Dominating the horizon in Central Africa’s highlands, Mt. Kenya hides some of the best alpine routes out there. It’s true that the mountain, a steep, eroded core of an ancient volcano, stands shorter than its neighbor, Mt. Kilimanjaro. Still, many argue that the climbs on Mt. Kenya are more challenging, more scenic, and more rewarding! The North Face Standard Route, encompassing portions of the well-known Chogoria Route, is a hardcore climb that gives even experienced alpinists and rock climbers a run for their money. Due to the route’s alpine nature and many technical challenges, it’ll take high levels of strength and courage to take on the North Face’s climbs. The feeling of achievement and satisfaction when you finally reach Batian, Kenya’s tallest peak, is unmatched. Even the trek up is quite impressive, as you get to explore Africa’s stunning valleys, lakes, and afro-alpine forests. With enjoyable lows and unmatched highs, the North Face route guarantees its climbers the complete Mt. Kenya experience.
Ascend one of Mt. Kenya’s most challenging routes
Conquer Batian (17,057 ft/ 5199 m), Kenya’s tallest summit
Experience the exotic flora of Kenya’s one-of-a-kind afro-alpine forests
Hike the scenic North Face Route and summit Batian, Mt. Kenya’s highest peak, on this challenging 7-day trekking and alpine climbing adventure! Ascend the mountain with certified guides and an experienced local crew who will make sure you’re safe, cozy, and ready for the climbs. Explore Africa’s one-of-a-kind landscapes, admire exotic flora and fauna, and conquer one of Africa’s highest peaks!
After an early breakfast, meet your driver who will take you to the start of the route. The first day’s walk takes you up through the forest for about two hours. Check into the park at the Kenya Wildlife Service entrance and proceed walking another hour to the campsite. Enjoy the African landscapes, where the Afro-alpine forest ends and the moorland begins. Spend the afternoon exploring the area and acclimatizing to the altitude.
Elevation: 600ft / 170m
Distance: 6 miles / 10km
Duration: 5 hours
Enjoy some spectacular views of the rolling hills and the snow-capped peaks of Batian and Nelion. Take part in a short hike, after which you get to sit back and eat lunch with the magnificent views of Lake Ellis as the backdrop. End the day with an evening walk to the nearby Mugi Hill. If you’re up to it, you can even try spot-fishing in the lake.
Elevation: 3,100ft / 950m
Distance: 5 miles / 8km
Duration: 4 hours
Enjoy a beautiful walk taking you up along the ridge overlooking the Gorges valley to take in the views of Lake Michaelson. Have lunch admiring the spectacular views of the lake, and continue on a mild traverse and descent to the Lake Michaelson campsite. Spend the afternoon resting or exploring around the lake—it’s up to you.
Elevation: 2,600ft / 800m
Distance: 5 miles / 8km
Duration: 7 hours
Day 4 is a relatively short ascent into the alpine zone. Enter a world of rock and ice as you go towards the main peaks, leaving behind the giant lobelias and groundsels. After a short, but sharp scree slope, reach Simba Tarn, where you’ll spend the night. The night may be cold, so layer up and tuck into your warm sleeping bag. At this point, you’re very close to reaching the peak. Have dinner and spend the night in the camp.
Elevation: 1,080ft / 330m
Distance: 4 miles / 6km
Duration: 3 hours
Depart early for a sunrise summit, and enjoy the expansive views of the mountainside, valleys, and country beyond while sipping on a warm drink. Descend to Kami hut, where your preparations will begin. You will undergo an equipment and packing system check. Given that there’s some spare time during the day, you can practice climbing techniques on Point Peter or Point John.
Elevation: 560ft / 170m
Distance: 4 miles / 6km
Duration: 5 hours
The climb starts before first light, allowing an hour to the base of the route and to get set up. Quickly climb the easy route to the Amphitheatre. This is where the true character of the route comes to life. You can either go direct or around Firmin’s Tower via one of 3 V-grade, but relatively short pitches. Afterward, the easier terrain leads to a few more pitches and, finally, the west ridge of the summit. Continue on easy but exposed rock to Shipton’s Notch, a prominent gash in the summit ridge. Another pitch and some mixed 4th and easy 5th class rock lead to the airy 17,057 ft (5,199m) high summit of Batian. Descend via the same route, hitting Mackinder’s camp very late. An alternative is to climb the route and descend back to a bivy in the Amphitheater. If you’re not looking to be continuously moving for such a long time, this is the recommended option. Your guide will help you decide.
