Drive through the central highlands to Chogoria town, approximately 4–5 hours from Nairobi. Have lunch in Chogoria and organize final supplies.

After lunch, take a 4×4 vehicle up the Chogoria mountain road toward the forest edge. From the trailhead, begin hiking through the bamboo and montane forest.

Continue to Mt Kenya/Meru Bandas, where you spend your first night.

• Hiking distance: ~10 km
• Hiking time: 3–4 hours
• Altitude: ~2,900 m
• Elevation gain: ~650 m
• Overnight: Mt Kenya Bandas
• Meals: Lunch & dinner

The Bandas provide a comfortable first night and allow the group to begin acclimatizing before moving higher.

After breakfast, start hiking higher through the forest and giant heather zone toward the open moorland.

Continue toward Lake Ellis, with beautiful views of Mugi, Ithanguni and the Giant's Billiards Table.

• Distance: ~9 km
• Hiking time: 3–4 hours
• Altitude: ~2,900 → 3,500 m
• Overnight: Lake Ellis Camp
• Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Lake Ellis is a good location for acclimatization and offers an opportunity for an afternoon walk around the area

After breakfast, continue climbing toward the high-altitude zone.

The trail gradually leaves the lower moorland and climbs toward the Gorges Valley and Hall Tarns. The views become increasingly dramatic as you approach Mintos.

• Distance: ~12 km
• Hiking time: 4–5 hours
• Altitude: ~3,550 → 4,200 m
• Overnight: Mintos Camp
• Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Take the afternoon to rest, hydrate and prepare for the summit attempt. Published itineraries commonly use Mintos around 4,200 m before the summit push.

Wake up: around 2:00–3:00 AM

This is the summit day.

Start the climb toward Point Lenana (4,985 m) in darkness. The ascent takes approximately 3 hours, depending on the group's pace and weather.

Aim to reach Point Lenana around sunrise.

After enjoying the summit, descend toward Shipton's Camp and continue down through the Mackinder Valley toward Old Moses Camp on the Sirimon side.

• Summit: Point Lenana – 4,985 m
• Distance: approximately 21–24 km
• Hiking time: 10–12 hours
• Major descent: approximately 1,600–2,000 m
• Overnight: Old Moses Camp
• Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

This is the most demanding day of the trek because of the early start, summit altitude and long descent. Some operators instead finish this day at a different lower camp, so the exact overnight location should be confirmed when booking.

After breakfast, descend through the forest along the Sirimon route to Sirimon Gate.

Meet your vehicle and transfer to Nanyuki for lunch. After lunch, continue the journey back to Nairobi.

• Distance: ~9 km
• Hiking time: 2–3 hours
• Meals: Breakfast & lunch
• Expected Nairobi arrival: approximately 3:00–5:00 PM