After breakfast, and an early departure from Nairobi for the 200km drive north across the equator to the Mount Kenya National Park. We will meet our team of guides and porters at the Sirimon Gate (2650m), and have a leisurely lunch while the loads are sorted and weighed. The trail climbs through a magnificent rain forest with evidence of elephants and giraffe to the Judmeier Camp. Old Moses camp, where we will camp for the first night on the mountain is a little further on, as the trees thin out and we enter the alpine moorland zone, with its Giant Senecons (Groundsel), dotting the bushy grasses. Old Moses lies at 3,350m. Today you will have trekked for about 5 hours and will have gained 700metres in altitude.

Today we cross the moorland with its colourful grasses and impressive groundsel. The path is always fairly well marked and there are breathtaking views of Nelion and Batian, We drop into an isolated valley to make camp next to the small Liki North Hut (3,990m). The slopes of Mt Kenya are scored by these valleys, formed by the melting glaciers. The valleys are V -shaped on the lower slopes, but above where the glaciers once lodged they have a U-Profile. Like yesterday you will have walked for about 5 hours, and gradually gained another 850m in altitude.

We are now gaining altitude and today may feel quite tiring. Remember to walk slowly and monitor your body for any signs of high altitude mountain sickness, such as nausea or headaches. We climb out over a ridge and descend into the spectacular Mackinder Valley. Tonight’s campsite at Shipton’s Camp (4,240m), is comfortable with a stream and a large population of Rock Hyrax, a small rodent that resembles a large guinea pig. The Rock Hyrax lack internal temperature regulators and spends a lot of its time basking on the rocks in the sun or huddled together in groups for warmth. Tonight’s camp is dominated by views of the twin spires of Nelion and Batian, and Point Lenana will also now be in view.

A long day, (about 6 hrs of hiking), initially climbing steeply up from Shipton’s camp past two mountain lakes. The terrain is barren, like a “moonscape”, but always with spectacular views of the rocky snow covered summits of Batian and Nelion. You pass the Gorges Valley, a deep cut V-shaped chasm on the long trek up to the Austrian hut. It is likely you will be feeling the extra burden of altitude in your legs and lungs. Today you will sleep at 4,490m.

This is where those who are climbing Nelion and Batian set off very early in the morning with their guide, and an equipment check. The Nelion & Batian ascent is a Grade 5B Climb (Scottish Grade II with 20 pitches of hard volcanic rock at Hard/Severe Level with a multi pitch abseil descent from Batian into what is called “The Gates of Mist”. You will be climbing on icy rocks with a pack. You must be experienced and comfortable on steep, exposed and icy rock, using crampons, rope, harness,& karabiners.

Those not climbing Nelion & Batian will set off after breakfast at around five in the morning. It will still be dark; you will need a head lamp. The ascent of Point Lenana from the Austrian Hut is quite straightforward, although there may be some snow and ice, so you should be dressed for mountain temperatures. At 4,985m, it is the third-highest summit on Mount Kenya. The ascent follows a rocky ridge to the right of the Lewis glacier. A last steeper section takes you to the summit which offers extraordinary views over the eastern face of Nelion, the surrounding valleys and distant Kilimanjaro. We aim to reach the summit in time to watch the sun rise, and then pick out our climbers on Nelion, who will have set off in the very early hours!

The descent to the Austrian Hut for an early lunch, and a nap is far quicker than the climb up. The Nelion and Batian climbers should rejoin the group here later. We continue down the western side of Mt Kenya to Mackinder’s Hut for the night, which provides the classic view of the spires of Nelion & Batian.

A long day,but downhill. The descent from Mackinder’s to the Gate should take about 8 hours. The path descends through moorland until the final highlight of Mount Kenya, the Vertical Bog. The path falls more steeply through a section of waterlogged moorland. Soon the path enters a deep forest leading to the Met. Station and the road head. The final walk down to the Mount Kenya National Park headquarters takes a couple of hours giving plenty of time to reflect on what you’ve achieved! We board our transport for the journey back to our hotel in Nairobi.

What next? An onward trip to Tanzania to climb Kilimanjaro, or Mt Meru or Oldonyo L’Engai, an active volcano, a Safari in Kenya or in Tanzania (including the legendary N’Gorongoro Crater), or a beach holiday in Zanzibar. Or a return flight home.