Le Pristine Founders Mt. Kenya Lenana Summit 2025

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The Story Behind the Summit

The Le Pristine Founders Mt. Kenya Lenana Summit is not just an extraordinary trek—it’s a personal and collective journey, rooted in the healing ethos of Le Pristine Hotel and the timeless traditions of Mount Kenya. 

King'ori Wathobio, who turns 70 in 2025, founded this annual summit from his deep connection to Mount Kenya. King'ori has been summiting this majestic peak for several years as a profound exercise in physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual healing. 

In 2024, Co-Founder Joyce Kingori, who had just finished a 2-year battle with Stage 4 cancer, joined her husband in the summit to mark her complete healing, and thus, the summiting experience evolved to a shared healing journey. 

This tradition will now be opened to guests starting in 2025, allowing them to experience the transformative power of the mountain and partake in a journey of renewal, reflection, and reconnection with nature.

Each year, the Annual Founder's Summit will invite participants to climb the sacred slopes of Mount Kenya, a mountain that holds great significance for the Gikuyu, Meru, and Embu communities. The summit experience combines breathtaking landscapes, sacred traditions, and modern therapeutic practices to promote healing on every level: physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. This journey offers a profound opportunity to step away from the everyday, connect with the raw power of nature, and come back transformed.

Day 0 - 20th March: Arrival and Night at Le Pristine Wellness & Healing Hotel:

• From 3:00 PM
  • Arrival: Participants traveling from outside Nyeri arrive and are warmly welcomed.
  • Check-in: Orientation to Le Pristine Hotel and its serene highland surroundings.
• 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
  • Dinner at Mũgumoinĩ Restaurant: A themed dinner to set the tone for a rejuvenating mountain-climbing experience. Participants connect, bond, and share their excitement for the journey ahead.

Day 1 - 21st March: Le Pristine to Old Moses Base Camp:

• 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
  • Drive to Sirimon Gate (2,650 masl):
  •  Participants register at the park and enjoy a picnic lunch. En route, take in the breathtaking views of the Kieni, Meru, and Laikipia plains.
• 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
  • Hike to Old Moses Camp (3,300 masl):
  • A 7 km hike through the tropical and bamboo forest to acclimatize.
  • Wildlife & Birdwatching: Spot Abyssinian ground thrush, Moorland francolin, and other bird species.
• Evening:
  • Dinner and overnight stay at Old Moses Camp.

Day 2 - 22nd March: Old Moses Camp to Shipton’s Base Camp:

• 7:00 AM – 8:00 AM
  • Breakfast: Enjoy scenic views of the plains below from the camp.
• 8:00 AM – 4:00/5:00 PM
  • Hike to Shipton’s Base Camp (4,200 masl):
  •  A 7-hour easy hike through scenic moorland and the Mackinder’s Valley.
  • Picnic Lunch Enroute.
  • Wildlife & Birdwatching: See more of the unique alpine bird species.
• Evening:
  • Dinner and overnight stay at Shipton’s Base Camp.

Day 3 - 23rd March: Summit Point Lenana and Descent to Anabas Lodge:

• 2:00 AM – 5:30/6:00 AM
  • Summit Point Lenana (4,985 masl):
  •  Start with a hot drink and snack before hiking under the stars with headtorches.
  • Experience Sunrise: Witness the magical sunrise, take photos, and enjoy breathtaking views of Mt. Kilimanjaro (weather permitting).
• 6:00/7:00 AM – 11:00 AM
  • Descent to Mintos Camp:
  •  Enjoy brunch at Mintos Camp as you descend via the scenic Chogoria Route.
• 11:00 AM/12:00 PM - 6:00 PM
  • Continue Descent to Anabas Lodge:
  • Continue the decent to Lake Ellis where the Overland will have driven to pick the participants. If time permits, explore the scenic Nithi Falls and drive to Anabas Lodge
  • Dinner & Overnight Stay at Anabas: A well-deserved hot shower and WiFi await.

