5 Days Mt Kenya Climb Sirimon Down Narumoru Route

Catch sunrise from Mount Kenya’s high point. This five-day climb links the gentler Sirimon ascent with the steeper Naromoru descent, giving you changing scenery without retracing the same trail. I like the forest-to-moorland route, and I like that the price includes transport, meals, park fees, porters, a cook, and mountain lodging. The main concern is altitude: Point Lenana reaches 4,985 meters, and the schedule gives you little spare time if you struggle with sleep or thin air.

The trip also has a strong human side. Guide Elijah has about 15 years of mountain experience and works with a cook named Juma, whose hot meals matter after long walking days. You do not need previous mountain-hiking experience to attempt this route, but you do need a good fitness level, warm gear, and a sensible attitude toward altitude sickness.

Key points before you book

• Sirimon is the easier way up: The route climbs through forest, bamboo, and open moorland toward Shipton’s Camp.
• Point Lenana is the main goal: You leave Shipton’s Camp at 2:00am to reach the 4,985-meter summit for sunrise.
• Narumoru gives you a different descent: It is considered steeper when going up, so using it downhill makes practical sense.
• The $1,215 price covers the essentials: Transport, meals, park fees, porters, a cook, and accommodation are included.
• Equipment hire costs extra: Hiring every priced item for five days would add about $185, not counting the day pack.
• Altitude is the serious issue: The itinerary includes a fast rise from 3,300 meters to 4,300 meters, then the early summit push.

Why the Sirimon to Naromoru route works well

Mount Kenya offers more than one way through its upper slopes. This plan takes you up via Sirimon and down through Naromoru, which gives each side of the mountain a clear job.

Sirimon is used for the climb toward the high camps. The first day passes through tropical forest, bamboo, and haegenia rosewood before reaching open moorland. The second day follows Mackinder’s Valley to Shipton’s Camp. Naromoru then handles the return, taking you down through alpine moorland, bamboo country, and rainforest.

I like this arrangement because you avoid walking the same route twice. The one available account of the trip also found Sirimon comfortable enough for ascent and Naromoru more suitable for descent. That is useful advice for anyone with no previous mountain-hiking experience.

The route is not a casual nature walk. You cover 9 kilometers on the first hiking day, 13 kilometers on the second, then make the summit attempt after waking at 2:00am. The final descent also takes several hours. You should be comfortable walking for much of a day before booking.

Day one: Nairobi to Old Moses Camp at 3,300 meters

The day begins with a 7:00am departure from Nairobi CBD. You drive to Nanyuki, where you meet the mountain crew and check supplies before continuing to Sirimon Gate at 2,600 meters.

Park registration and fee payment take place at the gate. A picnic lunch is served there, so you should not expect a restaurant stop or a leisurely midday meal. After lunch, the walking begins.

The 9-kilometer route to Old Moses Camp passes through several vegetation zones. You start in tropical rainforest, move into bamboo, pass haegenia and rosewood, and eventually reach open moorland. This gradual change is one of the best features of the first day because the mountain reveals itself in stages rather than all at once.

Old Moses Camp sits at 3,300 meters. You sleep in a bunkhouse and eat dinner prepared by the mountain cook. The short distance may look easy on paper, but the rise in altitude is already worth noticing. Drink steadily, walk at a calm pace, and do not treat the first day as a race.

Day two: Mackinder’s Valley and Shipton’s Camp

After breakfast, you walk 13 kilometers through Mackinder’s Valley toward Shipton’s Camp at 4,300 meters. The stated walking time is about six to seven hours, with rivers and ridges along the route.

This is the day when the climb becomes more demanding. The altitude gain from Old Moses to Shipton’s Camp is significant, and the route is long enough to expose poor pacing. I would keep your steps short and even, especially if you feel strong early in the morning.

You pass a meteorological station described as serving eastern Africa. On a clear day, the main peaks can be seen well from the route. Lunch is served along the way, which means you can keep moving without arranging a separate stop or carrying a full day’s food supply.

Shipton’s Camp is a bunkhouse at 4,300 meters. It is a practical staging point for the summit rather than a place to expect comfort or a full night of sleep. The following morning begins at 2:00am, so use the evening to organize clothing, water, head torch, and snacks.

