5 Day Mount Kenya Lakes Trek: Chogoria to Sirimon

This 5 day Mount Kenya lakes trek climbs the Chogoria route past Lake Ellis and Lake Michaelson to Point Lenana at sunrise, then descends the Sirimon route to Nairobi.

Overview

Day by Day

Includes/Excludes

Safari Map

FAQs

Overview

This 5 day Mount Kenya lakes trek climbs the Chogoria route past Lake Ellis and Lake Michaelson, camps at Simba Tarn and reaches Point Lenana (4,985 m) at sunrise on day 4, then descends the Sirimon route to Nairobi. It is a guided camping climb from Nairobi with porters and full board. Price on request; it suits fit hikers who want Mount Kenya’s scenery as well as the summit.

The trek is graded Expert on the page, with walking days of 3 to 9 hours and nights in camps up to about 4,600 m. You need a sleeping bag and your own climbing gear, which are not included.

Why choose a 5 day Mount Kenya lakes trek?

The Chogoria side of Mount Kenya is its most scenic approach, and this trek follows it past two glacial lakes, Vivienne Falls and the Gorges Valley before you reach the peaks. Going down by the Sirimon route means you see two sides of the mountain in five days instead of returning the way you came.

Scenery seekers: Lake Ellis, Lake Michaelson, Vivienne Falls and the Gorges Valley on the way up.
Summit goals: a sunrise climb to Point Lenana, the trekking summit of Mount Kenya.
Kilimanjaro training: a high-altitude trek over 4,500 m that is shorter than a Kilimanjaro climb.

What to expect on the 5 day Mount Kenya lakes trek

Day 1 starts with a 6:00 a.m. pickup at your Nairobi hotel and a drive to Chogoria town for an early lunch. A transfer takes you to Chogoria Gate, then a 9 km walk of about 3 hours on a forest road leads to Lake Ellis Camp (about 3,470 m). Day 2 is about 6 hours through forest glades and moorland, with views of Vivienne Falls and the Gorges Valley, to camp beside Lake Michaelson (about 4,200 m).

Day 3 is a shorter, steep 3-hour climb into the alpine zone to Simba Tarn (about 4,600 m), a cold camp below the main peaks. Day 4 starts at about 5:00 a.m. with a two-hour climb to Point Lenana for sunrise, then breakfast at Shipton Camp and a long descent to Old Moses Camp (about 3,300 m), around 9 hours in total. On day 5 you walk 9 km down to Sirimon Gate and drive back to Nairobi, arriving at about 1:00 p.m.

How fit do you need to be for Mount Kenya?

Mount Kenya at Point Lenana needs no technical climbing, but the page grades this trek Expert because of the altitude and the 9-hour summit day. You should be comfortable walking 6 hours or more on several days in a row. Train with long hill walks for six to eight weeks, and tell us about any health conditions before you book. Our Kenya packing list helps with warm layers for the cold camps.

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.

How much does the 5 day Mount Kenya lakes trek cost?

Price on request. The cost depends on your travel dates, group size and the season, so we prepare every quote personally rather than showing one fixed price.

WhatsApp us on +254 706 223888, email [email protected] or request a free tailor-made quote, and we will share a detailed quote for your dates.

Prefer a different route? Compare the 5-Day Mt Kenya Sirimon to Chogoria Traverse and our other mountain climbing packages.

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

Climbing Highlights

Chogoria route past Lake Ellis and Lake Michaelson
Vivienne Falls and the Gorges Valley
Camp at Simba Tarn below the main peaks
Sunrise on Point Lenana, the trekking summit of Mount Kenya
Descent by the Sirimon route via Shipton and Old Moses camps
Porters, camping equipment and park fees included

Day 01 :

Nairobi - Lake Elis Camp (3470masl, 3 hrs)

Your Mount Kenya adventure begins with a 6:00 AM at your Naiorobi hotel pickup, driving to Chogoria town for an early lunch. Afterward, a transfer vehicle takes you to the Chogoria Gate, the starting point of your trek. The initial 9 km hike traverses a dirt (and often muddy) forest road, taking approximately 3 hours.

This scenic route leads you directly to the beautiful Lake Ellis Camp. Here, you'll be captivated by the lake's pristine setting, offering a truly rewarding start to your journey up Mount Kenya. Dinner and your first overnight stay are at the camp, preparing you for the days ahead.