Elevation: -1,940ft / -590m
Distance: 4 miles / 6km
Climbing time: 8-9 hours
Trekking time: 5-6 hours
Wrap up your adventure with a 5-6 hour descent from Mackinder’s Camp to Met Station. The trek is easy and downhill, but you may feel some muscle aches from the previous day’s climb and trek. After a well-deserved brunch, cross the famous vertical bog, entering into the forest zone. Reach the station in the afternoon, and your guides will be ready to take you home.
Elevation: -3,770ft / -1,150m
Duration: 6 hours
57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity.
We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, guides, and the communities they’re traveling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in the Chogoria Route, Kenya, please refer to the U.K. Government’s travel advice for Kenya or the U.S. Embassy’s COVID-19 information site for Kenya.
Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!
What you get on this adventure:
What’s not included:
This is a climb for experienced rock climbers and alpinists. Normally, the summit day is well over 12 hours long. While most of the climbing is on mid-5th class rock, there is one 5.9 pitch and several at a 5.8 standard. Add to this the challenge of technical rock at 17,000 feet above sea level and the alpine nature of the climb, and it amounts to a very demanding route. Climbers considering the ascent need to be solid 5.9 followers with experience on long technical routes of at least 10 pitches in length.
All technical climbing equipment will be provided by your guiding service. However, if you have your own gear, feel free to bring it. You’ll need:
Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:
For camping, you need to bring:
Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans. Keep in mind that despite the fact that Mount Kenya is on the equator in Africa, it can get very cold. In the early morning hours, the temperature can get to about -4 degrees Celsius and as high as 18 degrees Celsius during the day.
A porter can carry a max of 18kg/39.6Lbs, including food, accommodation, wages, etc. There will be multiple porters depending on the amount of baggage and in case your baggage weighs more, you can hire another porter for an additional fee.
Your guides can provide all of the technical climbing gear at no extra cost. After booking, your guides will provide more details about the required alpine climbing gear.
Group sizes and prices:
Alpine climbing in the Chogoria Route can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements:
Registration for an adventure with your guide requires a 50% non-refundable deposit. The balance of program fees will generally be due 90 days prior to the starting date of the program. It is your responsibility to adhere to the fee payment schedule. Late payment will result in cancellation of program reservations and forfeiture of all fees paid.
If your guide has to make an alteration to the time of departure or return to the your home exceeding 12 hours between the date of your booking and the date of departure to, you can decide no to proceed with the booking. In that case, you can:
transfer your booking to another trip without incurring a transfer charge but subject to an appropriate adjustment up or down to the sums payable
cancel your booking without penalty.
If your guide increases the basic price of the trip by 10% or more and you do not wish to continue with the trip, you may cancel your booking and get a full refund in respect of the basic cost of the trip but your guide will not be responsible for other incurred costs.
Should you cancel for any other reason the following charges will apply:
more than 30 days before the expedition – loss of deposit
20 to 29 days before departure – 30% of total cost
11 to 19 days before departure – 60% of total cost
less than 10 days before departure – 100% of total cost.
If your guide is forced to cancel your trip, you will be given the opportunity either to:
receive a refund of the basic cost of the trip paid to African Ascents
transfer to another trip without charge. If there is a difference in price between the cancelled trip and the trip to which you elect to transfer your booking, your guide will refund the difference if it is cheaper or invoice you for the supplement if it is more expensive.
If the reason for the cancellation less than 8 weeks before the advertised departure date is a lack of bookings, a compensation of $30 per properly booked person will be paid.
To get to the Chogoria Route, most people fly into Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi. From there, you can rent a car and go for a 3-hour drive to Nanyuki. Local flight options are also available. Your guide also offers transfer services from Nairobi to Nanyuki, priced at 100$.
There are no direct flights from the US or Canada to East Africa. The fastest routes to Nairobi are usually two nonstop legs via London or another European city such as Amsterdam, Frankfurt, or Paris.
Once you and your guide agree on the details of your itinerary, your guide will suggest the best place to meet, whether that’s at the guide shop in Nanyuki Town or a predetermined location. The guide will choose the appropriate terrain dependent on conditions and the ability of the group.
