5 Days Mt. Kenya Sirimon route out Chogoria Route with Peak Circuit

Mount Kenya saves its best for sunrise. This five-day private trek links the scenic Sirimon and Chogoria routes, giving you changing scenery, a high-altitude circuit, and a sunrise attempt on Point Lenana at 4,985 meters. I like that the price includes guides, porters, tents, mats, transport, and every mountain meal. I also like the small-group format, since your own party sets the pace within the limits of the mountain and schedule.

The main concern is the demanding altitude and a very long fourth day. You cover 24 kilometers, climb before dawn, reach the summit, then descend more than 2,000 meters to Chogoria Bandas. That is a serious day, even for a fit hiker, so do not mistake the five-day length for an easy holiday.

Five things to know before booking

• The route crosses Mount Kenya from Sirimon to Chogoria: You go up through the northern Sirimon side and descend through the scenic Chogoria side, rather than retracing the same trail.
• Point Lenana reaches 4,985 meters: The summit is a trekking peak, but altitude, cold, darkness, and loose scree still make the attempt demanding.
• Day three is for acclimatization: The Peak Circuit takes you above 4,500 meters before the summit morning, giving your body extra time at height.
• The $960 price covers the mountain operation: Transport, park fees and taxes, guides, porters, tents, mats, breakfasts, lunches, and dinners are included.
• The support team earns strong praise: Guide David, guide Richard, cooks John and George, and owner James are names connected with particularly positive accounts of the service.
• You finish in Nairobi on day five: After a 10-kilometer walk through bamboo forest, private transport takes you from Chogoria back to the city, arriving around 3 p.m.

Why this Sirimon to Chogoria route works so well

Mount Kenya rewards a point-to-point itinerary. Sirimon gives you a steady approach through forest and moorland, while Chogoria provides a different descent with views toward Lake Ellis, Mugi Hills, Vivien Falls, and the Giant Billiards Table. You get more variety than on a route that climbs and descends along the same path.

This is also a private trip. Only your group takes part, which matters on a mountain trek. You can discuss your walking rhythm, breaks, and comfort with your guide instead of trying to fit into a large mixed party. The guide still controls the safety decisions, especially near the summit, but the format feels more personal.

The route includes a Peak Circuit on day three. That is valuable because you do not rush from the lower slopes straight to the summit. You spend a night at Shipton’s Camp first, then walk higher before the pre-dawn attempt. At nearly 5,000 meters, that extra time at altitude is not just a scenic bonus.

Day one: Nairobi to Old Moses Camp at 3,300 meters

Your pickup is scheduled for 6:30 a.m. in Nairobi. The private drive takes you toward Nanyuki, where you meet the mountain guide, cook, and porters at about 10 a.m. The group then continues to Sirimon Gate, listed at 2,650 meters.

From the gate, you walk through the rain forest toward Old Moses Camp. The distance is about 9 kilometers and the walking time is around three hours, with a picnic lunch served along the way. The route may offer sightings of buffalo, elephants, waterbucks, and other wildlife, although the wording of the itinerary wisely treats these sightings as luck rather than a promise.

Old Moses sits at 3,300 meters, high enough for the first real adjustment to thin air. A short one-hour walk around 4 p.m. is planned to help you get your bearings before dinner and sleep. I like this gentle first afternoon, since the biggest mistake on Mount Kenya is often walking too fast on day one.

The day includes about 4.5 hours of driving and three hours on foot. That makes the start manageable, but it is still an early morning followed by a long transfer. Have water and a snack within reach in the vehicle, and keep your warm layer accessible rather than buried in your luggage.

Camping is inside the park. Tents, mats, meals, and porter support are included, so you do not need to carry the full camp setup yourself. Personal clothing and hiking equipment are not supplied, and the operator shares an equipment list on request.

Day two: Old Moses to Shipton’s Camp

After breakfast, you leave the forest behind and enter the moorland zone. The route crosses the Ontulili River, contours across the slopes, crosses the Liki North River, and then climbs toward Mackinder Valley.

The scenery becomes more open and dramatic here. You look across the Sirimon and Mackinder valleys as you gain height, with broad views replacing the enclosed forest. The route is described as relatively easy in terms of technical walking, but the 16-kilometer distance and altitude make this a substantial day.

