Each camp has designated arrival and departure dates. For example, if a camp is scheduled from August 2nd to 15th, you should plan to arrive at Eldoret International Airport on August 2nd and depart on August 15th. Day one is dedicated to arrivals, allowing guests to settle in and recover from their journey with the first official camp activity being a welcome meeting in the evening, while the final day is for departures. On most occasions we can accommodate slightly different arrival/departure dates upon request, however these must be booked in with us in advance of the camp. Specific dates for each camp are listed on our website.

You will need to make your own way to Eldoret International Airport, where a member of our team will meet you and bring you back to the camp in Iten.

Most international travelers arrive in Kenya via Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) in Nairobi. From there, you can take a domestic flight to Eldoret International Airport (EDL). The primary airline operating this route is Jambojet, which offers daily flights between Nairobi and Eldoret with a flight time of around one hour.

We recommend booking your domestic flight directly through the Jambojet website for the best prices and most reliable service. Be sure to leave sufficient time between your international and domestic flights in case of delays or long immigration queues at Nairobi airport. If you need help planning your journey, please feel free to get in touch with us.

Yes, we provide local airport transfers as part of the camp package. Upon arrival at Eldoret International Airport, our team will meet you and transport you to the High Altitude Training Centre (HATC) in Iten where our camp is based. Closer to the time of the camp we will send out a guest information form where you can input your flight details – this will be used by our team on the ground to know when to meet you and when to drop you off.

There are no fixed pick-up or drop-off times. You should aim to arrive at Eldoret International Airport anytime on day one of the camp, and a member of our team will be there to meet you, regardless of your flight time.

Closer to the start of the camp, we’ll request your flight details so our team in Kenya can arrange to be at the airport to welcome you. The same applies for your departure — we’ll make sure you’re taken to the airport in time for your return flight on the final day of the camp.

We recommend that all guests arrive and depart on the designated start and end dates of the camp, as this ensures a smooth experience for everyone and allows you to fully benefit from the scheduled activities. However, we understand that travel logistics don’t always align perfectly.

If you’re unable to arrive or depart on the set dates, please contact us as early as possible. We’ll do our best to accommodate your plans, including arranging airport transfers on alternative days if needed. Additional charges will apply for extra days spent at the camp – please contact us for a quote.

Iten is a safe town and the local people are very welcoming to foreign visitors. The accommodation is situated directly next to the local police station and the camp also employs a 24 hour security guard from G4S as precaution.

In our experience Iten is very safe to visit and we have not had any negative security experiences in our time organising camps in Iten.

We will also have tour guides with you throughout the camp who will facilitate your enjoyment and safety. This can be of particular importance to those who may be travelling to East Africa for the first time.

Having tour guides with extensive local knowledge to welcome you from day one can ease any concerns you may have and help you to settle into your new surroundings as quickly as possible.

We have had many single travellers join us from all over the world and we have not received any indication from previous guests that they did not feel safe at any time during their time with us.

Further and more specific security advice will be available from The Kenyan embassy website for your country of residence/nationality.

Basic first aid can be provided at the camp. Qualified doctors are available in Iten and Eldoret, with well-equipped hospitals in Eldoret for more serious issues. Please ensure you have adequate medical insurance before traveling to Kenya.

Before travelling to Kenya, it’s important to ensure you’re up to date with routine vaccinations and to consider additional vaccines recommended for travel in the region. While we always advise speaking to a travel health professional or your GP for personalised advice, here is a general guide:

Recommended vaccinations for Kenya:

Routine vaccines – Make sure you’re up to date with routine vaccinations such as:
Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR)
Diphtheria, Tetanus and Polio
Influenza
Hepatitis A – Recommended for all travellers to Kenya
Typhoid – Also recommended for most travellers
Hepatitis B – Considered for longer trips, close contact with local people, or if you’re likely to need medical treatment while in Kenya.
Rabies – Rabies is present in Kenya and vaccination is recommended for most travellers to rural areas (such as Iten).

Yellow Fever – A yellow fever vaccination is only required for entry into Kenya if you are travelling from or transiting through a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. Even if you’re not coming from such a country, many travel clinics still recommend the vaccine as a precaution when travelling to Kenya.

Malaria Prevention:

Iten sits at high altitude (around 2,400m), so malaria risk is very low to negligible there, however some surrounding areas may pose a risk. We advise speaking to your doctor about malaria prophylaxis and bringing insect repellent and long-sleeved clothing to reduce the risk of mosquito bites.

