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

Point Lenana at 4,985 meters is the prize here, but the route is almost as memorable as the summit. You climb through forest and moorland on the Sirimon side, cross the mountain’s high ridges, then descend through Chogoria, giving you two very different faces of Mt. Kenya in five days.

I like the private format, which lets your guide set the pace for your own group, and I like that the price covers the practical heavy lifting: porters, tents, mats, meals, transport, and park fees. The main caution is the short schedule. The jump from Shipton’s Camp at 4,200 meters to an early summit attempt demands good fitness and careful pacing.

Key points at a glance

• Point Lenana sunrise: Start around 4:30 a.m. for the summit and possible views toward Kilimanjaro’s Kibo and Mawenzi peaks.
• Two classic routes in one trip: Go up via Sirimon and come down through Chogoria.
• Peak Circuit acclimatization: Spend a full day at high altitude before summit morning rather than rushing straight to the top.
• A full support team: English-speaking guides, cooks, and porters handle mountain operations, meals, and camping equipment.
• Long summit day: Day four covers about 24 kilometers, with 195 meters of ascent and 2,085 meters of descent.
• Private value: At $960 per person, the cost includes major trip expenses, though Nairobi hotels, personal gear, and tips are extra.

Why this Mt. Kenya route is worth considering

This is not a simple day hike with a mountain view at the end. It is a proper high-altitude trek, with four nights connected to the mountain and a route that changes steadily as you climb.

The Sirimon approach begins in the forest, where wildlife sightings are possible, then moves into open moorland and broad high valleys. The Chogoria descent adds another character entirely, with views of Lake Ellis, Mugi Hills, Vivien Falls, and the unusual Giant Billiards Table area.

I especially like the route design. You are not simply walking up and walking back down the same trail. The ascent and descent show off different parts of Mt. Kenya, while the Peak Circuit gives you an extra acclimatization day before the summit attempt.

There is also a useful practical advantage: the private setup means only your group participates. You can ask the guide to adjust the pace, take a longer rest, or explain plants and mountain features as you go. One support team mentioned for this operation includes guide David, cooks John and George, and porters. Other past groups have worked with guides such as Richard and George. Guide assignments can change, so confirm your team before departure.

Day one: Nairobi to Old Moses through the forest

Your pickup is scheduled for 6:30 a.m. from Nairobi. The drive to Nanyuki takes you through central Kenya, and you are expected to meet the guide, cook, and porters there at about 10 a.m. From Nanyuki, the vehicle continues to Sirimon Gate at 2,650 meters.

The hiking begins in the forest. The walk to Old Moses Camp covers about 9 kilometers and takes roughly three hours, with a picnic lunch served along the way. This is a sensible first day because the walking distance is moderate, yet you gain altitude gradually from Nairobi’s 1,795 meters to Old Moses at 3,300 meters.

Keep your eyes open in this early section. Buffalo, elephant, waterbuck, and other wildlife may be seen if conditions and luck line up. Do not treat a possible sighting as a guarantee, but it is a nice reminder that this is a national park before it becomes a high mountain trek.

You reach camp at about 4 p.m. A short one-hour walk is planned for acclimatization, followed by dinner and your first night camping inside the park. Dinner is included, as are lunch and breakfast during the trip. The camp is basic, and you should expect mountain camping rather than lodge comfort.

Day two: Old Moses to Shipton’s Camp

Day two is longer and more serious. You leave Old Moses after breakfast and walk about 16 kilometers to Shipton’s Camp at 4,200 meters. The stated walking time is around six hours, though altitude, breaks, and trail conditions can affect the pace.

The route crosses Ontulili River, contours across the moorland, crosses Liki North River, and then climbs toward Mackinder Valley. This is where the mountain begins to feel much bigger. You get broad views along the Sirimon and Mackinder valleys, with the vegetation becoming more open and the air noticeably thinner.

Lunch is served on the route. That detail matters. You do not need to carry several days of food, but you should still keep water and personal snacks close at hand for the longer stretches between stops.

