Nanyuki to Chogoria Swiss Camp (3450m)

• Morning

  • Meet at the Nanyuki Climbing gym and begin a 6hr drive to Chogoria Gate

• Afternoon

  • Arrive at Chogoria Gate (start of Mt. Kenya trek)

  • Trek for approximately 2 hrs gaining 350m of height from the vehicle drop off, through forested terrain

  • Reach Swiss Camp (3450m)

  • Take in views of the transition between Afro-alpine forest and moorland (weather permitting)

• Evening

  • Dinner at camp

  • Rest and prepare for the next day’s trek

Day Itinerary: Swiss Camp → Lake Michaelson (4,300m)

Trekking time: ~5hrs
Total amount of Altitude gain throughout the day: ~1300m

Morning

• Breakfast at camp

• Begin scenic trek along a ridge overlooking into the Gorges Valley

• Enjoy expansive views and changing landscapes as elevation increases

Midday

• Lunch break with a panoramic view overlooking Lake Michaelson

• Great opportunity for photos

Afternoon

• After a packed lunch a short hike to camp with a gentle traverse, followed by a descent to Lake Michaelson campsite

Evening

• Optional: explore the lakeside area or take time to rest and recover

• Dinner at camp and overnight at Lake Michaelson

Day Itinerary: Lake Michaelson → Simba Col (4,550m)

Trekking time: ~3hrs
Altitude gain: ~250m

Morning

• Breakfast at Lake Michaelson

• Depart around 9:00am for a fairly short trek to Simba Col

• Ascend steadily with beautiful views of the surrounding peaks

• Pass through rugged alpine terrain as you gain elevation

Midday / Early Afternoon

• Arrive at Simba Tarn Campsite (Simba Col)

• Camp will be pre-set, and lunch will be served upon arrival

• Rest, hydrate, and prepare mentally and physically for the summit push the following day

Afternoon / Evening

• Relax and enjoy the views from high camp

• Early dinner and rest for an early summit start next morning

Day Itinerary: Simba Col → Point Lenana (4,985m) → Kami Hut (4400m)

Trekking time: 4hrs
Altitude gain (to summit): +435m
Descent: -585m

Early Morning

• Start at 4:30 AM for a sunrise summit of Point Lenana (4,985m)

• Enjoy spectacular views of the surrounding peaks, valleys, and—on clear days—even Mount Kilimanjaro

• Warm drink and photo opportunity at the summit

Post Summit Descent

• Begin a short descent of 1hr to Kami hut from the summit, where breakfast will be waiting.

• Arrive at camp and settle in, rest, refuel, and prepare for the upcoming technical climb of Batian via the ‘North Face Standard’ route.

Evening

• Gear check and briefing with your climbing team

• There is a 2 day window purposely built into the itinerary to give us the best chance of a good weather window, your guide will make the appropriate call if there is a window possible to climb

Technical Climb Overview: The North Face Standard Route – Mount Kenya

* Allowing a 2 day weather window

• Access: Start from Kami hut/tarn

• Start Time: Very early, often before dawn with head torches

• Approach: Cross the scree field , then scramble up scree to the base of the North face.

Climbing Experience:

• The first pitches are physically demanding due to cold temperatures and the long day ahead

• Usually complete the first two pitches before first light

• After sunrise, climbing becomes more enjoyable as muscles warm up

  • Location: The north face lies between the peaks of Batian (5,199m) and Nelion (5,188m) — the two highest summits of Mount Kenya.

  • Climbing history: The north face route was first climbed in 1944 by Percy Wyn-Harris and Eric Shipton, during World War II — a remarkable feat given the limited gear of the time.

  • Ice and rock: It’s a technical alpine climb that combines rock, snow, and ice, depending on the season.

  • Best season: The north face is usually climbed in the dry season (July–September), when the rock is less icy and more stable.

  • Exposure: The face gets early morning and late afternoon sun, making it cold in the shade but spectacular at sunrise and sunset.

  • Rock type: The mountain is made of syenite, a type of intrusive igneous rock — solid and rough, great for gripping during climbs.

  • Volcanic origin: Mount Kenya is the remnant of an ancient volcano, once higher than Kilimanjaro — erosion sculpted the current jagged peaks.

Timing:

• The ascent to Batian’s summit typically takes 6–8 hours

Final Day Itinerary: Descent & Celebration

• Morning

  • Begin a slow descent down the Makinder valley

• Afternoon

  • Arrive at the trailhead to a packed lunch

  • Transfer back to Nanyuki where the trip ends.