Mount Kenya Technical Climb, Nelion and Batian Peak
Summit Mount Kenya's highest peaks on this thrilling 8-day climbing adventure. Ascend two of the tallest peaks on Mount Kenya, Nelion and Batian with the help of expert, local mountain guides.
Group
8 Days
Feb, Mar, May, Jun, Aug, Sep, Nov, Dec
High
Highlights
* Take one of the most challenging routes in Kenya
* Ascend Mount Kenya, the second-highest mountain in Africa
* Climb along highly trained mountaineers with over 10 years of experience
Description
Challenge yourself and climb Mount Kenya's highest peaks, Nelion and Batian!
Climb up Africa’s second highest peak is most challenging, even for an experienced mountain climber. While it requires stamina, a rock and ice climbing background and, most importantly, a sense of adventure; 8 Days Mount Kenya Technical Climb – Nelion and Batian Peaks trip is not for the faint hearted.
The main purpose of the 8 Days Mount Kenya Technical Climb is to conquer the peaks of Nelion and Batian. Batian (5199m, 17,057 feet) and Nelion (5188m, 17,021 feet). These are the highest peaks of Mount Kenya, and climbing to their summits is a most unique Africa Mountain hiking experience. These climbs are some of the best technical alpine climbing in the world, and they are certainly the highest technical climbing routes in Africa.
There are around 35 documented technical climbing routes on Mount Kenya, but most guided climbing focuses on two routes, depending on the climbing season: The North Face Standard Route and the Normal Standard Route (also known as the MacKinders Route). Batian is climbed by the North Face Standard Route during the season of July to September, while Nelion is usually climbed by the MacKinders Route during the season of December to February. The famous ice routes of the Diamond Couloir and Ice Window face south and are best climbed from June to October, but global warming has melted these routes significantly, and they are now seldom in condition.
Technical climbs on Mount Kenya can be incorporated into a 7 or 8-day trek, but experienced climbers may be able to complete them in less time. Nelion and Batian are both composed of Syenite, a superb rough rock that is at least as good as granite for climbing. Numerous excellent rock and ice routes exist on these peaks. The main summits generally require a bivouac, but satellite peaks such as Point John offer fine one-day climbs.
When most tourist groups talk of climbing Mount Kenya, they are really referring to Point Lenana, a much easier satellite peak. The "real" Mount Kenya is a long and serious climb, involving many pitches of fifth class rock climbing. These are not trekking peaks!
The length of trip you choose for your technical climb on Mount Kenya will depend on your experience and fitness level. If you are an experienced climber in good physical condition, you may be able to complete a technical climb in as few as 5 days. However, most climbers will need 7 days or more to complete a technical climb safely and comfortably. This 8 Days Mount Kenya Technical Climb – Nelion and Batian Peaks is a challenging but rewarding experience.
If you are a skilled and experienced climber, you should be able to surmount the two main technical peaks, Batian or Nelion under the guidance of a local mountain climbing Technical Guide.
Price includes
- Accommodation included
- Guiding fee
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Transportation start and back
- Transport during the trip
- Luggage transfer
- Permit and entrance fees
- Group porters
- Personal porters
- Camping equipment tents
- Camping equipment sleeping bag
- Camping equipment sleeping pad
- Camping equipment cooking utensils
Price details
The following items are not included in the price of the trip:
-Tips for guides and porters
-Personal expenses, such as laundry, snacks, and drinks
-Sleeping bags
-Gloves
-Sun glasses
-Hats
-Rain suits
-Warm jackets
-Heavy boots
-Scarves
-Rain trousers
-Other technical mountain climbing equipment
-Accommodation in Nairobi on the first and last night of the trip
Please note that you are responsible for bringing these items with you on the trip. If you do not have all the necessary items, you may be able to rent them from the tour operator.
Itinerary
Day 1: Nairobi – Mt Kenya
Pick up from Nairobi airport or Nairobi hotel for transfer to Bantu Rock Lodge for lunch.
In the afternoon, take a nature walk (3-4 hours) through the forest to the MauMau caves, the former hideouts for Kenya's pre-independence guerrillas. You’ll be accompanied by a naturalist guide who will explain more about the flora and fauna of the forest.
Dinner and overnight at Mountain Rock Lodge.
Day 2: Mt Kenya Sirimon Park Gate (2,600m) – Old Moses Camp (3,300m)
Leave the lodge by 10:00am together with your guide and porters and drive for approx. two hours to Sirimon Park gate (2,600m). After completing the park entry formalities and enjoying a picnic lunch, begin a 3-4-hour hike through the forested foothills of the mountain.
Today’s walk will see you climb 700m through the bamboo, rosewood and heather zones to Old Moses camp. The forest and bamboo are home to buffalo, elephant, bushbuck and a plethora of bird species.
Dinner and overnight at Old Moses Camp
(3,300m).
