5 Days Mount Kenya Climbing Via Chogoria Sirimone Route

Mount Kenya’s Chogoria to Sirimon crossing gives you a fine mountain story in just five days: bamboo forest on the first day, high moorland on the next, and a 3 a.m. summit push for sunrise at Point Lenana. The route also lets you climb one side of the mountain and descend toward the other, rather than retracing every step.

I like the small maximum group of 15 and the practical support package, which includes porters, a guide, cooks, park fees, and all meals on the mountain. I also like that the trip reaches Lake Ellis, Mintos, Shipton Camp, and Liki North instead of treating the mountain as a quick up-and-down hike.

The main catch is the pace. Each of the first four days is listed at about eight hours, and the summit day begins before dawn at high altitude. You need moderate fitness, suitable personal gear, and a willingness to sleep in basic high camps.

Key points at a glance

• A cross-mountain route: Start through Chogoria’s bamboo forest and finish near Old Moses on the Sirimon side.
• Point Lenana at 4,985 meters: The summit attempt starts around 3 a.m. to reach the top for sunrise.
• Lake Ellis at 3,600 meters: Day two offers a gentler mountain walk with views toward Mugi, Inthanguni, and Giant Billards.
• High sleeping camp at Mintos: You spend the third night around 4,200 meters, making acclimatization and rest especially important.
• Porters and meals included: Four breakfasts, four lunches, four dinners, and porter support are part of the package.
• A demanding final stretch: The summit day takes about eight hours, followed by a three-hour descent on day five.

Why this Mount Kenya route works

I like the way this trip uses the mountain’s different sides. Chogoria is known here for the first approach through thick bamboo and wide moorland scenery, while the later descent heads toward the Sirimon side and Old Moses Camp.

That change of scenery matters. You are not simply walking uphill, sleeping, and walking down the same track. The route gives you forests, open ridges, streams, gorges, valleys, high huts, and a summit sunrise. The scenery keeps changing, which helps on the long walking days.

Kentau Safaris lists a 100 percent success rate for helping climbers reach the summit. That is an impressive claim, but you should still treat Point Lenana as a serious mountain goal, not a guaranteed sightseeing stop. Weather, altitude, fitness, pacing, and personal gear all affect the result.

The listed price is $1,600 per person. That is a substantial amount, but the value depends on how much support you want. Park fees, a guide, porters, and 12 mountain meals are included, along with the operational planning needed for a five-day crossing. Personal climbing equipment and tips are extra, so you should budget for those before booking.

Day one: bamboo forest to the Mount Kenya Bandas

The trip leaves Nairobi in the morning and drives to Chogoria. Lunch comes before the mountain walk, followed by a short drive to the trail start near the upper edge of the bamboo forest.

The first trek covers about 11 kilometers through thick bamboo and takes around eight hours in total. The destination is the Mount Kenya Bandas, where you spend the night.

This is a strong opening because the forest gives you a gradual introduction to the mountain. You are not thrown straight onto exposed high ground. The trees create a very different mood from the bare moorland above, and the long approach helps you settle into the walking rhythm.

It is also a demanding first day. You have road travel from Nairobi, a lunch stop, an additional drive, and a lengthy trek. I would keep your first morning simple, eat properly at lunch, and avoid wasting energy before the trail begins.

The details describe park entry as included, and the full package also includes dinner. Your guide and porters begin their main work here, carrying shared equipment and helping the group move toward camp.

Day two: Lake Ellis and the open moorland

After breakfast, the ascent continues toward Lake Ellis, at about 3,600 meters. This is described as an easier trekking day, with a stream crossing and a lunch break along the route.

The scenery becomes more open as you leave the bamboo behind. You can expect views across the moorland toward Mugi, Inthanguni, and Giant Billards. These names may sound playful, but the scenery is the serious reward: broad mountain views, open ground, and a growing sense that you are high above ordinary life.

Lake Ellis makes a useful second-night stop because it is high enough to begin the transition toward the upper mountain, while the day itself is not presented as the hardest section. Still, altitude can affect people differently. Move at the guide’s pace, drink regularly, and tell the guide early if you feel unwell.

The crossing stream adds a small practical challenge. You should expect the trail to feel less like a city walk and more like a mountain route, even on a day labeled easy. Lunch and dinner are included, and you sleep at the Lake Ellis campsite.

Day three: ridge walking to Mintos at 4,200 meters

Day three takes you up a mountain ridge for roughly three hours, connecting with the normal tourist trail on the Chogoria route at around 4,100 meters. A lunch stop comes near a small stream, with views toward the gorges and valleys of the northern moorland.

After lunch, the walk continues for about another hour to the Mintos huts area. The sleeping altitude is around 4,200 meters, and the plan is to rest early before the summit attempt.

This is the day when the trip changes from a high mountain walk into a summit expedition. The distance after lunch is not great, but altitude makes every step more costly. I would not judge the day by kilometers alone. The ridge, stream stop, exposed views, and high camp all prepare you for the early start ahead.

Mintos is also where you need to be disciplined. The summit begins around 3 a.m., so an early meal and early rest matter more than lingering around camp. Your guide can help with the next morning’s timing, clothing, headlamp arrangements, and personal gear, but you need to have your own equipment ready.

Personal climbing gear is not included. The information does not give a required equipment list, so ask Kentau Safaris for one before you travel. That is especially important for the cold, dark summit start.

Day four: Point Lenana before sunrise

The summit attempt begins at about 3 a.m. and takes roughly four hours. The target is Point Lenana, at 4,985 meters, the hikers’ summit of Mount Kenya.

