South East Ridge – Nelion & Batian
The MacKinders Route on the South East Ridge — considered easier than the North Face but equally rewarding. Seventeen-plus belayed pitches on good rock to Nelion and Batian.
- Duration
- 7 days
- Summit
- 5,199 m
- Gate
- Chogoria Gate (ascent) · Naro Moru Gate (descent)
- Group
- 2-12 people
Day-by-day
Route itinerary
- Day 1 ·
Chogoria Gate→Mt Kenya Bandas
10 km+200 m3–4 hrsSleep: 3,000 mDrive from Nairobi through Chogoria town to the park gate and on to the Mt Kenya Forest Bandas (3,000 m) through dense bamboo forest.
- Day 2 ·
Mt Kenya Bandas→Lake Ellis
11 km+600 m4–5 hrsSleep: 3,600 mTrek through giant heather and moorland to Lake Ellis (3,600 m). Views of Mugi Hill, Ithanguni and the Giants Billiards Table plateau.
- Day 3 ·
Lake Ellis→Mintos Camp
8 km+600 m4–5 hrsSleep: 4,200 mOff-trail ridge hiking above Gorges Valley. Pass 'The Temple' — a striking 500ft vertical cliff formation. Mintos Camp (4,200 m) in the valley below.
- Day 4 ·
Mintos Camp→Austrian Hut
7 km+590 m4–5 hrsSleep: 4,790 mTraverse Hall Tarns and ascend to Austrian Hut (4,790 m). Acclimatisation ascent of Point Lenana (4,985 m) in the afternoon, return to Austrian Hut to sleep.
- Day 5 ·
Austrian Hut→Nelion & Batian Summit → Austrian Hut
3 km+409 m-409 m8–10 hrsSleep: 4,790 mFull technical summit day on the South East Ridge (MacKinders Route). Seventeen-plus belayed pitches (USA 5.6). Summit Nelion (5,188 m) then cross the Gate of Mists to Batian (5,199 m). Descent by rappels.
- Day 6 ·
Austrian Hut→Met Station
15 km-1740 m6–8 hrsSleep: 3,050 mDescend via the Naro Moru route through Mackinder's Valley, traversing the vertical bog, to the Meteorological Station (3,050 m).
- Day 7 ·
Met Station→Naro Moru Gate
9 km-400 m2–3 hrsFinal descent through bamboo forest and rainforest to Naro Moru Gate (2,650 m). Return to Nairobi.
Is the South East Ridge – Nelion & Batian right for you?
Why choose this route
- +Generally regarded as easier than the North Face Standard Route
- +Good rock with sunny position on the South East Ridge
- +Scenic Chogoria approach with Lake Ellis and moorland views
- +Well-documented route with established anchor systems
Limitations to consider
- -Requires rock climbing experience (USA 5.6 / UK VS / SA 16)
- -Season-dependent — snow present outside December–March window
- -Long summit day (8–10 hours combined climbing and descent)
- -Chogoria approach is wetter than the western routes
Not sure which route fits your experience and timeline?
Read our route comparison guideAll-inclusive
Packages & pricing
South East Ridge (Nelion & Batian) - 7 Days All-Inclusive
7 days all-inclusive
Price per person (USD)
Solo
$2950
per person
2 people
$2500
per person
4 people
$2200
per person
Larger groups pay less per person. Contact us for groups of 8+.
What's included
- KWS national park fees
- Camping fees (all nights)
- KWS-licensed lead guide
- Porter service (up to 15 kg per trekker)
- All meals on the mountain (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- Camping equipment (tent, sleeping mat, dining tent)
- Cook and camp crew
- Transport from Nanyuki to gate and return
- First aid kit and basic altitude medication
- Trekking completion certificate
Not included
- International flights
- Travel insurance (mandatory - must be arranged before travel)
- Kenya entry visa
- Personal trekking gear (sleeping bag, boots, trekking poles)
- Gratuities for guide and porters
- Personal snacks, drinks, and extras
- Accommodation in Nanyuki before/after the trek