4‑day itinerary for climbing to Point Lenana (4 985 m) via the scenic Sirimon Route, descending through Chogoria:
4-Day Sirimon Route – Mount Kenya hiking & Climbing
4 Days Mount Kenya Climb – Sirimon Route
Distance: 53 km | Difficulty: Moderate | Start/Finish: Nairobi Sirimon Route Summary
Mount Kenya is East Africa’s second highest mountain after Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. This Mount Kenya climbing route is much more scenic than Naro Moru route.
4-day Sirimon route is on the drier side of the mountain which offers some of the finest walking. Climbing up through forest into a wide ridge approach to the summit area. The route starts on the northwest side of the mountain near Nanyuki Town.
Access is adequate and the bunk house facilities are the best on this side of the mountain. Attempting the summit can be done in 4 days hiking.
Those with additional time can opt to spare an extra night at Liki North Camp in between Old Moses Camp and Shipton Camp. The summit at Lenana Peak can be reached in 4 days hiking as per the below itinerary. However, we recommend an overnight acclimatization at the base in Nanyuki town.
Sirimon Route – 4 Day Climb Private Trekking Tour
Get to Point Lenana at 4895m and back in only four days.
On the Sirimon Route, you enjoy beautiful landscapes, hiking the picturesque Mackinder’s Valley and impressive mountain views at Shipton’s Camp. After the summit, you descend along the Chogoria Route.
You spend three nights in high-quality tents set up by your camp crew.
🗓️ Day 1: Nairobi → Sirimon Gate → Old Moses Camp (3 300 m)
- Drive (4 hrs) from Nairobi to Nanyuki, transfer to Sirimon Gate (~2 600 m).
- Hike ~9 km, 3–4 hrs through montane forest and heathland, gaining ~700–860 m.
- Camp in huts or tents at Old Moses Camp (also called Judmier Camp).
🏕️ Day 2: Old Moses → Shipton’s Camp (4 200 m)
- Ascend ~14 km over 6–8 hrs, gaining ~900 m.
- Traverse Liki North and Mackinder Valley with sweeping views of Batian, Nelion, and unique alpine flora.
- Overnight at Shipton Camp, nestled below the jagged peaks.
🌄 Day 3: Summit Attempt → Return to Old Moses Camp
- Early start (~2:00–3:00 AM).
- Climb ~3 hrs to Point Lenana (4 985 m) to catch sunrise.
- Descend to Shipton for breakfast, then continue descending ~4 hrs back to Old Moses (~3 300 m).
- Total trekking time: 9–12 hrs, ~21 km round-trip.
🌲 Day 4: Old Moses → Sirimon Gate → Nairobi
- Descend ~9 km through alpine forest, 2–3 hrs to Sirimon Gate.
- Transfer via Nanyuki (lunch) back to Nairobi by late afternoon.
📌 Highlights & Tips
- Sirimon Route is known for gradual ascent, dryer climate, and diverse vegetation zones.
- Acclimatization built into first two days; consider extra overnight at Shipton if doable.
- Day 3 is long (~10–12 hrs) with significant altitude gain.
- If time allows, some trekkers descend via Chogoria, adding scenic waterfalls and diverse terrain.
🌟 Insider Experience
From Reddit traveler r/travel:
“I went up the Sirimon route and down the Chogoria route… Seeing the sunrise from Lenana peak was an out of this world experience. It is very cold up there… in the shoulder season the mountain is not busy at all, so… enjoy the sunrise exclusively by yourself.”
🎒 What to Pack & Prep
- Clothing: warm layers, waterproof jacket, gloves, hat, thermal base layers.
- Gear: sturdy boots, trekking poles, headlamp, sleeping bag rated to –10 °C.
- Fitness: regular cardio & hiking with elevation recommended.
- Park fees, tents/huts, guides, porters, meals & transfers usually included in tour packages.
✅ Summary
This 4‑day climb offers a well-balanced experience:
- Day 1 acclim & moderate hike
- Day 2 higher ascent into alpine zone
- Day 3 summit in time for sunrise
- Day 4 easy descent back
Let me know if you’d like help finding trusted tour operators, specific gear info, or booking recommendations!