Rock Climbing – Batian Peak – 9 Days
Able to hike 10 km / 6.2 miles at a time
Level 5 of 6 - hard
Trek ends: Sirimon Park Gate
5.199 m / 17.057 ft
max. 12 people
Nairobi Airport or Hotel
- Physical condition required:
- Power required:
- Experience given:
- Charisma of the environment:
Tour description
We have qualified professional guides who are trained to lead on rock climbing expeditions to Batian and Nelion on Mount Kenya. The Guides have undergone training with NOLS Africa.
Anybody intending to Summit Mt Kenya (Batian and Nelion) need to be 5.9 American Standard climber or hard server European standard. You need at least two days plus normal hiking time for Batian or Nelion.
Climbing Mount Kenya is serious and it is important to acclimatize well before tackling the main summit.
9 Day Mt Kenya Rock climbing via the North Face Standard Route.
The North Face itinerary is suitable for the summer to fall (June – Sept) climbing season when the North Face of the peak is relatively snow-free and climbing conditions are best.
DAY 1
Pickup at Kenyatta Airport – Nairobi Hotel
- Elevation: 1.700 m / 5.577 ft
- Distance: 16.1 km / 10 miles
- Drive Time: 1 hours
- Habitat: Town / Municipality / County
You will be picked up at the airport.
You will be transferred to Hotel in Nairobi where you will check-in in one of the best hotels in Nairobi Town.
Have lunch, after be ready to sort out your hiking gears to reduce chances of inconvenience.
Dinner and breakfast at the hotel.
DAY 2
From Nairobi to Mt Kenya Bandas Camp
- Elevation: 1.700 m / 5.577 ft – 2.900 m / 9.514 ft
- Distance: 200 km / 124 miles by car (3 -4 hrs) from Nairobi, 10 km / 6,2 miles hiking
- Hiking Time: 3 – 4 hours
- Habitat: Tropical rain forest
Depart from Nairobi at 08:00 hrs, driving through agricultural country up to Chogoria town for lunch. After lunch, we drive up to the edge of the bamboo forest where we start our trekking through the dense bamboo forest for a distance of 10 km / 6,2 miles to the Mt. Kenya Camp. Dinner and overnight at the Meru Mount Kenya Camp site.
DAY 3
From Mt Kenya Bandas to Lake Ellis Campsite
- Elevation: 2.900 m / 9.514 ft — 3.600 m / 11.811 ft
- Distance: 7 km / 4,3 miles
- Hiking Time: 3 – 4hours
- Habitat: Alpine forest
After breakfast and sorting of porter loads, we set off up the mountain at a nice and easy pace. A slightly longer walk via Lake Ellis gives scenic views of Mugi, Ithanguni, and the Giants Billiards Table, whilst if we follow the river near road head, upstream for about 3km/1.8miles, the foreground scenery and flora is particularly beautiful. Lunch on the banks of a stream, then it’s time to cut up the left-hand hillside to our camp at about 3.600 m / 11.811 ft, well away from any of the more touristy areas.
DAY 4
Lake Ellis – Minto`s Camp
- Elevation: 3.600 m / 11.811 ft – 4.200 m / 13.779 ft
- Distance: 7 km / 4,3 miles
- Hiking Time: 6 – 7hours
- Habitat: Moorland vegetation
Similar early start. Again well off the beaten track to follow a ridge up the mountain for about 3 hours to eventually join the tourist track on the normal Chogoria route at an altitude of about 4,100m/13451ft. Breath-taking views over the Gorges Valley and back over towards Ithanguni and the Northern Moorlands. Lunch is served at a small stream crossing, before continuing for a further hour to the Mintos Hut area at 4.200 m / 13.779 ft and our night’s rest. The afternoon is spent relaxing at camp, though a 10-minute walk to the “Temple” is well worth the effort. This is a 150m/492ft vertical cliff that gets its name from the position visitors often adopt when peering over the edge – they look as if they are praying.
