions available, or head south to Tanzania and climb to the Roof of Africa on Mount Kilimanjaro.

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Dates & Prices

Show prices in
All prices in Euros are guide rates, not live rates
All prices in US Dollars are guide rates, not live rates

Availability

Dates
Flight Inclusive
AvailabilityDays
With Flight
Price
Land Only
Price
With Flight
Select
19th Oct 2024 - 27th Oct 2024 Closed9 £2,045£2,845
2nd Nov 2024 - 10th Nov 2024 Spaces9 £2,045£2,845 Book Now
21st Dec 2024 - 29th Dec 2024 Spaces9 £2,045£2,845 Book Now
11th Jan 2025 - 19th Jan 2025 Spaces9 £2,145£2,945 Book Now
15th Mar 2025 - 23rd Mar 2025 Spaces9 £2,145£2,945 Book Now
14th Jun 2025 - 22nd Jun 2025 Spaces9 £2,145£2,945 Book Now
18th Oct 2025 - 26th Oct 2025 Spaces9 £2,145£2,945 Book Now
1st Nov 2025 - 9th Nov 2025 Spaces9 £2,145£2,945 Book Now
20th Dec 2025 - 28th Dec 2025 Spaces9 £2,145£2,945 Book Now

* A deposit of £400 will be required at checkout.

What's Included

  • Estimated International flights from London (flight inclusive package
  • Accommodation - 1 night hotel, 5 nights camping, 1 night bandas
  • Meals - 7 breakfasts and lunches, 6 evening meals
  • Park fees as appropriate
  • All road transfers in country (unless indicated in 'exclusions')
  • Local guides
  • Local trekking staff to assist (cook and porters)
  • All camping equipment (excl. personal kit)
  • Qualified UK group tour leader (subject to minimum numbers)
  • Adventure Peaks gift
  • 24hr back-up and support from our UK staff

What's Excluded

  • Personal equipment
  • Travel Insurance
  • Drinks and personal spending
  • Tips for local staff
  • Meals if not indicated in 'inclusions'
  • Visas (if required)
  • Museum and monument entry fees

Itinerary

Day 1 Depart UK, Fly to Nairobi. Upon arrival you will be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel.

Day 2 After breakfast we set off on the 200km drive north across the equator to the Mount Kenya National Park where we meet our team of porters at Sirimon Park Gate (2600m). After completion of park entry formalities, we hike through montane forest, with bamboo, rosewood and heather zones to Judmeier Camp. Old Moses camp (3300m), where we will camp for the first night on the mountain, is a little further on. The forest and bamboo are home to hundreds of buffaloes, elephants, bushbucks and a plethora of bird species. Approx 5 hours walking, 700m ascent.

Day 3 Today we cross the moorland with its colourful grasses and enjoy breathtaking views of Nelion and Batian. The slopes of Mount Kenya are scored by valleys formed by melting glaciers. This afternoon we drop into an isolated valley to camp next to the small Liki North Hut (3990m). Approx 5 hours walking, 850m ascent.

Day 4 After an early breakfast we commence our trek through the sprawling moorlands up to Shipton's Camp (4200m). The route provides opportunities for fascinating views of unique moorland plants and scenery but is also a test of your individual endurance! Lunch stop is at a vantage point overlooking the Mackinder valley. Tonight’s camp is dominated by views of the twin spires of Nelion and Batian, and Point Lenana will also now be in view. There is also a large population of Rock Hyrax, similar to a marmot, which you may see basking on the rocks in the sun or huddled in groups for warmth. Approx 4-5 hours walking, 300m ascent.

Day 5 Today is a long day, initially climbing steeply up from Shipton’s Camp past two mountain lakes. The terrain is a barren moonscape but always with spectacular views of the rocky snow covered summits of Batian and Nelion. We pass the Gorges Valley, a deep cut v-shaped chasm on the long trek up to the Austrian Hut. Approx 6 hours walking, 300m ascent.

