Mount Ruwenzori is one of the famous snow peaked mountains
of East Africa. Situated in Uganda this mountain which is part of a volcanic chain
in Western Uganda is also called "Mountains of the Moon". The best period
to trek on the Rwenzori is the dry season between May and September and between
December and February. The experience of the trekking is mostly the itinerary
of 7 days known as “Central Circuit” trial, which gives you the possibility
to see closely the main mountains and peaks, and to climb Margherita and Alexandra
peak. The trekking is actually not highly demanding, in other words is accessible
to whoever with some physical training on mountaineering. The final climbing to
the main peak is optional, therefore it is possible to proceed along the trial
without ascending Mt. Stanley.
The Central Circuit passes via five different vegetation zones,
from the tropical and bamboo forests to the alpine zone, with an elevation of
2.800 m. up to 3.500 m. if you climb the peaks. The itinerary is designed to allow
for acclimatisation, so that normally there has not been registered any phenomenon
of altitude sickness. The alpine guides provided by “Standout Adventures”
are well trained for guiding and supporting the climbers. The porters will help
the trekkers so that the weight of the bag would not exceed 10 to 15 Kg. The overnight
is arranged in the Huts managed by the Rwenzori Mountaineering Services, where
it is possible to cook and arrange for eating.
Other trekking programs in the Rwenzori are possible, if you only undertake the
first two “stages” of the circuit, and sleeping at Guy Yeoman or John
Matte Hut; moreover, a trekking trial is open on the Northern sector of the mountains
with exit at Bundibujo.
The Itinerary.
Day 1 Kampala
On arrival at Entebbe International Airport you will be transferred to Kampala
for dinner and overnight at Hotel Africana or Ivys Hotel.
Day 2 Kampala - Ibanda .
From Kampala the visitors reach Rwenzori. Lunch at Mbarara. Dinner and overnight
at Ibanda, Tour Holiday Inn.
Day 3 Stage 1: From Nyakalengija to Nyabitaba Hut, 2.652 m.
From the Rwenzori Mountains National Park Head Quarter at Nyakalengija, 1.646
m., you will receive the briefing from the guides, with the possibility of hiring
equipment. The hike starts through the plantations and homes of the Bakonjo, the
people of the mountain, gradually reaching garden plots and elephants grass. You
follow the Mobuku river, until crossing the Mahoma river. The trail passes through
an open bracken fern slopes and Podorcarpus Forest, up to Nyabitaba Hut, 2.652
m., which is the arrival point for the day. This will take from 5 to 6 hours.
From the location, you are facing on the North the Portal Peaks, 4.627 m. and
in front Mount Kyniangoma. During the day, you might see monkeys, the Rwenzori
Turaco and hearing the chimpanzees.
Day 4 Stage 2: From Nyabitaba Hut to John Matte Hut, 3.414 m.
From Nyabitaba Hut you cross the Kurt Shaffer Bridge, through a muddy area along
the Mubuku river. Then the trail climbs up through the bamboo forest. You reach
a steep rocky area, which leads to Nyamuleju Hut. This point marks the start of
the giant lobelia and groundsel zone. The way proceeds through a bog full of typical
plants along the Bujuku river. The final point is John Matte Hut, 3.414 m. for
spending the night. From Nyabitaba Hut to John Matte it can take approximately
6 hours. Enjoy the view of Mount Stanley and snow capped Margherita and Elena
Peaks.
Day 5 Stage 3: From John Matte Hut to Bujuku Hut, 3.962 m
From John Matte Hut you cross the Bujuku River and enter the lower Bigo bog, a
grassy bog where you experience how to jump from tussock to tussock. You reach
Bigo Hut and enter the upper Bigo bog, proceeding to Lake Bujuku, where it is
starting the alpine savannah zone of little vegetation. You finally arrive at
Bujuku Hut, 3.962 m. This day hike can take up to 5 hours. There you have a view
on the peaks of Mount Stanley, Mount Baker and Mount Speke.
Day 6 Stage 4: From Bujuku Hut to Elena Hut, 4.540 m.
From Bujuku Hut you climb through moss draped groundsel vegetation, to Scott Elliot
Pass, 4.372 m., between Mt. Baker and Stanley. Here you divert to Elena Hut, 4.540
m. for spending the night before climbing Mt. Stanley.
Day 7 Stage 5 From Kitandara Hut to Guy Yeoman Hut, 3.261 m.
From Elena Hut you ascend the last tract of rock and ice which leads to Margherita
Peak on Mt. Stanley, 5.109 m. Time to complete the climbing about 3 hours. The
peak was first climbed by the Duke of Abruzzi at 9.30am on 18th June 1.906. After
you descend to Upper Kitandara lake and through thick mud to Lower Kitandara lake
where is located Kitandara Hut, 4.023 m. Time to complete the hike about 3 hours
more. From Kitandara Hut you can proceed for climbing Mount Baker or Mount Luigi
di Savoia and the peak Vittorio Sella. Enjoy the view of Mt. Luigi di Savoia.
Day 8 Stage 6: From Kitandara Hut to Guy Yeoman Hut, 3.261 m.
From Lake Kitandara you climb to Freshfield Pass, 4.282 m., a long flat of high
alpine mossy glades, before descending the circuit among rocky and boggy areas.
The panorama is dominated by the glaciers of Mounts Stanley and Baker and Mount
of Savoy. A muddy trail leads to Akendahi, Bujongolo and Kabamba rock shelters,
where starts the Kabamba valley down to Guy Yeoman Hut, 3.261 m. This can take
up to 6 hours. The hut is surrounded by a beautiful landscape of mountains, vegetations
and rivers.
Day 9 Stage 7: From Guy Yeoman Hut back to Nyakalengija
Final descent back to Nyakalengija. The trial is attractive along the valley of
the Mobuku and Kichuchu rivers, rich in plants and flowers of the heather zone
before reaching the bamboo forest. See Kabamba falls on the way. Time to reach
Nyabitaba Hut is about 4 hours. From Nyabitaba starts the 40 minutes trial to
see Lake Mahoma and back to the hut for descending to the Park Head Quarter. The
trial takes more 2 to 3 hours. Transfer to Kasese for dinner and overnight at
Margherita Hotel.
Day 10
Drive back to Kampala or continue with a safari.
Contact Standout for 2008 tarriff.
The price includes:
Full board and meals during the hike
Accommodation in huts and hotels
Transfer with 4x4 land cruiser or minibus
Guide and porters, cooker
Park Entrance fees
Rescue fees in case of emergency rescue on Rwenzori Mountains
The price excludes:
Flight and tourist insurance
Equipment for the hike
Alcohol, tips, cigarettes, laundry
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