NOTE: Some vaccines need to be administered several weeks before travel to be effective, so we recommend booking an appointment with a travel clinic well in advance of your trip.

The Kenya Experience welcomes runners of all levels. Our camps typically include individuals training seriously to achieve personal bests, as well as casual runners seeking to experience the culture of Iten. The training program is designed to provide everyone with a unique insight into the Kenyan way of training while being flexible enough to cater for all abilities.

You will be joined by local pacers for every session, so regardless of your current speed, you will be accompanied by a member of our team at all times.

The training program at The Kenya Experience is carefully designed to help you train effectively at altitude while also providing a unique insight into the Kenyan way of training. We strike a balance between structured sessions, easy runs, and plenty of recovery time, ensuring you can train well without overdoing it.

Each week typically includes:

2 quality sessions, such as fartlek, intervals, or tempo runs
A long run, usually on the weekend
Several easy or recovery runs
Strength & mobility sessions, and opportunities for drills and technique work
Optional rest days or very light second runs if needed

You’ll usually be running once per day (in the mornings), but nothing is compulsory and the volume & intensity can be easily adapted to your ability, experience, and how you’re adapting to the altitude. There will be spaces in the program for second easy runs each day for advanced runners.

Whether you’re a high-mileage runner or prefer a more moderate approach, our coaches will help you get the most out of the camp while staying healthy and strong.

Above all, our goal is to create an environment where you can train hard, recover well, and enjoy the experience of running in one of the most inspiring locations in the world.

Our camps typically have between 15 and 30 participants, depending on the time of year and demand for that particular date. This group size strikes a great balance – small enough for a personal experience, but large enough to create a lively and social training environment.

When camps are on the larger side, we bring in additional pacers and support staff to ensure that all runners are well looked after and training sessions are appropriately tailored to different levels and paces. This helps maintain our high standard of individual attention, regardless of group size.

Yes! While running is the core focus of the camp, we offer a range of additional activities to enhance your experience and give you a deeper understanding of Kenyan running culture and life in Iten.

Some of the non-running activities include:

Educational seminars on topics such as training philosophy, recovery, and the Kenyan running system
Cultural visits, including local schools, markets, and community projects
Q&A sessions and meet-and-greets with elite Kenyan athletes and coaches
Strength and mobility sessions, guided by our coaching team
Guided walks and optional excursions to explore the stunning scenery around Iten
Plenty of time to relax at the High Altitude Training Centre, including use of the gym and swimming pool

These activities are designed to complement your training and help you get the most out of your time in Kenya – physically, socially, and culturally.

While the daytime temperatures typically reach 20 – 25 degrees, it can also be much cooler in the mornings and evenings, so we recommend packing lightweight running gear suitable for warm weather, but also a light jacket for cooler mornings and a jumper or two for relaxing in the evening.

You will need a high factor sunscreen as the sun is particularly strong in Iten due to the high altitude.

We would recommend bringing 2 pairs of running shoes (trail shoes usually aren’t necessary and normal road shoes will be fine for the vast majority of terrain in Iten), plus an additional pair that you can keep clean for use in the gym.

If you have some favourite running snacks, protein bars, or energy gels, it’s a good idea to bring some with you as these are hard to come by locally in Iten.

To book your place, please use our booking form at www.traininkenya.com/book. A deposit of £100 per person is required to secure your spot. Full terms and conditions will be sent with your deposit invoice.

Once we receive your deposit payment we will send your welcome pack and confirmation email and your place on the camp will be reserved.

We will send you your invoice for the final payment 8 weeks before the start of the camp. The final balance is due no later than 4 weeks before the camp begins.

If you would prefer to pay in instalments just let us know and we can arrange a flexible payment plan that suits you.

The camp fee covers full board accommodation, local airport transfers, all coaching sessions, and camp activities. For a detailed breakdown, please visit our “What’s Included” page.

We understand that sometimes plans change, and we aim to be as flexible and supportive as possible when that happens. While we do have a cancellation policy in place, our priority is to work with you to find the best solution.

Your deposit payment is non-refundable, but can be transferred to a future camp within 12 months of the camp you originally booked.

If you need to cancel your place after full payment has been made, the following fees apply:

30 days before the camp: 25% of the total booking cost will be retained
14 days before the camp: 50% cancellation fee
7 days before the camp: 100% cancellation fee

However, we generally prefer to help rather than penalise, and wherever possible we’ll aim to find an alternative that works for you.

