Mount Kenya stands alone in the highlands of central Africa. Once an ancient volcano, estimated to have once been almost 22,000 feet tall, what now remains is a steep, eroded core, just over 17,000 feet in height. Though a couple of thousand feet higher and hence much better known, its nearby neighbor Kilimanjaro does not offer nearly the climbing challenge and alpine character of Mount Kenya.  In our eight-day itinerary, you will have a chance to touch all three high-points of Mount Kenya:  Batian (5199m/17,057ft), Nelion (5188m/17,021ft) and Point Lenana (4985m/16,355 ft).


The Normal route to Nelion is attempted via the southern side of Mt Kenya and is best accessed from the Austrian hut. After crossing the Lewis Glacier with headlamps on, you scramble up the scree to the base of the climb. Generally, you have completed the first two pitches before first light. Once the sun does come out, the climbing becomes even more enjoyable. As you work through the pitches, you will pass famous features such as “One O’clock Gully,” “The Amphitheatre,” and “De Graf’s Variation,” which will present some easy and some challenging climbing. “Bailey’s Bivy,” which is a disused hut, can be considered the half-way point on this spectacular route. The summit of Nelion is generally reached in 6-8 hours. Howell Hut, on the summit of Nelion, will be used for a brief rest before crossing over to Batian via the “Gates of Mist,” which involves dropping some 35m off Nelion and climbing a further 50m to the summit. The estimated time to do this crossing and return to Nelion is 3-4 hours and is dependent on ice levels within the “Gates of Mist.”


It is this route on to Nelion that saw Eric Shipton complete the first ascent to the summit of Mt Kenya in 1929 with PW Harris prior to him being part of a reconnaissance team on Mt Everest. The route has many other famous stories from famous faces of the past, which you will have to discuss with your guide during the unforgettable climb.