5 Days Mt. Kenya Sirimon route out Chogoria Route with Peak Circuit

Mount Kenya’s Point Lenana summit is the prize here, but the route is almost as important. You walk up the drier Sirimon side, spend time among high moorland and rocky valleys, then descend through Chogoria with views of Lake Ellis, Vivien Falls, and the Mugi Hills. On a clear morning, Kilimanjaro may appear beyond the summit.

I like two things right away: the private format, which lets your group set a sensible pace, and the built-in peak circuit on Day 3. That extra day above 4,000 meters gives you a better chance to adjust before the early summit climb. You also travel with a guide, cook, and porters, so you carry less and focus on walking.

The main caution is the final push. Day 4 lasts about eight hours and covers roughly 24 kilometers, with a steep descent of more than 2,000 meters. This is not a casual mountain holiday, and altitude can affect even fit hikers. You need proper clothing, reliable boots, and a realistic attitude toward the effort.

Key points to know before booking

• Point Lenana reaches 4,985 meters: The summit attempt begins around 4:30 a.m. so you can reach the top near sunrise.
• Two classic routes in one trek: Sirimon provides the approach, while Chogoria gives you a different descent and scenery.
• Day 3 is for acclimatization: The peak circuit around Shipton’s Camp adds mountain views without rushing straight to the summit.
• Private support team included: A mountain guide, cook, porters, camping equipment, tents, and mats are part of the package.
• The toughest day is also the longest: You summit, descend to breakfast, and continue toward Chogoria Bandas in one demanding day.
• The price covers most major costs: At $960 per person, transport, park fees, meals, equipment, and mountain operations are included.

Why this five-day route works

This trip is built around a smart point-to-point plan. You do not simply climb and retrace your steps. Instead, you enter through Sirimon, cross the high country near the main peaks, and leave through Chogoria, one of the mountain’s more scenic sides.

That variety matters. The first days move through forest and moorland, while the higher sections become rocky, spare, and dramatic. The descent opens onto tarns, falls, hills, and long views. You get a better sense of Mount Kenya as a whole mountain rather than a single uphill trail.

The private setup is another practical advantage. Only your group takes part, and the support team includes English-speaking mountain guides, a cook, and porters. Past clients have specifically praised guides named David and Richard, as well as cooks John and George, but the exact team for your departure should be confirmed when you book.

At $960 per person, the cost is not low, but it covers the expensive and awkward parts of a high-altitude trek. Private transport from Nairobi, park charges, five days of meals, camping equipment, porters, and mountain operations are included. You still pay for tips, personal clothing and equipment, and any Nairobi hotel before or after the hike.

Day 1: Nairobi to Old Moses through Sirimon Gate

Your pickup is scheduled for 6:30 a.m. in Nairobi. The drive to Nanyuki takes about three and a half hours, with arrival planned around 10:00 a.m. This is where you meet the guide, cook, and porters before continuing toward Sirimon Gate.

The route reaches the gate at about 2,650 meters. From there, you begin walking through Mount Kenya’s forest toward Old Moses Camp at 3,300 meters. The walk is about nine kilometers and takes roughly three hours, with a picnic lunch along the way.

This first day is not about speed. It gives your body a gentle introduction to altitude while you move from Nairobi’s much lower elevation into mountain country. The forest can also bring a little excitement, since the route passes through habitat where buffalo, elephants, waterbucks, and other game may be seen. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed, so keep your attention on the trail and follow your guide’s instructions.

At Old Moses, you have the option of a short one-hour walk around 4:00 p.m. That extra stroll is useful for getting your bearings, but you can also treat it as a chance to rest if the drive and first hike have taken more out of you than expected.

You camp inside the national park. Dinner and overnight accommodation are provided, and the day includes lunch and dinner. The schedule looks easy on paper, but the early pickup and long drive make this a full opening day.

Day 2: Old Moses to Shipton’s Camp

After breakfast, the route leaves Old Moses and enters the moorland zone. You cross the Ontulili River, turn through the open high country, cross the Liki North River, and continue toward Mackinders Valley.

The distance is about 16 kilometers, and walking time is listed at roughly six hours. Lunch is served on the way. Compared with the forest, this section feels more exposed and spacious, with broad views toward the Sirimon and Mackinders valleys.

