5-Day Sirimon to Chogoria Traverse (Scenic Route)

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Overview of 5-Day Sirimon to Chogoria Traverse (Scenic Route)

5 Days / 4 Nights Duration
Nairobi Location
£869.00 per person

A 5-day traverse of Mount Kenya planned for effective acclimatisation and varied scenery. The trek ascends via the gentler Sirimon route and descends the steeper, more scenic Chogoria route.

Highlights of this Tour

✓ Effective acclimatisation on the Sirimon route
✓ Panoramic descent via the Chogoria route
✓ Views of gorges, tarns, and waterfalls
✓ Unique high-altitude flora

Itinerary and Where to Stay

Day 1: Trek to Old Moses Camp

Your adventure begins with a 07:00 departure from Nairobi, driving north towards the Mount Kenya region and crossing the equator. After a brief stop in Nanyuki for supplies, you will proceed to the Sirimon Park Gate (2,650m) for registration and a picnic lunch. In the afternoon, begin the 3-hour, 9km trek through lush montane forest, home to colobus monkeys and diverse birdlife. The steady ascent is perfect for acclimatisation. Arrive at Old Moses Camp (3,300m) in the late afternoon, settling into your mountain hut for the evening, surrounded by the crisp alpine air.

Meals included on day 1

Lunch, Dinner

Where you will sleep on day 1

Old Moses Camp

This is budget accommodation. You will sleep in Old Moses Camp, or similar budget accommodations in the same budget range .

Austrian Hut, Mackinder's Camp, and Meru Mount Kenya Bandas .

The main destination you will visit on day 1

Mount Kenya National Park

Day 2: Hike to Shipton's Camp

After an early breakfast around 07:30, your trek continues towards Shipton's Camp. The route takes you across the challenging Mackinder's Valley, where the landscape transforms into a unique Afro-alpine moorland, dotted with giant lobelias and groundsel. Pause for a packed lunch amidst this otherworldly vegetation, taking in the increasingly dramatic scenery. The final push in the afternoon brings you to Shipton's Camp (4,200m), nestled directly beneath the towering rock spires of Batian and Nelion. Settle into your hut for dinner and an early night, resting for the summit attempt.

Meals included on day 2

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Where you will sleep on day 2

Shipton's Camp

This is budget accommodation. You will sleep in Shipton's Camp, or similar budget accommodations in the same budget range .

Austrian Hut, Mackinder's Camp, and Meru Mount Kenya Bandas .

The main destination you will visit on day 2

Mount Kenya National Park

Day 3: Summit Point Lenana & Descend to Lake Michaelson

The ultimate challenge begins with a 03:00 wake-up call for the pre-dawn summit attempt. The demanding ascent up a steep scree slope is timed to reach Point Lenana (4,985m) for a spectacular sunrise over the African plains. After celebrating your achievement, begin the descent down the scenic Chogoria route, stopping for a rest and snacks. The afternoon trek leads you to the enchanting Lake Michaelson (4,000m), a glacial tarn nestled in a dramatic amphitheatre. Your fly camp will be set up on its shores for a truly memorable night under the stars.

Meals included on day 3

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The main destination you will visit on day 3

Mount Kenya National Park

Day 4: Descend to Meru Mount Kenya Bandas

Wake up to the serene beauty of your lakeside camp. Following breakfast, your descent continues through the magnificent Gorges Valley. The morning trail winds past crystal-clear streams and the impressive Nithi Falls, offering fantastic photo opportunities. Enjoy a picnic lunch in this lush environment as the vegetation transitions from moorland back into dense forest. In the afternoon, the path widens as you arrive at the Meru Mount Kenya Bandas (2,950m). Check into your comfortable log cabin, a welcome reward offering the simple luxury of a hot shower before a hearty dinner.

Meals included on day 4

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Where you will sleep on day 4

Meru Mount Kenya Bandas

This is budget accommodation. You will sleep in Meru Mount Kenya Bandas, or similar budget accommodations in the same budget range .

Austrian Hut, Mackinder's Camp, and Met Station Camp .

The main destination you will visit on day 4

Mount Kenya National Park

Day 5: Depart Mount Kenya for Nairobi

After a final mountain breakfast, you will complete the last 10km of your trek. This gentle morning walk takes you through a dense bamboo and rosewood forest, alive with the sounds of birds and unseen wildlife. You'll reach the Chogoria Park Gate around midday to meet your driver. A 4x4 transfer through the forest may be used to expedite this section. Enjoy a final lunch in a local town before commencing the drive back to Nairobi, filled with memories of your incredible adventure. Expect to be dropped off at your hotel in the late afternoon.

Meals included on day 5

Breakfast, Lunch

What's Included

  • Road transfers between Nairobi and mountain gates
  • Functional mountain huts accommodation

What's Not Included

  • Kenyan Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA)
  • Personal daypack (30-40 litre capacity)
  • Portable power bank

Places You will Visit

Book This Package

5-Day Sirimon to Chogoria Traverse (Scenic Route) 5 Days / 4 Nights

Price per person
£869.00
($1,100.00 USD)
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Quick Info

  • Duration: 5 Days / 4 Nights
  • Difficulty: Challenging
  • Starts: Nairobi
  • Ends: Nairobi

The design of a high-altitude African trek directly affects the experience and chance of success. This 5-day traverse of Mount Kenya is planned for effective acclimatisation and scenic variety. It provides a well-paced route to the summit of Point Lenana.

Route Overview and Pacing

The itinerary combines a gentle ascent with a scenic descent to improve the chances of a successful summit. The trek ascends via the Sirimon route from the north-west, where the gradual gradient and well-placed camps help with acclimatisation. The descent uses the Chogoria route, a steeper and more dramatic trail known for its views of gorges, tarns, and waterfalls. This combination places the main physical challenge early in the trek, saving the best views for the descent. The tour starts with a 4-hour road transfer from Nairobi to Sirimon Gate and ends with a 4 to 5-hour transfer from the Chogoria area back to Nairobi.

Wildlife and Flora

This is a high-altitude trek, so wildlife differs from a traditional wildlife safari. The lower montane forest (up to 3,000m) is home to Black-and-white Colobus and Sykes' monkeys. Signs of Cape buffalo and forest elephant are common, but sightings are rare. Higher up in the Afro-alpine moorlands, the most frequently seen mammal is the rock hyrax. Birdlife includes the Malachite Sunbird, Augur Buzzard, and Streaky Seedeater. The mountain's main biological feature is its unique flora, particularly the Giant Groundsel (Dendrosenecio) and Giant Lobelia plants that create a distinct landscape.

Accommodation and Vehicles

On-mountain accommodation consists of functional huts built for shelter in an alpine environment, not hotels or lodges. Sleeping quarters are shared, bunk-style rooms in camps such as Old Moses and Shipton's. Facilities are basic and communal, with a focus on warmth and function rather than comfort. Road transfers from Nairobi use either a 6-seater safari minivan or a 4x4 Land Cruiser. The choice of vehicle depends on group size and road conditions. Both are reliable for the journey.

Information for UK Travellers

  • Visa Requirements: UK passport holders require a Kenyan Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA). You must apply for and receive approval online before departure.
  • Electrical Plugs: Kenya uses the Type G 3-pin socket, the same as in the UK, so no travel adapter is needed. Power in the mountain huts is unavailable or very limited; you will need a portable power bank.
  • Luggage Specifications: Porters will carry your main luggage, which must be a soft-sided duffel or rucksack weighing no more than 15kg. Hard-shell suitcases are unsuitable. You will also carry a personal daypack (30-40 litre capacity) for water, rain gear, and snacks.

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