7 days (not including air travel)
The Sirimon route is a scenic and gentle ascent track on Mt Kenya; cutting through montane forest, bamboo and heather vegetation before dropping into the deep Mackinder Valley. Giant groundsel and lobelia vegetation dot the trail. This itinerary includes an additional acclimatisation day at 4,300m. The Chogoria trail, arguably the most spectacular route on Mt Kenya, has several interesting features such as mushroom-shaped rocks, jagged peaks and valleys, waterfalls and tarns.
Day 1: Nairobi-Naromoru
Transfer from Nairobi to Naromoru for lunch. Afternoon of relaxation and preparation for the trek ahead.
Accommodation: Lodge
Meals: Lunch and dinner
Day 2: Old Moses Camp
Transfer to Sirimon Park gate (2600m). After completion of park entry formalities, you begin a 3-4 hour hike through montane forest with bamboo, rosewood and heather zones to Old Moses camp (3300m). The forest and bamboo are home to hundreds of buffaloes, elephants, bushbucks and a plethora of bird species.
Accommodation: Old Moses Camp is a wooden mountain cabin with dormitory-style decked beds with comfortable foam mattresses, a bed for each traveller. Each traveller is advised to carry his or her own sleeping bag.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 3: Shiptons Camp
After early breakfast, depart at 0700hrs for a 6-7 hours trek through the sprawling moorlands up to the Shipton’s hut (4200m). The hike provides opportunities for fascinating views of unique moorland plants and scenery but is also a test on your individual endurance. You gain good acclimatization as you cover an altitude range of 900m. Lunch stop is at a vantage point on the Mackinder valley.
Accommodation: Shiptons Camp is a wooden mountain cabin with dormitory-style decked beds and comfortable foam mattresses. There’s a bed for each traveler but bring your own sleeping bag.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 4: Shiptons Camp
Acclimatisation day. Hike up the Hausberg col (4700m) then descend back to the camp for lunch and afternoon of relaxation.
Accommodation: Shiptons Camp is a wooden mountain cabin with dormitory-style decked beds and comfortable foam mattresses. There’s a bed for each traveller but bring your own sleeping bag.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 5: Summit-Mintos/Hall Tarns-Nithi River
Start predawn summit attempt at 0300 hrs, hiking for three hours up to Pt. Lenana (4,985m), the hikers summit, arriving there in time to see the African sunrise. From Pt. Lenana you have good views of Pt. Nelion (5188m), Pt. Batian (5199m) and other surrounding peaks, and on a clear day the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro can be seen protruding into the sky over 340km to the south. From the summit descend to Mintos/Hall tarn campsite (4,300m) for breakfast. Then a gradual descent for 4-5 hours to Nithi River campsite while you enjoy the stunning scenery of the Gorges valley, Vivienne falls, Nithi falls, mushroom rocks and an array of interesting mountain plants.
Accommodation: Camping
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 6: Chogoria
Gentle 2-3 hour and 6 km descent through the forest zone to the mountain cabins and an afternoon relaxing. Log fires, hot showers, beers and beds for overnight. Wildlife viewing in evening – often from your cabin window as the elephant and buffalo graze outside!
Accommodation: Chogoria cabins, a collection of comfortable log cabins each with a bedroom, kitchen and hot showers.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 7: Nairobi
After breakfast gradually descend through the Chogoria Forest to meet up with oncoming vehicle for transfer to Nairobi.
Meals: Breakfast