If you’re unable to attend your originally booked camp, any money paid can be transferred to a future camp within 12 months of the original start date. This gives you flexibility and peace of mind when booking. Just get in touch with us as soon as possible, and we’ll talk through your options.

All guests on The Kenya Experience stay at the High Altitude Training Centre (HATC) in Iten. HATC is one of the most established training bases in Kenya and was founded by former world champion Lornah Kiplagat to support both local and international athletes training at altitude.

The camp provides comfortable, clean accommodation, with a mix of private and shared rooms depending on your preference. Meals are served on site and are designed to be healthy, balanced, and well-suited to endurance training.

HATC is located close to Iten town and has direct access to many of the region’s best dirt trails.

The atmosphere is friendly and laid-back, with a mix of visiting athletes from around the world. It’s a great base for both training and getting a feel for the day-to-day lifestyle in Iten.

As a guest on The Kenya Experience, you’ll have access to the facilities at the HATC, which are designed specifically to support endurance athletes during their stay in Iten.

Facilities include:

Gym – Equipped with free weights, machines, and cardio equipment for strength and conditioning work
25-metre swimming pool – Ideal for recovery, cross-training, or simply relaxing after a run
400m all weather track – which we will use for some of our training sessions during the camp
Dining area – Serving freshly prepared, full board meals designed to fuel your training
Laundry service – Available on-site for a small fee
Massage and physiotherapy – Available on request (extra charges apply)
Chill-out areas – Communal spaces for relaxing, reading, or catching up with other guests

Yes, Wi-Fi is available throughout the High Altitude Training Centre (HATC). While Iten is a remote town and internet speeds can vary, the connection is generally reliable enough for messaging, emails, and light browsing.

If you plan to work remotely, stream video, or need a more stable connection, you might want to consider purchasing a local SIM card with data once in Kenya. You can purchase local sim cards at Nairobi Airport, or our team can assist you with this on arrival if needed.

All meals are provided on a full board basis at the High Altitude Training Centre. The food is freshly prepared on site and designed to meet the needs of runners training at altitude while providing an authentic taste of traditional Kenyan cuisine.

Meals are typically a mix of local Kenyan staples and international dishes, offering a good balance of carbohydrates, proteins, and vegetables. Common items include ugali (a Kenyan staple), rice, pasta, potatoes, chapati, fresh fruits, vegetables, eggs, chicken, salads, beans & pulses. Portions are generous, and the meals are served buffet-style, so you can eat according to your appetite.

Tea and coffee is also served with breakfast and in between meal times in the communal dining area.

Yes, we are happy to accommodate most dietary requirements, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, and Halal diets. If you have any specific allergies or restrictions, please let us know in advance when booking your place on the camp.

We’ll pass your dietary needs on to the kitchen team at HATC to ensure they’re taken into account throughout your stay. While highly specialised diets may have limited options, the team will do their best to cater to your needs.

Basic snacks such as biscuits, crisps, bottled drinks, and chocolate bars are available from the small shops near the High Altitude Training Centre. However, specialist running nutrition products like protein bars, energy gels, electrolyte powders, and recovery shakes are not readily available in Iten.

If you regularly use specific products during your training, we recommend bringing an adequate supply with you for the duration of the camp. This ensures you have exactly what you’re used to and avoids any disruption to your usual nutrition routine.

It is not recommended to drink tap water in Kenya. Suitable drinking water is provided at every meal, and additional bottled water is available for purchase either directly from the camp or from nearby corner shops.

Kenya’s high-altitude climate in Iten offers great training conditions year-round, with cool mornings, warm days, and low humidity — ideal for distance running. We carefully schedule all of our camps during periods that avoid the main rainy seasons and coincide with the most favourable weather for training.

In addition to selecting times of year with the best conditions, our camp dates are also strategically placed to support runners preparing for major winter and spring road races, such as half marathons and marathons. Whether you’re building a base or sharpening up before race day, you’ll find the timing of our camps aligns perfectly with your training cycle.

So no matter which camp you choose, you’ll be visiting Iten at a time that supports both high-quality training and a great overall experience.

Iten enjoys a mild, consistent climate year-round, thanks to its high-altitude location at around 2,400 metres above sea level. Temperatures are typically very comfortable for running, with cool mornings and warm, dry afternoons. Daytime temperatures usually range between 18–24°C, and humidity is generally low.

