7 days cheptegei peak 4907m is a peak on Mount Stanley in the Rwenzori Mountains which is one of the 6 peaks that make up Mount Stanley the highest mountain in the Rwenzori ranges . Cheptegei peak is a peak that was Renamed after the Ugandan world 10,000 km marathon champion Joshua cheptegei who trekked the Rwenzori mountains and summited margherita peak in December 2020 alongside an expedition led by the Uganda Tourism Board C.E.O Liliy Ajarova dubbed Explore Uganda funded by UNDP in a bid to promote adventure tourism in Uganda.
The cheptegei peak has however been in existence just like many other unique unnamed peaks in the Rwenzori mountains some of which have never been summited.
Cheptegei peak is a non technical and easier peak to climb and summit in the Rwenzori mountains at an elevation of 4907m asl. Cheptegei peak is best summited from Elena camp along the central circuit . cheptegei peak on mount stanley in the Rwenzori mountains can be climbed and summited in 5-8 days depending on the Rwenzori mountains trekking trail used and on the fitness of the climber.
While climbing to cheptegei peak, we cross only the stanley glaciers then climb up cheptegei peak at 4907m asl.
Cheptegei peak is now recommended for hikers who needs to climb an easy peak. Even a 14-year child can easily climb to this peak.
Detailed itinerary for 7 days cheptegei peak 4907m
DAY 1: Mihunga gate 1651M – Nyabithaba camp 2651M
The 7 Days Rwenzori hiking via the central circuit trail starts at the Rwenzori Mountains National Park mihunga gate at 1,651 m Asl.
Your Bujuku Eco Tours driver guide will drive you to mihunga gate for the trek briefing, meeting the porters and the guides.
The trail begins passing through farmland to the park boundary beyond which it follows a thick forest along the mubuku river.
Cross the mahoma river tributary before starting a long, steep climb up onto a massive ridge to reach Nyabithaba hut.
During this part of the trip you may hear chimpanzee and see black and white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys and the brilliant-coloured Rwenzori turaco.
Hike duration: 5-6 hours.
DAY 2: Nyabithaba camp 2651M -Johnmaate 3505M
From Nyabithaba follow the trail that drops down through the forest to the kurt shafer bridge, just below the confluence of the Mubuku and Bujuku Rivers. Passing through the bamboo forest, traverse through a long and exhausting stretch of slippery moss covered rock.
From the Nyamuleju rock shelter, Mount Stanley and Mount Speke can be seen before passing into the zone of the giant heather, lobelia and groundsel. Finally reach johnmaate hut after passing through the tiring bog.
Dinner and overnight at Johnmaate hut.
Hike duration:7-8 hours.
DAY 3: Johnmaate camp – Bujuku camp 3962M ASL
From Johnmaate hut the trail drops down to cross the bujuku river and enters lower Bigo Bog, the home of giant lobelias.
Jumping from tussock to tussock, the bog is finally crossed but rarely without the feet sampling some of the freezing ooze below.
The upper bigo bog gives way to bujuku lake, with views of mt Baker to the south and mt stanley to the west.
Bujuku Hut, well located in the shadow of mount Baker and mount speke, is set in a narrow valley below stuhlmann pass.
This camp is good for acclimatization for clients attempting the summits of peaks mount stanley and mount speke.
Dinner and overnight at Bujuku hut.
Hike duration: 4-5 hours.
DAY 4: Bujuku camp 3962M asl –Elena camp 4541M asl.
Leaving Bujuku, the trail takes you through more bog, while climbing the steep slopes west of the lake and through the magical and forest of groundsel gully.
Turn to your right up to Elena hut and mount stanley on a steep trail over large boulders, while the trail on your left leads to Scott-Elliot pass and down to Kitandara lakes the trail on the left leads those who are not climbing margherita and cheptegei peaks to kitandara hut.
Those climbing the peak will have their dinner and overnight at the coolly Elena hut.
Hike duration: 5-6 hours.
DAY 5: Elena hut 4541M asl – Cheptegei peak 4907M asl – Kitandara Camp 4023M asl
Very early in the morning, you attempt to climb cheptegei peak on mount stanely.
To reach the summit of cheptegei peak , it takes about 2-3 hours depending on the weather conditions and the pace you are using to climb. This walk takes you through the slippery rocks, ice and crossing the stanley glaciers on stanley plateau then proceed on the left side to Join a short ascend on the rocks up the peak.
While on cheptegei peak, you will have views of the congo side, viewing margherita peak and Alexandria peak. Then start a descend to Elena hut taking about 2 hours, after your lunch break at Elena, descend down via the scott Elliot pass 4372m where there are spectacular views of bujuku lake and mount speke.
After, the trail passes through the alpine zone of sparse vegetation and rough boulders, descend past the first kitandara lake and reach the camp at the second kitandara lakes for dinner and overnight.
Hike duration: 3-4 hours.
DAY 6: Kitandara Camp 4023M asl. – Guy yeoman 3505M asl
From kitandara camp, take on the trail that ascends steeply up to the fresh field pass at 4282m asl, spreading out from the base of mount baker then descend south on the ridge through steep rocky trails up to the Bujongolo rock shelter the base camp for the historical expedition by the Duke of Abruzzi in 1906 and then an overnight at Guy yeoman camp.
Hike duration: 6-7 hours.
DAY 7: Guy yeoman 3505M – Nyabithaba hut 2651M – Mihunga gate 1651M
Below Guy yeoman, the route descends the cliffs of kichuchu.
Beyond kichuchu the muddy path crosses mubuku river twice through a bamboo forest before climbing downwards to Nyabithaba to complete the circuit.
Continue descending Nyabithaba camp and complete your trek by the evening to mihunga gate to end your 7 days Cheptegei Rwenzori trip.
Descending taking 7-8 hours.
End of trip!!
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