Day three: Point Lenana for sunrise

The summit morning starts with hot snacks at 2:00am. You then climb toward Point Lenana, which reaches 4,985 meters and is the main target of the trip.

This is the hardest and most memorable part of the route. The early start is designed to put you at the summit for sunrise. The timing also means you will climb in darkness, so a head torch is important. You should have warm layers ready before going to bed, since searching through a bag at 2:00am is a poor way to begin a summit attempt.

On a clear day, Kilimanjaro can be seen at a stated distance of about 320 kilometers. That view is not guaranteed, since cloud and weather control what you see, but the high panorama is a major reason to choose this climb.

After Point Lenana, you descend to Austrian Hut, also called Top Hut, at 4,750 meters. The route continues into Teleki Valley and onward to Mackinder’s Camp, described in the schedule at 3,300 meters. You pass American Camp and Rangers Camp before reaching the bunkhouse.

A hot brunch waits at Mackinder’s Camp. That meal is more than a pleasant extra after the summit push. You have been awake since 2:00am and will have already handled the most demanding ascent of the trip, so hot food and a chance to sit down are valuable.

The afternoon is deliberately lighter. You can walk around camp or rest, which gives your body time to recover from the early start and the effort of reaching Point Lenana. Dinner and another bunkhouse night follow.

Day four: From Mackinder’s Camp to Met Station

After breakfast, the route descends through alpine moorland and into the bamboo zone. The walk to Met Station Camp takes about four to five hours.

This day should feel less intense than summit morning, but you still need to watch your knees and footing on the descent. Going downhill is not automatically easy, especially after the strain of a high-altitude summit attempt.

A hot lunch is served at camp. Sykes monkeys are among the wildlife that can be spotted with relative ease in this section. Keep your food and belongings under control, and enjoy the change from bare upper slopes to thicker vegetation.

Met Station Camp provides the night’s accommodation. The return to forest conditions also gives the trip a strong sense of progression. In only a few days, you move from rainforest to high mountain ridges and then back through bamboo and woodland.

Day five: Naromoru Gate and the return to Nairobi

After breakfast, you continue down through rainforest to the Naromoru park gate headquarters. You sign out, say goodbye to the mountain crew, and begin the drive back to Nairobi.

The expected arrival time is 4:30pm. That makes this a full final day, even though most of the demanding climbing is over. You should avoid scheduling an important evening flight or fixed appointment unless you have plenty of extra time.

The route ending at Naromoru is one of the plan’s practical strengths. You climb on Sirimon, descend on Naromoru, and finish at a different park gate. That creates a more varied five-day experience than an out-and-back route.

What the $1,215 price really covers

At $1,215 per person, this is not a budget day hike. It is a supported five-day mountain trip with several necessary costs already bundled into one payment.

Included are:

• Transport to and from Nairobi
• Food while on the mountain
• Mount Kenya park fees
• Porters
• A cook
• Accommodation

The inclusion of porters and a cook changes the experience in practical ways. You do not need to carry every shared supply yourself, and you can return to prepared meals after long walking days. Guide Elijah is also singled out for his mountain experience, sense of humor, care with the crew, and love of nature. Those personal qualities matter when the schedule is tiring and the weather or altitude makes the day harder.

Equipment is not included. The listed hire prices are per item, per day. If you hired every item that has a stated price for all five days, the total would be about $185:

• Rain trousers: $10
• Rain jacket: $10
• Warm jacket: $15
• Warm socks: $5
• Warm trousers: $15
• Sleeping bag: $20
• Gloves: $10
• Warm hat: $10
• Head torch: $10
• Hiking boots: $20
• Hiking pole: $20
• Large sack: $20
• Sunglasses: $10
• Water bottle or hydration bag: $10

A day pack has no listed hire price. Ask about equipment before departure so the porters can plan for anything you need to rent. Comfortable shoes are specifically recommended, but for this altitude and terrain I would treat warm clothing, waterproof layers, a head torch, and proper hiking boots as practical necessities rather than optional extras.

Fitness, altitude, and the real level of difficulty

The trip is not suitable for people with a low level of fitness, and it is not suitable for pregnant women. That warning should be taken seriously.