Day 02 :

Lake Ellis - Lake Machaelson (4200 masl, 6hrs)

After breakfast, your scenic trek continues, ascending away from Lake Ellis on its western side. You'll follow the trail up through montane forest glades and across vast moorland, eventually joining the main Chogoria route. The path offers beautiful views of Vivienne Falls and the dramatic Gorges Valley as you descend to the breathtaking Lake Michaelson.

Thanks to our efficient crew, lunch will be ready upon your arrival at this picturesque campsite, ensuring you are well-rested to appreciate the splendor of Mount Kenya. Dinner and overnight stay are right next to the pristine lake, deep within Mount Kenya National Park.

Day 03 :

Lake Michaelson - Simba Tarn (4600 masl, 3hrs)

Today's shorter hike allows for a slightly later breakfast at 7:30 AM. Leaving the beautiful Lake Michaelson, you'll climb into the alpine zone—a fascinating world of rock and ice.The journey takes you higher towards the main peaks of Mount Kenya, leaving behind the giant groundsel and lobelia plants for glacial moraine.

A final, steep scree slope leads to Simba Tarn, where you'll camp overnight. Prepare for a cold night, as you are just meters from the summit of Mount Kenya; extra warm layers are essential for comfort at this altitude. Dinner is served at the camp.

Day 04 :

Simba Tarn - Point Lenana (4,895 masl) Summit - Old Moses (3,300 masl, 9 hrs)

Your Mount Kenya summit day starts early with a cup of tea or coffee around 5:00 AM. A relatively easy two-hour climb takes you to the trekking summit, Point Lenana (4,985m). From here, you’ll witness a breathtaking sunrise, with the main peaks of Nelion and Batian shimmering, and potentially even the distant summit of Kilimanjaro on a clear day.

After capturing pictures and celebrating this achievement for about 30 to 45 minutes, you descend to Shipton Camp for a well-deserved breakfast. The journey continues with a final long descent to Old Moses Camp, marking the end of your high-altitude challenge on Mount Kenya. Dinner is served here.

Day 05 :

Old Moses - Sirimon Gate - Nairobi (2,600 masl, 2hrs)

After breakfast, your final descent takes you 9 km through the picturesque rainforest to the Sirimon Park Gate 2,600m. At 3000m of elevations, its a small hike, you'll walk through moorland and giant heather before meeting your transport at the end. From the gate, you'll transfer directly back to Nairobi.

This marks the conclusion of your incredible Mount Kenya lake tour. You can expect to arrive in Nairobi by approximately 1:00 PM, carrying unforgettable memories of Mount Kenya’s breathtaking alpine beauty.

FAQs

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Which route does the 5 day Mount Kenya lakes trek follow?

The 5 day Mount Kenya lakes trek goes up the Chogoria route and down the Sirimon route. You camp at Lake Ellis, Lake Michaelson and Simba Tarn, reach Point Lenana at sunrise on day 4, and descend via Shipton Camp to Old Moses Camp before walking out to Sirimon Gate on day 5.

How high do you climb on the 5 day Mount Kenya lakes trek?

The highest point on the 5 day Mount Kenya lakes trek is Point Lenana at 4,985 m, the trekking summit of Mount Kenya. You sleep at about 3,470 m, 4,200 m and 4,600 m on the way up, which helps you adjust, but altitude symptoms are still possible, so walk slowly and drink plenty of water.

How fit do I need to be for the 5 day Mount Kenya lakes trek?

The 5 day Mount Kenya lakes trek is graded Expert on the page. No climbing skills are needed, but you walk 3 to 9 hours a day at altitude, and summit day is about 9 hours. Regular long hill walks in the weeks before the trek are the best preparation, and tell us the ages of any younger trekkers so we can advise.

When is the best time for the 5 day Mount Kenya lakes trek?

The best time for the 5 day Mount Kenya lakes trek is in the drier months, usually January to February and July to October, when trails are firmer and sunrise views from Point Lenana are clearer. The rains around April to May and November make the forest sections muddy, so ask us before booking in those months.

How do I book the 5 day Mount Kenya lakes trek?

To book the 5 day Mount Kenya lakes trek, send the enquiry form on this page, WhatsApp us on +254 706 223888 or email [email protected] with your dates and group size. The price is on request, so we reply with a written quote and a kit list, including the sleeping bag you need to bring or hire.