While Kenya does have two rainy seasons – the long rains (April–May) and the short rains (around November) – seasonal variation in Iten is relatively minimal, especially compared to many other parts of the world. Even during the rainy periods, mornings are often clear and dry, allowing for uninterrupted training.

Overall, the weather in Iten is consistently good throughout the year, making it one of the most reliable and pleasant environments in the world for distance running.

Iten is located at an altitude of approximately 2,400 metres (7,800 feet) above sea level, making it one of the most renowned altitude training locations in the world. Training at this elevation has long been associated with improved aerobic fitness, increased red blood cell production, and better endurance performance — which is why so many of the world’s best distance runners choose to train here.

However, altitude does place extra demands on the body, especially if it’s your first time training at this kind of elevation. You may notice that your breathing feels harder and your pace feels slower at first — this is completely normal and expected.

To support this transition, we take a cautious and gradual approach in the early days of the camp. The first few sessions are designed to be light and easy, allowing your body time to adapt. Our experienced coaching team are experts at guiding runners through their first exposure to altitude and will support you every step of the way — whether you’re a first-timer or returning for another high-altitude block.

By the end of the camp, many runners find they’ve adapted well and are able to train with increased confidence and efficiency at altitude — setting them up for strong performances once they return to sea level.

Iten is known for its incredible variety of running terrain, and it’s one of the key reasons why so many elite distance runners choose to train here. The area is covered in a vast network of soft red dirt trails, ideal for endurance training. These trails range from flat and rolling to steep and technical, offering options for easy runs, long efforts, and hill sessions alike. There are also quiet tarmac roads and a local athletics track available for structured workouts.

It’s worth noting that Iten itself is a very hilly place. While there are flat routes available, most runs will include at least some elevation gain. The hills are a big part of what makes training in Iten so effective — they build strength, resilience, and efficiency — but they can also be challenging if you’re not used to that type of terrain.

To help you get the most out of your time in Kenya, we recommend incorporating some hillier runs into your training in the lead-up to your camp. This will help you adapt more easily to the terrain and get even more out of your experience once you’re here.

Yes, all guests should ensure they have comprehensive travel and medical insurance before traveling to Kenya.

Yes, most travellers — including those from the UK, EU, USA, and many other countries — are required to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) before entering Kenya. As of January 2024, Kenya no longer issues traditional visas, and all visitors must apply for an eTA online prior to travel.

You must apply for your eTA through the official Kenyan government portal. However, you should not apply too early — the eTA is only valid for travel within 90 days of being issued. If you apply too far in advance, it may expire before your trip.

To make the process easier, we will send you all the supporting documents you need to complete your eTA application 8 weeks before the start of your camp. This includes accommodation details and any other information required as part of your application.

The eTA costs approximately USD $32.50 and typically takes a few days to process. To apply, you’ll need a passport valid for at least six months beyond your arrival date, a recent passport-style photo, and your travel and accommodation details.

For the most accurate and up-to-date information, we recommend visiting the official Kenya eTA website or checking with your country’s travel advisory service before applying.

The local currency in Kenya is the Kenyan Shilling (KES). Most of your main expenses – including accommodation, meals, and airport transfers – are included in your camp package. However, it’s a good idea to bring some extra money for snacks, souvenirs, laundry, massages, or other personal expenses.

There are ATMs available at Nairobi & Eldoret Airport as well as in Iten, and they are generally reliable for withdrawing cash using international debit or credit cards. Our team will point them out and assist you with accessing them when you arrive at the camp. While cards are accepted in some larger places, cash is still preferred in most local shops and cafes.

A small amount of Kenyan Shillings for daily use, along with a bank card for ATM withdrawals or emergencies, should be sufficient for your stay. Just remember to inform your bank that you’ll be travelling to Kenya to avoid any issues with your card.

Yes – we offer an optional one-day safari to Lake Nakuru National Park as part of our standard Kenya Experience camps. This trip can be added at the time of booking and is a fantastic opportunity to see some of Kenya’s incredible wildlife, including lions, rhinos, giraffes, zebras, and flamingos, all within a beautiful national park setting.

Please note that the safari is not included in the Young Athlete Camp, as we focus that experience entirely on training and making the most of our time in Iten.

For private camps or school/club groups, a safari can be arranged as part of your itinerary – just let us know in advance if it’s something you’d like to include.