Mount Kinangop day trek is your true test for resilience on your journey to big mountains. Standing at 3906m ASL, Mount Kinangop is a stunning peak located in the Aberdare Range of Kenya, known for its challenging day hike that offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape and is the second tallest in the Aberdare Ranges. The hike begins at North Kinangop Forest Station and takes you through lush forests, a bamboo region, open moorlands, and rocky terrain, providing diverse experiences. The bamboo region is rich in green and nourished vegetation, and we should beware of the Urtica dioica (stinging nettle). When you near completing the Bamboo region, the trail gets steeper and slippery, and with the rainy season, there will be a muddy section before the ascent to the moorlands. The moorland is a heaven of views, with various aberdare peaks, such as Elephant Hill being visible, and the 12 Apostles as you near the Summit. At the summit, a very steep protruding rock leads to Mount Kinangop’s pinnacle. Going up this peak requires a self-meeting, balancing fear and enthusiasm, and being on all 4’s. Hitting the trek to the base of this peak will be summiting. However, we never discourage the hiker in you trying to test limits and view from higher up. If you can, we will go up this peak. The thrill starts when descending this peak. It requires more energy and care to get to the safer ground. The long trek to the car park gets even longer when you get to the Bamboo region, which seems not to end the more you descend. At that feeling, you are close to exiting the forest. At the end of the hike, you will congratulate yourself for managing 26km of a challenging trail.

Approximate distance: 27km

Approximate time: 11 hrs

Difficulty: Hard

What to Wear and Carry During Mount Kinangop Day Trek:

• Fleece Marvin/hat or a baseball cap
• Proper hiking clothes (polyester t-shirt, hiking pants, fleece jacket)
• Raincoat/poncho
• Comfortable hiking boots (should be one size bigger than your standard shoe size)
• Sunscreen

In your backpack:

• Snacks such as biscuits, nuts, fruits, crisps, etc.
• At least 2 liters of water (use a water bladder or a reusable bottle). Disposable plastic bottles are not allowed inside parks.
• Valid identification document.
• A set of clothes to change into after the hike.
• Sunglasses and sunscreen.
• Hiking pole.

Charges:

• Citizens (C)/residents (R)- Kes.3500
• Non-residents (NR)- Kes.11700
• Self-drive C/R- Kes.2000

Definitions:

• East African (EA) Citizen: A native East African country (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo) with a valid identification document or passport.
• Kenyan Resident: A person of another nationality residing in Kenya with valid documentation from the Kenyan government.

N/B: The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) recognizes the three categories using Identity Cards (IDs) and identification documents issued by the government. Ensure you identify yourself with the document you already hold.

What is included:

• Transport to the trail and back.
• Park entry charges for citizens and residents.
• Professional and friendly guides.
• Assorted fruits
• N/B: Our package excludes anything else not mentioned above.

Booking Mount Kinangop Day Trek:

Book by paying at least Kes.2000 to M-Pesa Buy Goods Till number 9754473 (Hikers Arena Limited) and clear the balance on Friday, November 24, 2023.

Note: BOOK EARLY!

Itinerary:

Meeting point: Opposite outside International House Kencom (Nairobi CBD)

• 3.45 am: Boarding opens
• 4.00 am: Departure for North Kinangop Forest station (The departure time is strict)
• 7.30 am: Arrival at North Kinangop Forest station
• 7.45 am: Hike starts
• 5.30 pm: Departure for Nairobi

N/B: The departure time is subject to the day’s team and could be earlier or later than estimated.

Convenience for Everyone:

Your ‘food’ could be the other person’s ‘poison’. Therefore;
🚫If you like music while hiking, carry earphones or headphones to listen at your volume and convenience.
🚫Smoking, alcohol and other non-prescribed drugs are prohibited during the hike.
✅While we have a list of what is needed above, we provide an extra liter of water to refill your valves and fruits as part of the package. The fruits are clean, but you should wash your hands and the fruits too to observe hygiene. Your health is paramount.

We value you and welcome you to the Arena. See you on the trails. See you on Saturday.

Readiness Checklist:

✅Wear your boot, especially if you have not for a while, and ascertain that it is still comfortable.
✅Take no vigorous or no exercises later than 2 days before the hike to reserve energy to carry you up the ascent.
✅Hydrate beyond often starting 3 days until the end of the hike.
✅Cut your toenails short for comfort in socks and the boot. When descending, you create a stronger grip, whose effect lasts on the toes. Doing this will make your experience more comfortable and memorable.
✅Ensure you stock your supplies the day before the hike, so we stop only for emergencies.
✅Empty your bowels before leaving in the morning.

After Hike

• Engage in post-hike stretching exercises to improve flexibility and prevent muscle tightness. Focus on stretching major muscle groups such as the calves, quadriceps, hamstrings, and hips. Hold each stretch for 15-30 seconds without bouncing.
• Replenish fluids lost during the hike by drinking plenty of water. Proper hydration is essential for muscle recovery and overall well-being. Consider consuming a sports drink or electrolyte-rich fluids to replenish electrolytes lost through sweat.
• Consume a balanced meal or snack within a few hours after your hike. Include protein, carbohydrates, and healthy fats to aid muscle recovery and replenish energy stores. Foods like lean meats, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and nuts are good options.
• If you experience muscle soreness or inflammation, apply ice or cold therapy methods such as cold packs or ice baths to reduce swelling and alleviate discomfort.
• Ensure adequate sleep supports your body’s recovery process. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night. Good sleep is crucial for repairing and rejuvenating your muscles.
• Allow your body sufficient time to rest and recover after a hike. Take it easy for the next couple of days and avoid overexertion. Proper rest is essential for repairing muscles and preventing injury.
• Consider getting a massage or using self-massage techniques like foam rolling to relieve muscle tension and improve circulation. Massage can help reduce muscle soreness and promote faster recovery.

Cancellation and Refund Policy:

If, for any reason, you decide to cancel the ticket, the following applies;

• At least one week before the event: 100% refund.
• At least 72 hours to the event: 50% refund.
• Less than 72 hours to the event: No refund.
• No shows: No refund.

Postponement Policy:

If you decide to postpone your ticket, please notify us at the latest 48 hours before the event. We will carry your ticket to another event. Postponement tickets attract an 8% charge if they must be refunded in the future.

Note: Postponement terms differ from prepayment terms. Prepayment is a loyalty strategy; the ticket fee prepaid in excess is refundable at the end of the calendar at no charge.

Inquiries and Updates;

For inquiries and updates, click here. We also recommend you join the Hikers Arena hiking community Whatsapp group (join here) to keep up to date with our activities and upcoming events.