Shipton’s Camp sits at 4,200 meters below Mt. Kenya’s dramatic rock towers. It is a striking place to spend the night, but the altitude is no small matter. A good night’s sleep is not guaranteed at this height, even for fit walkers. Take the evening slowly, drink what the mountain team advises, and tell your guide if you feel unwell.

This is also the point where the schedule becomes demanding. You gain about 900 meters from Old Moses in one day, then spend the night high before the Peak Circuit. The route does include an acclimatization day, but five days remains a compact plan for Mt. Kenya.

Day three: Peak Circuit from Shipton’s Camp

The third day is built around acclimatization rather than distance to the final summit. Breakfast is scheduled for 8 a.m., with the Peak Circuit beginning around 9 a.m.

From Shipton’s, the route heads toward Kami Camp below Batian’s north face. It then climbs toward a ridge at about 4,600 meters, crosses scree, and reaches Hausberg Col at roughly 4,590 meters. You descend into the upper Hausberg Valley, passing the Oblong and Hausberg tarns before climbing again toward a ridge known as Arthur’s Seat.

This is a demanding high-level walking day, even though it is not the summit attempt. The repeated climbs and descents give your body useful time at altitude, while the route shows you some of Mt. Kenya’s most unusual rock and tarn scenery.

The trail includes rock ledges and views toward Mackinder’s Teleki Lodge. The route description also mentions Austrian Hut at 4,790 meters as the next overnight point. The exact sleeping arrangement for this night should be confirmed with Arch Treks & Safaris, since the day description begins at Shipton’s and refers to Austrian Hut by the following summit morning.

That small scheduling point is worth clearing up before you pay. The overall plan is clear, but high-altitude itineraries benefit from precise information about where you sleep, how far you walk, and what time you start each morning.

Day four: Point Lenana sunrise and the Chogoria descent

Summit morning begins early, around 4:30 a.m., with tea and biscuits. You then walk toward Point Lenana, Mt. Kenya’s trekking summit, at 4,985 meters.

The timing is designed to place you at the top around sunrise. On a clear morning, you may see the Kibo and Mawenzi peaks of Kilimanjaro. You should treat those views as weather-dependent, but dawn is still the right time for mountain photography and for watching the sky change over the high ridges.

The summit push is only one part of the day. After Point Lenana, you descend to Mintos Hut for a full breakfast, then continue toward the Chogoria side of the mountain. The day is listed as about 24 kilometers, with 195 meters of ascent and 2,085 meters of descent, and roughly eight hours of walking.

That large descent is the main physical test. Many people focus on the uphill summit climb and forget that steep downhill walking can be hard on tired knees. Trekking poles, well-worn boots, and a light daypack will matter. Your porters carry the camping load, but you still need your own water, layers, rain protection, and personal essentials.

The Chogoria route gives this long day a strong finish. You pass or view Lake Ellis, Mugi Hills, Vivien Falls, and the Giant Billiards Table. A picnic lunch is planned along the route, and the day ends at Chogoria Bandas at about 2,800 meters.

The drop from the summit zone to Chogoria is dramatic. You trade cold, thin air for lower-altitude vegetation and a more relaxed breathing rhythm. It is a full day, though, so do not mistake the descent for an easy walk.

Day five: Bamboo forest and the road back to Nairobi

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

The road back to Nairobi passes through agricultural country, with arrival expected around 3 p.m. That timing makes the five-day plan workable for anyone who needs to continue with a Nairobi stay, airport arrangements, or a later safari. I would still avoid booking an important same-day flight. Mountain roads and weather can alter the return schedule.

A Nairobi hotel before or after the climb is not included. The operator can arrange one, but you pay separately. This is easy to overlook when comparing the headline price with shorter hikes or lodge-based packages.

What the $960 price really covers

The listed price is $960 per person. For a private five-day climb, that represents a substantial bundle of services rather than just guiding.

Included are:

• Private transportation
• Park fees and taxes
• Tents and sleeping mats
• Porter support
• English-speaking mountain guides
• Mountain services and operations for five days
• Five breakfasts
• Five lunches
• Four dinners

The value improves if you would otherwise need to rent camping equipment, arrange a separate vehicle, hire porters, and organize meals yourself. It also helps that you meet the full mountain team in Nanyuki instead of trying to coordinate several suppliers on your own.

