5 Days Mount Kenya Sirimon-Chogoria Traverse

Overview

Highlights

• ✦Africa's second-highest peak
• ✦Most scenic Mt Kenya route (north up, east down)
• ✦Sunrise summit of Point Lenana (4,985m)
• ✦Dramatic descent through the Gorges Valley
• ✦Certified mountain guides and porters
• ✦Full-board mountain meals at huts and bandas
• ✦Just four hours from Nairobi
• ✦Shorter, cheaper alternative to Kilimanjaro

Day-by-day itinerary

1. 1

   Nairobi → Sirimon Gate → Old Moses Camp (3,300m)

   Nairobi → Old Moses

   Transfer from Nairobi to the Sirimon Gate (2,650m) of Mount Kenya National Park — a four-hour drive north through the highlands. Park registration and a four-hour walk through montane forest and bamboo to Old Moses Camp (3,300m), where chimney smoke and hot soup await. Look for elephant signs, sykes and colobus monkeys, the distinctive call of the silvery-cheeked hornbill. Dinner in the mess hut and an early night.

   Meals: L, D · Stay: Old Moses Camp (3,300m, hut accommodation)

2. 2

   Old Moses → Shipton's Camp (4,200m)

   Old Moses → Shipton's

   A full day climbing onto the moorland — giant lobelia and senecio trees, the dramatic spires of Mt Kenya's twin peaks ahead. Six hours of steady walking through the Mackinder Valley to Shipton's Camp (4,200m), with a picnic lunch en route. Acclimatization is critical at this altitude; afternoon at leisure to rest and walk slowly to a higher viewpoint.

   Meals: B, L, D · Stay: Shipton's Camp (4,200m, hut accommodation)

3. 3

   Acclimatization day at Shipton's

   Shipton's Camp

   A full acclimatization day at Shipton's Camp (4,200m) — critical for summit success the following day. Optional walk up toward Point Lenana to a viewpoint at 4,500m for an hour or two, then descend back to camp ("climb-high, sleep-low"). Rest, hydrate, eat well. Early dinner around 5pm and into bed by 7pm — you will be woken at 3am for the summit push.

   Meals: B, L, D · Stay: Same as Day 2

4. 4

   Summit Point Lenana → Chogoria descent → Mintos → Mt Kenya Bandas

   Point Lenana → Bandas

   Pre-dawn summit attempt — 3am wake-up, hot tea, and begin the climb at 3:30am for Point Lenana (4,985m), Mount Kenya's third-highest summit and the only one that can be climbed without technical equipment. Sunrise on the summit looking across to Batian and Nelion (the technical peaks). Descend via the Chogoria Route — completely different terrain, dropping past the Hall Tarns and the dramatic Gorges Valley to Mintos Camp (4,200m) for lunch and continuing to Meru Mt Kenya Bandas (3,000m) for dinner and overnight.

   Meals: B, L, D · Stay: Meru Mt Kenya Bandas (3,000m)

5. 5

   Bandas → Chogoria Gate → Nairobi

   Bandas → Nairobi

   A final morning descent from the bandas through cedar forest and bamboo to the Chogoria Gate (2,950m), where your driver-guide is waiting. Sign out at the park office and transfer back to Nairobi (about 4 hours) or onward to your next destination. End of climb.

   Meals: B, L · Stay: N/A (departure)

What to bring

• • 4-season sleeping bag (rated to -10°C)
• • Insulated down jacket and waterproof shell
• • Thermal base layers (top and bottom)
• • Fleece mid-layer and softshell pants
• • Waterproof hiking boots (well broken in)
• • Gaiters and trekking poles
• • Warm hat, balaclava, sun hat, glove liners and waterproof gloves
• • Headlamp with spare batteries
• • 3-litre hydration bladder + insulated bottle
• • High-SPF sunscreen, lip balm, glacier sunglasses
• • Personal medication, blister kit, electrolyte tabs
• • Duffel bag (max 15kg, carried by porter) + 30L daypack

Frequently asked questions