A 4-day Mount Kenya trek via the Sirimon Route is widely considered the best and safest approach for acclimatization. It features a gradual, scenic ascent through lush forests and high-altitude moorlands, culminating in a pre-dawn summit of Point Lenana (4,985m).
Day-by-Day Itinerary
- Day 1: Nairobi to Old Moses Camp
- Drive: Depart Nairobi and travel 3 to 4 hours to Nanyuki, then continue to the Sirimon Park Gate [\(0.5.3\)].
- Hike: Trek 9 km (3–4 hours) through bamboo and tropical rainforests.
- Elevation: Ascend from the gate at 2,650m to Old Moses Camp at 3,300m for dinner and overnight.
- Day 2: Old Moses Camp to Shipton’s Camp
- Hike: Cross the Ontulili River and traverse the Mackinders Valley, passing unique giant groundsels and lobelias. You will cover about 14 km (6–7 hours).
- Elevation: Ascend to Shipton’s Camp at 4,200m for dinner and an early rest.
- Day 3: Shipton’s Camp to Point Lenana and Return
- Summit: Start the pre-dawn trek around 2:00–3:00 AM to navigate the steep, rocky scree to Point Lenana (4,985m) just in time for sunrise.
- Descent: Take in the views of the main peaks (Batian and Nelion), descend back to Shipton’s Camp for breakfast, then continue down to Old Moses Camp (approx. 9–10 hours total).
- Day 4: Old Moses Camp to Nairobi
- Hike: Enjoy the final, breezy 9 km descent (2–3 hours) back to Sirimon Gate.
- Drive: Meet your transfer vehicle for the return trip to Nairobi, arriving in the afternoon.
Essential Details
Packing: Pack for multi-climate conditions—expect warm, humid weather at the base and freezing temperatures with high winds near the summit. Essential gear includes thermal layers, a waterproof outer shell, and sturdy, broken-in hiking boots.
Distance: 53 km | Difficulty: Moderate | Start/Finish: Nairobi Sirimon Route Summary
Cost: Guided packages with local operators (which include porters, guides, park fees, and full-board camping/hut accommodations)
Preparation: A strong level of physical fitness is required to handle the consecutive hours of trekking and altitude changes. 4 Days Mount Kenya Climbing Up Sirimon Route, Enjoy 4 Days Mt Kenya Trekking Tour From Nanyuki Town, In 4 Days Climb Mount Kenya on the Sirimon Route which is the easiest and shortest Route. Discover Mt. Kenya in a 4-Day Trek on Mt. Kenya Tours. Mount Kenya Trekking Safari, Mount Kenya Climbing Adventure opens up spectacular vistas that provide the mountain climber with memories not easily forgotten.Preparation: A strong level of physical fitness is required to handle the consecutive hours of trekking and altitude changes.
4-day Mount Kenya climb via the Sirimon Route is a popular, scenic, and moderate, yet challenging, trekking option designed for fit hikers, typically reaching Point Lenana (4,985m).
Starting from Nairobi, the route offers steady, scenic, and drier ascent through forest, bamboo, and moorland zones, with accommodation in mountain huts (Old Moses/Judmaier and Shipton’s).
Mount Kenya Climb Sirimon Route
Mount Kenya is East Africa’s second highest mountain after Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. This Mount Kenya climbing route is much more scenic than Naro Moru route.
4-day Sirimon route is on the drier side of the mountain which offers some of the finest walking. Climbing up Mt. Kenya through forest into a wide ridge approach to the summit area.
The route starts on the northwest side of the mountain near Nanyuki Town. Access is adequate and the bunk house facilities are the best on this side of the mountain.
Attempting the summit can be done in 4 days hiking. Those with additional time can opt to spare an extra night at Liki North Camp in between Old Moses Camp and Shipton Camp.
The summit at Lenana Peak can be reached in 4 days hiking as per the below itinerary. However, we recommend an overnight acclimatization at the base in Nanyuki town.
Mount Kenya Climbing Tours can help in arranging for an extra day at an additional fee.
Mount Kenya Climb Sirimon Route
4-day Sirimon route hiking Mt Kenya
Tour Overview
The Sirimon Route is an accessible and enjoyable hiking route on Mount Kenya and well within the capabilities of fit hill walkers.
Much more scenic than Naromoru and it is on the drier side of the mountain which offers some of the finest walking.
Climb up through forest into a wide ridge approach to the summit area.
Mount Kenya Climb Sirimon Route
The route starts on the northwest side of the mountain near Nanyuki.
Access is adequate and the bunk house facilities are the best on this side of the mountain.
The Itinerary
DAY 1: Nairobi/Nanyuki/Old Moses
Departure from Nairobi at 0800 hrs from your hotel and transfer to Nanyuki arriving after 3 hours.
Later transfer to Sirimon gate and hike to Old Moses camp for overnight (3300m), 3 to 4 hrs hikes (9kms).
Old Moses camp is where you acclimatize as you also come across different vegetation.
DAY 2: Old Moses – Shiptons
After breakfast Hike to Shipton’s camp (4200m) through Liki and Makinders valley for overnight (6 to 8 hrs hikes).
Mount Kenya Climb Sirimon Route
Day 3: Shipton Camp/Point Lenana/Judmaier Camp (Old Moses Camp) 9-10hrs, 21km
Leave at 3am up a steep stony quarry that cuts through a cliff clearing visible part towards lower Hall Tarns arriving point Lenana at 6:30am, taking about 3hrs.
After the sunrise, descend down to Shipton Camp, 2hrs, for breakfast and further, 4hrs, down to Old Moses Camp for dinner and overnight, B,L,D
Day 4: Judamaier Camp (Old Moses) / Sirimon/Nairobi 2-3hrs, 9km
After breakfast, walk down through the rainforest for 2 hours to connect with your transport vehicle back to Nairobi.
Overview
Mount Kenya is East Africa’s second highest mountain after Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. This Mount Kenya climbing route is much more scenic than Naro Moru route. 4-day Sirimon route is on the drier side of the mountain which offers some of the finest walking. Climbing up through forest into a wide ridge approach to the summit area. The route starts on the northwest side of the mountain near Nanyuki Town. Access is adequate and the bunk house facilities are the best on this side of the mountain.
Attempting the summit can be done in 4 days hiking. Those with additional time can opt to spare an extra night at Liki North Camp in between Old Moses Camp and Shipton Camp. The summit at Lenana Peak can be reached in 4 days hiking as per the below itinerary. However, we recommend an overnight acclimatization at the base in Nanyuki town. Mount Kenya Climbing Expeditions can helps in arranging for an extra day at an additional fee.