Stage 3 of the Mount Kenya Sirimon–Chogoria Traverse covers 7.3 km from Shipton's Camp to Mintos Hut, with 754 m of ascent and 730 m of descent. The highest point is 4,944 m. Allow about 4 hours of walking, plus breaks.
Distance, climb and elevation come from the Outest route data. Difficulty and time are estimates from distance and climb; your pace will vary with heat, pack weight and photo stops.
Basic hut at 4,790 m just below Point Lenana, passed on the summit morning; it sleeps about 30 and is the base for Nelion climbers. Only for emergencies or acclimatised groups: sleeping this high without acclimatisation is dangerous.
Campsite on the shore of Lake Michaelson in the Gorges Valley, about 0.5 km below the main path near Mintos and a steep 300 m lower. No facilities.
KWS campsite at about 4,300 m by the Hall Tarns, above the Gorges Valley and Lake Michaelson, with a small tin hut used mainly by guides and porters. Plan to sleep in a tent; your operator books the site with KWS.
Wild campsite near Simba Tarn below Simba Col at about 4,600 m, on the descent from Point Lenana towards the Chogoria route. No facilities; very cold and exposed.
Checked online in October 2026. Places marked "not confirmed by the operator" are listed on OpenStreetMap, by tour operators or in guides but could not be checked on an official page. A KWS-certified guide is compulsory on Mount Kenya, and your operator normally books the huts and campsites with the park fees. Nights above 4,000 m are well below freezing: bring a four-season sleeping bag.
Emergency: call 999 or 112, KWS 0800 597 000. Altitude sickness: descend. Emergency & health guide
Pharmacies, ATMs, shops and stops: © OpenStreetMap contributors. Hospitals and health centres checked online.
The full stage works offline in Outest, with the route, elevation, water and village points, and a trail guide you can ask about conditions and the next place to sleep.