The price does not cover personal clothing or technical equipment, accommodation in Nairobi, or tips for guides and porters. Ask for the equipment list before booking and check every item against what you own. The supplied camping gear does not remove the need for suitable clothing, footwear, and personal high-altitude essentials.

Tips are also separate. The total cost of the trip should include a realistic amount for recognizing the work of the guides, cooks, and porters.

The support team and private format

The strongest feature of this trip is the people carrying out the mountain work. The setup includes a lead guide, cook, and porters, with English-speaking mountain guides and meals handled on the route.

Specific guide names connected with past climbs include David, Richard, and George. The cook team has included John and George. You should confirm your assigned guide before departure, but these names give you useful points of contact if you communicate with the operator in advance.

A private group can be a real advantage on a mountain. You are not locked into another party’s speed, and you can ask for help with pacing or altitude concerns without feeling rushed. This is especially useful if members of your group have different fitness levels.

The tradeoff is that a private trip does not automatically make a hard route easy. The walking remains long, the altitude remains real, and the summit morning starts before dawn. The support team carries gear and manages food, but you still need to carry yourself up to 4,985 meters.

Who should book this climb

I would recommend this route to fit hikers who want a full Mt. Kenya experience and prefer a private trip over a larger group. It suits people who value scenery and route variety, since the Sirimon ascent and Chogoria descent feel different from one another.

It can also work well for experienced hikers who want a planned acclimatization day. One past group included an older couple from Florida who were concerned about altitude and still completed the climb with their support team. That does not promise the same result for everyone, but it underlines the value of honest preparation and steady pacing.

I would be cautious if you have little experience with consecutive days of mountain walking, long descents, or sleeping above 4,000 meters. The operator states that a moderate level of physical fitness is required, but I would prepare beyond the minimum. Practice long walks, carry the daypack you plan to use, and break in your boots well before departure.

Booking, weather, and cancellation details

Pickup is offered from Nairobi, with a 6:30 a.m. start. Confirmation is provided at booking, and mobile tickets are accepted. The activity is private, and service animals are allowed.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted, and cancellations inside that period are not refunded. The trip also depends on good weather. If poor conditions cancel the climb, you are offered another date or a full refund.

The tour is often booked about three weeks ahead, so that is a sensible planning window. Confirm the equipment list, overnight camp locations, pickup address, and expected guide team before departure.

Should you book the five-day Sirimon to Chogoria trek?

Book it if you want Point Lenana, prefer a private group, and like the idea of combining two of Mt. Kenya’s best routes. The Peak Circuit is a useful feature, and the included porters, meals, tents, transport, and park costs make the $960 price easier to justify.

Think twice if you want a relaxed mountain holiday or if your schedule cannot absorb a long summit day. Day four is the key warning: an early start, high altitude, a 24-kilometer route, and more than 2,000 meters of descent make this a serious trek.

For the right hiker, this is a well-rounded mountain plan with strong route variety and a practical support package. Go prepared, clarify the overnight details, and judge the trip by the full cost rather than the booking price alone.

FAQ

Where does the Mt. Kenya trek start?

The trip starts with pickup in Nairobi at 6:30 a.m. You drive to Nanyuki, meet the guide, cook, and porters, and continue to Sirimon Gate.

How high is Point Lenana?

Point Lenana is at 4,985 meters, or about 16,000 feet, above sea level.

Which routes does this trek use?

The ascent uses the Sirimon route, and the descent uses the Chogoria route.

Is the experience private?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

What accommodation is provided on the mountain?

Camping is provided, including tents and mats. The first night is at Old Moses Camp, and the route also includes high camps such as Shipton’s Camp. Confirm the exact overnight location for every night with the operator.

Are meals included?

Yes. The package includes five breakfasts, five lunches, and four dinners.

Are guides and porters included?

Yes. English-speaking mountain guides and porter support are included. Tips for guides and porters are not included.

Is Nairobi hotel accommodation included?

No. Accommodation in Nairobi before or after the trek is separate. The operator can arrange it at your own cost.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trek?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.