5 Days Mt Kenya Climbing Sirimon-Chogoria Route

5 Days
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5 Days Mt Kenya Climbing Sirimon-Chogoria Route

5 Days Sirimon – Chogoria route trekking

Hiking summary & schedule:

This 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.

Climbing Mt Kenya Summary

The 5-days Sirimon – Chogoria Route is much more scenic than Naro Moru route. It is on the dry side of mountain (Mount Kenya National Park) which offers some of the finest walking experiences. Climb up through forest into a wide ridge approach to the summit area. This 5-days Climbing Mt Kenya route starts on the northwest side of the mountain near Nanyuki at Sirimon Park Gate. Access is adequate and the bunk house facilities are the best on this side of the mountain. The last night is at the comfortable Mt Kenya Bandas equipped with well-deserved hot and cold showers.

5 Days Sirimon – Chogoria route trekking

Overview of the 5-day hike in East Africa:
Day-1: Nairobi to Old Moses camp (3300m)
Day-2: Shiptons Camp 4200m
Day-3: Shiptons Hut 4200m
Day-4: Meru Mount Kenya Bandas 2950m (Mt Kenya Bandas)
Day-5: Chogoria to Nairobi

Hiking summary & schedule:

Distance: 80 km | Difficulty: Moderate | Start/Finish: Nairobi 5 days Sirimon – Chogoria route itinerary and price:

Day 1: Nairobi/Sirimon/Judmaier Camp (Old Moses Camp), 3-4 hrs, 9km, 860m ascent

Leave Nairobi at 7.30am to Nanyuki town for lunch, taking about 4 hours. Proceed to Sirimon Gate (Sirimon Park Gate), 1 hr, 2440m. From the gate follow the track as it winds uphill though the forest which becomes heath land after about 3 hrs. About 3½ hours from the gate the track veers right to Judmier Camp, 3300m for dinner and overnight, L, D

Day 2: Judmier Camp/Shipton Camp, 6-7hrs, 17km, 900m ascent

After breakfast, follow the track uphill, forking left at the junction. Following one hour trekking from Old Moses Camp, the track crosses Ontulili River. Go right contouring through the Moorland and crossing Liki North. Continue uphill to Mackinders Valley from where there are panoramic views up the valley towards the main peaks (Nelion, Batian and Lenana). Dinner and overnight at Shipton Camp, 4200m, B,L,D

Day 3: Shipton Camp – acclimatization day

Spend the day acclimatizing with guided hikes. You will spend the day trekking to Kami Hut and down to Hauseberg Lakes (Hauseberg Tarn and Nanyuki Tarn). Walk back to Shipton for an early dinner and overnight in readiness for the next day’s summit attempt, B,L,D.

Day 4: Shiptons/Point Lenana/Mount Meru Bandas (Chogoria Gate), 11-12hrs, 32km, 785m ascent

You are awake early in the morning for some. We now leave the camp at 3am up a steep stony quarry that cuts through a cliff clearing visible part towards lower Hall Tarns. The journey lasts about 3 hours arriving Mount Kenya Point Lenana (6km from Shipton Camp) at 6:30am. Trekking to Lenana Peak at 4985m taking about 3hrs or so. Enjoy photographic session and sightseeing from the summit. After the African sunrise, descend down to Mintos hut (6km), 2hrs, for breakfast. Proceed with the adventure hiking for 20km, 4-5hrs further down to Mount Meru Bandas, 2950m (Mt Kenya Bandas). Dinner and overnight at Mount Kenya Bandas, B,L,D

Day 5: Chogoria Bandas/Chogoria/Nairobi, 2hrs, 15km

After enjoying your last breakfast, you will walk down by trekking for 2hrs, 15km to forest clearance. The remaining part distance of approximately 16km is by 4x4WD vehicle. Catch a 4×4 transfer vehicle to Chogoria Village where you will connect with your transfer vehicle back to Nairobi, B,L.

Included in the price:
• Guarantee price/guarantee trek on confirmation
• Transfer to and from the base of the mountain
• Full board accommodation whilst on the trek. • Meal plan as detailed: B=Breakfast, L=Lunch and D=Dinner
• Accommodations in camps/huts as per the itinerary
• All park entrance fees to include government taxes
• Service of an English-speaking professional guide, porters and skilled cook
• Start and finish Nairobi
• Treated water on the trek.
Excluded:
• Laundry, tips, sleeping bags, drinks, accommodation before the trek and climbing gears
• International flights
• Visas to Kenya
• Items of personal nature
• Any other extras not detailed in the above itinerary

5 Days Mt Kenya Climbing Sirimon-Chogoria Route

Overview

Itinerary

Map

Overview

5 Days Mt Kenya Climbing Sirimon-Chogoria Route 2023

5-Days Sirimon – Chogoria Route

The combination of Sirimon route starting from the west of Mount Kenya National Park passing through the driest side of the mountain. On this ascent, trekkers encounter with giant trees, rocky terrain and the charming Mackinders Valley before descending via the Chogoria route. On descending Chogoria spotting the characteristic lush bamboo zone and the highland forests while gazing at the magnificent Gorges Valley, waterfalls and tarns.
The 5-days Sirimon – Chogoria Route is much more scenic than Naro Moru route. It is on the dry side of mountain (Mount Kenya National Park) which offers some of the finest walking experiences. Climb up through forest into a wide ridge approach to the summit area. This 5-days Climbing Mt Kenya route starts on the northwest side of the mountain near Nanyuki at Sirimon Park Gate. Access is adequate and the bunk house facilities are the best on this side of the mountain. The last night is at the comfortable Mt Kenya Bandas equipped with well deserved hot and cold showers

