5-Day Mount Kenya Climb - Sirimon to Chogoria Route Direct

Day by day

5 days in East Africa.

1. Day 1

   Nairobi to Sirimon Gate and Old Moses Camp

   Depart Nairobi and drive north to the Sirimon Gate of Mount Kenya National Park at 2,650 metres. After registration, the trek begins on foot through montane forest and the bamboo zone, a walk of three to four hours and roughly nine kilometres with about 650 metres of height gain. The gradient is gentle, which is why the Sirimon route is favoured for acclimatisation, and elephant and buffalo signs are common in the forest. Overnight at Old Moses Camp at about 3,300 metres, with dinner prepared by the mountain crew.

   Overnight

   Old Moses Camp (3,300 m)Old Moses Camp (3,300 m)

   Meals

   Lunch and dinner

2. Day 2

   Old Moses Camp to Shipton’s Camp

   A long day of six to eight hours, covering 14 to 17 kilometres with around 900 metres of ascent. The trail climbs out of the heath into the Mackinder Valley, crossing moorland where giant lobelias and groundsels give the landscape its strange, high-altitude character, and passing the Liki North Valley on the way. Shipton's Camp sits at about 4,200 metres directly beneath the main peaks of Batian and Nelion, so the afternoon arrival comes with the summit view that tomorrow's climb aims for. Dinner and overnight at the camp.

   Overnight

   Shipton’s Camp (4,200 m)Shipton’s Camp (4,200 m)

   Meals

   Breakfast, lunch and dinner

3. Day 3

   Shipton’s Camp, Point Lenana and Mintos

   A pre-dawn start for the summit attempt on Point Lenana, at 4,985 metres the highest trekking peak on Mount Kenya. The route climbs rocky ground and scree, possibly passing Harris Tarn, with about 785 metres of ascent to reach the top for sunrise over the plains and, on a clear morning, Kilimanjaro to the south. The descent drops the same height on the Chogoria side to Mintos Hut at 4,200 metres, with views over the Gorges Valley. Allow six to eight hours in total for 10 to 14 kilometres. Dinner and overnight at Mintos.

   Overnight

   Mintos Hut (4,200 m)Mintos Hut (4,200 m)

   Meals

   Breakfast, lunch and dinner

4. Day 4

   Mintos to the Chogoria bandas

   Descend through the Gorges Valley, widely considered the most scenic side of the mountain, with views of Lake Michaelson, Vivienne Falls and the Hall Tarns along the way. The trail loses about 1,250 metres over 10 to 14 kilometres and four to six hours, dropping through giant heather and back into bamboo and forest at lower altitude. Arrive at the Chogoria bandas at about 2,950 metres for the night, the first proper roof since Sirimon. Dinner and overnight at the bandas.

   Overnight

   Chogoria bandas (2,950 m)Chogoria bandas (2,950 m)

   Meals

   Breakfast, lunch and dinner

   

5. Day 5

   Chogoria exit and return to Nairobi

   A final two to three hours and roughly ten kilometres of descent through the forest of the lower Chogoria route to the Chogoria Gate at 2,700 metres, where a vehicle waits for the 200-kilometre drive back to Nairobi. This five-day direct traverse demands good fitness: the altitude gain and loss are compressed into a short time, so acclimatisation is less gradual than on longer programmes and any symptoms of altitude sickness must be reported to your guide. An experienced guide and porters are included for navigation, safety and carrying gear.

   Meals

   Breakfast

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