The biggest challenge is not one isolated steep section. It is the combination of long walking days, cold nights, limited sleep before the summit, and rapid altitude gain. You sleep at 3,300 meters on the first night, reach 4,300 meters on the second, and then climb close to 5,000 meters before descending.

Altitude sickness is possible. The available guidance suggests bringing medicine for height sickness, even though one successful ascent was made without it. You should speak with a medical professional before deciding what medication is suitable for you. If you develop serious symptoms, tell Elijah or another crew member rather than trying to hide the problem to reach the summit.

The positive point is that the route has a sensible direction. Sirimon is easier for going up, while Naromoru is steeper for ascent and better used downhill. The schedule also includes an afternoon at Mackinder’s Camp after the summit, giving you time to rest instead of continuing immediately into another hard section.

Food, sleeping, and crew support

Accommodation is in bunkhouses at the mountain camps. This keeps the trip simple and functional. You should not book it expecting private rooms or hotel-style comfort.

Food is included throughout the mountain portion, with picnic lunch at Sirimon Gate, lunch along the route to Shipton’s Camp, hot snacks before the summit climb, hot brunch after Point Lenana, and hot lunch at Met Station Camp. The precise menu is not given, so bring any personal snacks you know you will want.

Cook Juma is named as part of the crew and is praised for preparing good food. That is especially useful on day three, when a hot brunch follows a 2:00am wake-up and a high summit attempt.

Porters carry mountain supplies, but you should still pack sensibly. Keep your own day-use items easy to reach, including water, warm layers, rain protection, sunglasses, and your head torch. A large sack is listed as hireable, while a small day pack is also required for personal essentials.

Who should choose this Mount Kenya climb?

I would recommend it to you if you want a serious mountain experience with organized support and changing scenery. It is a good fit for someone who has no previous mountain-hiking experience but is prepared to train, follow a steady pace, and respect altitude.

It is also a strong choice if you value a guide-led trip with a full mountain crew. Elijah’s 15 years of experience and the support of cook Juma and the porters add reassurance, particularly on the summit morning.

You should think twice if you dislike early starts, bunkhouse accommodation, long walks, or cold high-altitude conditions. This is not suitable for a low-fitness holidaymaker looking for a relaxed scenic outing.

The tour is offered in English. Pickup begins in Nairobi, with the exact meeting point arranged according to your location. Drones and pets are not allowed. You can reserve and pay later, and cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, which gives you some flexibility while planning.

Should you book the Sirimon to Naromoru climb?

Book this climb if you want Point Lenana at sunrise, a route that changes from rainforest to high moorland and back again, and the convenience of transport, meals, park fees, porters, a cook, and accommodation in one $1,215 package.

I especially like the route order. Sirimon makes the ascent more manageable, while Naromoru avoids sending you uphill on the steeper side. Just budget for equipment hire if needed, prepare for the 2:00am summit start, and take altitude symptoms seriously.

This is a demanding but well-supported introduction to Mount Kenya. If you arrive fit, pack warm gear, and listen to your guide, it offers a strong chance to reach Point Lenana and return with a genuine mountain achievement.

FAQ

How long is the Mount Kenya climb?

The experience lasts five days, beginning in Nairobi and ending back at the arranged meeting point in Nairobi.

What time does the trip leave Nairobi?

Departure is scheduled for 7:00am from Nairobi CBD, or from another pickup location arranged in advance.

Which route is used to climb Mount Kenya?

You ascend via the Sirimon route and descend via the Naromoru route.

What is the highest point reached?

The summit target is Point Lenana at 4,985 meters above sea level.

What time does the summit climb begin?

You wake at 2:00am for hot snacks before climbing to Point Lenana for sunrise.

Is Kilimanjaro visible from Point Lenana?

On a clear day, Kilimanjaro may be visible at a stated distance of about 320 kilometers.

Is food included?

Yes. Food while on the mountain is included, including meals and hot snacks described in the daily schedule.

Is accommodation included?

Yes. Accommodation is provided in bunkhouses at the mountain camps.

Are porters and a cook included?

Yes. Porters and a cook are included in the price.

Can I hire climbing equipment?

Yes. Equipment such as rain trousers, warm clothing, a sleeping bag, gloves, a head torch, boots, poles, a large sack, sunglasses, and a water bottle or hydration bag can be hired at the stated daily prices. You should advise the provider in advance.