4-Day Mt. Kenya Sirimon-Sirimon Route
Overview of 4-Day Mt. Kenya Sirimon-Sirimon Route
A 4-day trek allowing better acclimatization on the Sirimon route, increasing your success rate for Point Lenana.
Highlights of this Tour
Itinerary and Where to Stay
Day 1: Nairobi to Old Moses
Your trip begins with a drive from Nairobi toward the north, heading for the town of Nanyuki. You’ll stop there to meet your mountain crew and organize the final loads before continuing to the Sirimon Gate. The trek starts at the edge of the forest, where the air is cool and smells of damp earth and cedar. You’ll spend a few hours walking up a winding track through the bamboo and podocarpus trees, keeping an eye out for blue monkeys or the occasional bushbuck in the undergrowth. As you climb, the trees start to thin out, and you’ll reach Old Moses Camp in the late afternoon. This is where you’ll have your first mountain meal and spend the night in the bunkhouses, getting used to the altitude at 3,300 meters while the sun sets over the distant hills.
Meals Day 1: Lunch, Dinner
Destination: Mount Kenya
Day 2: Trek to Shipton Camp
After breakfast, you’ll leave the last of the small bushes behind and head into the high moorland. The trail takes you across the Ontulili and Liki North rivers, moving into a landscape that feels like another world, filled with giant groundsel plants and lobelias that look like prehistoric sculptures. It’s a long day of walking, and you’ll feel the air getting thinner as the trail climbs steadily toward the heart of the mountain. You’ll round a corner to see the massive rock walls of the main peaks, Batian and Nelion, looming over the valley. You’ll reach Shipton’s Camp, located at 4,200 meters, by the afternoon. This camp sits in the shadow of the summits, and you’ll spend the evening resting and staying warm as the temperature drops quickly once the sun disappears behind the rock.
Meals Day 2: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Destination: Mount Kenya
Day 3: Summit Point Lenana
The climb to the summit starts in the middle of the night, usually while it is still pitch dark and the ground is frozen. You’ll use your headlamp to follow the rocky trail, moving slowly up the steep scree slopes. The final push is a scramble over frozen rock to reach Point Lenana just as the first light appears on the horizon. You’ll spend some time at the top, watching the light catch the glaciers and the peaks around you, before beginning the long walk back down. You’ll stop at Shipton’s Camp for a hot breakfast and a short rest, then continue your descent through the Mackinder Valley. By the time you reach Old Moses Camp in the afternoon, the air will feel much thicker and warmer. You’ll spend your final night on the mountain here, resting your legs and enjoying a final dinner with the crew.
Meals Day 3: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Destination: Mount Kenya
Day 4: Shipton's Camp to Nairobi
On the last day, you’ll have a relaxed breakfast at the camp and take a final look at the peaks in the distance. You’ll then begin the final leg of the trek, walking back down through the forest belt toward the Sirimon Gate. The descent is much faster than the climb, and you’ll reach the gate by midday where your vehicle will be waiting. After saying goodbye to your porters and guides, you’ll drive back to Nanyuki for a hot lunch and a chance to clean up. The journey continues back toward the city, passing through the farming communities and coffee plantations of the highlands. You’ll arrive back in Nairobi in the late evening, where your guide will drop you off at your hotel or the airport.
Meals Day 4: Breakfast, Lunch
Destination: Mount Kenya
What's Included
- Guide
- Porters
- Park fees
- Hut accommodation
- Meals
- Nairobi transfers.
What's Not Included
- Tips
- Gear
- Personal insurance.
Places You will Visit
Book This Package
Quick Info
- Duration: 4 Days / 3 Nights
- Difficulty: Challenging
- Starts: Nairobi
- Ends: Nairobi
Important Information for the 4-Day Trek
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Acclimatization: This four-day route is better for your body than the shorter versions. The extra night on the mountain helps you adjust to the altitude, but you still need to drink a lot of water and move at a slow, steady pace to avoid headaches and fatigue.
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The Crew and Gear: Your porters are the backbone of the trip, carrying the food, cooking equipment, and your main bag. You only need to carry a small daypack with your water, rain gear, and snacks. It is important to have sturdy, waterproof hiking boots that you have already broken in before the trip.
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Mountain Weather: It can be very cold, especially at Shipton’s Camp and during the summit climb. Temperatures often drop well below freezing at night. You should pack in layers, including thermal underwear, a good fleece, and a heavy down jacket, along with a high-quality sleeping bag rated for freezing conditions.
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Physical Effort: While the Sirimon route is considered a "gentle" climb, the third day is very demanding because it involves both the summit push and a long descent. You should be in good physical health and prepared for several hours of walking on uneven, rocky ground.
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Hydration and Food: Your crew will provide three hot meals a day, usually consisting of energy-rich foods like pasta, rice, and stews. It is essential to keep drinking water even when you don't feel thirsty, as hydration is key to managing the altitude.
