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Climbing Mount Kenya (Batian, 5199m)

Climbing the main peak of Mount Kenya - Batian (5199 m) through Nelion Peak (5188 m) and the "Gates of Mist"

This expedition aims to climb Mount Kenya via the South East Face of Nelion, crossing the "Gates of Mist" to the true summit of Mount Kenya - Batian (5,199m). 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 acclimatization profile than some of the other routes to the base of Nelion.

  • The route on Nelion has HS/VS standard climbing and is about 19 pitches with some moving together. You need recent Alpine climbing experience at AD/D on the rock.
  • The ascent of Mount Kenya is suitable for Alpine climbers, who are confident moving quickly on rock and over mixed terrain with Mountain boots. You need recent experience of climbing routes graded AD and of long, multi-pitch routes of VS/HVS. The crossing of the Gates of Mist involves abseiling, mixed snow and ice climbing and traversing in exposed positions.
  • The climbing season is usually November through March when the southeast face of the Nelion peak is relatively snow-free and climbing conditions are best.
Article:
279
Country:
Kenya
Tour type:
Expeditions and ascents
Directions:
Kenya
Complexity:
Hard
Number of participants:
From 2 people
Maximum height:
5199 m
Season:
All year round
Start of the program:
Nairobi
Finish program:
Nairobi
Duration:
9 days
Price:
2 300 USD
Count:
Tours dates
  
01.01.202431.12.2024
01.01.202531.12.2025
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Day 1
Meeting at the Nairobi airport. By the time of arrival of the plane, options: check into a hotel in Nairobi or immediately transfer to the area of Chogoria (approximately 5 hours).

Day 2
We start from the city of Nairobi at 08:00. Our trip will pass through the agricultural country to the town of Chogoria, where we will have lunch. After lunch, we take 4x4 and drive to the edge of the bamboo forest, the park gate, where we begin our trekking through the dense bamboo forest. Distance 10 km to the Meru Mount Kenya Bandas (2900 m). Here we have dinner and overnight.

Day 3
After breakfast and sorting of goods by porters, we calmly and naturally set off upward. There are two route options. A longer walk on Ellis Lake gives scenic views of Mugi, Ithanguni and the Giants Billiards Table, while the second option, if we follow the river upstream (about 3 km), the foreground scenery and flora will be especially beautiful. We will have lunch on the bank of the stream, then we will go around the left side of the hill and reach our camp - camping on Lake Ellis at an altitude of about 3600 m. This is a peaceful place away from any of the more "tourist" areas.

Day 4
We have an early start today. We hike up the ridge for about 3 hours to eventually join the hiking trail on the regular Chogoria trail at about 4100 m. Spectacular views of the valley of the gorges and back to Ithanguni and the Northern Moorlands. Lunch is served at a small intersection of the stream, after which we continue our movement for another hour to the Mintos hut at an altitude of 4200 m, where we spend the night. After lunch, you can relax in the camp, although we recommend that you take a 10-minute walk to the "Temple", it is worth it. It is a 150-meter vertical cliff that gets its name from its location. Visitors often take this position, looking over the edge - they look like they are praying. Early retreat is recommended as we will have an early rise to try to climb to the summit the next day.

Day 5
Today we begin our ascent to the foot of the huge rock walls. From the top we will have a great view of Mount Kenya. After climbing for a few hours, you will reach Tooth Col. From here we move to the Austrian hut (4790 m). From this hut you will make the final short ascent to the Lenana summit (4985 m). Point Lenana is one of the most popular trekking peaks of Mount Kenya. From this summit, you descend back to the Austrian hut. Dinner and overnight in an Austrian hut.

Day 6
There will be an early exit today.We will need about one hour before the start of the route. Crampons are usually used here. We must cross a small glacier and the Gate of the Mists. It is not steep, but there is often quite hard snow or ice. It will take us a full day to reach the summit of Nelion (5188 m), cross the Gate of Mists to Batian (5199 m) and then return back to Nelion. Then we go down to the Austrian hut for the night. The ascent will be quite long, from 10 to 12 hours in two directions.

Day 7
After breakfast, we follow to the Simba pass, from where we descend to Shipton's camp. Here is a short rest and then you will start a 5-hour descent through the Mackinder Valley to the Old Moses camp (3300 m). The descent is gentle and gives plenty of time to enjoy the breathtaking scenery, including the moorlands. Dinner and overnight at Old Moses' camp.

Day 8
After an early morning breakfast in about 3 hours we will descend to the gate of Sirimon Park. Here a car will already be waiting for us, in which we will return to Nairobi, approximately by 16:00.

Day 9
Airport transfer

  • All our itineraries on Mount Kenya - read
  • After trekking, safari tours are possible, from 1 to 8 days

Nairobi - Mt Kenya Bandas (2900 m) - Lake Ellis Campsite (3600 m) - Minto`s Camp  (4200 m) - Top hut (Austrian hut, 4790 m) – Nelion (5188 m) - Gate of Mists -  Batian (5199m) - Top hut (Austrian hut, 4790 m) - Old Moses Camp (3300 m) - Nairobi.

The cost of the full package of services -  from 2300,00 USD*
* depends on the number of participants

The price includes:

  • Transport from Nairobi to the mountain and back
  • All Park fees.
  • Accommodation in mountain huts/camping where required.
  • Food ( 3 meals per day while on the mountain).
  • Guide, Cook, and Porters

Please note that this does not include:

  • Air flight
  • Visa fees
  • Insurance
  • Personal trekking gear ie Sleeping bags, warm clothing, etc
  • Pre & Post Trek accommodation in Nairobi
  • Tips

Brief information on the area and route:
Kenya is a state in East Africa, surrounded by countries: in the west with Uganda, north-west with South Sudan, in the north with Ethiopia, in the northeast of Somalia, in the southwest with Tanzania. The east coast is washed by the Indian Ocean. The capital of the country is the city of Nairobi.

Kenya has the eponymous mountain Kenya, which is the second highest mountain in Africa after Kilimanjaro. It has several peaks, two of which are higher than 5 thousand meters: Batian (5199 m) and Nelion (5188 m), separated by the "Gates of the Mists" and the most popular trekking peak is Lenana (4985 m).

Trekking routes on Mount Kenya.

  • By far the most popular routes are Chogoria, Sirimon and Naro Moru.
  • There are also routes: Timau, Burguret, Kamweti and Meru, but they require special permission from the park's headquarters.
     

In Kenya, to the east is the coast of the large freshwater Lake Victoria and more than 50 National Parks and Nature Reserves. Here is some of them:

  • Mount Kenya National Park
  • Nairobi National Park (located right in the city of Nairobi)
  • Maasai Mara National Reserve
  • Lake Nakuru National Park
  • Amboseli National Park
  • Tsavo East National Park
  • Tsavo West National Park and many others

Weather (climate). There are two rainy seasons and two dry seasons.

  • Mid March to June is the heavy rainy season
  • June to September is the first dry season but is more humid
  • October to December is the season of short rains
  • December to mid-March is the second dry season, the best time to climb in the mountains

Additional Information

  • Children under 14 years old are allowed on the route only accompanied by adults
  • The receiving party has the right to change the route according to weather conditions and the condition of the group
  • The price does not include: additional excursions, transfers outside the program, environmental fees, etc.
  • It is possible to provide additional services by prior arrangement: additional transfers, rental of personal equipment, hotel reservation, organization of leisure, etc.
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