The 4-day Chogoria-to-Sirimon traverse is one of Mount Kenya’s most scenic and diverse treks. You start in the lush, dramatic eastern valleys and descend the gentler western slopes. The route covers approximately 45-50 kilometers, tackling a strenuous ascent to summit Point Lenana (4,985m).

Key Itinerary Breakdown

• Day 1: Chogoria Gate to Lake Ellis
  Drive from Nairobi to Chogoria Town. From there, head to the park gate (2,960m) and trek for roughly 3 hours up through the bamboo and heather zones to set up camp near Lake Ellis.
• Day 2: Lake Ellis to Mintos Camp
  A steady 4-hour climb that offers breathtaking views of the Gorges Valley and the magnificent Temple rock face. You’ll overnight at Mintos Camp (4,200m), an ideal acclimatization stop.
• Day 3: Summit Day (Point Lenana) to Shipton’s Camp
  An early pre-dawn alpine start to scramble up loose scree, reaching Point Lenana (4,985m) in time for sunrise. Afterward, descend the western side to Shipton’s Camp (4,200m) for a well-deserved rest.
• Day 4: Shipton’s Camp to Sirimon Gate & Nairobi
  A gentle 4 to 5-hour descent through the sprawling moorlands and giant heather to reach the Sirimon Park Gate (2,660m). From here, you’ll be transferred back to Nairobi.

Essential Details & Logistics

• Park Fees: Expect to pay standard conservation fees. Foreign non-residents are typically $70 per adult per day, while residents pay KSh 1,100 per day. [1]
• Packing: A proper layering system is essential as temperatures at high altitudes drop significantly below freezing. Specialized thermal gear, a four-season sleeping bag, and waterproof trekking boots are highly recommended. [1, 2]
• Guides & Porters: Booking through a registered local operator is heavily encouraged. They organize park logistics, meals, and tent setups, ensuring your safety throughout the trek.

To help you get started on organizing this specific trip, you can use tour booking platforms like Mount Kenya Climbing Tours or CKC Safaris to review full, guided tour packages.

4 Days Mount Kenya Climbing Chogoria – Sirimon Route

4-day trek combining the scenic Chogoria ascent and Sirimon descent (or vice-versa) on Mount Kenya offers a diverse, 50-60km, moderate-to-challenging experience.

Hikers ascend through forests, moorlands, and the Gorges Valley, typically summiting Point Lenana (4,985m) on Day 3 or 4 before descending.

4 Days Climbing Chogoria Sirimon

The Chogoria route is our recommended and arguably the most magnificent ascent route to the summit area.

It is the driest route up the mountain and the walk beside the Gorges Valley is truly spectacular.

The descent by the Sirimon route takes one through some beautiful forest tracks and completes the traverse of the mountain.

Trip Highlights:

• Traverse the mountain from East to North via the Chogoria and Sirimon routes.
• Climb Point Lenana, the highest trekking peak on Mount Kenya.
• Ascend via the quieter and most dramatic Chogoria route.

Mt Kenya Trekking: Sirimon – Chogoria 4 days

Sirimon coming off the west of Mount Kenya passes through the dry side of the mountain with its giant trees and rocky terrain, and the descent onto the Chogoria path is exactly different with its lush bamboo and highland forests.

4 days Mt Kenya Trekking: Sirimon – Chogoria

The final nighttime ascent of Point Lenana can be as difficult as any ascent in East Africa, but the rest of the trek is generally considered easier than either Kilimanjaro or the Rwenzoris.

Day 1: Nairobi – Sirimon gate- Old Moses camp. (3,300m) 3-4 hrs, 9km walk, 680m ascent.
After pick up in Nairobi, drive to Nanyuki town crossing the equator en route to the Sirimon Park gate for lunch (2660m).

From the gate, we trek up through the magnificent montane forest, bamboo, and giant heather zone before reaching the high-altitude moorland and our first hut (Old Moses camp 3,300m) for dinner and overnight.

This is a gentle trek that takes 3 – 4 hrs gaining an elevation of 680m.

Day 2: Old Moses – Shipton camp (4200m). 7 hrs, 14km, 900m ascent. After breakfast, follow the track uphill, forking right at the junction.

This camp is a surreal setting below the towering peaks and glaciers. The resident population is of Rock hyrax and sunbirds.

Day 3: Shipton – Pt Lenana (4985m)- Mt Kenya Bandas (2800m) 11-12 hrs, 29km, 785 ascent, 2,085m descent.

Kick-off at 3.am to reach pt Lenana in time for the African sunrise.
The climb starts on frozen scree and continues on a rocky track with some very minor scrambling. With a good Moon, you barely need a torch.

4 Days Climbing Chogoria Sirimon

The climb takes 3 -4 hrs and to add to the exhilaration, Mt. Kilimanjaro is also visible from the horizon.
Descend to Minto’s hut for full breakfast.

Descend further to Mt Kenya bandas along the gorges valley where you can enjoy good views of The Temple, Lake Michaelson, Mushroom rocks and Giant billiards table.

Dinner and overnight at the Bandas. You can enjoy log fires, hot showers, and bed at the Bandas!

Day 4: Meru Bandas – Chogoria town – Nairobi. 3 hrs, 10km walk.
After breakfast, descend on a broad track through bamboo and virgin rain forest to meet vehicle for transfer to Chogoria town and further to Nairobi arriving by 17:00hrs.

4 Days Climbing Chogoria Sirimon