If you’re dreaming of standing on Point Lenana with the sun rising over Africa’s second-highest peak, the Chogoria Route is the way to get there in style. Ask any guide at Dun Travel Safaris which path up Mount Kenya they’d choose for themselves, and most will say Chogoria without hesitating. It’s the mountain’s most dramatic face – a trail that trades the drier, more direct lines of Sirimon and Naro Moru for bamboo forest, cascading waterfalls, glittering tarns, and the jaw-dropping rim of the Gorges Valley.
At Dun Travel Safaris, our classic Mount Kenya adventure climbs up via Chogoria and descends via Sirimon – a 5-day, 4-night traverse that gives you the best scenery on the ascent and a faster, gentler way down. Here’s exactly what each day on the mountain looks like.
Day 1: Nairobi to Meru Mount Kenya Bandas (~3,000m)
Your adventure begins early with a pickup from your Nairobi hotel. The drive out of the city takes you through farmland and small highland towns in Tharaka-Nithi County, with tea and coffee plantations rolling by as you head toward Chogoria. After a stop for registration and a briefing at Chogoria Gate, you’ll transfer up through thickening forest to Meru Mount Kenya Bandas, a cluster of cabins and campsites tucked into mossy bamboo forest at the edge of the park.
It’s a short, easy first day by design – just enough walking to stretch your legs and let your body start noticing the change in elevation. Keep an eye out for colobus monkeys and forest birdlife as dusk settles in. This is also your first night on the mountain, so expect a hot dinner, a briefing on the days ahead, and an early bedtime.
Day 2: Meru Bandas to Lake Ellis / Minto’s Hut area (~4,200m)
This is where Chogoria starts to show off. Leaving the bamboo behind, the trail opens into moorland dotted with giant lobelia and groundsel – plants found almost nowhere else on Earth. Many itineraries include a detour to Nithi Falls, a spectacular cascade tumbling into a forested gorge, and to Lake Ellis, a still, reed-fringed lake that makes for one of the best photo stops on the entire route.
From there, the trail climbs steadily along the rim of the Gorges Valley – a vast, glacier-carved canyon with sheer cliffs, rock towers, and, on a clear day, views all the way down to Lake Michaelson glinting far below. You’ll reach Minto’s Hut area by late afternoon, now well above 4,000 metres, with the jagged silhouette of Batian and Nelion peaks visible to the west.
Day 3: Minto’s Hut – Acclimatize and Cross Toward the Peaks
With the summit push looming, day three is built around rest and altitude adjustment rather than distance. Many trekkers use this day for a short side hike to “The Temple,” a sheer cliff edge near camp that offers dizzying views into the valley below, or to explore nearby tarns.
By early afternoon, the trail continues across high moorland toward the base of the peaks, joining the routes coming from Naro Moru and Sirimon near Austrian Hut or Shipton’s Camp. This gradual, extra day is exactly why Chogoria has a reputation for being kinder on the body than a rushed Naro Moru ascent – it gives you a real shot at reaching Lenana without the pounding headache of altitude sickness.
Day 4: Summit Day – Point Lenana (4,985m) and Descent to Old Moses Camp
This is the day it’s all been building toward. You’ll be woken well before dawn – typically around 2:00 or 3:00 AM – for the final push. Bundled in every layer you own, headlamp on, you’ll pick your way up a steep, rocky trail with the Lewis Glacier glowing faintly in the moonlight above.
Reaching the summit of Point Lenana as the sun rises is, without exaggeration, one of the most memorable moments in East African trekking. From the top you can see Mount Kenya’s twin rock spires, Batian and Nelion, up close, along with sweeping views across the Kenyan highlands and, on the clearest mornings, Mount Kilimanjaro over 300 kilometres away.
After celebrating and catching your breath, you’ll begin the long descent – this time down the Sirimon side of the mountain, through the Mackinder Valley, before reaching Old Moses Camp (3,300m) for a well-earned hot dinner and a proper night’s sleep.
Day 5: Old Moses Camp to Sirimon Gate – Transfer to Nairobi
The final day is a gentle two- to three-hour walk down through montane forest to Sirimon Gate, where your vehicle will be waiting. From here it’s a scenic drive back through Nanyuki, with time for a celebratory lunch, before returning to Nairobi by early evening – tired, exhilarated, and already planning your next mountain.
Why Climb Chogoria With Dun Travel Safaris
- Certified, experienced guides who know the mountain’s moods and pace every trek for genuine acclimatization, not just speed.
- A scenic ascent, a swift descent – Chogoria up and Sirimon down means you get the best views without doubling back over the same ground.
- Full support on the mountain – porters, cooks, and camping equipment are all taken care of, so you can focus on the trail.
- Smart altitude planning – our itinerary is built around giving your body time to adjust, which is the single biggest factor in a successful, enjoyable summit.
Getting Ready
Mount Kenya via Chogoria is a moderate trek, but a decent level of fitness makes a real difference – aim to be comfortable walking 6–8 hours a day before you arrive. Pack for four distinct climates in one trip: warm, humid forest at the start; open, windy moorland; and near-freezing conditions on summit night. Good boots, a warm sleeping bag, and layers you can add or shed quickly are essentials.
Ready to see Mount Kenya’s wild side? Get in touch with Dun Travel Safaris to book your Chogoria–Sirimon adventure and start planning your route to Point Lenana.
Frequently Asked Questions
How difficult is the Chogoria Route? It’s rated moderate. There’s no technical climbing involved – it’s a trek, not a climb – but you’re walking 6–8 hours a day at altitude, and summit night is a steep, cold, early-morning push. A reasonable base level of fitness and some hiking experience will make the trek far more enjoyable.
How many days do I need? Our standard itinerary is 5 days / 4 nights, ascending via Chogoria and descending via Sirimon. It’s possible to do it faster (4 days) or slower (6–7 days), and adding a day generally improves acclimatization and your chances of reaching Point Lenana feeling strong.
What’s the highest point of the trek? Point Lenana, at 4,985m, is the trekkers’ summit and the highest point reached on this itinerary. The two technical peaks, Batian (5,199m) and Nelion (5,188m), require rock climbing and are a separate undertaking.
Do I need climbing experience? No. Reaching Point Lenana requires no ropes or technical climbing skills – just steady legs, good acclimatization, and a willingness to start summit day at 2–3 AM in the cold.
