4 Days Mt Kenya Sirimon-Chogoria Route

Overview

This 4 day Mount Kenya Sirimon Chogoria trek climbs the gentle Sirimon route via Judmaier Camp (3,300 m) and Shipton’s Camp (4,200 m), reaches Point Lenana (4,985 m) at sunrise on day 3, then descends the Chogoria route to Nairobi. It is a guided camping and banda climb from Nairobi with porters, a cook and full board. Price on request; it suits fit, experienced hikers short on time.

The trek is graded Expert on the page. It has only one night at 3,300 m before you sleep at 4,200 m, and summit day is 11 to 12 hours, so it is the fast version of this traverse. You need your own sleeping bag and climbing gear, which are not included.

Why choose a 4 day Mount Kenya Sirimon Chogoria trek?

The Sirimon and Chogoria routes are a classic pairing: you go up the gradual, drier northern side of Mount Kenya and come down the steep, scenic eastern side, so you see two faces of the mountain instead of returning the way you came. Four days is the shortest way to do the full traverse.

• Short on time: a full summit traverse from Nairobi and back in four days.
• Scenery: Mackinder’s Valley on the way up and the Gorges Valley and Lake Michaelson views on the way down.
• Summit goals: sunrise on Point Lenana, the trekking summit of Mount Kenya.

What to expect on the 4 day Mount Kenya Sirimon Chogoria trek

Day 1 leaves Nairobi at 7:30 a.m. for a drive of about four hours to Nanyuki for lunch, then an hour to Sirimon Gate (2,440 m). A 9 km walk of 3 to 4 hours climbs through forest into open heathland to Judmaier Camp (3,300 m). Day 2 is 6 to 7 hours and about 17 km: you cross the Ontulili River and Liki North stream, walk up Mackinder’s Valley under the main peaks and sleep at Shipton’s Camp (4,200 m).

Day 3 starts at 3:00 a.m. with a steep, stony climb past the Lower Hall Tarns to Point Lenana by about 6:30 a.m. for sunrise. You descend 6 km to Mintos Hut for breakfast, then follow the Chogoria route for about 20 km to Mount Meru Bandas (2,950 m), around 32 km and 11 to 12 hours in total. On day 4 you walk down through moorland and giant heather to the forest clearing, take a 4×4 for 21 km to Chogoria town and transfer back to Nairobi.

Is 4 days enough to climb Mount Kenya?

Mount Kenya can be climbed to Point Lenana in 4 days, but it is a tight schedule for acclimatisation, with a 785 m summit climb and a 32 km day straight after a single night at 4,200 m. It works best for hikers who have been at altitude recently. If you want more time to adjust, the 5-Day Mt Kenya Sirimon to Chogoria Traverse adds an acclimatisation day at Shipton’s Camp. Our Kenya packing list helps with warm layers for the summit night.

What is included in this Mount Kenya climb?

The price includes porterage, the rescue fee, non-resident park fees, camping equipment, a professional guide, all transport and the round-trip transfer, meals as listed in the day-by-day plan, drinking water every day, all activities and accommodation in the itinerary, and all taxes and VAT.

Not included are climbing gear, a sleeping bag, bath towels, international flights, extra nights before or after the trek, travel insurance, visa fees, souvenirs and any government increase in taxes or park fees. Tips are extra, with a guideline of about USD 10 per person per day; our guide to tipping in Kenya explains how to tip a Mount Kenya crew.

Mount Kenya National Park fees for non-residents are already in the price; our guide to Kenya park fees explains how they work.

How much does the 4 day Mount Kenya Sirimon Chogoria trek cost?

Prefer a different side of the mountain? Compare our other mountain climbing packages.

Some gallery photos by ALCOCK MULLER and Tourite Safaris on Unsplash.