Climbing Mount Kenya in 5 days via the Chogoria Sirimon Route

Climb Mount Kenya via the Sirimon Chogoria route with this 5-day trek, along experienced guides from the Claudious Tours and Safaris team. Reach the top of the second highest peak in Africa!

Group

East African Mountains

5 Days

Jan, Feb, Aug - Oct

High

Intermediate

Highlights

Climb Mount Kenya via the most scenic route to the top
Ascend via the Sirimon route and descend via the Chogoria route
Reach the summit of the second highest peak in Africa!

Description

I invite you to join me on a unique adventure, climbing Mount Kenya in 5 days, following the Chogoria Sirimon Route, the most scenic and spectacular route to the summit area.

Mount Kenya is Africa’s second highest mountain, after Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. Erosion and time have reduced the peak from 6500m to 5199 on the highest point today. This extinct volcano, dating back 2.5 million years old, is located about 200 kilometers north of Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, in the Mount Kenya National Park.

Mount Kenya has three peaks on the summit area: Mbatian, Nelion and point Lenana. On this trip we will climb up to Lenana (4985m), which offers magnificent views over the surrounding country and other high points around the main peaks.

The Sirimon Chigoria trek combines the two most scenic routes to the summit of Mt Kenya. We will hike up through the dry side of the mountain, climbing up through forests until we get to a wide ridge, approaching the summit area.

This wonderful and scenic hike takes you to discover the unique landscapes of this region in Kenya. The best time to climb Mount Kenya is during the dry months of January, February, late August, September and October.

The trek takes us to ascend via the Sirimon route and descend via the Chogoria route, taking you through beautiful forest trails, completing the entire traverse of the mountain. This combined itinerary offers stunning nature and magnificent views of the Gorges Valley, Lake Michaelson and Lake Ellis.

Starting via the Sirimon route you will get a better acclimatization to altitude. We will begin from the northwest part of Mount Kenya, hiking via the Liki North, Old Moses Camp and the Shipton’s Camp before hitting Point Lenana.

**So if you want to climb Mount Kenya, join us on this great 5-day trek! Book your trip and get ready for an unforgettable experience in Africa!**We also offer a 6-day Mount Kenya ascent via the Sirimon Chogoria route.

Price includes

Accommodation included
Guiding fee
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Transport during the trip
Permit and entrance fees
Personal porters

Price details

The price includes: Guiding Fee
• Transfer to and from the base of the mountain
• Full board accommodation whilst on the trek.
• 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 // Price does not include:
Laundry, sleeping bags, beverages/Drinks, accommodation before the trek and climbing gears
– Hotel accommodations in Nairobi before and after the trek
• International flights
• Visas to Kenya
• Items of personal nature
• Any other extras not detailed in the above itinerary

Itinerary

Day 1: Nairobi- Mt Kenya Bandas (2,900m) 3hrs, 10km walk, 650m ascent

Depart from Nairobi at 0800hrs, driving through agricultural country up to Chogoria town for lunch. After lunch, we take 4×4 and drive up to the edge of the bamboo forest where we start our trekking through the dense bamboo forest for a distance of 10 km to the Mt Kenya Bandas.

3hrs / 10km walk / 650m ascent

Day 2: Mt Kenya Bandas – Lake Ellis Campsite ( 3,600m)

After breakfast and sorting of porter loads we set off up the mountain at a nice and easy pace . A slightly longer walk via Lake Ellis gives scenic views of Mugi, Ithanguni and the Giants Billiards Table, whilst if we follow the river near road head, upstream for about 3 km, the foreground scenery and flora is particularly beautiful. Lunch on the banks of a stream, then it’s time to cut up the left hand hillside to our camp at about 3,600m, well away from any of the more “touristy” areas.

3hrs / 9km / 700m ascent.

Day 3: Lake Ellis – Minto`s Camp. ( 4,200m)

Similar early start. Again well off the beaten track to follow a ridge up the mountain for about 3 hours to eventually join the tourist track on the normal Chogoria route at an altitude of about 4,100m. Breathtaking views over the Gorges Valley and back over towards Ithanguni and the Northern Moorlands. Lunch is served at a small stream crossing, before continuing for a further hour to the Mintos Hut area at 4200m and our night’s rest. Afternoon is spent relaxing at camp, though a 10 minute walk to the “Temple” is well worth the effort. This is a 150 meters vertical cliff that gets its name from the position visitors often adopt when peering over the edge – they look as if they are praying. An early night is recommended as you are attempting the summit next day.

4 hrs / 12km / 600m ascent

Day 4: Minto`s – Pt Lenana ( 4,985m)- Old Moses camp.

Predawn attempt of the summit starts at 03:00 am. We hike for about three hours up to Point Lenana (4985m), the hiker’s summit, arriving there in time to watch the African sunrise. Descend to Shipton camp for breakfast. After breakfast, begin a 5 hour descent via Mackinder`s valley to the Old Moses camp (3,300m). The descent is gentle and it offers ample time to enjoy fascinating scenery which includes the moorlands before reaching the camp.