Day 4 - March 24th 2025: Anabas Lodge to Le Pristine:

• 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
  • Breakfast: Enjoy a serene morning at Anabas.
• 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
  • Walk to Chogoria KFS Gate:
  • A 2-hour easy walk, through bamboo and tropical forests. Bird lovers will delight in the diverse species that are to be found along the route.
• 11:00 AM – Late Afternoon
  • Drive Back to Le Pristine:
  • Relish the highland scenery from the comfort of the Overland vehicle.
• 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
  • Dinner at Mũgumoinĩ Restaurant:
  • Participants share highlights of their experiences and celebrate the successful summit.

The Le Pristine Founders Mt. Kenya Lenana Summit is designed to offer participants a holistic healing experience across four key pillars: Physical, Mental, Emotional, and Spiritual healing. This is achieved by integrating traditional knowledge with modern wellness practices, ensuring a deep, restorative experience.

1. Physical Healing

• Nervous System Regulation: The rhythmic pace of hiking promotes parasympathetic nervous system activation, reducing stress and enhancing relaxation. The deep breathing required at high altitude aids in regulating the autonomic nervous system.
• Endurance and Resilience: The hike builds strength and cardiovascular endurance while allowing the body to adapt to the higher altitudes.
• Nature-Induced Relaxation: Nature’s healing qualities lower cortisol levels, reduce inflammation, and foster restorative relaxation.
• Active Recovery: The descent offers an opportunity for muscle relaxation and recovery, supported by the gentle movements required.
• Increased Vitality: High-altitude environments stimulate red blood cell production, improving oxygen circulation and vitality.

2. Mental Healing

• Prefrontal Cortex Activation: Focused hiking activates the prefrontal cortex, enhancing cognitive functions such as problem-solving, decision-making, and emotional regulation.
• Resetting the Default Mode Network (DMN): Nature quiets the DMN, which is responsible for stress and rumination, promoting mental clarity and well-being.
• Neuroplasticity: The challenges of the trek stimulate neuroplasticity, helping the brain adapt and grow in response to new experiences.
• Stress Reduction: Immersing in nature reduces activity in the amygdala (the fear center) and enhances a sense of calm.
• Mindfulness and Flow: The simplicity of hiking encourages mindfulness and induces a state of flow, calming the mind and creating clarity.

3. Emotional Healing

• Regulation of Emotional Responses: Hiking supports emotional regulation by balancing the autonomic nervous system, promoting emotional resilience and calmness.
• Co-Regulation: Hiking with a group fosters a sense of community, encouraging emotional support and co-regulation.
• Emotional Release: The peaceful environment encourages emotional processing, providing a safe space for participants to release pent-up emotions.
• Empowerment and Joy: Completing the trek and reaching the summit instills a deep sense of accomplishment and joy, promoting emotional healing.

4. Spiritual Healing

• Sacred Flora and Fauna: The unique vegetation and wildlife of Mount Kenya, including the Giant Lobelias, serve as symbols of endurance and spiritual resilience.
• Rituals of Sunrise: Reaching Point Lenana at dawn mirrors ancient practices of greeting the new day with reverence, enhancing the spiritual experience of renewal.
• Meditative Stillness: The tranquil environment of the mountain promotes deep meditation and connection to one’s inner self, allowing for reflection, prayer, or spiritual contemplation.
• Symbolic Descent: The return journey represents a return to the world, carrying new wisdom and spiritual clarity back into daily life.
• Connection to Ancestral Beliefs: Mount Kenya, sacred to the Gikuyu, Meru, and Embu communities, is believed to be the dwelling place of Ngai, the Creator. The mountain serves as a bridge between the divine and the earth, offering participants a chance to connect with ancient spiritual traditions.
• Cultural Sacredness: Traditional prayers and rituals are carried out by the indigenous people facing the mountain, honoring its spiritual power. Participants can reflect on these practices, deepening their own spiritual connection .
• Symbol of Creation and Unity: Mount Kenya symbolizes unity, creation, and interconnectedness. The summit offers a chance to reflect on humanity’s shared origins and place in the natural world.