TRAIL RUNNING KENYA

**FEBRUARY 2024 *Cancelled for 2024**

WHAT: From mountains to safaris and Kenya trail running. Mount Kenya is Africa’s second highest mountain at 5,199m (17,058 feet) and the highest of all Kenya Mountains. Mt Kilimanjaro, which is the tallest, lies 320km away in the south and is visible on a clear day. The rock on Mount Kenya can be of variable quality but is at it's best high on the mountain where the syenite rock is similar to granite - rough, hard and well endowed with features. Apart from the superb climbing potential on Mount Kenya, its tarns and alpine meadows; exotic, equatorial, high-altitude vegetation; sunbirds, hyrax and soaring eagles make the walk around the peaks one of the most beautiful expeditions in the East African mountains. After the cultivated farmlands on the lower slopes the trails pass through the rain forest, rich in trees of many species, then onto a bamboo zone growing to heights of more than 12m or more up through open moor land before reaching the moonscape of higher slopes. The forests are rich in wildlife including elephant, buffalo and monkeys with even the moor lands offering a long list of mammals including the rock hyrax, the nearest living relative of the elephant.

The Maasai Mara (Masai Mara) is situated in south-west Kenya and is one of Africa’s Greatest Wildlife Reserves. Together with the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania it forms Africa’s most diverse, incredible and most spectacular eco-systems and possibly the world’s top safari big game viewing eco-system, so don’t forget your binoculars!!

WHO: You don't need to be a runner for this trip, just an adventurer. When trail running in Kenya, some runs will be slow moving, power hiking, steep, and technical so prepare accordingly. All runs will be measured in time rather than distance due to the altitude, vertical +/- and technical aspects of the trails.

***THIS TRIP IS A MIX OF HIKING AND TRAIL RUNNING. THOSE THAT WANT A MORE RUN SPECIFIC TRIP WILL NEED TO LOOK AT SOME OF THE OTHER TRIPS THAT WE OFFER.

GUIDES FOR THIS ADVENTURE: Braz and George. We will also be joined by local runners and experienced safari guides.

PRICE: TBD

US$500 non refundable deposit required to secure place, deposit can be transferred to another adventure.
Remaining balance due by September 1st 2023. Registrations after that date must be paid in full. Single room supplement $70 per day, not available during the Mt Kenya hike
All tips included

MINIMUM NUMBER: 6 people required (Please do not make travel arrangements until we notify you that the minimum numbers have been met). We will do our best to let you know at least 120 days in advance.

INCLUDES:

ALL TIPS (We will make sure that all our guides and porters are paid well)
Accommodation (Mix of mountain huts and hotels)
Food
Transport in safari vans and 4X4 Toyota Landcruiser to Masai Mara
All entry fees during the safari and Mt. Kenya climb
English speaking guides and porters
One way flight Masai Mara - Nairobi

EXCLUDES:

Drinks/snacks
Shopping
International/national flights
Visa is required upon entry (US$50 Cash)
Travel Insurance (Required). We recommend: Global Rescue

ADVENTURE ITINERARY:

DAY 1: Sunday - Arrival to JKIA Airport - Nairobi

Arrive JKIA Nairobi and transfer to Panafric Hotel, Nairobi
Optional park run

DAY 2: Monday - Nairobi: Sheldrick Orphanage and Ngong Hills

Breakfast
Visit the Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage
Boxed Lunch
Trail Run at Ngong Hills. Flexible distances 10-15K
Explore the Karen Blixen Museum
Meet and greet with the Giraffes
Visit a Children's Orphanage near Nairobi
Dinner/Overnight at the Panafric Hotel

DAY 3: Tuesday - Nairobi - Mt Kenya region

Breakfast
Travel to Bantu Lodge Mt. Kenya region
Boxed Lunch
Trail run to Mau Mau Caves in Mt. Kenya Forest
Dinner/Overnight at Serena Sweetwaters Tented Camp