11-12 hrs / 785 ascent – 1,685 descent / 24km

Day 5: Old Moses camp – Nairobi

After early morning breakfast, descend for 3 hours to the Sirimon Park gate to catch a vehicle and travel to Nairobi.

Details

More info

Please contact us for a complete equipment list.

Meeting point

Nairobi

FAQs

What experience do I need to have? How fit do I need to be? Is this program suitable for children or older people?

It is possible for all the fitness level since we experience guides who will take you according to the pace you require.

What is the estimated time of arrival to go back to Nairobi?

The time is about a 3-hour drive from your point of exit from the mountain.

What is the list of equipment to have?

Sleeping bag

Hiking boots

Rain trouser

Rain jacket

Warm trouser

Warm jacket

poncho

Balaclava

Head torch

Walking poles

Backpack

Day pack

Sunglasses

Suncream

Warm socks

A pair of sneakers

Extra t-shirt for trekking in

light trekking trouser

What are some recommended accommodations near our adventure location?

We understand that finding the perfect place to stay is an essential part of your adventure experience. To help you with this, we’ve curated a list of three highly recommended hotels that offer comfort, convenience, and a touch of local charm. These accommodations are well-suited for adventurers looking to relax and rejuvenate after an exciting day of exploration

Swahili Beach Resort Diani Kenya

See rooms

PrideInn Hotel Diani Diani Kenya

See rooms

Southern Palms Beach Resort Diani Kenya

See rooms

About the guide

Claudious

4.7

(8)

Tour Operator

Claudious Tours and Safaris is an East Africa based firm offering Mountain climbing tours and services in East Africa including Mount Kenya climbing safaris, Mount Kilimanjaro Hiking, Mount Elgon walking tours and Mount Rwenzori Trekking. Climbing Africa Mountains offers you an experience of a lifetime. We provide you with Africa Mountain Climbing Safari Packages accompanied by experienced mountain guides, cooks and potters: ensuring that you have safe and adventurous hikes up to some of the highest and most challenging mountains in Africa which includes Mount Kenya, Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Mount Rwenzori in Uganda and Mount Elgon. These hikes offer an opportunity to sample some of the most exciting Mountain climbing safaris in Africa. We design mountain packages for solo travelers, small and large groups looking at trekking in Africa.

Languages

Japanese | French | English | Chinese

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What people are saying about this trip

Harish

Tremendous team-effort , highly professional attitude & coordination , mind-blowing guides & their game-drives , neat arrangements even in very adverse situations , superb hospitality from each & every employee..... Claudious Tours & Safaris made us feel at home from the very moment we stepped in Africa. Thank you for everything you did to us. Our trip wouldn't be so pleasant & successful without you guys.

Achouxton

In June, 2009 I climbed Mount Kenya, with Trekking Mount Kenya. I spent 4 days on the mountain and experienced the wonderful challenge and the friendly helpfulness and knowledge of my guides and porters. Everything was provided for my comfort and enjoyment so that it was a thoroughly fabulous and memorable trek! I recommend this company whole-heartedly.

Kchensuites

Very organized, very friendly and professional staff. The tour was great, everything was as planned.

Gracie

I had a successful hiking trip with Shem as my chief guide! We were successful in summiting Mt Kenya and came back down via the Chogoria route well! The team worked really well together and communication was professional as well as clear/transparent. I appreciated that every single person in the crew were up to task, responsible, and respectful. Shem, my guide, was very friendly and accomodating to my questions, needs and requests. He was also very kind and encouraging, i.e. encouraging me to walk on my own pace and take breaks while going up and down the mountains and valleys. The team also consisted of a cook, Augustine, and two porters - Joshua and Julius. They all seem to be working as a team really well. Augustine would check on how I feel each day (e.g. stomach and gut health) and he is such a good cook! Joshua and Julius are both quiet, strong and helpful porters. Despite the heavy loads on their backs, they would always have no problem getting to every destination on time (waaaaay earlier than me!). I had a great and memorable time in Mt Kenya. We started off the trek on the last day of 2023 and it was so special welcoming the new year above the clouds! I highly recommend for adventurers out there who are looking for the perfect team to enjoy Mt Kenya with to reach out to these guys! Ask for Shem as the guide -- guarantee that he won't disappoint! 😊

Bella

My partner and I had a fantastic experience hiking the Chogoria to Sirimon Mt Kenya route. The full team (Shem the guide, the chef (Gustin) and the Porters (Joshua, Peter, Jackson and Gilbert) were excellent and thoroughly looked after us. We were never hungry and the food was excellent and kept our energy levels up. When we were a little poorly they looked after us. Shem the guide always made sure we were OK, and was great at excellent the plants and sharing information about the surroundings. Would highly recommend this team.