How fit do I need to be to do this trek?

Annapurna Base Camp is a Grade B or a moderately difficult trekking route. So any fit person can do this trek, even if you do not have any previous experience. You should be aware of what to expect and mentally prepare for it. Then, as long as you will too, you can.

How long do we walk every day when doing Annapurna Base Camp trekking?

On average, you walk about 4 to 6 hours per day. One or two days can be as less as 3hrs and one or two days can be as long as 7hrs.

What is the highest altitude reached in this trek?

The highest altitude reached is 4190m. This is the elevation of Annapurna Base Camp. ABC is the highest we will climb in this trek.

What about battery charging and hot shower facilities?

Yes, you can charge batteries en route. Charger should be brought. There are hot shower facilities as well. You may have to pay a certain amount for both ($1-$2). Negotiate. Also, a hot water facility could be free at a lower elevation.

Are there ATMs on the way to Annapurna Base Camp?

No. There are no ATMs on this trek route. You will have to draw enough cash in Pokhara or Kathmandu. There are a number of ATMs in these cities. Everything is paid in Nepali rupees. So money should be exchanged before the start of the trek.

What about internet access?

Yes. The Internet can be accessed in most places. Sometimes, there might be some technical problems. The Internet in Nepal is not as fast as you are used to and at times you can just lose connection.

Is it necessary to hire Guides/trekking agency for Annapurna Base Camp trekking?

Not really. It depends on you. If you want, ABC trekking can be done independently. You could hire a guide and a porter by yourself instead of going through an agency or not hire a guide at all. Although, not having a guide can be a little problematic during the offseason. It really depends on you. Is it your first time in Nepal? How confident are you of being able to find your way around? How pressed on time are you? If you go through an agency, it will be costlier but everything will be planned. You will only have to come, trek and return.

How much do guides and porters cost?

For the Annapurna region, pay for guides range from $20 to $30 per day and porters take $15 to $25 per day.

Mount Kenya Chogoria-Sirimon Route(5 Days)

Overview

Itinerary

Cost

More Info

Map

Overview

Itinerary

Cost

More Info

Map

Overview

The 5-day Chogoria–Sirimon traverse combines two of Mount Kenya’s most scenic approaches. You ascend via the eastern Chogoria side, passing Lake Ellis and the spectacular Gorges Valley, summit Point Lenana (4,985 m), and descend via the northern Sirimon route.

Duration: 5 Days / 4 Nights
Starting/ending: Nairobi
Summit: Point Lenana — 4,985 m
Difficulty: Challenging
Best for: Trekkers wanting scenery plus a proper acclimatization profile

Highlights

Trek to the world-famous Everest Base Camp
Enjoy the amazing view of the Himalayas from Kala Patthar
Travel through the Sherpa villages of Namche, Khumjung, Khunde, and Dingboche
Visit Tengboche the biggest and oldest monastery n the region.

Day 1 :

Day 1: Nairobi → Chogoria → Mount Kenya Bandas

Departure: Around 6:30–7:00 AM
Driving: Approximately 4–5 hours to Chogoria
Trekking: ~8–10 km
Altitude: ~2,950–3,000 m
Hiking time: 3–4 hours
Overnight: Meru Mount Kenya Bandas

Your adventure begins with an early morning pickup from your hotel in Nairobi.

Drive through Kenya's central highlands toward Chogoria town, passing agricultural areas, tea and coffee-growing regions and eventually getting views of Mount Kenya.

After lunch in Chogoria, transfer by 4×4 vehicle toward the mountain. Depending on road conditions and the current access point, the vehicle takes you toward the forest/roadhead before the trekking section begins.

Begin walking through the bamboo and montane forest toward the Meru Mount Kenya Bandas.

The trail is relatively gentle, allowing you to start adapting to the altitude.

Arrive at the Bandas, settle into camp and enjoy dinner.