Day 6 A predawn start is needed for our summit attempt up to Pt. Lenana (4985m), the hikers summit, aiming to arrive there in time to see the African sunrise. From Pt. Lenana you have good views of Pt. Nelion (5188m), Pt. Batian (5199m) and other surrounding peaks, and on a clear day the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro can be seen protruding from the sky over 340km to the south. The ascent follows a rocky ridge to the right of the Lewis glacier and a final steeper section leads to the summit. From the summit descend the Austrian hut for lunch and continue down the western side of Mt Kenya to MacKinder’s Hut for the night. From here we get the classic view of the spires of Nelion and Batian. 8 to 10 hours walking.

Nelion & Battian Extension

Those who have opted to add the climbing summits of Nelion and Battian will set off very early in the morning today. The ascents are technical, requiring rock/mixed climbing experience. Please contact us for more info.

Day 7 We descend from MacKinder’s camp down to the Met Station, passing through the steepest, wettest section of moorland called the Vertical Bog, and continue down through the forest. Approx 5 hours walking.

Day 8 Today we hike out to the Naro Moru Gate (2500m) to meet the vehicles that will transfer you back to the hotel in Nairobi before transferring to the airport for the overnight flight home. Approx 3-4 hours walking.

Day 9 Arrive back in the UK.

Insurance

It is essential for a trip of this type that you are adequately insured. When researching insurance options, please ensure the policy covers you for the following:

  • Cancellation or curtailment
  • Helicopter rescue (most insurance companies will no longer cover for ‘search and rescue’ but providing you stay with the group, they will assist with ‘rescue’)
  • Repatriation
  • The altitude that you are expected to attain
  • The location especially when travelling to Antarctica
  • Grade of trek/climb/expedition
  • Medical cover

Adventure Peaks partners with Global Rescue to offer the world’s leading travel protection services. Medical and security emergencies happen. When they do, we rely on Global Rescue to provide our clients with medical, security, travel risk and crisis response services. Without a membership, an emergency evacuation could cost over $100,000. More than one million members trust Global Rescue to get them home safely when the unexpected happens. We highly recommend our clients enroll with Global Rescue, in particular for peaks over 7000m:
https://partner.globalrescue.com/adventurepeaks/



We are aware the following provide insurance:

For UK based clients:

Expeditions and Treks under 7000m - Campbell Irvine Direct : http://www.campbellirvine.com/AdventurePeaks

HCC Medical Insurance Services: LLC sales@hccmis.com Tel: 1-800-605-2282
Travelex Ins. Services: www.travelexinsurance.com Tel: 1-800 228 9792
True Traveller Ins: www.truetraveller.com Tel: 0333 999 3140 for treks including over 4500m
Austrian Alpine Club (UK) www.aacuk.org.uk Tel: +44 (0)1929 556870
Rothwell & Towler: www.world-first.co.uk Tel: 0345 908 0161 (under 6400m)
J S Insurance: www.jsinsurance.co.uk Tel: 0844 848 1500
Snowcard: www.snowcard.co.uk Tel: 01295 660836
The B.M.C.: www.thebmc.co.uk Tel: 0161 445 6111 (call and speak to Jim. Please note the BMC cannot cover Mt Damavand)
Dogtag: www.dogtag.co.uk Tel: 0800 036 4824 (Check excess etc)

For non-UK based clients:

HCC Medical Insurance Services: LLC sales@hccmis.com Tel: 1-800-605-2282
Travelex Ins. Services: www.travelexinsurance.com Tel: 1-800 228 9792
True Traveller Ins: www.truetraveller.com Tel: 0333 999 3140 for treks including over 4500m
Austrian Alpine Club (UK): www.aacuk.org.uk Tel: +44 (0)1929 556870
AXA Worldwide Travel Ins: www.axainsurance.com Tel: +44 (0)844 874 0360
Ingle International: www.ingleinternational.com Tel: (USA) 1.800.360.3234
Insure for Less: www.insure4less.com.au (Australian clients)

You do not have to use any of the above, but if you make your own insurance arrangements documentary evidence of your own policy is required.

Please forward the details of your Insurance as soon as you have it: we need the insurance company’s name, their 24 hour emergency telephone number and your insurance policy number – admin@adventurepeaks.com

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