Terms & Conditions

These terms and conditions govern all bookings made with Mount Kenya Routes (“we”, “us”, “our”), a guided trekking and mountaineering operator based in Nanyuki, Kenya. By confirming a booking you agree to be bound by these terms.

1. Bookings and confirmation

A booking is confirmed once we have received a completed enquiry or booking form and you have received a written confirmation from us (by email or WhatsApp). No booking is confirmed by verbal agreement alone.

We reserve the right to decline any booking at our discretion, including where we believe a proposed itinerary is unsafe for a client given their stated fitness level or medical history.

2. Payment

• Deposit: A deposit of 30% of the total package price is required to confirm your booking. The deposit is non-refundable unless we cancel the trip (see clause 5).
• Balance: The remaining balance is due no later than 30 days before the start date of your trek. For bookings made within 30 days of the start date, full payment is due at time of booking.
• Payment methods: We accept M-Pesa, bank transfer (KES or USD), and cash on arrival in Nanyuki. We will confirm accepted payment methods in your booking confirmation.
• Prices: All prices are quoted in USD unless otherwise stated. Prices are subject to change until a deposit is received and your booking is confirmed.

3. Cancellation by you

All cancellations must be made in writing (email or WhatsApp) to us. The date of cancellation is the date we receive your written notice. The following charges apply:

We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance that covers trip cancellation before confirming your booking.

4. Amendment by you

If you wish to amend your booking (change dates, route, group size, or services), we will do our best to accommodate your request. Amendments are subject to availability and may result in a price adjustment. Requests to amend a booking within 14 days of the start date cannot be guaranteed and may be treated as a cancellation and re-booking.

5. Cancellation by us

We reserve the right to cancel a trip in exceptional circumstances, including:

• Extreme or unsafe weather conditions
• Closure of Mount Kenya National Park by KWS
• Insufficient group numbers (where a minimum has been stated)
• Force majeure events (see clause 9)

In the event of cancellation by us, we will offer you a full refund or the option to rebook at no additional cost. We are not liable for any additional costs you may have incurred, including flights, accommodation outside our package, or travel insurance.

6. Health, fitness, and safety

Climbing Mount Kenya involves significant physical exertion and exposure to altitude. By confirming a booking, you confirm that:

• You are in good physical health and have no medical condition that would make high-altitude trekking inadvisable without medical clearance
• You have disclosed any relevant medical history (heart or lung conditions, prior altitude sickness, diabetes, epilepsy, pregnancy) in your booking form
• You understand that altitude sickness can affect anyone regardless of fitness and that our guides may require you to descend if they assess it is unsafe to continue
• You will follow all safety instructions given by your guide on the mountain

We reserve the right to refuse to take a client onto the mountain, or to require descent, if our guide judges it necessary for reasons of safety. In such cases, no refund will be given for unused portions of the trek.

We recommend consulting your doctor before any high-altitude trek, particularly if you have a history of heart or lung conditions.

7. Travel insurance

Travel insurance is mandatory for all clients. Your policy must include cover for: high-altitude trekking (to at least 5,000 m), emergency medical evacuation by helicopter or air ambulance, and trip cancellation. You must carry proof of your insurance on the trek. We are not liable for the cost of medical treatment, evacuation, or repatriation if you are uninsured.

8. Limitation of liability

Mountain trekking and climbing involve inherent risks, including but not limited to: altitude sickness, injury from falls, extreme weather, wildlife encounters, and evacuation delays. You acknowledge and accept these risks by booking with us.

Mount Kenya Routes, its guides, employees, and agents shall not be liable for:

• Death, personal injury, illness, or loss of property arising from a trek
• Any loss or damage arising from circumstances beyond our control
• Any loss or damage arising from your failure to follow the instructions of your guide
• Costs arising from trip cancellation, delay, or curtailment not caused by our negligence

Our liability in respect of any claim shall not exceed the total price paid by you for the trek in question. Nothing in these terms limits liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligence.

9. Force majeure

Neither party shall be in breach of these terms or liable for any failure or delay in performance if such failure or delay results from circumstances beyond their reasonable control, including but not limited to: acts of God, extreme weather events, government actions, park closures, civil unrest, pandemics, or natural disasters. We will notify you as soon as reasonably practicable of any such event and work with you to reschedule or provide a credit where possible.

10. Park fees and permits

Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) park fees and permits are included in our package prices unless explicitly stated otherwise. KWS has the right to adjust fee structures without notice. If fees increase between the time of your booking and your trek date, we will notify you and the difference in cost will be passed on.

11. Client responsibilities

• Arrive in Nanyuki at the agreed time with all required gear, documents (including passport and travel insurance), and park entry payment where applicable
• Treat guides, porters, cooks, and fellow trekkers with respect at all times
• Follow Leave No Trace principles: carry all waste off the mountain, do not disturb wildlife, and comply with KWS regulations
• Not bring or consume alcohol on the mountain during the ascent phase (above the national park gate)
• Disclose any changes to your health or fitness status before the trek begins

12. Photography and media

By booking with us, you grant us permission to use photographs or videos taken during your trek for marketing purposes, including on our website and social media. If you do not wish to appear in any marketing materials, please notify us in writing before your trek.

13. Governing law

These terms and conditions are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Kenya. Any disputes arising under these terms shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Kenya.

14. Changes to these terms

We reserve the right to update these terms and conditions at any time. The version in effect at the time of your booking confirmation applies to your booking. The latest version is always available on this page.