Climbing Mount Kenya via the Sirimon – Chogoria route takes an average of 7 days from the base to the summit and heads back down to the base of Mount Kenya. The Sirimon – Chogoria may not be the fastest way to climb and descend Mount Kenya but it is the most scenic. This route offers amazing panoramic vistas of the mountain and stunning views of the glasslike sheets of glaciers and a great consistently steady slope towards the summit of Mount Kenya.
For descending down the mountain, Chogoria is the recommended way to make a descent, for climbers that have extra time on their hands as it offers beautiful sceneries with the trail filled with dramatic gorges, waterfalls and mountain tarns. To minimize the risk of altitude sickness and its symptoms, we do recommend an additional day for acclimatization before heading for the summit of Mount Kenya using this Sirimon – Chogoria route.
Summiting Mount Kenya via the Sirimon – Chogoria route
The most challenging part of climbing Mount Kenya using this route has to be the mid-night push to the summit, Point Lenana in order to make sure that we make it by sunrise on time. The challenging summit attempt is worth it though as this entire route by both ascending and descending will reward you with outstanding scenery. Along the Sirimon – Chogoria trail you will encounter the astonishing U-shaped valley that meanders towards the Lenana Peak. This valley, covered with strange pre-historic plants that are synonymous with the high altitude mountainous, alpine region is called the Mackinder’s Valley.
Shipton’s Camp lying just beneath the twin peaks on Mount Kenya plays a great role in the acclimatization process especially when it is used as an add-on day on this Sirimon -Chogoria route to trek up to the Hausberg Col and two tarns.
Descending Mount Kenya via the Sirimon – Chogoria Route
Mount Kenya descent using the trail along the Sirimon _Chogoria route progresses along the ridge of the phenomenal Gorges Valley. You will definitely spend the final night of your climb on Mount Kenya in mountain cabins deep in the forest where you can spot free-roaming animals like elephant and buffalo.
Sirimon – Chogoria Route Overview
Route duration: 6 days on Mount Kenya
Total hiking distance: Approximately 77 Kms.
How to get to Mount Kenya
To get to Mount Kenya, you have to fly into Kenya first through the International Airports that serve as Kenya’s entry points like the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi and the Mombasa Moi International Airport in Mombasa. Many air companies fly into Kenya from all over the world e.g Virgin Atlantic, British Airways and Kenya Airways fly regular direct flights to Nairobi. There are other airlines that offer competitive prices for air tickets that make a stop from Qatar Airways, Ethiopian and Emirates.
Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta airport is a ½ hr drive away from the capital city of Kenya, Nairobi with a distance of about 16km.
This 7 days Sirimon – Chogoria route for climbing Mount Kenya includes pick up and drop off in the vicinity of Nairobi City by minibus, private car or 4wd Landcruiser.
Best time to climb Mount Kenya -Sirimon- Chogoria Route
The best time to climb Mount Kenya via the Sirimon Chogoria route is during the dry months of January to February. Mount Kenya can be climbed all year round, any time of the month but of course, there are better months for climbing the mountain than others. There are least good times of the year than others depending on the weather on those particular months. The rainy seasons during the months of April and May are the long rain seasons and hence the least favourable time of the year to climb Mount Kenya. Summer months of July, August and September are also good for climbing the mountain via the Naro Moru Route. If you plan to climb Mount Kenya during the wet and rainy seasons, it would be wiser to carry along waterproof gear and garters.
Is the Sirimon – Chogoria Route suitable for me?
let us be real here, doing a 5, 000m trek to the peak of Mount Kenya should not be underrated at all, you will need to be prepared, both physically and mentally. Still, you will not need to in superhuman form to climb as this mountain does not demand a lot of skills and technicality, just a decent level of trekking fitness would do.
This 7 days Mount Kenya trek is manageable by first-timers and climbers that have little or no climbing experience as it utilizes fully the proper methods of acclimatization in a very gentle way as the main aim for a more enjoyable climb is to avoid altitude sickness while on the mountain. We do recommend that you follow the advice of your guide by climbing slowly, steadily and at a gentle pace and you should consider drinking as much water as possible, about 4 litres or more each day.
If you lead a decent lifestyle and you are able to do daily walks that can last for up to 6-8 hours comfortably, then this 7 days Mount Kenya trek via the Sirimon -Chogoria route is for you. As far as you are healthy and fit, age should not limit you, children as young as 10 and adults as old as 80 have climbed Mount Kenya before.
For gentle hygiene, consider carrying wet/baby wipes because you may go for days without taking a proper bath or a shower as the facilities on Mount Kenya are pretty basic from the toilets to the sleeping huts. As with most treks, the huts and facilities are basic. Please confirm that you have included the right mountaineering kit, a 4 season sleeping bag would be better. if you are wondering if this 7 days Mount Kenya climb is a good fit for you, it is, all you need is a positive attitude and stamina.
Safety for climbing Mount Kenya
For the latest and official travel advice from the Foreign and Commonwealth office please check www.gov.uk/travelaware