Expect about six hours of walking. Lunch is served along the way, which lets you keep moving without waiting for a full camp meal. Shipton’s Camp is at 4,200 meters, and the setting below Mount Kenya’s high peaks feels stark and memorable.

This is where you may first notice how altitude changes ordinary tasks. Walking uphill can feel slow, appetite can shift, and sleep may be less settled. Tell your guide early if you develop a headache, nausea, unusual tiredness, or other symptoms. A private trip does not remove the effects of altitude, but it does make it easier to communicate quickly with the team.

Day three: the high Peak Circuit to Austrian Hut

Day three begins with breakfast at 8 a.m. and a 9 a.m. start. The route leads from Shipton’s toward Kami Camp below the north face of Batian, Mount Kenya’s highest summit, then climbs to a ridge at about 4,600 meters.

You continue over scree toward Hausberg Col at 4,590 meters before descending into the upper Hausberg Valley. The route passes the Oblong and Hausberg tarns, then climbs toward a ridge known as Arthur’s Seat. From there, the path winds along rock ledges toward Austrian Hut at 4,790 meters.

This circuit is one of the strongest parts of the plan. You see a different side of the mountain, walk at serious altitude without making the summit attempt yet, and finish close to the starting point for the next morning. It is an acclimatization day in name, but not a rest day. Scree, height, and the stated route profile make it a demanding outing.

The itinerary text does not give a separate mileage figure for this day, so you should ask the operator for the current distance and expected finish time. You should also confirm the sleeping arrangement at the end of the circuit. Austrian Hut is the key staging point for the summit morning, but the supplied details do not specify the exact camp setup there.

At this height, the guide’s judgment matters. The team praised in past accounts includes guides David and Richard, with Richard specifically described as focused on getting the group to the summit and down safely. Guide assignments can change, but the strong emphasis on direct mountain support is reassuring.

Day four: Point Lenana at sunrise, then a huge descent

The summit day starts at 4:30 a.m. with tea and biscuits. You set off in darkness for Point Lenana, the trekking summit at 4,985 meters.

This early start is designed to place you at the top around sunrise. In clear conditions, the itinerary says you may see Mount Kilimanjaro’s Kibo and Mawenzi peaks from the summit. Even without distant mountain views, sunrise from Point Lenana is the emotional high point of the trek.

The summit is not a technical climbing objective in this itinerary, but the conditions are still serious. You will be cold, tired, and walking on steep high-altitude ground before breakfast. Keep your warm clothes, headlamp, gloves, and water ready the night before, and follow the guide’s pace rather than trying to race the dawn.

After the summit, you descend to Mintos Hut for a full breakfast. That timing makes practical sense. You get the summit effort done while the air is cold and then replace energy before the long descent to Chogoria Bandas.

The day is listed as 24 kilometers, with eight hours of walking, 195 meters of ascent, and 2,085 meters of descent. The descent is the part many people underestimate. Going downhill for hours can punish knees, ankles, and tired feet, even when the climbing is finished.

As you descend the Chogoria side, you pass views of Lake Ellis, Mugi Hills, Vivien Falls, and the Giant Billiards Table. Lunch is a picnic on the route. You then continue toward Chogoria Bandas at about 2,800 meters.

This is the day that decides who should book the trip. If you are comfortable with long mountain days and have trained for sustained walking, the schedule is demanding but clear. If you prefer a slower summit plan, ask whether the operator can adjust the itinerary before paying.

Day five: bamboo forest, Chogoria, and Nairobi

After breakfast at Chogoria Bandas, you walk about 10 kilometers through bamboo forest. The lower altitude should feel welcome after the high camps, although your legs may still be tired from the previous day’s descent.

Private transport collects you for the drive to Chogoria, where you say goodbye to the porters. From there, the road passes through agricultural country before reaching Nairobi at about 3 p.m.

The return timing is useful if you have onward plans, but I would avoid scheduling a tight evening flight. Mountain roads, weather, and the condition of the group can affect the day. The included trip ends in Nairobi, while a hotel before or after the trek costs extra. The company can arrange one, but it is not part of the $960 price.

What the $960 price really includes

At $960 per person, this is not a bare-bones walk. The price includes private transportation, all fees and taxes, mountain guides, porter support, tents, camping mats, meals, and five days of mountain operations.

