6-Day Sirimon-Chogoria Mount Kenya Traverse

Overview

This 6-day traverse is widely considered the best way to experience Mount Kenya, ascending via the gradual, well-acclimatized Sirimon Route and descending through the dramatically scenic Chogoria Route, past the Gorges Valley and Lake Ellis on the mountain’s eastern side. Starting and finishing at different gates means seeing far more of the mountain than an out-and-back climb on a single route, without retracing the same trail twice.

For a faster, more direct option, see our 4-Day Naro Moru Route Mount Kenya Climb. For a shorter version of the Sirimon side alone, see our 5-Day Sirimon Route Mount Kenya Climb.

Tour Highlights

Widely considered the best way to climb Mount Kenya, combining the two most complementary routes
Ascend the gradual, well-acclimatized Sirimon Route on the dry northwestern side
Descend the dramatically scenic Chogoria Route, past the Gorges Valley and Lake Ellis
Views of Lake Michaelson and alpine tarns found only on the eastern side of the mountain
Different start and finish gates, so no trail is walked twice

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Group price (per person)

The price of this tour is on Request

For a more accurate estimate, contact us with your specific requirements and budget. We'll send a detailed quote based on your itinerary, group size, and preferred level of comfort.

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Places you'll visit

Nairobi

Explore Destination

Mount Kenya National Park

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Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1

Nairobi to Sirimon Gate and Old Moses Camp

After an early pick-up from your Nairobi hotel, the drive north passes through Nanyuki, crossing the equator en route, to the Sirimon Gate on Mount Kenya's northwestern side. After registration, the trek climbs through montane forest along a vehicle track to Old Moses Camp, also known as Judmaier Camp, on the edge of the moorland zone.

Distance: Approximately 3 to 4 hours driving from Nairobi, then 3 to 4 hours walking, 9 km

Activity: Drive to Sirimon Gate, afternoon trek to Old Moses Camp

Accommodation: Old Moses Camp / Judmaier Camp (bunkhouse, 3,300m)

Meals: Lunch and Dinner

Day 2

Old Moses Camp to Shipton’s Camp

The trail crosses open heath and moorland into the wide, glacier-carved Mackinder Valley, with giant lobelia and groundsel lining the route as it climbs to Shipton’s Camp, set directly below the main peaks.

Distance: 5 to 6 hours walking, 14 km

Activity: Trek through the Mackinder Valley to Shipton’s Camp

Accommodation: Shipton’s Camp (bunkhouse, 4,200m)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 3

Summit Point Lenana, Descend to Mintos Camp

A pre-dawn departure, typically around 2 to 3am, leads up scree and rock to Point Lenana (4,985m) for sunrise, with views across to the technical peaks of Batian and Nelion. Rather than retracing the Sirimon side, the descent continues over the saddle to the eastern, Chogoria side of the mountain, reaching Mintos Camp by the afternoon.

Distance: Summit push approximately 3 to 4 hours, then descent to the Chogoria side, 13 km total

Activity: Pre-dawn summit of Point Lenana, descend to the Chogoria side

Accommodation: Mintos Camp (camping, 4,200m)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 4

Mintos Camp to Lake Ellis via the Gorges Valley

The Chogoria Route reveals itself as the most scenic on the mountain, passing through the dramatic Gorges Valley with views over Lake Michaelson tucked into the cliffs below, before descending to camp beside the shore of Lake Ellis.

Distance: 5 to 6 hours walking, 13 km

Activity: Trek through the Gorges Valley, past Lake Michaelson, to Lake Ellis

Accommodation: Lake Ellis Camp (camping, 3,400m)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 5

Lake Ellis to Chogoria Gate, Transfer to Chogoria

The trail descends through alpine moorland into denser forest, with a richer mix of flora and fauna than the drier Sirimon side, before reaching the Chogoria Gate. A short transfer brings you to a hotel in Chogoria town or nearby Embu for a comfortable night off the mountain.

Distance: 4 to 5 hours walking, 16 km, then a short road transfer

Activity: Final forest descent to Chogoria Gate, transfer to Chogoria town

Accommodation: Hotel in Chogoria town or Embu

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 6

Chogoria to Nairobi

After breakfast, the drive returns to Nairobi, arriving by early to mid afternoon and bringing the trek to a close.

Distance: Approximately 4 to 5 hours driving

Activity: Travel day and departure

Accommodation: N/A, end of trip

Meals: Breakfast

Extend your trip

Want a shorter version of just the Sirimon side? See our 5-Day Sirimon Route Mount Kenya Climb. Want to add a Kenya safari before or after your climb? Ask us about combining this trek with the Maasai Mara or Amboseli.

What's included

Private transport between Nairobi and the trailhead gate, both directions
All Mount Kenya National Park entry fees
Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) climbing and camping fees
Certified, experienced, English-speaking mountain guide
Sufficient porters to carry your luggage within porter weight limits
Cook and all meals while on the mountain
Camping equipment, including tents, mess tent and camp furniture (on routes without huts)
Safety equipment, including a pulse oximeter
Treated drinking water on the mountain
Hotel accommodation in Chogoria town or Embu on Day 5, with breakfast

Not included

International flights to and from Kenya
Kenya eTA visa fees
Travel and medical evacuation insurance
Sleeping bag and sleeping mat rental, if you do not bring your own
Personal expenses such as souvenirs, phone calls and laundry
Tips for your guide, porters and cook (paid by the trekking group, not per climber):

Guide: USD 15-20 per day
Cook: USD 12-15 per day
Porters: USD 8-10 per day, per porter

Frequently asked questions

Why is the Sirimon-Chogoria traverse considered the best way to climb Mount Kenya?

It combines the two most complementary routes on the mountain: the gradual, dry Sirimon side for a well-acclimatized ascent, and the dramatically scenic, wetter Chogoria side, with the Gorges Valley and Lake Michaelson, for the descent. Starting and finishing at different gates also means seeing far more of the mountain than an out-and-back climb on a single route.

Is the Chogoria side harder than Sirimon?

The Chogoria side is longer and the terrain is rougher in places, with no permanent huts, so the group camps rather than using bunkhouses. It is not significantly more difficult in terms of altitude gain, since the hardest climbing, the summit push, happens on Day 3 before you reach the Chogoria side.

Do I need technical climbing experience to reach Point Lenana?

No. Point Lenana (4,985m) is a non-technical trekking summit reached on foot over scree and rock, requiring no ropes or climbing equipment. The higher technical peaks of Batian and Nelion are a separate undertaking requiring rock climbing experience and are not part of this itinerary.

What does the price include?

Private transport between Nairobi and both the Sirimon and Chogoria gates, all park and KWS fees, a certified mountain guide, sufficient porters, a cook and all meals on the mountain, camping equipment for the Chogoria side, a hotel night in Chogoria or Embu, and safety equipment including a pulse oximeter.

What is the best time of year for this traverse?

The two main dry windows are January to March and July to October. The Chogoria side has a wetter microclimate than Sirimon year-round, so a dry-season booking matters more for this itinerary than for a Sirimon-only climb.

Why does the trip end with a hotel night in Chogoria instead of returning straight to Nairobi?

The Chogoria Gate is several hours from Nairobi, so splitting the final transfer across two days, with a comfortable hotel night in between, is more relaxed than combining a long trekking day with a long drive on the same day.