8 Days Margherita peak and Weismann’s Peak.

The 8 days Rwenzori hiking via the central circuit trail takes you to the Rwenzori Mountains of the Moon.

The Rwenzori mountains has a range of 120 kilometres comprising of various mountains like mount stanley [5109 meters], mount Baker [4843 meters], mount speke [4890 meters], mount Luigi di savoia [4627 meters], mount Gessi [4715 meters] and mount Emin [4798 meters] which are separated by deep gorges.

Mount stanley which is the tallest mountain has several summits having margherita peak as the highest peak Elevated at 5109 meters above sea level.

Weismann’s peak is at an elevation of 4620 meters above sea level is situated on Mount Luigi di Savoia. Weismann’s peak is summitted from the lower lake kitandara hut for climbers using the central circuit trail and bugata camp for climbers using the kilembe trail.

ITINERARY

Day 1. MIHUNGA GATE [1651M asl] – NYABITHABA CAMP [2651M asl]

The 8 days Rwenzori hiking starts at mihunga gate in nyakalengijo where you meet porters, chef, the guides and check your hiking equipment.

After registration with the Uganda wildlife authority and briefing from your guides you start your hike .

The trail begins by passing through the farmland to the park boundary beyond which it follows a thick forest along the mubuku river, crossing its mahoma river tributary before starting a long steep climb onto a massive ridge to reach Nyabithaba camp. During this part of the trip you may hear sounds of chimpanzee’s or see them, sight blue monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys and the brilliantly coloured Rwenzori turaco bird. After reaching nyabithaba camp you will have nice views of the portal peaks on the eastern side.

Dinner and overnight. Hike duration 5-6 hurs

Day 2. NYABITHABA CAMP [ 2651M] – JOHN MATTE CAMP [3505 M asl.]

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 and finally reach john matte camp after passing through the tiring bog.

Dinner and overnight. Hike duration 7-8 hours.

Day 3. JOHN MATTE CAMP [ 3505M] – ELENA HUT [4541M]

From john matte hut the trail drops down to cross 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, after omwihembe resting point you reach bujuku lake and turn on your left side to start a steep ascend taking you to omukendege resting point and proceed with the ascending to reach Elena hut.

Dinner and overnight hike duration: 7-8 hours

Day 4. ELENA HUT [4541M] – MARGHERITA PEAK [ 5109M] – KITANDARA HUT [ 4023M]

Very early in the morning, you attempt climbing the highest peak margherita on mount stanley.

To reach the summit of Margherita, the climb takes about 4-5 hours depending on the weather conditions and the pace of climbing this mountain. This tough walk takes you over three glaciers, slippery rock, ice and very exposed areas which are open on many sides.

Climbing on to the glaciers, cross the stanley plateau and proceed with the ascend acclimatized to fog, altitude sickness and coolly weather, scramble up to the summit of margherita the highest peak of the Rwenzori mountains.

Then descend from margherita peak back to Elena hut taking about 2-3 hours. after reaching Elena hut and after the hot lunch, descend down to the scott Elliot pass [ 4372m asl] where there are spectacular views of bujuku lake and mount speke.

After the trail passes you through the alpine zone of sparse vegetation and rough boulders, descend past the kitandara lakes and reach kitandara hut.

Dinner and overnight descend duration 3-4 hours.

Day 5. KITANDARA HUT [4023M] – WEISMANN’S PEAK [4620M]- KITANDARA HUT.

Wake up early in the morning for a walk through the tussocks and sighting of animals like the Red mountain duikers and the Rock hyrax from the rocks to weismann’s peak. After reaching the top of weismann’s peak elevated at 4620 meters above sea level then descend down slowly to kitandara hut for dinner and overnight.

Hike duration 7-8 hours.

Day 6. KITANDARA HUT [4023M] – GUY YEOMAN CAMP [3505M]

From kitandara, take on the trail that ascends steeply up the headwall, spreading out from the base of Mount Baker and continuing along the south side of the mountain to fresh field pass elevated at 4282 meters above sea level. At this point you can view into the congo to the west and mount stanley to the north. From the pass take on the long high alpine mossy area.

Thereafter start the descend through steep rocky trails and the rock shelter at bujongolo, the base camp for the historic expedition by the Duke of Abruzzi in 1906 then reach guy yeoman camp.

Dinner and overnight

Day 7. GUY YEOMAN [3505M] – NYABITHABA [2651M] – MIHUNGA GATE [1651M]

Below Guy yeoman, the route descends the cliffs of kichuchu.

Beyond kichuchu the muddy path crosses the mubuku river twice through a bamboo forest before climbing downwards to Nyabithaba camp for a quick hot lunch then continue descending down through the montane forest and reach mihunga gate to complete the circuit.

You will be picked by the driver guide to drive you to your booked hotel for a hot bath.

END OF TRIP!!

PACKAGE INCLUDES.