Rookie to Advanced Hiker: The Beginner’s Hiking Course
When was the last time you learned a new skill?
If you ever wanted to start hiking but did not know where to start, or you were afraid that it would be too difficult, our Rookie to Advanced Hiker program is specially crafted just for you.
Hiking is a sport, and being a hiker is a skill of its own. There’s the gear, preparation, mental aspects, and much more. The Rookie to Advanced Hiker Program is a 12-week course designed to instruct and inspire you to walk the great outdoors. No prior hiking experience is required. By strategically walking the 6 core events of the program, you will become a competent hiker by the end of the course.
Right from the start, we will show you how to walk the outdoors, and everything that is required for your survival and safety — from the basics of keeping yourself safe on the trails to a guide on how to select proper gear. We’ll be there with you every step of the way. This ensures that you take consistent steps towards harnessing the power of walking outside for your fitness goals.
Rookie Program Summary
2023 Jan-Mar Hikes Schedule
Jan 14 – Kilimambogo
Jan 28 – Kijabe Hills
Feb 11 – Mt. Longonot
Feb 25 – Elephant Hill
Mar 11 – Mackinders
Mar 25 – Dragon’s Teeth
Package Cost
Citizen Ticket – Ksh 18,000/=
Resident Ticket – Ksh 18,500/=
Non-Resident Ticket – Ksh 44,500/=
Q1 2023 Citizen/Resident Payment Plan
Pay 6,500/= non-refundable deposit before January 7
Pay 7,900/= by February 5
Clear the balance by March 7
Mpesa Buy Goods till 989985
See also:
Included in the Package
Cancellation & Refunds Policy
The Rookie to Advanced Hiker Program is for you if:
- You have no prior hiking experience.
- You want to start hiking but have absolutely no clue where to start.
- You want to learn hiking with no short-term goals to climb Mt. Kenya as in the Beginner to Mt. Kenya Program.
Rookie to Advanced Hiker 2023 Q1 Calendar & Schedule
The Rookie to Advanced Hiker program features a series of six hikes, one every two weeks, with increasing difficulty, targeted toward building resilience. The program runs thrice every year from January to March, May to July, and September to November. The current schedule is as follows.
January 10 (8-9 p.m):- Virtual Session
We kick off the program with a one-hour virtual session four days before the first event. The session’s goal is to get acquainted with the team and get a run-through of the program and what to expect. This will include Q&A.
January 14:- Ol Donyo Sabuk – Mt. Kilimambogo
Our maiden expedition to Mt. Kilimambogo is a moderate hiking experience meant to spark your interest in outdoor fitness life. The mountain is located along the Thika-Garissa highway, within the Ol Donyo Sabuk National Park.
Goal: Introduction to hiking
Total distance: 18km
Hiking time: 4-6 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
January 15 (2-4 p.m):- Orientation Day – The Nairobi Arboretum
Goal: Orientation to hiking gear and rules
We proceed to a two-hour orientation session at The Nairobi Arboretum, where you get to be introduced to the hiking gear you will need along the way. You shall also be taken through the dos and don’ts of hiking–rules and guidelines to keep you safe, alive, and well on the trails.
January 28:- Kijabe Hills
On our second hike, we set out to discover the magic of the Kijabe Hills Hike. Our expedition starts at the AIC Kijabe Hospital, cutting through thick forest vegetation, to get to the caves and hot springs. Next, we will conquer ourselves by scaling the three Kijabe Hills. Finally, we shall descend toward the Nairobi-Nakuru Highway, to exit via Soko Mjinga.
Goal: Introduction hiking
Distance: 11km
Duration: 5-7 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
February 11:- Mt. Longonot Crater Circuit
The third hike takes us to our first mountain, Mt. Longonot. The trail starts at the mountain’s base, rising steeply on a 3.1km stretch to the crater rim, then covering 7.2km around the crater. Our hike ends back at the gate, covering 13.5km in total.
Goal: Orientation to steep terrain
Total distance: 13.5km
Hiking time: 4-6 hours
Difficulty: Moderate to hard
I did a thing; I summited the third highest peak in Kenya, Point Lenana.
I did a thing; I summited the third highest peak in Kenya, Point Lenana. At the summit, my emotions had the best of me! I cried deeply; tears of gratitude — of unlocking my mountain, my emotions, and my courage! On my last birthday, I told myself that I would start hiking to get to… Read more “I did a thing; I summited the third highest peak in Kenya, Point Lenana.”
