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Mount Kenya Hike — Day Hikes & Point Lenana Treks from $180

The easiest way onto the mountain: a Mount Kenya day hike from Nairobi, or a guided multi-day hike to the Point Lenana summit.

Mount Kenya day hike — the mountain in a single day

You don't need a week to hike Mount Kenya. Our Mount Kenya day hike leaves Nairobi early, drives ~3.5 hours to the Sirimon or Naro Moru gate, and hikes through montane forest into the giant groundsel zone at 3,300–3,900m — real alpine scenery with views of the peaks — before returning to your Nairobi hotel by evening. From $180–480 per person depending on group size and gate.

It's the most popular option for travellers with one free day in Nairobi, and the smartest way to test your altitude response before committing to a full climb.

Hiking to the Point Lenana summit

Ready for the summit? The hike to Point Lenana (4,985m) takes 3–6 days depending on route. The 4-day Sirimon hike is the gentlest option for beginners; the 6-day Chogoria hike is the most scenic. No climbing experience is needed — just good fitness and a guide (required by KWS).

ClimbRouteDaysSummitPrice (USD pp)
Mount Kenya Day Hike Sirimon / Naro Moru / Chogoria 1 Up to 3,900m $180–480
Naro Moru Express Naro Moru 3 Point Lenana (4,985m) $480
Sirimon Route — Most Popular Sirimon 4 Point Lenana (4,985m) $650–990
Chogoria–Sirimon Traverse Chogoria → Sirimon 5 Point Lenana (4,985m) $850
Chogoria Route — Most Scenic Chogoria 6 Point Lenana (4,985m) $950–1,350
Batian Technical Expedition Chogoria–Sirimon (Technical) 7 Batian (5,199m) $2,450

All prices per person in USD and include KWS park fees, certified guides, porters, meals, hut/camping fees and transfers from Nairobi. Final price depends on group size — request an exact quote.

Mount Kenya hike questions, answered

Do I need a guide to climb Mount Kenya?

Yes. It is mandatory by Kenya Wildlife Service regulations to climb Mount Kenya with a licensed guide. Independent trekking is not permitted. All our guides are KWS-certified and wilderness first-aid trained.

How long does it take to climb Mount Kenya?

Most climbers reach Point Lenana (4,985m) in 4 to 6 days. The fastest option is the 3-day Naro Moru route, the most popular is the 4-day Sirimon route, and the most scenic is the 6-day Chogoria traverse. Technical climbs of Nelion and Batian take 7 days including acclimatization.

How much does it cost to climb Mount Kenya?

Mount Kenya climbing costs from $480 for a day hike to around $850 for a 4-day Sirimon trek to Point Lenana, and from $2,450 for a 7-day technical Batian summit. Prices are per person and include park fees, crew, food and camping gear.

When is the best time to climb Mount Kenya?

The best months to climb Mount Kenya are January–February and July–October, when the weather is driest and the trails are clearest. March–May and November are the long and short rains. Technical Batian climbs are best in the July–September dry window.

What is the summit success rate on Mount Kenya?

On our 4-day and longer routes, over 90% of climbers reach Point Lenana. The key is the acclimatization profile — routes like Sirimon gain roughly 900m per day. Shorter 3-day attempts have a lower success rate because the body has less time to adjust to altitude.

Book your Mount Kenya hike

Day hike or summit trek — tell us your dates and we'll take care of the rest.

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