DAY 5
Minto`s – Top Hut – Point Lenana – Shipton Camp
- Elevation: 4.200 m / 13.779 ft – 4.800 m / 15.748 ft – 4.985 m / 16.354 ft – 4.200 m / 13.779 ft
- Distance: 5 km / 3,1 miles
- Hiking Time: 4 hours
- Habitat: Alpine desert
You rise early and continue your trek up to Top Hut (Austrian Camp) (4.800 m / 15.748 ft). From this camp, you make a final short ascent of Point Lenana, (4.985 m / 16.354 ft). Point Lenana is the common trekkers Mount Kenya Summit. From this summit you then go straight down the Northwest side to Shipton`s Camp, passing Harris Tarn.
DAY 6
Shipton Camp – Batian – Shipton Camp
- Elevation: 4.200 m / 13.779 ft – 5.199 m / 17.057 ft – 4.200 m / 13.779 ft
- Distance: 3.5 km / 2,2 miles
- Hiking Time: 8 hours
- Habitat: Rocky
Ascent of Batian by the North Face Standard Route. Starting in the early morning dark, usually between 4 and 5 am, you may climb the first couple of pitches by headlamp.
The route initially follows a wide couloir which you ascend for some 7 pitches, never harder than 5.7. A bit of easy scrambling brings us to the Amphitheater, a small basin of easy rock part way up the route. Ideally we arrive here by about 7:30 or so, enjoying a short break. Above this is the crux of the route, Firmin’s Tower. There are about 3 difficult pitches, all fairly short, but all in the V grade. Above this, easier terrain leads to a few more pitches and, finally, the west ridge. From this point, we continue on easy, but still exposed, rock to Shipton’s Notch, a prominent gash in the summit ridge. Another pitch, then mixed 4th and easy 5th class rock leads to the airy summit of Batian.
You’ll then descend via the same route hopefully hitting Shipton’s Camp before evening dusk for dinner and overnight.
DAY 7
Shipton Camp – Old Moses
- Elevation: 4.200 m / 13.779 ft – 3.300 m / 10.826 ft
- Distance: 14 km / 8.7 miles
- Hiking Time: 4 – 5 hours
- Habitat: Moorland
After breakfast descend to Old Moses camp via Mackinder`s valley reaching camp in 5 to 6 hours. The descent is gentle and it offers ample time to enjoy fascinating scenery which includes the moorlands before reaching the camp.
Dinner and overnight at the Old Moses camp.
DAY 8
Old Moses – Sirimon Park Gate – Nairobi
- Elevation: 3.300 m / 10.827 ft – 1.700 m / 5.577 ft
- Distance: 9 km / 5,6 miles hiking. Drive to Nairobi 220 km / 136 miles
- Hiking Time: 3 hours
- Habitat: Forest
After early morning breakfast, descend for 3 hours to the Sirimon Park gate to catch a vehicle and transfer back to Nairobi arriving by 16:00 Hrs.
DAY 9
Exiting Nairobi hotel to Kenyatta Airport or for further safari
- Elevation: 1.700 m / 5.577 ft
- Drive Distance: 16.1 km / 10 miles
- Dirve Time: 1 hours
- Habitat: Town / Municipality / County
After Break First Check and make sure as you leave the hotel that everything is in good condition and intact. Get ready to be driven back to the Airport or embark on other safari, in Kenya with an unforgettable safari experience with us.
Important Details
Gear list
Check list below to reduce chances of inconveniences.
Bags
- 65-75 litre rucksack (for a porter to carry your main gear) with cover
- 35-45 litre day sack (for you to carry each day)
- Dry bags of different sizes for clothes, sleeping bag, etc.
Shell
- Waterproof jacket and trousers
- Waterproof gaiters
- Umbrella (optional)
Warmth
- Warm jacket – could be fleece or down jacket, potentially ski jacket. Make sure you can put the waterproof shell jacket over the top.