Shipton’s Camp sits at about 4,200 meters. That altitude is the real story of the day. The trail may feel manageable, but your breathing and energy can change quickly as you gain height. Walk slowly, drink regularly, and tell your guide early if you develop a headache, nausea, unusual tiredness, or other altitude symptoms.

The setting below Mount Kenya’s main peaks is stark and memorable. Batian and Nelion rise above the surrounding rock, giving you a clear reminder that Point Lenana is the trekking summit, not a technical climb to the mountain’s highest rock towers.

This is a long day, and the high camp may feel basic. Camping equipment and mats are provided, but you still need a warm sleeping bag and suitable personal layers. The equipment list is shared on request, and you should ask for it before departure rather than waiting until Nairobi.

Day 3: The peak circuit around Shipton’s Camp

Day 3 is the clever part of the itinerary. Instead of making the summit attempt immediately after reaching 4,200 meters, you spend another day at altitude on a circuit through the upper mountain.

Breakfast is scheduled for 8:00 a.m., with walking beginning at 9:00. The route heads toward Kami Camp below Batian’s north face, climbs to a ridge around 4,600 meters, crosses scree, and reaches Hausberg Col at about 4,590 meters.

You then descend into the upper Hausberg Valley and pass the Oblong and Hausberg tarns. The trail rises again toward a ridge called Arthur’s Seat, where rocky ledges and changing views make the route feel more like a mountain expedition than a simple camp transfer.

This is an excellent day for acclimatization because you gain substantial height and then return to camp. It also gives you a chance to test your boots, clothing, water system, and energy levels before summit morning. If anything feels wrong, you can discuss it with the guide before the most demanding day.

The circuit is not a rest day in the ordinary sense. High altitude, scree, and uneven rock can make it tiring even though you are not carrying out the final summit push. Keep your pace controlled and save strength for the morning.

Day 4: Point Lenana at sunrise, then down to Chogoria

The alarm comes around 4:30 a.m. You have tea and biscuits, then start walking toward Point Lenana at 4,985 meters. The goal is to reach the summit around sunrise, when the light can spread across the peaks and valleys below.

On a clear morning, you may see Kilimanjaro’s Kibo and Mawenzi peaks from Point Lenana. Weather at this height can change quickly, so the view is never guaranteed, but the dawn timing gives you the best chance of catching a wide horizon.

After photographs at the summit, you descend to Mintos Hut for a full breakfast. That meal comes at a welcome point in the day, but do not mistake breakfast for the end. You still continue down the Chogoria side toward Chogoria Bandas at about 2,800 meters.

The day covers approximately 24 kilometers and takes about eight hours. The listed figures include a 195-meter ascent and a 2,085-meter descent. That big drop is hard on knees and thighs, especially after the cold, early summit start.

The Chogoria descent rewards you with a new set of views. Along the way, you can see Lake Ellis, the Mugi Hills, Vivien Falls, and the distinctive rock formation known as the Giant Billiards Table. A picnic lunch is included, though the exact timing depends on the pace and conditions of the group.

I would treat this as the day that decides if the trip suits you. Reaching Point Lenana is a major achievement, but you must still have enough strength for a long descent. Trekking poles, well-broken-in footwear, and careful pacing are especially useful here.

Day 5: Bamboo forest, Chogoria, and the drive back

After breakfast at Chogoria Bandas, you walk another 10 kilometers through bamboo forest. Private transport then collects you for the drive to Chogoria, where you say goodbye to the porters before continuing toward Nairobi.

The drive passes through agricultural country and is expected to reach Nairobi around 3:00 p.m. The schedule describes the day as taking about 12 hours, so allow for a long return rather than planning an important evening flight or fixed appointment.

Your Nairobi hotel is not included. You arrange it yourself, although the operator can arrange one. This is an easy cost to overlook when comparing packages, so add one night before the trek and one night afterward if your flight schedule requires it.

Meals, camping, and the support team

The package includes breakfast for all five days, lunch for all five days, and four dinners. Camping equipment, tents, and mats are supplied, along with porter support. You are responsible for your own clothing and personal trekking equipment.

