The Start of an Active Life in The Great Outdoors
If you’ve ever wanted to start hiking but didn’t know where to begin, the Rookie to Advanced Hiker program is for you. Hiking is a skill—there’s the gear, preparation, mindset, and technique to learn.
This 12-week course guides you through six core events, helping you gain confidence and competence in the outdoors—no prior experience needed. From navigating trails to selecting the right gear and staying safe, we’ll be with you every step, helping you harness the power of walking outside to achieve your fitness goals.
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 .
2026 Program Schedule
| Event | S1 2026 | S2 2026 | S3 2026 |
| Kilimambogo | Jan 10 | May 02 | Sep 26 |
| Kijabe Hills | Jan 24 | May 16 | Oct 10 |
| Mt. Longonot | Feb 07 | May 30 | Oct 24 |
| Elephant Hill | Feb 21 | Jun 13 | Nov 07 |
| Mackinders Quest | Mar 07 | Jun 27 | Nov 21 |
| Mt. Satima | Mar 21 | Jul 11 | Dec 05 |
Rookie to Advanced Hiker: The Roadmap
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.
2026 Dates: Jan 6 | Apr 28 | Sep 22​
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.
After the first hike, 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.
2026 Dates: Jan 11 | May 3 | Sep 27
On our second hike, we set out to discover the magic of the Kijabe Hills. The one-way trail starts at the heart of the queit Kijabe town and ends at the bustling Soko Mjinga market along the Nairobi-Nakuru Highway. With a gradual incline up the three Kijabe Hills, the hike treats you to panoramic views of the Rift Valley, all while allowing you to settle into the hiking life.
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.
As we graduate to the high-altitude trails , our first expedition takes us to the notorious Elephant Hill in Southern Nyandarua. This strenuous hike will introduce you to the unpredictable, harsh weather conditions at higher altitudes and deliver a new experience hiking through the various montane vegetation zones, in preparation for the Mt. Kenya climb.
Next, we will go on a 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 get to experience altitude sickness symptoms to enable us to identify and report the symptoms long before they become severe on a mountaineering expedition.
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 hike in the program, 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. We hope you enjoy the journey and trust that your heart will be fuller and your soul richer, as you march out of the mountain a confident hiker, ready to take on the great outdoors with pride.
The Rookie to Advanced Hiker Program Subscription
The cost, payment plan, and other crucial details in a nutshell.
The Rookie to Advanced Hiker program is currently available to Kenyan citizens and foreign residents. Here's a breakdown of the January-March 2026 payment plan.
| Installments | Citizen | Resident |
| Deposit | Ksh 8,500 | Ksh 8,500 |
| Feb 1 | Ksh 9,500 | Ksh 9,500 |
| Mar 3 | Ksh 7,000 | Ksh 9,000 |
| Total | Ksh 25,000 | Ksh 27,000 |
Included in the Subscription
- 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 for all events
- Park fees & charges at all events
- Guide services at all events
- Paramedic services at all events
- A liter of water, glucose, and fruits at all events
Excluded from the Subscription
- Hiking gear, clothes, and other personal effects
Things come up, and unforeseen circumstances prevent you from completing the program. Our flexible cancellation policy helps you understand your options.
Deposits & Dates
• The booking deposit is non-refundable.
• The program start date is considered 7 days before the first hike.
Before the Program Starts
• You may transfer your booking to another person or a future program.
• Cancellations made on or before the start date will incur a Ksh 8,500 or 35% fee (whichever is higher) to cover administrative costs.
After the Program Starts
• Day 1–50: Ksh 16,000 or 65% of the program cost (whichever is higher) will be retained.
• Day 51–59: Ksh 20,000 or 80% of the program cost (whichever is higher) will be retained.
• Day 60 onwards: No refund.
Additional Terms
• The Rookie to Advanced Hiker program ticket covers the entire program and cannot be split into individual events.
• No-shows and missed events are non-refundable.
• If an installment is overdue, your participation will be paused. If it remains unpaid for 7 days, your ticket expires, and the cancellation policy will apply on the expiry date.
Compare with our other programs
Rookie to Advanced Hiker in 12 Weeks
Learn to Hike
- 6 thoughtfully chosen hikes
- 2 Virtual learning sessions + 1 physical learning session
- Dedicated WhatsApp group
- 1:1 Matching with a personal coach
Beginner to Mt. Kenya in 90 Days
Learn to hike + Climb Mt. Kenya
- 6 thoughtfully chosen hikes + 4 Days Mt. Kenya Chogoria Route
- 3 Virtual learning sessions + 2 Physical learning sessions
- Dedicated WhatsApp group
- 1:1 Matching with a personal coach
Mount Kenya Crash Program
30 Days to Pt. Lenana
- 2 high-altitude prep hikes
- 4 Days Mt. Kenya Sirimon Route
- Personalized guidance on gear
- Dedicated WhatsApp Group