The timing is designed to put you at the top around sunrise. That is the visual high point of the trip, but it is also the most physically demanding section. You will be walking in darkness, at altitude, after sleeping at about 4,200 meters. The slow pace can feel frustrating, but it is the sensible way to manage the climb.

Point Lenana is not described as a technical climbing summit in this experience. Even so, the height and pre-dawn conditions make it serious. Your success depends on more than enthusiasm. Fitness, warm clothing, personal equipment, and careful pacing all matter.

After sunrise, you descend to Shipton Camp for breakfast. This is a welcome change of direction and a chance to eat after the hardest effort. The route then continues toward Liki North Camp, around 3,900 meters, for what is described as a victory stop and celebration.

This is a long day, listed at about eight hours. The word victory should not fool you into thinking the work is finished after Point Lenana. The descent can test tired knees, and the later walk to Liki North still requires steady effort.

The scenery is a major reward. You move from the summit area down through high mountain terrain, with broad views across ridges, gorges, and valleys. Bring a camera if you like taking photos, but keep it protected and do not let photographs interrupt your pace.

Day five: the three-hour descent to Old Moses

After breakfast at Liki North, you walk for about three hours to Old Moses Camp. Transport then takes you back toward Nairobi.

This final day is short compared with the earlier sections, but it can feel longer than expected after the summit. Your legs have already handled the pre-dawn climb and the descent from Point Lenana. Walking poles, if you use them, can be useful, but they are personal gear and are not listed among the inclusions.

The finish on the Sirimon side gives the route its crossing character. You begin around Chogoria and leave through Old Moses, rather than returning by the same approach. Transport arrangements are part of the practical plan, but confirm the exact Nairobi drop-off details with the operator before departure.

What the $1,600 price includes

The package includes:

• All fees and taxes
• A tour guide
• Porter support
• Four breakfasts
• Four lunches
• Four dinners

That list covers the main shared needs of a five-day climb. Porter support is particularly useful because it lets you walk with a lighter personal load while the team carries camp equipment and supplies.

The price does not include personal climbing gear or tips for guides and porters. Those exclusions are normal enough for a supported mountain trip, but they can affect your final budget. Ask what equipment you need to bring and set aside cash for gratuities before leaving Nairobi.

The group can have up to 15 people. That is small enough for a more personal feel than a large coach-style tour, but it is not a private climb. If you want private pacing or a custom schedule, ask about that before paying.

The people supporting the climb

The operator places heavy emphasis on planning, safety, equipment, and guide training. The reviews supplied with the experience give particular credit to the wider team, including porters and cooks, not just the lead guide.

Dominic Mwata is identified as the manager and is described as responsive during the planning stage. That matters on a route where you need clear answers about airport pickup, equipment, meals, camp arrangements, and summit timing.

The support team also handles the less glamorous parts of a mountain trip. Porters carry supplies, cooks prepare the included meals, and guides keep the group moving through changing altitude and terrain. Good coordination makes a real difference when you are tired and the morning alarm rings at 2 a.m.

The strong points repeatedly associated with this experience are customer service, organization, hospitality, and professional handling of the trek. Those are valuable qualities, but you should still ask direct questions about gear, sleeping arrangements, transport, and what happens if someone cannot continue.

Who should book this climb

I would recommend this trip to someone who wants a serious Mount Kenya hike with a support team and a clear five-day plan. It fits you best if you can manage repeated days of walking, are comfortable with basic high camps, and have moderate physical fitness.

It also suits people who value a route with changing scenery. The bamboo forest, Lake Ellis, moorland ridges, high huts, summit sunrise, and descent to Old Moses create more variety than a simple summit return.

I would be cautious if you dislike early starts, long walking days, or sleeping at altitude. The summit morning begins at 3 a.m., and the third night is around 4,200 meters. You should not book this because of the advertised success rate alone. Book it because you are prepared for the effort and want experienced logistical support.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded, and changes within that window are not accepted. The listed meeting start time is 3 a.m., so confirm the exact pickup plan with Kentau Safaris.

Should you book the Chogoria to Sirimon climb?

Book this Mount Kenya climb if you want a well-supported, scenic five-day route and you are ready for a real physical challenge. The strongest reasons are the cross-mountain itinerary, included porter and meal support, small group limit, and the chance to reach Point Lenana for sunrise.

Think twice if you need a relaxed holiday pace or expect all technical equipment to be supplied. You will need personal gear, moderate fitness, and enough stamina for four long mountain days. For the right climber, the $1,600 price buys more than a summit attempt: it buys a planned route, a support crew, meals, transport coordination, and a memorable passage from forest to high mountain and back again.

FAQ

How long is the Mount Kenya climbing experience?

The experience lasts approximately five days, including the journey from Nairobi, the mountain trek, the summit attempt, and the descent to Old Moses Camp.

Where does the climb begin?

The trip leaves Nairobi in the morning, drives to Chogoria, and then continues toward the upper edge of the bamboo forest. The trek begins there.

Which summit do you reach?

The summit attempt is for Point Lenana, which is listed at 4,985 meters. It is the hikers’ summit of Mount Kenya.

What time does the summit attempt begin?

The summit attempt begins at about 3 a.m. on day four and takes around four hours, with the aim of reaching Point Lenana for sunrise.

Are meals included?

Yes. The package includes four breakfasts, four lunches, and four dinners.

Are porters included?

Yes. Porter support for the climb is included. Tips for guides and porters are not included.

Is personal climbing gear included?

No. Personal climbing gear is not included, so you should arrange your own equipment and confirm the required gear with Kentau Safaris before departure.