Food coverage is especially clear:

• Five breakfasts
• Five lunches
• Four dinners

You also avoid the cost and effort of carrying camping equipment. That can make a major difference on the higher sections, where every unnecessary kilogram matters.

The price does not include tips for guides and porters, Nairobi hotel nights, or your personal clothing and equipment. You should budget for those separately. Ask for the equipment list early, not the day before departure, so you have time to check boots, warm layers, rain protection, and other personal items.

The value is strongest if you want a private crossing with a full support crew. A cheaper option might suit someone happy to join a larger group or arrange some equipment independently. Here, the cost buys convenience, transport coordination, food, and a dedicated team from Nairobi to the mountain and back.

Guides, cooks, and porters are central to the trip

The human side of a trek can make or break it. This company has earned particularly warm praise for its support team, with cook John and George singled out alongside guide David and the porters. Good camp food and an organized support crew matter more each day, especially when you return tired and cold.

James, identified as the owner, has also been credited with matching a climber to the right route based on experience. That suggests you should give the company an honest account of your hiking background rather than simply saying you are fit.

The trek is conducted in English, and the support structure means you carry only your own personal hiking needs rather than the tents and cooking equipment. Tips are not included, so plan to thank the guides, cooks, and porters separately if their work meets your expectations.

Who should book this Mount Kenya trek?

I would recommend it to a fit hiker who wants a private route with varied scenery and does not want to organize transport, meals, or camp equipment alone. It also suits couples or friends who prefer a dedicated group rather than a fixed public departure.

The itinerary calls for moderate physical fitness, but that phrase should not make you complacent. Day two is 16 kilometers, day three reaches nearly 4,800 meters, and day four combines a pre-dawn summit with 24 kilometers of walking. You need to be ready for long days, cold conditions, steep ground, and a major descent.

This is not the best choice if you want hotel comfort, short walks, or a relaxed sightseeing schedule. Camping is part of the deal, and Nairobi accommodation before and after the trek is your responsibility.

The route may suit experienced hikers who are worried about altitude because it includes a separate circuit day before the summit. Still, no itinerary can guarantee that your body will adapt well. Your guide’s safety advice should take priority over the planned summit.

Booking details worth checking before you go

Pickup starts at 6:30 a.m., and mobile tickets are offered. The activity is private, and service animals are allowed. It is also listed near public transportation, although the main arrangement is private pickup.

Confirmation is provided at booking. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the scheduled start time, with a full refund. Changes made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted, and late cancellations are not refunded.

The trek depends on suitable weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. That policy is useful on a high mountain, where conditions can affect both safety and summit views.

Should you book it?

Book this trek if you want to reach Point Lenana by sunrise while crossing Mount Kenya on two different routes, and if you value a private team that handles transport, meals, camp gear, and porters. The route is scenic, the Peak Circuit adds useful time at altitude, and the support structure gives the trip strong practical value at $960.

Think twice if you are not ready for the 24-kilometer summit day or the 2,085-meter descent that follows it. Before confirming, ask for the personal equipment list, the day-three mileage, and the exact sleeping arrangement at Austrian Hut. If those details suit you, this is a well-supported way to tackle Mount Kenya with plenty of mountain variety packed into five days.

FAQ

How long is the Mount Kenya trek?

The trek lasts five days, including travel from Nairobi, four nights on the mountain, the summit attempt, and the return to Nairobi.

What time does pickup begin?

Pickup begins at 6:30 a.m. from your Nairobi hotel or agreed meeting point.

Which Mount Kenya routes does the trek use?

The ascent uses the Sirimon Route, and the descent uses the Chogoria Route. The itinerary also includes a Peak Circuit.

How high is Point Lenana?

Point Lenana is 4,985 meters above sea level, or about 16,000 feet.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

Are guides and porters included?

Yes. English-speaking mountain guides and porter support are included in the price.

Are camping equipment and mats provided?

Yes. Tents, camping equipment, and mats are included. Personal clothing and hiking equipment are not included.

Are meals included?

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

Is Nairobi accommodation included?

No. Accommodation in Nairobi before and after the trek is not included, although the company can arrange it at your own cost.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trek?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. Free cancellation is also available when you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time.