Detailed Description
Mount Kenya at 5,199 meters is Africa's second highest peak, and this four-day trek with Rupia Adventure approaches Point Lenana — the highest summit reachable by fit, non-technical trekkers at 4,985 meters — with a price of KES 129,000 that includes all park fees, food, and drink. With only six reviews and a perfect 5.0 rating, it's a smaller operation than some, but the fundamentals are solid.
The mountain dominates Kenya's central highlands and carries three glaciated peaks, though the glaciers have retreated significantly over recent decades — a visible reminder of the pace of climate change at altitude. Point Lenana is your goal: accessible to anyone who is physically fit and willing to pace themselves carefully across the altitude gain. Batian and Nelion, at the true summit, require technical climbing equipment and experience.
The approach passes through a sequence of distinct ecosystems, each with its own character. Lower montane forest gives way to bamboo zones and then moorland, where the vegetation becomes increasingly strange — giant lobelias standing three meters tall, giant groundsels with their thick rosette leaves evolved to survive freeze-thaw cycles at altitude. The moorland can feel genuinely otherworldly on a misty morning, with the plants looming out of the cloud cover.
Camping is at altitude on the mountain, and the cold at night above 4,000 meters is real — temperatures drop well below freezing, so a sleeping bag rated for at least -10°C is essential. The summit push happens before dawn, typically leaving camp around 2-3am to reach Lenana for sunrise. The predawn darkness and altitude combine to make this one of the harder four-hour stretches most people will experience outdoors, but the reward — standing at nearly 5,000 meters with the African continent spreading out below you as the sky turns orange — is worth every cold, steep step.
Physical preparation matters here — if you can comfortably hike 15 kilometres with elevation gain before your trip, you're in good shape for this route. Altitude is the real variable, and the pacing is designed to help you acclimatise.
Drink at least three litres of water daily during the trek. Altitude dehydration creeps up faster than you'd expect, and it's the single biggest factor in whether you summit comfortably or struggle on the final push.
Hiking gear is not included and must be brought or rented before departure. The operator provides food, drink, and park fees. Best attempted in the dry seasons (January-February and July-September) when the trails are less muddy and the views from altitude are clearer. Solo trekkers and small groups work equally well on this itinerary.
