5 Days Mount Kenya Climbing – Sirimon to Chogoria Route
Mount Kenya
DURATION
5 Days / 4 Nights
DESTINATION
Mount Kenya
ROUTE
Sirimon Route → Chogoria Route
HIGHEST POINT
Point Lenana – 4,985 m
DIFFICULTY
Moderate to Challenging
STARTING POINT
Sirimon Gate
ENDING POINT
Chogoria
Trip tools
Read this trip in your language and choose kilometres or miles. Your choice applies to the altitude chart, weather and every day below.
Altitude & distance
High point · Point Lenana
4,985 m
Total trekking distance
≈ 26 km
Nights above 3,500 m
3
Distances and altitudes are approximate. Your final itinerary confirms each day’s route.
Typical weather · Mount Kenya
Jan · Mostly dry
Forest zone, daytime
22°C
Point Lenana before dawn
−6°C
Driest, clearest month on the mountain.
Long-term averages for planning, not a forecast. Wind can make summit temperatures feel much colder.
Health & safety tips
- Walk slowly ("pole pole"), drink 3–4 litres a day and eat even when your appetite drops.
- Mild headache, nausea, poor sleep or tiredness are common early signs of altitude sickness — tell your guide straight away.
- Confusion, loss of balance, breathlessness at rest or a wet cough are emergencies: the treatment is immediate descent.
- Your guides check pulse and oxygen saturation daily; their decision to turn around is made for your safety.
- Talk to a doctor before travel about fitness, heart or lung conditions, pregnancy and altitude medication such as acetazolamide.
- Carry travel insurance that explicitly covers trekking to the summit altitude and helicopter evacuation.
General preparation guidance, not medical advice. See a travel-health professional 6–8 weeks before you travel.
Trip overview
Experience the spectacular landscapes of Mount Kenya on a 5-day trekking adventure from Sirimon to Chogoria, culminating at Point Lenana, the mountain's highest trekking summit at 4,985 metres. Every departure is private, with a professional mountain guide and full porter support, at a pace built around proper acclimatization.
Trip highlights
Summit Point Lenana at 4,985 m
Trek through Mount Kenya National Park
Scenic Sirimon ascent
Spectacular Chogoria descent
Acclimatization at Shipton’s Camp
Sunrise from Point Lenana
Explore Mackinder Valley
High-altitude alpine landscapes
Unique Mount Kenya vegetation
Professional mountain guides and porters
Day by day
Begin the journey from Nairobi towards Nanyuki before continuing to Sirimon Gate, the starting point of the trek. After completing park entry formalities, begin hiking through the montane forest before reaching bamboo and high-altitude vegetation. Continue towards Old Moses Camp at approximately 3,300 metres, where you will have dinner and rest for the night.
After breakfast, continue deeper into the Mount Kenya highlands. The trail crosses high-altitude moorland and passes through the Ontulili River and Liki North areas before joining the spectacular Mackinder Valley. As you gain elevation, the landscape becomes increasingly alpine, with dramatic views towards Mount Kenya's peaks. Arrive at Shipton's Camp at approximately 4,200 metres for dinner and overnight.
Spend the day acclimatizing to the altitude before the summit attempt. Enjoy a guided acclimatization hike around the Shipton's Camp area, exploring the surrounding high-altitude terrain and allowing your body time to adjust to the elevation. The remainder of the day is dedicated to rest, hydration, equipment preparation and preparation for the early-morning summit attempt. Enjoy an early dinner before getting some rest.
This is the summit day. Start in the early hours of the morning and trek under the stars towards Point Lenana. Reach Point Lenana at 4,985 metres, the highest point reachable by trekking on Mount Kenya, in time for sunrise. Point Lenana is not the true summit of the mountain — that distinction belongs to Batian (5,199m) and Nelion (5,188m), technical rock peaks that require ropes, climbing experience and specialist equipment, and are not part of this itinerary. Enjoy the spectacular morning views and celebrate your achievement before beginning the descent. Continue towards the Chogoria side of the mountain, passing through dramatic alpine landscapes and valleys before reaching the lower camp area. Enjoy dinner and a well-earned rest.