Having a cook matters on a five-day climb. You do not need to shop for mountain meals or carry all cooking supplies yourself, and the listed schedule provides food at the main stages of the trek. Still, ask for the equipment list and clarify what camping item you need to bring, especially your sleeping bag and personal layers.

The strongest praise attached to this trip concerns the people handling the mountain work. David is identified as an excellent main guide on one climb, while Richard is described as guiding a group safely to the peak. John and George are named as cooks, and the porters are praised as part of the wider support team.

Those details are useful, but names can change between departures. Ask who will lead your group and how many porters and support staff are planned. You should also budget tips separately, since gratuities are not included.

How much value do you get for $960?

The $960 price makes more sense when you count what it bundles. You receive private transport from Nairobi, transfers on the mountain approach and exit, park fees and taxes, guides, porters, camping equipment, five days of food, and five days of mountain operations.

A cheaper headline price may leave out some of those items. Here, the main extras are personal gear, tips, and Nairobi accommodation. The private arrangement also has value if you want your group to avoid being folded into a larger departure.

The tradeoff is that the package gives you less flexibility to shorten the route once you are high on the mountain. The itinerary is tightly packed, especially on Day 4. If you prefer short walking days, lodge accommodation, or a slower acclimatization plan, this is not the right format.

The tour is booked an average of 21 days ahead, so do not leave planning until the last minute. You need time to sort equipment, check your fitness, arrange Nairobi nights, and discuss the summit schedule.

Who should book this Mount Kenya trek?

I would recommend it to a fit hiker who wants a private, supported climb and likes the idea of seeing two sides of Mount Kenya. The route is especially appealing if you value scenery and route variety more than comfort.

It can also suit experienced hikers who are concerned about altitude, because the peak circuit provides an extra high day before Point Lenana. That does not remove altitude risk, but it gives you a better chance to learn how your body responds.

Older or lower-altitude hikers should take the challenge seriously. A couple from Florida completed the route despite concerns about altitude, but their experience was still described as challenging. Your home elevation does not predict exactly how you will feel at 4,985 meters.

I would not choose this trip if you want an easy national park visit, a flexible daily schedule, or a soft bed every night. You need moderate physical fitness, comfort with camping, and the patience to walk slowly at altitude.

Booking details and cancellation

Pickup begins at 6:30 a.m. from your Nairobi hotel, and confirmation is provided when you book. The activity is private, mobile tickets are offered, and service animals are allowed.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. The mountain requires suitable weather, and if poor conditions cancel the experience, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Should you book it?

Book this trek if you want Point Lenana at sunrise, a true route crossing rather than a return hike, and a full support team handling food, camp, transport, and carrying duties. The combination of Sirimon, the peak circuit, and Chogoria gives you the best reason to choose this five-day plan.

Think twice if the 24-kilometer summit day sounds beyond your ability or if you have not prepared for cold, high-altitude camping. Before paying, request the equipment list, confirm the guide team, ask about the exact sleeping arrangements, and add Nairobi hotel costs to your budget. For a prepared hiker, $960 is a fair price for a private, well-supported mountain operation.

FAQ

How long is the Mount Kenya trek?

The experience lasts approximately five days, beginning with pickup in Nairobi and ending with the return drive from Chogoria to Nairobi.

Which Mount Kenya routes does the trek use?

You ascend by the Sirimon route and descend by the Chogoria route. The itinerary also includes a peak circuit around Shipton’s Camp.

What summit does the tour reach?

The summit objective is Point Lenana, which reaches 4,985 meters, or about 16,000 feet.

What time does the summit attempt begin?

You wake at about 4:30 a.m., have tea and biscuits, and begin walking toward Point Lenana.

Are meals included?

Yes. Breakfast for five days, lunch for five days, and four dinners are included.

Is camping equipment provided?

Yes. Tents, mats, and other camping equipment are included. Personal clothing and equipment are not included, and an equipment list is available on request.

Are porters and guides included?

Yes. Porter support and English-speaking mountain guides are included in the mountain service.

Is Nairobi accommodation included?

No. Accommodation in Nairobi before and after the trek is not included, though the operator can arrange a hotel.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. If poor weather causes the experience to be canceled, you are offered a different date or a full refund.