The 12 Apostles Ultra Upsweep is an immersive hike into the vast wilderness in the southern Aberdare Ranges. If you are familiar with Elephant Hill Hike, 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.
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 rain intensity. Please take rain gear seriously on this trek. Close to the base of the far rear peak of Mount Kinangop, the trail diverts to the 12 Apostles, and the adventure begins. This section to the base of the 12 Apostles has the richest and most beautiful remaining moorlands and is alive, getting you through rivers and valleys across the 2.5 km to the summit of the 12 Apostles.
The 12 Apostles Summit is a series and a staircase of peaks. Getting to the summit is through climbing a steeper rock than that of Kinangop, and feeling like you are done, there is one other peak you have to go through to reach the Eye of the 12 Apostles (A hole under the summit of the 12 apostles). The 12 Apostles summit push is the steepest in the Aberdares and demands your energy and willpower to complete. We have done this before, and it is very manageable for non-beginners.
The 12 Apostles Ultra Upsweep Stats
Approximate Distance: 33km
Approximate time: 14 hrs
Elevation: 3683m
Difficulty: Extreme (Advanced Hikers Only)
What to Wear During the 12 Apostles Ultra Upsweep
- Fleece Marvin/hat or a baseball cap.
- Proper hiking clothes (polyester t-shirt, wind jacket, hiking pants, fleece jacket).
- Comfortable hiking boots (should be one size bigger than your standard shoe size).
- Sunscreen
In the 12 Apostles Ultra Upsweep Backpack, Have
- 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.
- Raincoat/poncho.
- Valid identification document.
- A head torch.
- Hiking pole.
It is Also Advisable to Have
- A set of clothes to change into after the hike (sometimes, the good hiking gear also fails, and weather changes are unexpected).
See more details on how to prepare for this hike and the steps to take after the hike to ease the after-hike effects here.
Ticket
- East Africa Community Citizens/Kenyan Residents (EA)- Kes. 4400
- Rest of Africa Citizens (RA)- Kes. 8070
- International Visitors (IV)- Kes.12270
See what the tickets mean and what they include here.
Booking the 12 Apostles Ultra Upsweep
Reserve a slot by paying at least Kes.2000 to M-Pesa Buy Goods Till number 9754473 (Hikers Arena Limited) by 24th May and clear the balance before departure. Ticket Cancellation and refund policy applies.
Trip Itinerary
Meeting point: Kencom, Nairobi CBD (Opposite the city clock).
- 2.15 am: Boarding opens
- 2.30 am: Departure for South Kinangop Forest Station Gate (The departure time is strict)
- 4.45 am: Arrival at South Kinangop Forest Station Gate
- 5.00 am: Hike starts
- 12.00 pm: Mandatory turn-back time
- 8.00 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.
Inquiries and Updates
For inquiries and updates, click here. We also recommend you join the Hikers Arena Hiking Community Whatsapp group (Click here to join) to keep up to date with our activities and upcoming events.