After breakfast, begin the final descent through the mountain’s bamboo and montane forest. Continue towards Chogoria where your vehicle will meet you. After lunch, begin the journey back to Nairobi. Arrive in Nairobi later in the day, marking the end of your Mount Kenya trekking adventure with Blue Monkey Expeditions.
What’s included
Professional mountain guide
Mountain porters
Mount Kenya National Park fees
Mountain accommodation as specified
Meals during the trek
Drinking water during trekking
Transportation to/from trailheads as specified
Summit assistance
Acclimatization hikes
Mountain logistics
Emergency mountain support
Not included
International flights
Kenya visa
Travel insurance
Personal trekking equipment
Sleeping bag unless specified
Personal clothing and hiking boots
Tips for guides and porters
Personal expenses
Nairobi accommodation unless specified
Any service not specifically mentioned under inclusions
Why Blue Monkey Expeditions
Experienced mountain guides who know the Sirimon–Chogoria route well
Professional expedition planning from Nairobi to summit and back
Safety-conscious trekking with a guide-led pace throughout
A dedicated acclimatization day built into every departure
Local mountain knowledge of routes, camps and conditions
Full porter support carrying camp equipment and supplies
Personalized experiences tailored to your group and pace
Responsible trekking that respects the mountain and its crews
Good to know
FITNESS
Able to walk 5–7 hours a day on consecutive days. No technical climbing.
GROUP SIZE
Private departure, 1–7 guests per vehicle
VEHICLE
4×4 Land Cruiser with pop-up roof, charging sockets and cooler box
GUIDE
Wilderness-first-aid certified mountain guide, plus cook and porters
BEST MONTHS
January–March and June–October
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
From $180 per trip, waived on request where the lodge allows
Frequently asked questions
The Sirimon–Chogoria route is graded moderate to challenging. No technical climbing or ropes are required to reach Point Lenana — trekking fitness and acclimatization matter far more than technical skill.
Point Lenana stands at 4,985 metres, the highest point on Mount Kenya reachable by trekking.
Our Sirimon–Chogoria itinerary is 5 days and 4 nights, including a dedicated acclimatization day at Shipton’s Camp. Shorter routes exist but carry a higher risk of altitude sickness.
It combines the gentler Sirimon ascent with the more dramatic Chogoria descent, giving a strong acclimatization profile plus two very different landscapes — moorland on the way up, the Gorges Valley on the way down.
Yes, for beginners with a reasonable level of fitness. No technical climbing is involved on the trekking route to Point Lenana, though the altitude makes proper pacing and acclimatization essential.
The driest windows are January–March and June–October. The wet seasons bring more cloud, mud and reduced summit visibility.
Warm, waterproof layers for near-freezing summit-night temperatures, sturdy broken-in trekking boots, a warm sleeping bag, gloves, a head torch and sun protection for the equatorial daytime sun. We share a full packing list once you book.
No previous climbing experience is required for the trekking route to Point Lenana. Reasonable fitness and some hill-walking training beforehand make a real difference.
Point Lenana (4,985m) is the highest point reachable by trekking, with no ropes or technical climbing required. Batian (5,199m) and Nelion (5,188m) are Mount Kenya’s true summits — technical rock climbs requiring climbing experience, ropes and specialist equipment, and are not part of this itinerary.
Yes. Every Mount Kenya departure includes a professional mountain guide and a full porter team.
Booking & payment
30% deposit
A 30% deposit confirms your dates, lodges and park permits. Everything up to that point is free, including unlimited itinerary revisions.
Balance 30 days before
The balance is due 30 days before arrival by bank transfer or card. Some itineraries can be settled in cash on arrival in Arusha.
Free changes
Dates and lodges can be changed at no cost until 45 days before departure, subject to availability at the new dates.
Cancellation
Cancel more than 60 days out and you lose only unrecoverable permit costs. Inside 30 days the deposit is retained. We recommend travel insurance in all cases.
Gallery
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