Mount Kenya trek: what to expect
A Mount Kenya trek is a walk, not a rock climb. Most people aim for Point Lenana, the trekking summit. The two higher peaks, Batian and Nelion, need technical climbing and are covered on a separate page. A Lenana trek does not reach Kenya's highest point.
You choose a route (Sirimon, Chogoria or Naro Moru), a number of days and what your price includes. A five-day Sirimon to Chogoria program adds one extra night at Shipton's for acclimatising. The same crossing also runs as 5 to 6 days. Short programs of 3 to 4 days exist on the Naro Moru side, and a seven-day program runs from Burguret to Chogoria.
Our picks: Mount Kenya treks to Point Lenana
The six-day camping trek has the most time on the mountain, and its park and camping fees are in the price. The two four-day treks go from Sirimon to Chogoria, and the one that starts in Nanyuki saves you the long drive from Nairobi.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Six-day camping trek over Point Lenana
- All park and camping fees
- Guide, porters and cook
- All trek meals
Six days with Point Lenana, with transfers to Naro Moru Gate and back from Chogoria Gate. The park and camping fees are in the price.
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Four-day trek from Nanyuki over Point Lenana
- Park fees included
- Licensed guide and porters
- Hut nights
Four days from Sirimon Gate over Point Lenana, descending on the Chogoria side. The park fees and the hut nights are in the price.
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Four-day crossing from Sirimon to Chogoria
- Park entry included
- Huts and meals per itinerary
- Guided Point Lenana trek
Up the Sirimon side, over Point Lenana and down to Chogoria. The leg from Nairobi to Nanyuki is by shared public transport, not a private car.
Check availability →Mount Kenya treks
Guided multi-day treks to Point Lenana on the Sirimon, Chogoria and Naro Moru routes, with current prices and availability.
Mount Kenya hike: how long does it take?
Programs differ in length, not in the mountain.
| Program | Days | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Naro Moru up and down | 3 to 4 | Fast height gain; operators limit it to walkers who are already acclimatised |
| Sirimon to Chogoria crossing | 5 | Includes an extra night at Shipton's |
| Sirimon to Chogoria crossing | 5 to 6 | Up one side, down the other |
| Burguret to Chogoria | 7 | Brush and sometimes muddy game trails, no huts |
The range of 3 to 7 days shows what is on offer, not a medical recommendation. For most first-time trekkers, a five or six-day crossing with an acclimatisation night is the sensible choice, because it gives your body time to adjust. See the route comparison before you decide.
A trek day by day
The stages of a typical Sirimon to Chogoria crossing.
Sirimon Gate to Old Moses
The first stage is about 9 km and takes 3 to 4 hours. Old Moses lies at around 3,350 m. The Sirimon route starts near Nanyuki.
Old Moses to Shipton's
About 14 km in 6 to 7 hours to a camp at around 4,250 m. An acclimatisation night here gives the five-day program its extra day.
Summit day at Point Lenana
A typical start from Shipton's is about 03:00 to reach the summit around sunrise at 06:30. The net climb is 749 m from 4,236 m. Expect frozen scree and a short scramble at the end. Read more on Point Lenana.
Down the Chogoria side
Hall Tarns, at 4,230 m, sit above Lake Michaelson. From Chogoria Gate they are a 6 to 9 hour walk. See the Chogoria route.
Mount Kenya climbing cost
The park fee is only one part of the bill.
Prices run around $900 to $1,050 for a five-day Sirimon to Chogoria trek (2026 examples), with the lowest price per person for groups of three or more. That is not a binding quote for your date, and a bundle price is not an official park fee.
To compare offers, add up what you need: park days, nights in huts or camps, transfers, the mountain crew, food, tips and personal kit. Check each item against what is included. A package can include transfers, hut or camp nights, meals, park entry, a guide, a porter and a cook.
For the park itself, a non-resident adult pays $70 per day and a child $35, and public camping costs $20 per adult in the KWS schedule. The full table is on the park fees page.
Mount Kenya climb: altitude and safety
The risk on this mountain is height, not difficulty.
General medical guidance for travel above 3,000 m is to raise your sleeping height by no more than 500 m per night and to add a rest day for every 1,000 m. Compare your program with that rule. Old Moses is around 3,350 m and Shipton's around 4,250 m, so a spare night is worth having.
A headache with nausea, tiredness or dizziness after climbing can be altitude sickness. Do not sleep higher if you have symptoms, and descend if they get worse with rest. Breathlessness at rest or loss of coordination can signal a severe emergency.
KWS rescue rangers and volunteers from the Mountain Club of Kenya help in emergencies, and helicopter rescue is possible only at suitable flat landing sites. Nothing guarantees a rescue time. Check that your insurance covers trekking at this height and any rescue or evacuation. For when to go, see the weather page. If you are weighing another big climb, Kilimanjaro climbs have their own guide.
Mount Kenya trek: frequently asked questions
How hard is the Mount Kenya trek?
It needs good fitness and a slow pace more than technical skill. The last part to Point Lenana is steep, with frozen scree and a short scramble. Altitude is the main risk, so take enough days.
How many days do I need for Mount Kenya?
Plan 5 to 6 days for a crossing from Sirimon to Chogoria. Shorter programs of 3 to 4 days exist, but they gain height fast.
Does a Mount Kenya trek reach the highest point?
No. Point Lenana is 4,985 m. The highest summit, Batian at 5,199 m, is a technical climb.
Do I have to hire a porter?
No rule makes it compulsory. The park asks for a certified guide. A porter carries at most 25 kg.
Is the summit guaranteed?
No program can promise it. Weather, height and your own pace decide.