12 Days Unique Rwenzori Experience - Trekking Rwenzori & Climbing Margherita Peaks
12 Days rwenzori Climbing the unique portal peaks in the wilderness of Rwenzori mountains national park located in western Uganda. Rwenzori Mountains has Unique peaks that are not used by other travelers who visit rwenzori for trekking experience . Visit the unique peaks of Tatra Peak (4560 m) and Bernardzikiewicz Peak (4550 m) which were named by greater trekkers from Poland as an alternative for 12 Days Rwenzori Portal peaks.
The 12 Days Rwenzori Unique experience is combining both trails Rwenzori Central circuit and Kilembe trail that houses Tatra and Bernardzikiewicz peaks
Summary unique rwenzori Experience.
- Day 1: Transfer to Rwenzori Mountains national park : 5-6 hours
- Day2: Nyakalengija (1615m) – Nyabitaba Hut (2651m)
- Day3: Nyabitaba (2651m) – Mubuku River (2600m) John Matte Hut (3380m)
- Day 4: John Matte (3380m) to Bujuku (3962m)
- Day 5: Bujuku (3977m) to Elena Hut (4541m).
- Day 6: Elena Hut (4541m) to Margherita peak– Hunwick's Camp (4450 m)
- Day 7, 8: Hunwick's Camp (4450 m) -Bamwanjarra Pass/Bugata Camp (4110 m)
- Day 9: Bamwanjarra Pass (4550 m)/Bugata Camp (4110 m) - Mitanda Camp (3810 m)
- Day10: Mitinda Camp (3810 m) - Sine Camp (2596 m)
- Day 11: Sine Camp (2596 m) - Kilembe gate out.
- Day 12: Drive from Kasese to Kampala/Entebbe.
Detailed Travel Plan for 12 Days Climbing Rwenzoris .
The 12 days Rwenzori Climbing experience will lead you trek the unique portal peaks , where your required to make your own route to reach the Tatra Peak (4560 m) and Bernardzikiewicz Peak since they are not normally visited by rwenzori trekkers .
it can be accessed by using either rwenzori central circuit managed by Rwenzori mountaineering services and kilembe trail managed by Rwenzori Trekking Services . Book 12 days Unique Rwenzori Expeditions tour with Rwenzori Mountaineering service.
Day 1: Transfer from the airport to accommodation night (Mihunga lodge)
The drive guide will pick you from the airport and drive you to Rwenzori National park. Dinner and Overnight at Mihunga Lodge/ Ruboni Community Banda.
Day 2: Nyakalengija (1615m) – Nyabitaba Hut (2651m)
The Central Circuit starts at the Rwenzori Mountaineering Services offices at Nyakalengija. You should arrive in the morning to allow ample time to rent equipment and meet your guides and porters.
The trail begins by passing through farmland to the park boundary beyond which it follows the Mubuku River, crossing its Mahoma tributary before starting a long, steep climb up onto a massive ridge to reach Nyabitaba hut. The hike takes around 5 -6 hours. During this part of the trip you may hear chimpanzee and see black and white colobus, blue monkey and the brilliantly coloured Rwenzori turaco.
Day 3: Nyabitaba (2651m) – Mubuku River (2600m) John Matte Hut (3380m)
From Nyabitaba 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 Nyamileju rock shelter, Mount Stanley and Mount Speke can be seen before passing into the zone of the giant heather, lobelia and groundsel. Finally reach John Matte Hut after passing through the tiring bog, for Dinner and Overnight at the Hut. The hike takes around 6 -7 hours.
Day 4: John Matte (3380m) to Bujuku (3962m)
From John Matte 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. Dinner and overnight at Bujukuhut.The hike takes around 5 -6 hours.
Day 5: Bujuku (3977m) to Elena Hut (4541m).
Leaving Bujuku, the trail takes you through more bog, while climbing the steep slopes west of the lake and through the magical Groundsel Gully as it ascends to Scott-Elliot Pass at 4372m. At the head of the gully a metal ladder takes you over a steep section after which the trail is divided into two. The trail on your right leads 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 he left leads those who are not climbing Margherita Peak to Kitandara Hut. Those climbing the peak will have their Dinner and Overnight at the coolly and Icy Elena Hut. The hike takes around 4 -5 hours.
Day 6: Elena Hut (4541m) to Margherita peak– Hunwick's Camp (4450 m)
For those aiming at reaching Margherita peak (5109m), continue to the base of the Stanley Glacier. To reach the summit of Margherita, the climb takes about 5-7 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.
Note that this climb is for only physically fit and technical climbers. Climbing on to the glaciers, cross the Stanley Plateau and proceed with the ascent. Acclimatized to fog, altitude sickness and coolly weather, scramble up to the summit of Margherita the highest peak of the Rwenzoris. Given the high altitude and the tough conditions even if you do not reach the peak, don’t get disappointed. Prepare for descending to Hunwick’s Camp for your Dinner and Overnight.
Day 6,7,8, Hunwick's Camp (4450 m) -Bamwanjarra Pass/Bugata Camp (4110 m) -Tatra Peak (4560 m) and Bernardzikiewicz Peak (4550 m).
These are unique Picks and they were named by people from Poland.
Day 9: Bamwanjarra Pass (4550 m)/Bugata Camp (4110 m) - Mitanda Camp (3810 m).
On this day enjoy the Bamwanjarra Pass and have an Overnight at Mitinda Camp.
Day 10: Mitinda Camp (3810 m) - Sine Camp (2596 m) Slop down to Sine Camp.
Dinner and Overnight at Sine Camp
Day 11: Sine Camp (2596 m) - Kilembe gate out.
In the morning Continue to Sine Camp to Kilembe gate. The base. You may decide to have an Overnight at Trekkers Hostel. (Dinner and Overnight at Trekkers Hostel)
Day 12: Drive from Kasese to Kampala/Entebbe.
In the morning after breakfast, the guide will drive from Kasese to Entebbe for your flight home.