Chogoria Route · 4 Nights 5 Days

5 Days Mt. Kenya Hike Through Chogoria 4 Nights 5 Days — Chogoria Route

4 Nights 5 Days From $1,495 Per Person Sharing

Route

Chogoria Route

Duration

4 Night 5 Days

Price Guide

Starts from $1,495 Per Person Sharing

Safari Overview

Overview: The Most Scenic Way to Summit Mt Kenya

Of all the routes up Africa’s second-highest mountain, the Chogoria–Sirimon traverse is widely regarded as the most rewarding. It isn’t just a trek to a summit — it’s a complete crossing of Mount Kenya, ascending from the quieter, greener eastern slopes via the Chogoria Route and descending through the open moorland and montane forest of the Sirimon Route on the northwest. In five days, you move through nearly every ecological zone the mountain has to offer: dense bamboo forest, highland heather, glacial valleys, alpine tarns, and the stark beauty of the high peaks at 4,985 metres.

The Chogoria Route, which forms the ascent on this itinerary, is consistently cited as the most visually dramatic approach to Mount Kenya. It passes through the Gorges Valley, a deep, cliff-walled corridor where the sheer scale of the mountain becomes real, and skirts Lake Ellis and the area around Minto’s Camp, where a short walk takes you to the edge of the Temple, a sheer 150-metre cliff so named because every first-time visitor instinctively stops, steps back, and looks over the edge with something that resembles reverence. The eastern side of the mountain is also significantly quieter than the western routes, meaning you’ll have long stretches of moorland entirely to yourself.

Kwezi Safaris guides this traverse with the same attention we bring to every East Africa journey, small groups, experienced mountain guides, and full logistics handled from your Nairobi pickup to your final transfer home. Whether you’re combining this 5-day Mt Kenya trek with a Kenyan wildlife safari or making it a standalone adventure, this traverse is one of the finest mountain experiences in Africa, and one that very few trekkers who’ve done it ever stop talking about.

Tour Highlights

Complete a full traverse of Mount Kenya

ascending Chogoria, descending Sirimon, for a genuinely diverse mountain experience
Pass through five distinct ecological zones

bamboo forest, giant heather moorland, open alpine meadow, the Gorges Valley, and the high alpine zone
Visit the iconic Temple

a 150-metre vertical cliff above Minto's Camp where the mountain reveals its full dramatic scale
Witness the sunrise from Point Lenana

the trekking summit, with views stretching south to Mount Kilimanjaro on clear mornings
Camp alongside Lake Ellis

ne of the most beautiful and peaceful overnight stops on the mountain
Fully catered throughout

three meals a day on the mountain, prepared by a dedicated cook

Day-by-Day Summary

Destination Overview
Day	Destination & Accommodation
Start Point: Chogoria Gate Kenya
Day 1	Nairobi → Mt Kenya Bandas (2,900m)
Day 2	Mt Kenya Bandas → Lake Ellis Campsite
Day 3	Lake Ellis → Minto's Camp (4,200m)
Day 4	Minto's Camp → Point Lenana (4,985m) → Liki North Camp (3,900m)
Day 5	Liki North Camp → Old Moses Camp → Nairobi
End Point	Nairobi Kenya

Day-by-Day Itinerary

5-Day Chogoria to Sirimon Traverse, Day by Day

The Chogoria–Sirimon traverse crosses Mount Kenya from east to northwest, and the direction matters. Ascending via Chogoria gives you the most dramatic scenery on the way up — the Gorges Valley, the eastern moorlands, Lake Ellis, and the Temple — while the descent via Sirimon winds you down through Mackinder’s Valley and the northwest forest in a gentler, forest-softened finish. The five-day structure also builds in better acclimatisation than shorter itineraries, with two nights of ascent before the summit push on Day 4.

This itinerary covers approximately 53 kilometres total. Trekking days range from 3 to 6 hours on the lower sections, with the summit push on Day 4 beginning at 3 am and lasting approximately 3 hours to Point Lenana. The descent from the summit to Liki North Camp on the same day is long but gradual, following the beautiful open terrain of Mackinder’s Valley.

