Kenya Running Trip - Footsteps of Champions

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival to Nairobi

Pass By: Karura Forest, Limuru Road Muthaiga, Nairobi 00619 Kenya
You'll be greeted by our staff in the Nairobi airport and whisked away in our private transport to your hotel near Karura Forest in Nairobi where you'll settle in for a nice, relaxing night of sleep to get ready for your adventures starting tomorrow.

Meals included:
• Dinner: Late night snack upon arrival
Accommodation included: Overnight at Best Western Executive Residency or similar

Day 2: Nairobi to Hell's Gate

Stop At: Karura Forest, Limuru Road Muthaiga, Nairobi 00619 Kenya
Morning group run on the quiet forest trails. 2-8 miles (3-14 km)
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Stop At: Giraffe Centre, Duma Rd, Nairobi Kenya
After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll take a short drive to the Giraffe Sanctuary where you’ll learn about the different species of giraffes and the programs to breed and release the endangered species to the wild. Oh and you’ll be able to see a giraffe tongue up close and personal!
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Stop At: Hell's Gate National Park, Lake Road South South of Lake Naivasha, Naivasha 20117 Kenya
After lunch, we'll hop in our private transport and make our way to Hell's Gate where we'll explore tomorrow!
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Naivasha Kongoni Lodge or similar

Day 3: Hell's Gate - Biking, running, climbing and animals!

Stop At: Hell's Gate National Park, Lake Road South South of Lake Naivasha, Naivasha 20117 Kenya
Once in the park you’ll be given the option to run, bike (up to 9 miles or 15 km) or ride in the van as we search for some local wildlife on foot. If you still have energy and you’re up for another adventure you’ll be able to do a little rock climbing with a local, professional guide. If not, just enjoy the wildlife and scenery of the park and maybe visit the Devil’s Bedroom.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Naivasha Kongoni Lodge or similar

Day 4: Lake Nakuru Safari

Stop At: Lake Nakuru National Park Kenya
We’ll drive to nearby Lake Nakuru where you’ll get your binoculars out and start searching for animals. “Safari” is Swahili for “journey.” And Safari we will! If we’re lucky we’ll spot lions, rhinos, giraffes, hippos and more. After a full day in the park we’ll return back to our accommodation for dinner and a drink to relax.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Sarova Woodlands or similar

Day 5: Morning Safari and heading to "The Home of Champions" Iten, Kenya - Running Mecca

Stop At: Lake Nakuru National Park Kenya
Head out for an early morning game drive to experience the incredible wildlife of Kenya!
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at High Altitude Training Center

Day 6: Acclimating in Iten

Stop At: Eldoret Club, Eldoret, Kenya
Enjoy your first day in Iten with a little bit of relaxation and exploration of the nearby town. Stop in to a local billiards hall for a game of pool with the “sharks” or just enjoy wandering around the markets and bargaining for fresh fruits and veggies. We’ll want to take it easy today as it’s our first day at almost 8,000 ft. In the afternoon we’ll head out for our first jog up to 6 miles or 10 km and test out the legs on the famous red clay roads.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at HATC

Day 7: Iten Running and Waterfall Hike

Stop At: Eldoret Sports Club, Eldoret, Kenya
Enjoy the brisk, fresh early morning air as you join the roads with the other runners, running through the hills of Iten and watching the morning fog Iten and Waterfall Hikerise and disappear. After a nice, filling breakfast back at the HATC, we’ll all pile into our private transport for a quick trip down into the Rift Valley. Marvel at the scenery as the valley opens up before you and stop and take lots of pictures. About 45 minutes down the valley, we’ll stop and start our hike towards a small little community that sits under a not so small waterfall. We might even be able to stop at the natural carbonated spring and take a swig! Use the evening to relax, maybe schedule a massage or hang out at the Iten Club and see who pops their head in there for an evening tea or coffee. If you’ve still got energy after the hike you might be able to join in on the core classes offered by the HATC. Be warned, Timo and Richard are tough instructors and they only accept full effort!
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at HATC

Day 8: Fartlek Day - Test your speed! Meet runners and coaches.

Stop At: Eldoret Sports Club, Eldoret, Kenya
Fartlek Day! Many local, and occasionally famous runners take part in this weekly tradition. Take private transport down to the start, where you will rub shoulders with the world’s greatest. Do a short warm up, and then run with hundreds of Kenyans (literally) up the hills of Iten to camp. Transportation will be available for those who just want to ride along and take photos of the scenery and athletes along the route or for those who are looking for a shorter workout. Simply hop in the van and ride back to the HATC where your post-run pancakes and fruit will be waiting. Participate in a Q & A with a panel of local coaches and professional athletes. Past panels have included legendary coaches such as Brother Colm and Renato Canova, along with super-star athletes Vivian Cheruiyot and David Rudisha. They will be giving their input as to what makes Iten the “Home of Champions” and discussing the dedication it takes to make the professional ranks amongst the stiff competition.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at HATC

Day 9: Run, St. Patrick's School Visit and Tea with a local family

Stop At: Eldoret Sports Club, Eldoret, Kenya
After a morning run to get those legs warmed up and feeling better after our workout yesterday we’ll head over to St. Patrick’s School for a visit and tour of the museum. St. Patrick’s is where Brother Colm got his start and many, many Olympic athletes have passed through the halls.
In the afternoon, we will visit with a local family for a traditional tea service. Discuss Kenyan cultural traditions around the home and learn some Swahili and Kalenjin phrases. These phrases are the easiest way to get a smile from the Kenyans! Pay attention, listen and try hard. It will make your experience better, we promise.
After tea, it’s back to the HATC for another afternoon core session followed by a sunset dinner at Kerio View overlooking the Rift Valley.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at HATC

Day 10: Challenge Race Day! - Iten and Kenyan Cooking Class

Stop At: Eldoret Sports Club, Eldoret, Kenya
Now that you’re fully acclimated, why not race from the bottom of the Rift Valley to the top? Test your mettle against some local athletes and see how well adjusted you are to the altitude and hills of Iten. If you don’t want to race, enjoy an easier run at the top of the valley or come along for the ride and cheer on your fellow participants as they climb the hill. After a nice breakfast and some much needed relaxation time by the pool, we’ll all join the staff at the HATC and take part in a cooking class to learn how to cook your new favorite Kenyan foods. Enjoy dinner and prepare for your last full day in Iten tomorrow!
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at HATC

Day 11: Morning Run and Lake Baringo

Stop At: Lake Baringo, Kenya
Take a day off or go out for a short easy run in the morning before we leave for Lake Baringo. Once we get to the lake we’ll hop in a boat for a tour of the lake, hoping to spot some crocodiles and some of the 470 species of birds that have been known to be found there in one of the only freshwater lakes in the Rift Valley system. You’re sure to enjoy the air all way down there at 3,000 ft.
After our tour of the lake, we’ll wind our way slowly back up the Rift Valley and maybe stop by some mango farms to test out the local produce! Then it’s time to pack up and get to bed early as you’ll be traveling home soon and telling your friends all about your adventures.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at HATC

Day 12: Morning run and then the journey home!

Stop At: Eldoret Sports Club, Eldoret, Kenya
A last morning run before we head to Eldoret to catch our flight. Depending on flight schedules from Nairobi we’ll likely stop in Eldoret to savor that last Kenyan meal and stock up on locally produced coffee from a Kenyan favorite, Java House, before heading to the airport for a short flight to Nairobi followed by goodbyes to your tripmates and Gurus before boarding your flights home from Nairobi!
Duration: 4 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.