Day 3: Old Moses Camp(3,300m) - Shipton's Hut (4,200m)
A long day leading to the base of the high peaks, as you trek through the moorlands and the Mackinder Valley, with good views of the main peaks and a brief stop for picnic lunch. Total walking time is approx. 7 hours, gaining 900m in altitude.
Dinner and overnight at Shipton's Hut (4,200m).
Day 4: Shipton's Hut (4,200m)
Today is an acclimatization day. There will be the option to trek to Hausberg Col for fabulous views and acclimatization, or to Point John, one of Mount Kenya’s lesser peaks, where you can practice rope work and abseiling in preparation for the start of your technical climb to Nelion on the morrow.
Day 5: Shipton's Hut (4,200m) - Point Lenana (4,985m) - Austrian Hut (4,790m)
Nelion Peak Preparation: Early morning trek (3-4 hours) to reach Point Lenana (4,985m), the trekkers’ summit, in time to watch the sunrise. On a clear day, you can see the snow-capped summit of Mount Kilimanjaro miles away to the south.
Then, continue round and down to Austrian Hut (4,790m) where we
spend the rest of the day preparing for the technical climb of Nelion peak.
Day 6: Austrian Hut (4,790m) - Technical climbing – Nelion ( 5188 meters).
Wake up at 4 am and have some tea and biscuits. Take the 2-hour trek to cross the Lewis Glacier and up to the Base of Nelion. Embark on the 6-hour rock-climbing expedition to Nelion Peak (5188 meters).
Traverse the gate of mist to Batian Peak (5199 meters); the highest peak on Mount Kenya. Climb back to the Nelion Peak. Dinner and overnight at Ian Howell Hut (5,100 meters).
Full board
Day 7: Howell Hut / Meru Bandas
On this day, if the weather was not conducive on the previous day, we proceed to undertake the climbing activities that we might have missed. This day is crucial because of the unpredictable weather in October.
Dinner and overnight either at Howell Hut or Meru Bandas depending on the activities of the day.
Day 8: Howell Hut - Meru Bandas – Chogoria - Nairobi
Abseil down to the bottom about 9 ropes, 50 meters and then walk to the Austrian Hut (4,790 meters) for Breakfast. Take the descent through the Chogoria route to the Meru Bandas (2,950 meters) for lunch before being picked at the park gate for your transfer to Nairobi.
Arrival Nairobi in the late afternoon and you are dropped off either at your Nairobi Hotel or at Jomo Kenyatta Airport
Equipment you will need to bring
**For this trip you will need:** * Climbing skins * Poles, Helmet * Goggles * Sunglasses * Avalanche equipment (beacon, probe and shovel) * Crampons * Ice Axe * Rope * Harness * Pulley * Backpack * Water bottle
FAQs
What is the guide-to-client ratio to climb this mountain?
There will be 1 guide for every 3 participants
What is the best time of the year to climb this mountain?
The best time to ascend Mount Kenya is during the months of June, August, September, November, December, February, March and May
Can I join a group?
Yes, you can join a group on any date
Will I need to bring any technical equipment of my own?
You will need to bring:
-Sleeping bags
-Gloves
-Sun glasses
-Hats
-Rain suits
-Warm jackets
-Heavy boots
-Scarves
-Rain trousers
-Other technical mountain climbing equipment
What is included in the price?
Return transfer Nairobi - Mount Kenya Base - Nairobi
Accommodation at Mountain Rock Lodge or Similar
3 meals per day while trekking
8 days Mt. Kenya trekking
7 nights’ accommodation while trekking
2 transfers to and from the Mt Kenya Park Gate
All government park fees at Mt Kenya national park
What is NOT included in the price?
-Tips for guides and porters
-Personal expenses, such as laundry, snacks, and drinks
-Sleeping bags
-Gloves
-Sun glasses
-Hats
-Rain suits
-Warm jackets
-Heavy boots
-Scarves
-Rain trousers
-Other technical mountain climbing equipment
-Accommodation in Nairobi on the first and last night of the trip
Please note that you are responsible for bringing these items with you on the trip. If you do not have all the necessary items, you may be able to rent them from the tour operator.
About the guide
Claudious
5.00
(5)
Tour Operator
Claudious Tours and Safaris is an East Africa based firm offering Mountain climbing tours and services in East Africa including Mount Kenya climbing safaris, Mount Kilimanjaro Hiking, Mount Elgon walking tours and Mount Rwenzori Trekking. Climbing Africa Mountains offers you an experience of a lifetime. We provide you with Africa Mountain Climbing Safari Packages accompanied by experienced mountain guides, cooks and potters: ensuring that you have safe and adventurous hikes up to some of the highest and most challenging mountains in Africa which includes Mount Kenya, Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Mount Rwenzori in Uganda and Mount Elgon. These hikes offer an opportunity to sample some of the most exciting Mountain climbing safaris in Africa. We design mountain packages for solo travelers, small and large groups looking at trekking in Africa.
Languages
Japanese | French | English | Chinese
What people are saying about this trip
Matthew
5.00
Super fun!
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