Overnight: Meru Mount Kenya Bandas
Meals: Lunch & Dinner

Day 2 :

Day 2: Mount Kenya Bandas → Lake Ellis

Distance: ~9 km
Hiking time: 4–5 hours
Altitude: ~2,950 m → 3,500–3,600 m
Altitude gain: ~550–700 m
Overnight: Lake Ellis Camp

After breakfast, begin climbing gradually through the highland forest.

The landscape becomes more open as you gain altitude, with giant bamboo, moorland vegetation and increasingly dramatic views.

Continue toward Lake Ellis, one of the beautiful high-altitude lakes on Mount Kenya.

The route provides excellent views toward Mugi, Ithanguni and the Giants Billiards Table.

Arrive at the Lake Ellis campsite in the afternoon.

Depending on time and weather, you can take a short acclimatization walk around the lake or simply relax and enjoy the mountain scenery.

Overnight: Lake Ellis Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 3 :

Day 3: Lake Ellis → Mintos Camp

Distance: ~12 km
Hiking time: 5–6 hours
Altitude: ~3,500–3,600 m → 4,200 m
Altitude gain: ~600–700 m
Overnight: Mintos Camp / Mintos Hut area

After breakfast, begin the climb toward the high alpine zone.

The trail follows the ridge toward the upper Chogoria route. As you gain altitude, the vegetation changes dramatically, with giant groundsels and other characteristic Mount Kenya alpine plants.

You will begin getting spectacular views over the Gorges Valley and surrounding peaks.

Continue toward the Mintos area at approximately 4,200 m.

The afternoon can be used for resting and acclimatization. If conditions permit, your guide may take you for a short acclimatization walk around the camp.

One of the highlights is the viewpoint known as The Temple, overlooking the dramatic Gorges Valley.

Have an early dinner and prepare your summit equipment because the following morning starts very early.

Overnight: Mintos Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 4 :

Day 4: Mintos Camp → Point Lenana → Shipton's → Old Moses

🏔️ Summit Day

Wake-up: Around 2:30 AM
Summit departure: Around 3:00 AM
Summit: Point Lenana — 4,985 m
Trekking distance: ~20–24 km
Hiking time: 10–12 hours
Altitude gain: ~785 m
Altitude loss: ~1,685 m
Overnight: Old Moses Camp — 3,300 m

This is the longest and most demanding day.

Wake up around 2:30 AM, have a hot drink and light snack, dress warmly and begin the summit climb around 3:00 AM.

The trail climbs over rocky alpine terrain toward Point Lenana, the highest trekking summit on Mount Kenya at 4,985 m.

The goal is to reach the summit around sunrise.

🌅 Point Lenana — 4,985 m

Weather permitting, arrive at Point Lenana around sunrise.

From the summit you can enjoy spectacular views of Batian and Nelion, the main technical peaks of Mount Kenya, as well as the surrounding Kenyan landscape.

Take photographs and celebrate your summit achievement before beginning the descent.

Point Lenana → Shipton's Camp

Descend toward Shipton's Camp at 4,200 m, where you stop for breakfast and a short rest.

Shipton's → Old Moses

Continue descending through Mackinder Valley, passing through the beautiful high-altitude moorland.

The vegetation gradually changes as you lose altitude.

Continue toward Old Moses Camp at 3,300 m, where you have dinner and spend your final night on the mountain.

This is a long day, but the majority of the route after the summit is downhill.

Overnight: Old Moses Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 5 :

Day 5: Old Moses → Sirimon Gate → Nanyuki → Nairobi

Distance: ~9 km
Hiking time: 2–3 hours
Altitude: 3,300 m → ~2,650 m

After breakfast, begin your final descent from Old Moses through the forest toward Sirimon Gate.

The trail gradually returns into the lower forest zone.

At Sirimon Gate, meet your vehicle and begin the transfer to Nanyuki.

Depending on your schedule, stop in Nanyuki for lunch and refreshments. You can also make an optional Equator stop before continuing to Nairobi.

Arrive in Nairobi in the afternoon/evening, depending on traffic and road conditions.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Mount Kenya Chogoria-Sirimon Route(5 Days)