The 4-day Sirimon-Chogoria traverse is one of the most scenic and diverse ways to climb Mt Kenya. You will ascend the dry, wildlife-rich Sirimon route and descend the incredibly picturesque Chogoria route, passing by deep valleys, waterfalls, and glacial lakes. The trek summits the 4,985m Point Lenana
Itinerary
- Day 1: Nairobi to Old Moses Camp (3,300m)
- Drive/Trek: 3 to 4 hours. Drive 195km from Nairobi to Nanyuki. After park registration at Sirimon Gate, you will hike about 9 km through the montane forest.
- Highlights: Spotting colobus monkeys, bushbucks, and various mountain birds.
- Day 2: Old Moses to Shipton’s Camp (4,200m)
- Trek: 6 to 7 hours. You will cover about 17 km with a 900m altitude gain.
- Highlights: Trekking through otherworldly alpine moorlands with endemic giant groundsels and lobelias, with excellent views of the main peaks ahead.
- Day 3: Summit Day & Trek to Mount Kenya Bandas (2,900m)
- Trek: 11 to 12 hours (including summit). You will start the summit bid around 2:00 AM to catch the sunrise at Point Lenana (4,985m).
- Highlights: Watching the sunrise from the peak, then descending past Lake Michaelson and into the dramatic Gorges Valley.
- Day 4: Chogoria Bandas to Nairobi
- Trek: 2 to 3 hours. You will enjoy a leisurely 10 km downhill walk through lush bamboo forests before hopping into a 4×4 vehicle for the return trip to Nairobi.
Essential Planning Details
- Terrain & Challenge: Non-technical but strenuous. The summit day involves navigating loose scree. Good physical fitness and proper acclimatization are key.
- Accommodation: You will stay in basic but comfortable mountain huts (Judmaier/Old Moses, Shipton’s, and Mintos/Bandas) or camps. Full-board meals are typically provided.
- Best Time to Go: The driest and clearest months, ideal for unobstructed summit views, are January–February and July–October
4-day Mount Kenya trekking itinerary combines the scenic Sirimon route for ascent and the picturesque Chogoria route for descent, offering diverse, high-altitude alpine views and a summit of Point Lenana (4,985m).
The trek covers roughly (53km) through forests, bamboo zones, and rugged valleys, with a moderate to high difficulty rating suitable for fit hikers.
4 Days Mt Kenya Trekking: Sirimon – Chogoria Route
This creative climb joins two of the most scenic routes up Mount Kenya, Sirimon and Chogoria, producing a remarkably diverse and spectacular trek.
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.
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.
4 Days Mt Kenya Trekking: Sirimon – Chogoria 2026
Overview
Mt Kenya Trekking: Sirimon – Chogoria 4 days 2023
This creative climb joins two of the most scenic routes up Mount Kenya, Sirimon and Chogoria, producing a remarkably diverse and spectacular trek. 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.
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.