Sirimon Chogoria Mount Kenya

Sirimon is a direct route that contours the moorland across a series of ridges, dropping down to cross the Liki North River and then climbing the ridge to enter the Mackinder Valley. Chogoria is one of the most beautiful, When combined they make for a stunning and varied trek.

Sirimon Route provides the easiest access to the northern side of the central peaks and the North Face Standard Route on Batian. It is a beautiful route with fine views of Sendeo and Terere, and of the main peaks. Sirimon is regarded by many as he best ascent routes of Kenya’s highest mountain and well within the capabilities of fit hill walkers. Enjoy spectacular, ever-changing scenery as you climb to the dramatic summit of this ancient volcano. It is also considered more scenic than Naro Moru route.

The trek heads up from the park gate along an old 4×4 road track from the dusty lowlands, and gradually enters a forest on a single track to Old Moses Hut. Old Moses Hut (3,350 m) at the Sirimon Route road head offers self-service accommodation. From there the path leads directly upward for 300m  to a communications station. Just beyond this point the track splits with the left hand route proceeding to the Mackinder Valley direct, and the right hand route going via the Liki North Hut. The route that adds Liki North is our favoured route as it gives you a better chance to acclimatise though it does mean one day of camping.

The direct route contours the moorland across a series of ridges, dropping down to cross the Liki North River and then climbing the ridge to enter the Mackinder Valley. The path continues up the valley to the cliffs beneath Shipton’s Cave. Shipton’s  Camp (4,250 m) in the Mackinder Valley sleeps 40 people.

The most scenic and interesting of the three main routes on Mt Kenya is Chogoria route. It starts at Meru Bandas at the base of arguably one of the beautiful Lake Michaelson. As it is a slower ascent it offers more prospects for acclimatisation and also time to enjoy the magnificent scenery.  Chogoria can be used as an ascent or descent route.

Itinerary

Day 1 :
Nairobi/Sirimon/Judmaier Camp (Old Moses Camp), 3-4 hrs, 9km, 860m ascent

Distance: 80 km | Difficulty: Moderate | Start/Finish: Nairobi
Leave Nairobi at 7.30am to Nanyuki town for lunch, taking about 4 hours. Proceed to Sirimon Gate (Sirimon Park Gate), 1 hr, 2440m. From the gate follow the track as it winds uphill though the forest which becomes heath land after about 3 hrs. About 3½ hours from the gate the track veers right to Judmier Camp, 3300m for dinner and overnight, L, D

Day 2 :
Judmier Camp/Shipton Camp, 6-7hrs, 17km, 900m ascent

After breakfast, follow the track uphill, forking left at the junction. Following one hour trekking from Old Moses Camp, the track crosses Ontulili River. Go right contouring through the Moorland and crossing Liki North. Continue uphill to Mackinders Valley from where there are panoramic views up the valley towards the main peaks (Nelion, Batian and Lenana). Dinner and overnight at Shipton Camp, 4200m, B,L,D

Day 3 :
Shipton Camp - acclimatization day

Spend the day acclimatizing with guided hikes. You will spend the day trekking to Kami Hut and down to Hauseberg Lakes (Hauseberg Tarn and Nanyuki Tarn). Walk back to Shipton for an early dinner and overnight in readiness for the next day's summit attempt, B,L,D.

Day 4 :
Shiptons/Point Lenana/Mount Meru Bandas (Chogoria Gate), 11-12hrs, 32km, 785m ascent

You are awake early in the morning for some. We now leave the camp at 3am up a steep stony quarry that cuts through a cliff clearing visible part towards lower Hall Tarns. The journey lasts about 3 hours arriving Mount Kenya Point Lenana (6km from Shipton Camp) at 6:30am. Trekking to Lenana Peak at 4985m taking about 3hrs or so. Enjoy photographic session and sightseeing from the summit. After the African sunrise, descend down to Mintos hut (6km), 2hrs, for breakfast. Proceed with the adventure hiking for 20km, 4-5hrs further down to Mount Meru Bandas, 2950m (Mt Kenya Bandas). Dinner and overnight at Mount Kenya Bandas, B,L,D

Day 5 :
Chogoria Bandas/Chogoria/Nairobi, 2hrs, 15km

After enjoying your last breakfast, you will walk down by trekking for 2hrs, 15km to forest clearance. The remaining part distance of approximately 16km is by 4x4WD vehicle. Catch a 4x4 transfer vehicle to Chogoria Village where you will connect with your transfer vehicle back to Nairobi, B,L.

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5 Days Mt Kenya Climbing Sirimon-Chogoria Route