Lake Alice
The largest lake on Mt. Kenya, hidden in a volcanic crater at 3,550 metres.
- Date
- Saturday, 17 October 2026
- Departs Nairobi
- 2:30 AM
- Per person
- Ksh 7,500
Destination photo: Weldon Kennedy (opens in a new tab) · CC BY 2.0 (opens in a new tab) · Wikimedia Commons
- 3,550 m
- Above sea level
- 48 acres
- Largest lake on Mt. Kenya
- 1935
- Year it was discovered
- Ksh 7,500
- Per person
The destination
A lake in the clouds
North-eastern slopes of Mt. Kenya
High on the north-eastern shoulder of Mt. Kenya, in a crater on the side of Ithanguni Hill, lies the largest of the mountain's lakes. Lake Alice covers about 48 acres at 3,550 metres — deep blue water held in a volcanic bowl, ringed on one side by a gentle grassy ridge and on the other by a wall of bare rock that climbs to around 3,850 metres.
Few people ever see it. It sits far from the busy summit routes, reached on a trail through giant heather, proteas and tussock grass, with the jagged main peaks of Mt. Kenya standing on the horizon. On a still morning the cliffs reflect perfectly in the water. By midday the mist can roll in and swallow the whole crater. That is half the magic.
On Saturday 17 October, we're going. We leave Nairobi at 2:30 AM so we reach the mountain at first light and have the whole day on the trail — up through the moorland, over the crater rim and down to the shore of Lake Alice.
A crater lake at 3,550 m, a wall of rock rising out of the water, and Mt. Kenya's peaks on the horizon.
How high?
Almost twice as high as Nairobi
1,795 m
3,550 m
3,850 m
5,199 m
Nairobi
Lake Alice
Crater cliffs
Batian, Mt. Kenya's summit
Take it slow on the climb, drink plenty of water and tell the guide if you get a headache or feel dizzy.
Field notes
Things worth knowing before you go
- 01
Found while hunting a legend
In 1935 the explorer Kenneth Gandar-Dower and Raymond Hook came across the lake while searching Mt. Kenya's moorlands for the marozi — a mythical spotted lion.
- 02
Named for a princess
The lake carries the name of Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester, who had tried to climb Mt. Kenya shortly before and was turned back by bad weather.
- 03
Trout above the clouds
Lake Alice is stocked with rainbow trout. Anglers report fish of 2–3 lb, with the biggest reaching around 6 lb.
- 04
A royal neighbour
Just below sits Lake Rutundu and its log cabins, where Prince William proposed to Kate Middleton in 2010.
- 05
Volcano country
Ithanguni is the most prominent volcanic cone around Mt. Kenya. It once carried a small ice cap of its own, separate from the main peaks.
- 06
Four seasons in a day
We're just south of the equator: the sun is strong, the air is cold, and mist can sweep across the crater in minutes. Dress in layers.
What you'll see
On the trail
The crater, from the rim 
Proteas line the trail 
First sight of the lake 
Alpine colour 
Mt. Kenya's peaks from the north-east
Photos of Lake Alice by Weldon Kennedy, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons — they show the place, not our group. All credits
The day
From starlight to crater
An early night on Friday pays off. Times after departure depend on the road and the weather on the mountain.
2:30 AM
Leave Nairobi
We roll out of the city in the dark and head north towards Mt. Kenya. Bring a neck pillow — this is nap time.
Sunrise
The north-east slopes
Arrive on the mountain's quiet side as the sky turns gold behind the peaks.
Morning
Into the moorland
Hike up through giant heather, proteas and tussock grass. Steady pace, plenty of breaks — the air is thinner up here.
Midday
Lake Alice
Reach the crater rim and look down on the lake. Lunch by the water, photos, and time to just take it in.
Afternoon
Back down the trail
Descend through the moorland before the afternoon mist settles over the mountain.
Night
Home to Nairobi
Back in the city later in the evening — tired, muddy and very happy.
Pack list
Dress for the mountain
At 3,550 m it can be warm in the sun and freezing in the mist an hour later. Layers are everything.
Bring
- Warm layers — fleece or down jacket (it is cold above 3,000 m)
- Waterproof rain jacket
- Sturdy hiking boots — the trail can be muddy
- 2–3 litres of water
- Packed lunch and energy snacks
- Headlamp or torch for the early start
- Gloves and a warm hat
- Sun hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
- National ID or passport for park entry
- Any personal medication
Reserve your spot
Your ticket to Lake Alice
Adventure Trek · Admit one
Lake Alice
North-eastern slopes of Mt. Kenya
- Date
- Saturday, 17 October 2026
- Departs Nairobi
- 2:30 AM
- Duration
- Day trip
Ksh 7,500per person
- 1
On your phone, open M-Pesa → Lipa na M-Pesa → Pay Bill.
- 2
Enter business number 839900 and account number 1003028002005, then pay Ksh 7,500. The name should show as LT Labs Tech Services Limited.
- 3
Forward the payment confirmation message to 0796448232 by SMS or WhatsApp, with your full name.
- 4
Your spot is confirmed once we receive your payment message.
LIPA NA M-PESA
- Paybill (business) number
- Account number
- 1003028002005
- Account name
- LT Labs Tech Services Limited
Forward your payment message to
0796 448 232
(opens full size in a new tab)Paying for a friend?
Share the poster.
Save it and send it to anyone joining you. Each person forwards their own payment message to 0796448232 with their name, so we can confirm every spot.