DAY 4: Wednesday - Mt. Kenya region - Judmaier/Old Moses Camp, 3300m

Breakfast
Early morning game drive at Sweetwaters
Transfer (2 hour) to Sirimon gate
Hike 3-4 hours (9km/860m+) to Judmaier Camp/Old Moses Camp
Boxed Lunch
Dinner/Overnight at camp

DAY 5: Thursday - Judmaier - Shipton's Camp, 4200m

Breakfast
Hike 7 hours (14km)
to Shipton's Camp
Boxed Lunch
Dinner/Overnight at camp

DAY 6: Friday - Shipton Camp - Acclimatisation day, 4200m

Breakfast
For better acclimatisation we will stay another day at the Shipton camp
Day hike to Oblong and Hausberg tarns (lakes) at 4590m then descend into the upper Hausberg valley. Ascending to the crest of a ridge known as Arthur’s seat we see the trail winding along a beautiful series of rock ledges and then return to the camp for lunch
Afternoon is at leisure
Boxed Lunch
Dinner/Overnight at camp

DAY 7: Saturday - Shipton Camp - Point Lenana - Meru Bandas, 2900m

Light breakfast
An early 2.00 am start for an attempt to reach point Lenana 4 hours (7km)
Attempt the summit through a scree field and rocky track with some very minor scrambling. With a good moon you will barely need a torch. Mt Kilimanjaro is also visible from the horizon
Descend to Minto’s camp for a full breakfast and after a short rest descend further to Mt Kenya Bandas along the Gorges valley where you can enjoy good views of the Temple, Lake Michaelson, Mushroom rocks and Giants billiards table Mountain.
Dinner/Overnight at the Mt Kenya Meru Bandas. Here can enjoy a beer at a fire place, hot shower and bed.

DAY 8: Sunday - Meru Bandas - Aberdare

Breakfast
Descend 3hours (9km) on a broad track through bamboo and virgin rain forest to meet vehicle for transfer to Chogoria town
Boxed Lunch
Dinner/Overnight at the Ark, Aberdare National Park

DAY 9: Monday - Aberdare - Sopa Lodge

Breakfast
Trail run in Nyeri Aberdare area
Travel to Lake Nakuru National Park
Game drive en route to Lake Nakuru
Dinner/Overnight at the Sopa Lodge

DAY 10: Tuesday - Sopa Lodge: Trail run and boat trip

Breakfast
Morning game drive
Trail run at Nyahururu High Altitude Training Center and home of the late Olympic, Chicago, New York and World Marathon Majors Samuel Kamau and 5 time World Cross Country Champion John Ngugi, with local runners
Lunch at Lake Naivasha - Sopa Lodge
Boat ride for bird watching and hippo viewing
Dinner/overnight at the Sopa Lodge

DAY 11: Wednesday - Sopa Lodge - Masai Mara

Breakfast
Leave for Masai Mara
Run in the plains before arriving at the Masai Mara main gate
Game drive en route
Dinner/overnight at the Ashnil Tented Camp

DAY 12: Thursday - Masai Mara: Game Drive

Breakfast
Full day game drive
Dinner/overnight at the Ashnil Tented Camp

DAY 13: Friday - Masai Mara - Nairobi

Breakfast
Fly to Nairobi
Spend the rest of the day shopping
Dinner/overnight at the Hilton Airport Hotel

DAY 14: Saturday - Nairobi - Departure day

Breakfast
Departures

KENYA

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Waiver

I, hereby, undertake to indemnify Trail Run Adventures, LLC and all affiliated parties against all claims arising out of any death, injury, damage, loss, illness suffered or caused in the course of participation on the adventure, including all costs and expenses incurred as a result of such claims. REFUND POLICY: A $500 deposit is required to hold the spot. This deposit is non-refundable, but can be transferred towards another trip. The remaining balance (minus the deposit) is 100% refundable if it is more than 120 days before the start of the trip. 50% is refundable if it is from 60-120 days before the start of the trip. 25% is refundable if it is from 30-60 days before the start of the trip. No refunds will be given 30 days or less from the start date of the trip.

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