Point Lenana: the trekking summit
Point Lenana is the usual goal of a Mount Kenya trek. Its height is 4,985 m. Batian, at 5,199 m, is the highest point of the mountain, and it needs technical climbing. A Lenana trek does not reach Kenya's highest point, but it does put you on a summit above the high camps with views of Batian and Nelion.
"Trekking summit" does not mean a walk without risk. The last stretch has frozen scree and a short scramble, the air is thin and the cold is real. Book a guided Mount Kenya trek with enough days to adapt, and read the sections on altitude below before you go.
Summit day on Point Lenana
An example from Shipton's Camp on the Sirimon route.
Night start
The example plan leaves Shipton's Camp at about 3 a.m. and aims to reach the top around sunrise, near 6:30 a.m. Shipton's lies at about 4,250 m. Sunrise changes through the year and the pace of your group matters more than the clock, so your guide sets the real start.
The climb
The net climb is about 749 m. Expect frozen scree on the way and a scramble at the end. Dress for the cold and keep your hands free for the final section.
The top and the way back
On a clear day you can see Batian and Nelion from the summit. A view of Kilimanjaro cannot be promised. After the summit you descend with your guide, and the route down depends on your programme.
Our pick: two days to Point Lenana
This is a fast ascent for hikers who are already fit; the longer treks give you more time to get used to the height.
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Mount Kenya treks to Point Lenana
Guided treks that include a Point Lenana summit day, with prices, durations and availability.
Lenana Peak: routes to the top
Three park routes lead to the area around Lenana.
| Route | Gate | High camp for the summit | Guide page |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sirimon | Sirimon Gate, about 200 km from Nairobi | Shipton's Camp, about 4,250 m | Sirimon route |
| Naro Moru | Naro Moru Gate, 188 km from Nairobi | Mackinder's Camp, about 4,200 m | Naro Moru route |
| Chogoria | Chogoria Gate, about 210 km from Nairobi | Hall Tarns, about 4,230 m | Chogoria route |
For most trekkers, a Sirimon ascent with an extra night at Shipton's and a descent by Chogoria is the better plan than a short push from one side. Short programmes of 3 to 4 days exist, but they are for hikers who are already acclimatised.
Altitude sickness and safety
The summit is above 4,900 m, so plan for it.
Medical advice for travel above 3,000 m is to raise your sleeping height by no more than 500 m per night and to take one extra rest day for every 1,000 m. A headache with nausea, tiredness or dizziness after a height gain can mean altitude sickness. If you feel this, do not sleep higher. If it gets worse at rest, go down.
Shortness of breath at rest, or trouble walking in a straight line, can point to a severe emergency. Park rangers and volunteers of the Mountain Club of Kenya can help with rescue, and helicopters are limited to flat landing sites. A rescue within a set time is not guaranteed. Check that your insurance covers trekking at altitude and evacuation.
When to go to Point Lenana
Seasons for walking.
Kenya has a long rainy season from March to May and a short one from October to December. For walking, January, February, early March and August are the months to look at. That is a guide to the seasons, not a promise of dry days, because the weather on the mountain can change in any month. See the weather page for more.
Plan your trek so that summit day falls early in the programme, with a spare day if the weather or your health asks for it. A programme without a spare day leaves you only one chance.
Fees and rules for summit trekkers
Prices for 2026.
The entry fee for non-residents is $70 per adult per day and $35 per child. Public camping is $20 per adult and $15 per child per night. Citizens of Kenya and the EAC pay in shillings, from KES 800 per adult per day. The park asks every visitor to walk with a qualified guide. If you hire porters, the load limit is 25 kg each. The full table is on the park fees page.
Kilimanjaro is the other well-known East African summit. Uhuru Peak stands at 5,895 m, higher than Lenana, and the two climbs differ. Our Mount Kenya vs Kilimanjaro comparison helps you choose, and the Kilimanjaro climb guide covers that mountain in detail.
Explore the peaks and the mountain
Related guides.
Point Lenana: frequently asked questions
How high is Point Lenana?
Point Lenana is 4,985 m. Batian, the highest summit of Mount Kenya, is 5,199 m, and Nelion is 5,188 m.
Is Point Lenana a hard climb?
It is the trekking summit, so no rope climbing is needed. But the night start, the cold, the frozen scree, the final scramble and the thin air make it demanding. Allow extra days to adapt.
What time do you start the Lenana summit walk?
One example plan starts from Shipton's at about 3 a.m. to reach the top near 6:30 a.m. Your guide decides the real start from the weather and your group.
Do I need a guide for Point Lenana?
Yes. The park asks every visitor to walk with a qualified guide.
What does the park charge for a Point Lenana trek?
In 2026 a non-resident adult pays $70 per day, and public camping costs $20 per adult per night. Citizens of Kenya and the EAC pay in shillings, from KES 800 per adult per day. Check the amount at payment before you go.