- 2 or 3 fleece tops or hiking shirts/sweatshirts
- 2 or 3 base layers or T-shirts
- Pair of trekking trousers and shorts
- Leggings, thermal bottoms or running tights
- Several sets of underwear – avoid cotton. Sports bras and cycling shorts are good.
Extremities
- Warm hat and a buff or scarf
- Sun hat
- Warm gloves or mittens, and thin liner gloves are also useful
Feet
- Several pairs of good quality trekking socks
- Waterproof trekking boots
- Trainers or flip flops/sandals
Sleeping
- 3-4 season sleeping bag (comfort -5°C or lower)
- Sleeping bag liner cotton/fleece/silk (optional)
- Stuff sack for sleeping bag
- Thick foam mat or self-inflating mat (like a Therm-A-Rest)
Personal
- Sunglasses
- Trekking poles
- Some favourite snack bars
- Headlamp
- Power bank for charging phones, etc.
- Wash kit – no showers on the mountain but you can have a bucket wash
- Papers – passport, money, insurance
- 2 water bottles
- Flask for hot drinks – useful on summit night
- Earplugs
- Wet wipes, tissues
- Anti-bacterial hand gel
First AID suggestions
- Paracetamol – temperature, colds
- Painkiller – headaches, very good for altitude related symptoms
- Antiseptic wipes and a few bandages and tape, antiseptic cream
- Blister bandages
- Oral rehydration sachets
- Sunblock and lipbalm
- Knee/Ankle support
- Personal Medications eg anti-malaria tablets, inhalers, antihistamine
- January through mid-March
- Mid-June through October
- December
- look at our Tour Calender
Request Form
Send us your desired travel dates and we will contact you as soon as possible. We will then send you more information and exact arrival and departure times for this route.
Batian Peak - 9 Days
Included
Full organization of Mohakin Travel from/to Nairobi Airport
Airport pick-up and drop-off
All transfers, excursions and sightseeing according to the program
Full board during the trekking tour / climbing tour / safari
Boiled water, black tea, coffee and powdered milk for the ascents
Transportation to and from the hotel and trailhead
Accommodation in mountain tents (2-man tent, 4-season tent, mess tent, kitchen tent, chairs and tables)
Sleeping mat
Support team (certified guides, porters, and cooks)
All park and camp fees for the tour
Guides, cook and porters and their payment
experienced english speaking kenyan guide
Preparatory talk on the phone (WhatsApp)
Not included
Airfare to and from Kenya, Tanzania or Uganda
Visa
Tips for the support team
Sleeping bags and other personal gear
Rental gear
Lunch and dinner at the hotel
Single-occupancy fee in hotel
Drinks and snacks
You must have your own personal insurance - also in the case of emergency, we can organize an airlift
Climbing Guide (only for Batian & Nelion Peak) which is $500 for the whole climbing excursion
Climbing equipment (only for Batian & Nelion Peak), which is $50 per person
from 1 to max. 12 Persons
Rock Climbing Batian – 9 Days
Hotel overnight stay
- Book one or more days befor or after the trekking tour
Terms and Conditions
Reservations: A deposit of 35% is required at the time of booking and the balance at least before the tour begins or full payment/part payment before treks or safaris arranged on short notice. Special payment arrangements can be made directly with the office.
Cancellation: Any monies paid will be refunded less 35% of the cost and any cost levied by hotels or any additional food expenses. Rates: Includes all expenses in respect of vehicles or drives as per itinerary/general information. Also includes meals on safari and entrance fees to National parks/game reserves.
Transportation: Cars, minibuses, 4WD’s, coaches or trucks will be provided according to the route and number of clients. The right is reserved to employ the services of sub-contractors as appropriate. English-speaking drivers/guides are provided.
Accommodation: When possible, rooms with a private shower are provided. Single rooms are available at an additional cost but cannot be guaranteed. Hotels/lodges are named as an indication of category and rooms may be reserved at similar hotels and lodges. Accommodation is specific to client’s request of budget class, middle class or luxury class, depending on availability.
