7 Days Mount Kenya Climbing To Nelion Peak (5,188 meters) or Batian Peak (5,199 meters) via Chogoria Route

7-Day Mount Kenya Technical Climb To Nelion/Batian Peak  takes you through Chogoria route to either Nelion Peak and Batian Peak

The climbing season for the Nelion route, classified as grade IV+, is from mid-December to mid-March, while the Batian route is accessible from June to October. We assess Batian as slightly more challenging.

Appreciate the splendor of Mount Kenya’s most picturesque path, Chogoria, as you ascend.

The Austrian hut serves as the Base Camp for the standard route to the Nelion peak.

 

The Austrian hut can be directly accessed via the Naro Moru Route; however, it is also readily reachable from the more extensive route, yet more captivating via Sirimon or Chogoria climbing trails. Reaching the Austrian hut via the Naromoru trail necessitates a minimum of two days, however three days is preferable.

The starting point for the standard ascent to Batian peak is Shipton’s Camp. This is typically undertaken by the Sirimon or Chogoria routes, necessitating two or ideally three days. Descent from Austrian or Shipton’s via the Naro Moru Route can be accomplished in one day; however, it is advisable to allocate two days for descent via the Sirimon or Chogoria ways.

Nelion and Batian are technical summits with difficulty ratings of 3, 3+, 4, and 4+. Experienced climbers with adequate speed can complete the Nelion route in one day, whereas less experienced or slower climbers require two days, including an overnight stay in Howell Hut on Nelion’s summit. Any climber intending to traverse the Gate of Mists to reach Batian peak from Nelion summit must be equipped to camp at Howell Hut. It is prudent to allocate two days for the ascent, irrespective of one’s climbing proficiency, to mitigate the risks posed by adverse weather and altitude effects.

It is recommended to allocate two days for Batian, including a stay at the arena or above, to ensure adequate time for this extensive multi-pitch route.

Fixed bolts are available for abseiling from Nelion; however, from Batian, one have to create their own abseil spots. The rock is predominantly solid, although loose rocks may be encountered in certain areas of the ascent.

There is a lot of rope climbing, including running belays and scrambling. These ascents consist of 20 and 24 pitches, with some measuring 50 meters and others 60 meters in length. Note: This constitutes genuine mountain climbing, not trekking!

The climbing season for the Nelion route is from mid-December to mid-March, classified as grade IV+, whereas the Batian route is accessible from June to October. We assess Batian as slightly more challenging.

7 Days Mount Kenya Technical Climb to Nelion/Batian Peaks Via Chogoria.

Key Features

Lake Ellis Campsite

Mintos Campground

Austrian Hut, Lenana Peak, 4,985 meters.

Nelion Peak: 5,188 meters; Batian Peak: 5,199 meters.

Travel Schedule

Day 1: Nairobi to Mount Kenya Bandas

7-Day Mount Kenya technical Climb to Nelion/Batian Peak via Chogoria route, commencing with hotel pickup and a drive from Nairobi via central Kenya, proceeding towards Embu while traversing agricultural zones characterized by rice, tea, coffee, and other crops, accompanied by a scenic view of Mount Kenya during clear weather. A brief pause will occur at Chogoria town for lunch, during which the cooking team, porters, and food supplies will be collected before continuing to the summit.

Continue driving for an additional hour after reaching the first park gate, dropping-off location in the forest, 2,650 meters ahead. Upon packing your mountaineering gear, you will commence the trek through the jungle, escorted by your guides, cook, and porters, to Chogoria Gate for dinner and an overnight stay at a campsite situated at 2,950 meters. (3-hour walk).

Day 2: From Mount Kenya Bandas to Lake Elis Campsite (4-5 hours)

Today, you will awaken at 6:00 AM to pack and prepare for the hike. At 6:30 AM, you partake in breakfast, following which you depart. Commence the journey through the heather, observing high-altitude flora, fauna, and birds, until reaching the roadhead, where you will visit the waterfalls.

Following lunch, proceed to Lake Ellis campground 3,450m for supper and overnight accommodations. A favorable view of the peaks is available in the evening if the weather clears.

Option: Hike directly to the campsite for lunch, followed by an ascent of Mugi Hill in the afternoon for acclimatization and panoramic views from the summit.

Day 3: From Lake Elis Campsite to Mintos Campsite

You will awaken at 6:30 AM to pack and prepare for the trek At 7:00 AM, you partake in breakfast before departing the camp with your packed lunch.

Set off on the trek over the moorland, observing elevated flora, hyrax, and many animal and bird species, while enjoying the scenic vistas of the picturesque gorge valley leading to the principal peaks, ultimately reaching Mintos camping at 4,200 meters in the late afternoon for supper and overnight stay. (5-6 hours).

Day 4: Mintos Campsite to Austrian Hut

Awaken at approximately 7:00 AM for breakfast, then commence the hike to the Austrian Hut around 9:00 AM. The first part features a gentle ascent, transitioning to a steeper climb along loose scree, which may be snow-covered during certain seasons, ultimately reaching the Austrian Hut at 4,790 meters. Lunch, dinner, and overnight accommodations will be provided in the afternoon. 4 to 5 hours.

Day 5: Austrian Hut to Lenana Peak (4985m), return to Austrian Hut

Today is the day for acclimatization. You ascend to the summit of Lenana Peak at 4,985 meters. After a one-hour ascent to the third peak of Mt. Kenya to witness the sunrise and enjoy a magnificent view from the summit, which extends to Mt. Kilimanjaro in the south, descend back to the Austrian hut at 4,790 meters for a leisurely remainder of the day and prepare for the final ascent to the highest peak of Mt. Kenya, the second highest point in Africa.

Day 6: Austrian to Nelion Peak and Batian Peak

Depart from Austrian’s hut at 5:00 AM, via the Lewis glacier and ascending a steep, stony scree to reach the base of Nelion. Commence the difficult ascent at approximately 6:00 am, requiring roughly 6 hours to reach the summit of Nelion Peak at 5,188 meters for a short break at Howell Hut.

While For Batian Peak,: Commence the descent through the Gate of Mist and traverse to proceed with the ascent towards the summit of Mount Kenya, Batian Peak, at 5,199 meters. Descend via Howell Hut after a successful ascent, then continue downward to the Austrian Hut for dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 7: Austrian Hut to Met Station, Nairobi

Following breakfast, you will commence your descent down the Naromoru trail via Mackinders’s Camp at 4,200 meters. Subsequently, descend the moorland to Met Station at 3,050 meters (5-6 hours), where you will board a transfer vehicle to exit the mountain and travel to Naromoru town. There, you will disembark the crew members before returning to Nairobi.

This signifies the conclusion of your 7-Day Mount Kenya Technical Climb to Nelion Peak via Chogoria; subsequently, arrange a holiday in Zanzibar.

7 days Mount Kenya Climbintg To Nelion Peak cost Includes;

• Transfers to and from the base of the mountain.
• Accommodation in huts, camps or bandas.
• Guide, cook and porters services.
• All Park entrance fees.
• Treated water on the trek.
• Cost Excludes

Accommodation not mentioned in the itinerary.

• Rescue fee.
• Tips.
• Personal trekking equipment.
• Travel Insurance.