I started my journey with nothing short of the hope that I will follow through and be strong
I hesitated to share my story because every time I thought of writing it, I got emotional. I am in awe of where I started and, more so, where I am going. I started my journey on a board: no money, no energy — just a heart on fire and a desire to prove to… Read more “I started my journey with nothing short of the hope that I will follow through and be strong”
I don’t think I have had as many conversations with God as I did while on this trek
Climbing Mt. Kenya in 2021 was nowhere in my plans for 2021. In fact, I remember on my birthday in January, a friend suggested to a few of us that we climb Mt. Longonot and I thought that was so funny! This must have, however, stuck in my mind, as towards the end of January,… Read more “I don’t think I have had as many conversations with God as I did while on this trek”
Introduction to High-Altitude Hiking
February 25:- Elephant Hill, Aberdares
Goal: Altitude acclimatization, Orientation to steep terrain
Total distance: 19km
Hiking time: 7-10 hours
March 11:- Mt. Kenya Kionjo - The Mackinders Quest
Next, we will go on a unique mission to set our eyes on future goals: the big mountain. Our route choice will be the Naromoru route, as the trail is short, making it possible to trek all the way to the Mackinders camp (4,300m ASL) on a day trip, where we will enjoy glorious views of the peaks--if the weather permits.
The Mackinders hike is a crucial event in the program. Here, we experience altitude sickness symptoms to enable us to identify and report the symptoms long before they become severe during a mountaineering expedition.
Goal: Altitude acclimatization, orientation to altitude sickness
Total distance: 20km
Hiking time: 7-9 hours
Climax: Unveiling the Competent Hiker in You
March 25:- Mt. Satima Dragon's Teeth Trail
Rising to an altitude of 4,001m (13,126ft) above sea level, Ol Donyo Lesatima is the highest of the Aberdares peaks and the third-highest peak in Kenya. On our final preparatory hike, we will set out on the reasonably gentle, magnificent Dragon's Teeth trail, hoping to conquer ourselves on Satima Peak. We save the best for last--and the relative ease ensures we all have a good chance at getting to the summit.
Goal: Altitude acclimatization
Total distance: 16km
Hiking time: 7-9 hours
Difficulty: Hard
Rookie to Advanced Hiker Program Charges
Citizens: Ksh 18,000/=
Residents: Ksh 18,500/=
Non-Residents: Ksh 44,500/=
Package Includes
- Progressive training throughout the course of the program:
- Training materials and discussions in a WhatsApp group
- Three virtual Q&A group calls
- Two one-on-one hands-on gear sessions at the Nairobi Arboretum
- Unlimited consulting with various Outdoorer Champions
- Transport from Nairobi and back
- Park fees & charges
- Guide services
- Paramedic services
- A liter of water, glucose, and fruits for each day hike
Package DOES NOT include
- Hiking gear, clothes, and other personal effects
- Anything else not mentioned in the 'Package Includes' list
Rookie to Advanced Hiker Program Payment Plan
1st Installment - Pay a non-refundable booking confirmation deposit of Ksh 6,500/= (0r 35% of the program cost for non-residents) before the program start date (January 7, 2023).
2nd Installment - Top up 44% of the total cost by day 30 of the program
3rd Installment - Clear the package balance by day 60 of the program
Mpesa Buy Goods till 989985
Cancellation and Refunds Policy
– The booking confirmation deposit is non-refundable and non-transferable to a future event or program.
– The booking and booking confirmation deposit are transferrable to a different person on or before the program start date.
– Where cancellation is requested on or before the program start date, Ksh 6,500 or 35% of the program cost, whichever is higher, will be retained from the sum paid up. Any excess paid will be refunded in full.
– Where cancellation is requested after the program start date, and on or before day 50 of the program, Ksh 12,000 or 65% of the program cost, whichever is higher, will be retained from the sum paid up. Any excess paid will be refunded in full.
– Where cancellation is requested after day 50 of the program, and before day 60 of the program, Ksh 14,400, or 80% of the program cost, whichever is higher, will be retained from the sum paid up. Any excess paid will be refunded in full.
– No refund will be issued when cancellation is requested on or after day 60 of the program.
– The Rookie to Advanced Hiker Program ticket is bundled and may not be split into specific event tickets. Therefore, no-shows may not claim any amount for any event they miss.
– The Rookie to Advanced Hiker Program subscription will be on hold as soon as a milestone payment falls overdue.
– The Rookie to Advanced Hiker Program ticket expires a milestone payment immediately becomes seven (7) days overdue. The ticket is deemed canceled on the expiry date, and the cancellation policy applies.
– An expired ticket may be revived by topping up the deposits paid to the total of the per-event rate for all events in the bundled ticket.
– Participation in the prep hikes is mandatory, otherwise, no adjustments will be made to the final cost.
– No-shows forfeit the entire deposits paid up.