Alteration to Tours/Treks: We reserve the right to alter arrangement or cancel the operation of scheduled trek/safari should the circumstance necessitate. We also reserve the right to decline or accept or retain any person as a member of any tour at any time, in which case an equitable amount will be refunded. Prices are based on tariffs and other costs prevailing at the time of printing and are subject to change without notice, but a full explanation will be given.
Liability: We do not accepts responsibility for personal injury, accident, loss while clients are on treks/safari. We advise all clients to take out additional insurance cover. Mohakin Travel acts only as agents when employing the use of sub contractors and acts as only agents of the passenger/client in all matters relating to Hotel/Lodge Accommodation, tours, transport, etc. and shall not be liable for injury, delay, loss or damage in any manner. The company’s liability to passengers carried in its own vehicle is governed by the laws of the country in which the tour takes place and no other country. All claims are subject to jurisdiction of the courts of the country in which the action a rise. The company reserves the rights to employ sub-contractors for all parts and services.
NOTE: All expeditions involve an element of personal risk and times can be hazardous nature, Expedition members must accept this risk. We are not liable for any loss, damage, Injury, expense, delay or inconvenience caused to your baggage as a result, whether directly or indirectly, or any matter or whatever nature which is outside our control. All participants are advised to take out an insurance policy to cover personal accidents and medical expenses. We can arrange this at low cost. The guide reserves the right to withdraw participants from treks, safari due to inclement weather, irresponsible behaviors, poor health or any other sound reason the guide gives.
Quality Guarantee
Mohakin Travel clients can expect the following guarantees to ensure proper service:
- Your guide will introduce himself and your driver, and cover the laid out tour/safari itinerary in advance.
- We will double-check that all gear and supplies are prepared for your custom tour/safari.
- During the tour/safari, we will ensure that your needs are met and you are well cared for.
- We will address any issues that arise out of our control, to give our clients the smoothest and most enjoyable adventure possible.
- We will ensure the drivers/sub-contractors are on time and presentable.
- We will give information about surrounding areas and points of interest.
- Each day, we will set time aside to let our clients know what is happening for that day.
- At the end of your tour/safari, we will ask for your feedback to ensure the quality of our service.
Health and Safety
Mountains in the world can sometimes be dangerous and hazardous – especially in high altitude.
It is therefore important to:
1. Be well equipped.
2. Let your expedition leader know your health history.
3. Have a good communication system.
4. Have a good basic first aid kit and know how to use it.
5. Be able to identify mountain illnesses.
HOW TO RECOGNISE ALTITUDE RELATED ILLNESS
At high altitudes the amount of oxygen decreases dramatically. This can result in medical urgency that must be a concern to every hiker.
AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness)
Signs include: Headache, nausea, fatigue, malaise, loss of appetite and difficulty in sleeping.
Treatment
Slow down, stay in camps, drink water and rest while the body adjusts to the altitude. If symptoms persist after 48 hours, descend.
HAPE (High Altitude Pulmonary Aedema)
Symptoms include: Shortened breath during exercise progressing to shortened breath while resting, a dry cough deteriorating to a frothy sputum, audible gurgling (rales) from the chest area, increased heart and breathing rate.
Treatment
Descend immediately and seek medical attention. Descending is the treatment. It can progress quickly to a point where the patient cannot walk. It doesn’t improve with rest at the same altitude.
HACE (High Altitude Cerebral Aedema)
Symptoms include:- AMS that progress to severe headaches, loss of coordination, slurred speech, irrational behaviour, coma and death.
Treatment
Descend immediately, Hace can quickly progress to lethal stage.
Prevention of AMS, HAPE and HACE
Allow 2 nights at 10.000ft or at higher altitude at around 14,000ft. Before proceeding higher, increase fluid intake to 4-6 liters per day. Avoid extreme physical exertion and eat a light diet rich in carbohydrates. Take symptoms seriously. Rest and acclimatize if AMS is suspected. Report to ranger’s rescue station and descend immediately if HAPE or HACE is suspected.
However, it is important to drink plenty of water slowly to allow your body to get used to the altitude.