The 12 Apostles Adventure

A Short Story About the 12 Apostles Adventure:

The 12 Apostles Adventure is an immersive hike into the vast wilderness in the southern Aberdare Ranges. If you are familiar with Elephant Hill, the 12 Apostles follow the same trail to the last climb to the pinnacle of Elephant Hill and branches to the right as you head to Mount Kinangop. The hike begins at Aberdares Njabini Gate and follows through the forest to the forest gate. It then follows deep inside to the bamboo gate, where the steep trail begins. This trail takes you through the tall bamboo trees to the deceiving point of despair (Desperado). This is where you have shed your first flow of sweat, and thinking it is the summit, fine-lined vegetation welcomes you to yet another steep ascent to the elephant’s tail. You can see Mount Kenya in the North East and Sasumwa Dam to the South West when clear. The bamboo region ends after a short stretch past the Desperado, where the rainforest begins, and the exposed rocky region shows.

At the tail, the views begin to be more stunning and satisfying. The trek past the tail is gentler across some valleys and the rocky region towards Elephant Hill summit. When the trail branches close to Elephant Hill summit, it follows a steep descent to the base of the other side of Elephant Hill down the Kinangop Valley. The trek has boggy sections from this base towards Mount Kinangop. If it rains, some trails turn into rivulets or rivers based on the intensity. Please take rain gear seriously on this trek. After 5km from Elephant Hill summit, this is where the trail ends and the 12 Apostles Adventure hits. Like the Rhino Peak a while back, no trail leads to the apostles. It is a short distance that takes too much time to cover. It is also steep when getting to the summit, so the difficulty, fatigue, and terrain could strain. However, we are adventurers. Let us try this together. Being a newly tried trail, make your foot counted among the trailmakers of the path to the 12 Apostles. The hiking fraternity will live on your feet.

Approximate distance: 32km

Approximate time: 12 hrs

Difficulty: Tough (Not beginner friendly)

What to Wear and Carry During the 12 Apostles Adventure:

1. Fleece Marvin/hat or a baseball cap.
2. Proper hiking clothes (polyester t-shirt, wind jacket, hiking pants, fleece jacket).
3. Raincoat/poncho.
4. Comfortable hiking boots (should be one size bigger than your standard shoe size).
5. Sunscreen and sunglasses.
6. Hiking pole.
7. Snacks such as biscuits, nuts, fruits, crisps, etc.
8. At least 2 liters of water (use a water bladder or a reusable bottle). Disposable plastic bottles are not allowed inside parks.
9. Valid identification document.

It is also advisable to have:

1. A head torch (in an unforeseen circumstance, it might get dark before completing the hike).
2. A set of clothes to change into after the hike (sometimes the good hiking gear also fails).

Charges:

• Citizens (C)- Kes. 3800
• Residents (R)- Kes. 4100
• Non-residents (NR)- Kes.12900

Definitions:

• East African (EA) Citizen: A native East African countries (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo) with valid identification documents or passport.
• Kenyan Resident: A person of another nationality residing in Kenya, and has a 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 a government. Ensure you identify yourself with the card you already hold.

What is included:

1. Transport to the trail and back.
2. Park entry charges for citizens and residents.
3. Professional and friendly guides.
4. Assorted fruits

N/B: Our package excludes anything else not mentioned above.

Booking the 12 Apostles Adventure:

Book by paying at least Kes.2000 to M-Pesa Buy Goods Till number 9754473 (Hikers Arena Limited) and clear the balance before departure.

Note: BOOK EARLY!

Itinerary:

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

• 3.15 am: Boarding opens
• 3.30 am: Departure for Njabini Gate (The departure time is strict)
• 5.30 am: Arrival at Njabini Gate
• 5.45 am: Hike starts
• 1.00 pm: Turn-back time
• 7.00 pm: Departure for Nairobi

N/B: The departure time back to Nairobi 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 also wash your hands and the fruits 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.