Mount Kenya Summit Trek: Explore, Climb, Achieve 2027

Mount Kenya is Africa’s second-highest mountain, rising to 5,199 metres at its highest peak, Batian. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the National Park and forest is known for its dramatic landscapes, diverse ecosystems, and glacial peaks. While technical climbs are required to reach Batian and Nelion, the third peak, Point Lenana at 4,985m, is accessible via a demanding high-altitude trek. The mountain’s slopes are home to lush forests, unique wildlife, and Afro-alpine vegetation, offering a rich and varied trekking experience. Less crowded than Kilimanjaro, Mount Kenya is ideal for those seeking adventure, natural beauty, and the challenge of reaching a true African summit.

You will be accompanied throughout the trek by English-speaking local guides who have an excellent knowledge of hiking in the region and may have even summited via Batian or Nelion. The guides are first aid trained and will support you throughout your journey, sharing their experience and wisdom with you. You will also be supported by a team of assistant guides and a Different Travel UK tour manager. Your luggage is carried by a team of local porters.

The terrain on Mount Kenya is diverse and challenging, changing dramatically as you gain altitude. The trek begins on the lower slopes through dense tropical montane forest, where trails wind through bamboo groves and hardwood trees, often muddy and uneven underfoot. As you ascend, the forest transitions into open moorland and heath, where grassy ridges and rocky paths are dotted with giant groundsels and lobelias. Higher up, the landscape becomes increasingly rugged, with exposed trails, rocky scree, and glacial features. The air thins noticeably above 4,000m, and the environment becomes colder and more barren. The final summit push to Point Lenana is steep and often tackled in darkness, with the possibility of ice or snow underfoot. It’s a physically demanding climb that requires stamina, sure footing, and determination, but the breathtaking scenery and sense of achievement make every step worthwhile.

Mount Kenya’s climate varies greatly with altitude and time of year, offering everything from warm sunshine to freezing alpine conditions. On the lower slopes, the weather is generally mild and humid, with occasional rain, especially in forested areas. As you climb higher, the air becomes cooler and drier, with daytime temperatures dropping significantly. Above 3,000 metres, nights can be very cold, often falling below freezing, even when days are sunny. At higher altitudes, particularly above 4,000 metres, the climate is harsh and unpredictable, temperatures can plummet, and frost, wind, or even snowfall are possible, especially during the early morning summit attempt.

Meals are provided as specified in the itinerary and during the trek are cooked by your own chef who will prepare hearty Kenyan and Western meals. A dining tent with plates, mugs and cutlery is provided.

Typical meals during the trek include:

Breakfast: porridge, fresh fruit, toast, sausages, eggs, omelette, pancakes etc.
Lunch: Sandwiches, salad, cake, a carton of juice, fresh fruit. Snacks: Popcorn, biscuits and nuts
Dinner: Soup and bread, salad, coleslaw, potatoes, vegetables, pasta, rice, meat or vegetable stew, fish, eggs etc.

You will stay in a hotel in Nairobi before the trek and at a comfortable lodge in Nanyuki after the trek. During the trek, you will stay in basic mountain huts. Accommodation in the hotels/lodge is on a twin-share basis, and in the mountain huts, you will be in basic mixed dormitory-style rooms. You will need to bring your own sleeping bag and sleeping mat.

At the hotels, there will be showers and flushing toilets. During the trek, there are no showers, so please bring a pack of biodegradable baby wipes to maintain your personal hygiene. At the campsites during the trek, the toilets will be African long drop style (a hole in the ground covered by a wooden hut for privacy) and will vary in terms of cleanliness and quality. Toilet paper is not provided, so you will need to bring your own (2 rolls should suffice). If you need to use the toilet during the trek day, you will need to find a bush/rock as there are virtually no toilet facilities along the trails (you usually only find toilets at the camps). Never leave toilet paper on the ground; you must put it in a biodegradable bag (plastic bags are banned in Kenya) and dispose of it at camp. NEVER leave toilet paper or other litter on the trail.

An ideal candidate for the trek would be someone who enjoys trekking and being out of their comfort zone, is interested in different cultures and is willing to train for the challenge. The minimum age is 18, although 16-17 year olds may register if accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

To take on the Mount Kenya trek, you need to be in good physical condition with a reasonable level of endurance and stamina. The trek involves multiple days of walking for 6–8 hours over uneven, often steep terrain, and includes a summit day that can last 10–12 hours at high altitude. While no technical climbing skills are needed for Point Lenana, the effects of altitude, cold temperatures, and physical exertion make this a challenging to extreme adventure.

Regular cardiovascular training, such as hiking, running, or cycling, combined with leg-strengthening exercises and long walks on varied terrain, is highly recommended in the months leading up to the trip. Mental resilience is just as important as physical fitness, especially during the tougher days and early morning summit push.

If you’re generally active and committed to preparing in advance, you’ll be well-positioned to enjoy the challenge and reach the summit successfully.

The Mount Kenya trek is tough and physically demanding, especially due to its high altitude and varied terrain. While reaching Point Lenana (4,985m) doesn’t require technical climbing skills, it does involve long days of trekking, often 6 to 8 hours, and a strenuous summit day that can last 10 to 12 hours. The trails range from muddy forest paths to steep alpine scree and rocky ridges, with cold temperatures and thinning air adding to the challenge as you ascend.

Altitude is one of the toughest aspects of the trek; symptoms like headaches, fatigue, and shortness of breath are common, even for fit individuals. A planned acclimatisation day helps improve your chances of a successful summit, but this is still a challenging to extreme trek that will push you physically and mentally.

That said, with the right preparation, support from experienced guides, and a determined mindset, the trek is entirely achievable and incredibly rewarding. The views from the top, especially at sunrise, and the sense of accomplishment make the effort more than worth it.

Any luggage that is not needed during the trek can be safely stored at the hotel for the duration of the trip. This allows you to carry only the essentials while trekking, with the peace of mind that your remaining belongings are secure and will be waiting for you upon your return.

Any day-to-day items that you do not need to carry yourself, such as spare clothing, toiletries, or sleeping gear, will be transported in a separate bag to your next accommodation or campsite by porters so they are ready and waiting for you at the end of each day’s trek.

During the trek, you will only need to carry a small daypack containing essential items for that day, such as water, snacks, a basic first aid kit, sun protection, and any personal items you may need.

The suggested kit list for this trek can be found here