Four days up and down the same route, on the driest and gentlest side of the mountain. The shortest itinerary we are willing to run — and we will tell you honestly what that costs you.
If your time in Kenya is tight, this is the route to do it on. Sirimon climbs at a kinder angle than Naro Moru and stays drier than Chogoria, which makes four days survivable where it would not be elsewhere.
Be clear about the trade-off. Four days means one fewer night to acclimatise, and summit success on this itinerary is noticeably lower than on our five and six-day options. Almost nobody who turns back does so because they were unfit — they turn back because their body did not have time to adjust. If you can find a fifth day, spend it here.
A short drive to Sirimon Gate at 2,650m and then straight onto the trail. Nine kilometres of equatorial rainforest and giant bamboo, climbing steadily.
Your guide will hold the pace down deliberately. On a four-day itinerary, every hour of gentle walking at low altitude is worth having.
Old Moses Camp · 3,300mThe long day. Out of the forest into open moorland, then up the Mackinder Valley with the peaks growing ahead of you all afternoon.
Drink more than you think you need and eat even if you do not feel like it — appetite drops sharply above 4,000m and going into summit night short of fuel is the commonest avoidable mistake on this mountain.
Shipton’s Camp · 4,200mUp at two, walking by three, on the summit ridge for first light. Point Lenana at 4,985m, with Batian and Nelion above you and the sun coming up over the Nyambene Hills.
Back to Shipton’s for breakfast, then a long descent all the way to Old Moses. It is a big day — roughly eleven hours on your feet from start to finish — but sleeping at 3,300m tonight means you will feel human again by morning.
Old Moses Camp · 3,300mThe last stretch back through bamboo and rainforest to Sirimon Gate. Take it slowly and enjoy the birdlife — after three days above the treeline the forest feels almost tropical.
Transport meets you at the gate for the transfer back to Nanyuki, arriving before lunch.
What’s included
- Kenya Wildlife Service park fees for every day on the mountain
- KWS-certified guide, cook and porters
- All meals on the mountain, freshly cooked
- Accommodation along the route
- Tents, sleeping bags and walking sticks
- Road transport at both ends of the trek
- Drinking water throughout
What to bring
- Well-broken-in hiking boots — the most important item you own
- Warm jacket and insulated trousers for summit morning
- Waterproof jacket and over-trousers
- Warm hat, gloves and a buff or balaclava
- Sunglasses and high-factor sun cream
- Head torch with spare batteries
- Daypack for the summit push
Missing something? We rent down jackets, insulated trousers, gloves, fleeces and larger packs at USD 5 per item for the trip. Sleeping bags, walking sticks and tents are already included.
What it costs
Four days at our standard daily rate, everything above included.
Airport collection and Nairobi transport available at USD 150. See our full cost breakdown for what sits outside the daily rate.
Book the 4-Day Sirimon Climb
Tell us your dates and group size and we will send a day-by-day plan built around them.
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