The Sirimon route at a glance
The Sirimon route climbs Mount Kenya from Sirimon Gate, which is reached from the Nanyuki side of the mountain. It passes Old Moses Camp and Shipton's Camp, follows the Mackinder Valley and ends at the high camps below Point Lenana. A common programme goes up Sirimon and comes down on the Chogoria route.
The first day is gentle compared with the second. The long stage comes between Old Moses and Shipton's, and that is where most of the height is gained. Plan a qualified guide from the start, because the park asks every visitor to walk with one.
Our picks: Sirimon route treks
The four-day trek from Nanyuki and the private four-day trek both have the park fees in the price, so they are the easiest to budget. The hut trek charges the park entries on top, but you sleep in huts instead of tents.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Four-day trek from Nanyuki over Point Lenana
- Park fees included
- Licensed guide and porters
- Hut nights
Four days from Sirimon Gate over Point Lenana, descending on the Chogoria side. The park fees and the hut nights are in the price.
Check availability →
Four-day Sirimon trek to Point Lenana
- Park entry and camping fee
- Guide, porters and cook
- Mountain huts, full board
Up via Old Moses and Shipton's to Point Lenana and back down through Old Moses. The park fees are already in the price, which is quoted per person.
Check availability →
Four-day Sirimon trek with hut nights
- Three nights in huts
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Hotel pickup and return
Up the Sirimon side to Point Lenana and back down to the huts. The park entries are extra, so budget for them.
Check availability →Mount Kenya treks and day hikes
Guided treks on the Sirimon and other routes, with prices, durations and availability.
Sirimon stages compared
Read distances and times as a guide.
| Stage | Distance | Walking time | Camp height |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sirimon Gate to Old Moses | 9 to 10 km | 2 to 4 hours | About 3,350 m |
| Old Moses to Shipton's Camp | About 14 km | 6 to 8 hours | About 4,250 m |
| Shipton's Camp to Point Lenana and back | – | Start about 3 a.m. | 4,985 m at the summit |
The gate itself lies at about 2,600 m. For most first-time trekkers, Sirimon works best with an extra night at Shipton's, rather than a rushed push to the summit.
Old Moses Camp: the first night
Day one is the shorter walk.
From Sirimon Gate the track leads through forest to Old Moses Camp, also called Judmaier. The stage is about 9 to 10 km and takes 2 to 4 hours, depending on where your vehicle can stop. Old Moses is one of the privately operated places inside the park. Ask your tour company what is included in your package.
Old Moses is the first stage of the route and a possible goal for a shorter walk. A day hike is not offered at every time, and there is no fixed return schedule. See our guide to Mount Kenya tours for day options.
Shipton's Camp: below the peaks
Day two is the long one.
Old Moses to Shipton's Camp is about 14 km and takes 6 to 8 hours. You cross moorland, climb into the Mackinder Valley and arrive at about 4,250 m. Point Lenana is the summit that trekkers aim for from here.
At this height the air is thin. General medical advice for travel above 3,000 m is to raise your sleeping height by no more than 500 m per night and to add a rest day for every 1,000 m. A Sirimon to Chogoria programme with 5 days usually adds one extra night at Shipton's for this reason. A crossing of the mountain is also offered as a 5 to 6 day trip.
Prices run around $900 to $1,050 for a five-day Sirimon to Chogoria trek (2026 examples), depending on group size.
Summit day from Shipton's
The walk to Point Lenana starts in the dark.
Start
An example schedule leaves Shipton's at about 3 a.m. to reach the top near sunrise, around 6:30 a.m. Sunrise times change through the year, so your guide sets the exact start.
Climb
The net climb from Shipton's to the summit is about 749 m. The last section has frozen scree and a short scramble, so expect cold hands and slow steps.
Descent
After the summit you descend to Shipton's or beyond, depending on your programme. The summit page explains the final stretch in more detail.
Point Lenana guide →Planning the Sirimon route
Fees, getting to the gate and where to sleep.
Park fees
In 2026 the entry fee for non-residents is $70 per adult per day and $35 per child. Public camping costs $20 per adult and $15 per child per night. Citizens of Kenya and the EAC pay in shillings. Pay in advance with KWSPay or eCitizen, since the park works cashless. Details are on the park fees page.
Getting to the gate
Sirimon Gate is about 200 km from Nairobi. The nearest town is Nanyuki, where many trekkers spend the night before they start. Gates are open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. See how to get there for more.
Huts and camps
Old Moses, Shipton's and Mackinder's are privately operated places in the park. Sirimon Bandas are park lodging that you reserve through KWS. Liki North is a camping area on this side, and a bed there is not something to count on. Read the where to stay page for the full picture.
More Mount Kenya routes
Compare Sirimon with the other ways up.
Sirimon route: frequently asked questions
How long is the Sirimon route?
The two stages to Shipton's Camp are about 9 to 10 km and about 14 km. Programmes range from about 3 to 7 days across the mountain's routes, and a Sirimon to Chogoria crossing takes 5 to 6 days. Distances depend on where the vehicle drops you.
Do I need a guide on the Sirimon route?
The park asks all visitors to walk with a qualified guide. A porter is not required by that rule. If you hire porters, the load is limited to 25 kg per porter.
Where does the Sirimon route start?
At Sirimon Gate, about 200 km from Nairobi and reached from Nanyuki. The first camp is Old Moses at about 3,350 m.
Can I do the Sirimon route in three days?
Short programmes exist, but fast height gain raises the risk of altitude sickness. A schedule with an extra night at Shipton's gives your body more time.
What does the park charge on the Sirimon route?
In 2026 a non-resident adult pays $70 per day and a child $35, and public camping costs $20 per adult per night. Citizens of Kenya and the EAC pay in shillings. Check the amount at payment.