Start

Chogoria Gate

Kenya

Day

Destination

Main Activities

Meal Plan

Day

Day 1

Nairobi → Mt Kenya Bandas (2,900m)

Depart Nairobi at 08:00, driving through the agricultural highlands towards Chogoria town for lunch
After lunch, board a 4×4 vehicle for the drive up to the edge of the bamboo forest — the road ends here
Begin trekking through dense bamboo forest for approximately 10km to the Meru Mount Kenya Bandas
Trek duration: 3–4 hours through the forest | Elevation: 2,900m
Dinner and overnight at the Mt Kenya Bandas
This first day sets the tone — the bamboo forest is dense, ancient, and completely unlike anything you’ll walk through on the Sirimon route. Keep your eyes up: black-and-white colobus monkeys and a wide variety of highland birds move through the canopy overhead

Lunch, Dinner

Day

Day 2

Mt Kenya Bandas → Lake Ellis Campsite (3,450m)

After breakfast and sorting of porter loads, set off at a steady, easy pace
The route offers two distinct options: the scenic detour via Lake Ellis delivers views of the Giant’s Billiards Table, Ithanguni, and Mugi Hill — unusual volcanic formations found nowhere else on the mountain
Alternatively, follow the river from the road-head upstream for 3km through particularly beautiful foreground scenery and highland flora
Lunch on the banks of a moorland stream
After lunch, ascend the left-hand hillside to camp at approximately 3,450m
Dinner and overnight at Lake Ellis Campsite
Lake Ellis sits in one of the quieter corners of the mountain. It’s a good place to drink plenty of water, move slowly, and let your body settle into altitude

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day

Day 3

Lake Ellis → Minto's Camp (4,200m)

Similar early start; the route today leaves the beaten track to follow a ridge uphill for approximately 3 hours
At around 4,100m, rejoin the main Chogoria tourist track — the views back over the Gorges Valley and towards Ithanguni and the Northern Moorlands open up here
Lunch at a small stream crossing on the main track
Continue for a further hour to Minto’s Camp at 4,200m
Trek duration: 4–5 hours | Elevation gain: 750m
Afternoon at leisure — a 10-minute walk to the Temple is strongly recommended: a 150-metre vertical cliff at the head of the Gorges Valley, where the scale of the mountain becomes visceral
Early dinner and early night — summit attempt begins at 03:00
The Temple earns its name. Most people who walk to the edge find themselves instinctively stepping back, then leaning forward again. It’s that kind of place

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day

Day 4

Minto's Camp → Point Lenana (4,985m) → Liki North Camp (3,900m)

Depart Minto’s Camp at 03:00 for the pre-dawn summit push
Ascend for approximately 3 hours to Point Lenana (4,985m), arriving at first light for the African sunrise
On a clear morning, Mount Kilimanjaro is visible to the south, 340km away
Descend to Shipton Camp for breakfast, then begin a 3-hour descent via Mackinder’s Valley to Liki North Camp (3,900m)
The descent is gradual and scenic — the open moorland of the Sirimon side offers a striking contrast to the Chogoria ascent
Dinner and overnight at Liki North Camp
Day 4 is long and full. The summit push in the dark, the sunrise, the descent through Mackinder’s Valley — it’s the kind of day that stays with you. Eat well at Shipton, move at your own pace on the way down, and don’t skip the views

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day

Day 5

Liki North Camp → Old Moses Camp → Nairobi

After early breakfast, descend for 2–3 hours through open moorland and montane forest to Old Moses Camp (3,300m)
Board your waiting vehicle at Old Moses for the transfer back to Nairobi
Arrive in Nairobi late afternoon

Breakfast, Lunch

End

Nairobi

Kenya

Gallery

Lodge Selection

Optional Activities

Beyond the daily game drives, East Africa rewards the curious. These optional experiences can be added to any package and add meaningful depth to your safari.

Safari Vehicles

Inclusions & Exclusions

Transparency is part of how we work. Here's a clear summary of exactly what's covered — and what isn't.

Included

✓Return transport — Nairobi to Chogoria entry point and Old Moses Camp (Sirimon) back to Nairobi
✓All Kenya Wildlife Service park and conservation fees
✓Mountain hut and campsite accommodation throughout
✓Full board on the mountain — 3 meals per day, prepared by your dedicated cook
✓Professional mountain guide, cook, and porter team

Not Included

×Personal trekking gear — sleeping bag, warm and waterproof layers, hiking boots
×Guide and porter gratuities (appreciated and encouraged)
×Travel insurance (mandatory — must include high-altitude cover)
×Items of a personal nature

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5 Days Mt. Kenya Hike Through Chogoria 4 Nights 5 Days — Chogoria Route

Safari Overview

Overview: The Most Scenic Way to Summit Mt Kenya

Tour Highlights

Day-by-Day Summary

Day-by-Day Itinerary

5-Day Chogoria to Sirimon Traverse, Day by Day

Gallery

Lodge Selection

Optional Activities

Safari Vehicles

Inclusions & Exclusions

Plan Your Safari

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