Itinerary
Day 1 NYAKALENGIJA (1615m) – NYABITABA CAMP (2651m)
Start your morning with a short drive from Nyakalengija to Rwenzori mountaineering Services head Office, for briefing as well as allowance of enough time for renting equipments and allocation of porter and guides. After here, trek begins by passing through the Bakonjo farmlands to the park boundary at the main gate, beyond which it follows a thick forest along the Mubuku River, crossing its Mahoma River tributary before starting a long, a steep hike up onto a massive ridge to reach Nyabitaba hut. Chances are high that you may hear chimpanzees and see black and white colobus, blue monkeys and the brilliantly colored Rwenzori turaco.
This hike takes approximately 5-7 hours depending on the hikers’ physical strength.
Day 2 NYABITABA – JOHN MATTE CAMP (3505m.)
After Breakfast, descend through the forest to the Kurt Shafer Bridge, just below the confluence of the Mubuku and Bujuku rivers. Traversing through the bamboo forest, pass through a long and exhausting stretch of slippery moss-covered rock to Nyamileju rock shelter, where clear views of 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.
The hike takes an about of 6- 8 hours.
Day 3 JOHN MATTE - BUJUKU CAMP (3962m.)
Have an early morning breakfast and trek downwards to cross the Bujuku River and enter the Lower Bigo Bog also known as the home of giant lobelias. Jump from tussock to tussock, as you finally cross over the lower bogy region. The upper Bigo bog gives way to Bujuku Lake, with views of Mt Baker to the South and Mt Stanley to the West. Arrive at Bujuku Hut, which is suitably located in the shadow of Mount Baker and Mount Speke, in a narrow valley below Stuhlmann Pass. This camp is good for acclimatization for clients climbing to the summits of Mount Stanley and Mount Speke. Dinner and overnight at Bujuku hut.
This days hike is quite short that it may take approximately 4 – 5 hours.
Day 4 BUJUKU to MT. SPEKE and back to BUJUKU
After Breakfast, embark on an early morning hike through the stullmans pass (4192ml.) and enjoy the splendid views of Virunga National park of DR Congo to Victorio Emanuele peak.
The ascent takes about 4-5 hours, after which you descend back to Bujuku camp from Victorio Emanuele which offers views of Bujuku valley and Bujuku lake, Margherita and Albert peaks on Mount Stanley, and Mount Baker. Arrive at Bujuku Camp for dinner and an overnight.
The descent to Bujuku hut, lusts for 3-4 hours.
Day 5: BUJUKU - ELENA CAMP (4541m.)
From Elena hut, trek through more bog, as you climb the steep slopes west of the lake and through the magical forest of Groundsel Gully. After which, you will trek towards your right up to Elena Hut and Mount Stanley on a steep trail over large boulders. You will have dinner and an overnight at Elena hut
The trail on your left takes you to Scott-Elliot Pass and down to Kitandara Lakes then to Kitandara Hut.
The hike takes about 5 – 6 hours.
Day 6: ELENA HUT - MARGHERITA PEAK (5109m) – KITANDARA CAMP (4430m)
On this day you will wake up as early as 2:00am, have your early morning breakfast, and embark on your hike to the top of Magheritah peak, which starts at 3:00am. You will hike through the Stanley plateau to the top of Mount Stanley. Using ropes, you will hike through the steep rocky regions, while the crampons as well as the ice axe will be used on the glacial axe- as directed by the guide. This will take a couple of hours, after which you will arrive at the bottom of magheritah glacier-the most challenging part of the 7 days Rwenzori central circuit trekking experience. You will then proceed to the top of the peak of Mount Stanley (Magheritah Peak-at 5107m).
At the peak, you will enjoy the impressive views of Lake Ireen, Mount Speke and the surrounding, after then descend Elena hut for lunch.
Acclimatize to fog, altitude sickness and cool weather, and scrambel up to the summit of Margherita the highest peak of the Rwenzori. The descent from Margherita peak back to Elena Hut will take you about 2 – 3hours.
After your lunch at Elena hut, descend to the Scott-Elliot pass (4372m.), where there are spectacular views of Bujuku Lake and Mount Speke. After, the trail passes you through an alpine zone of sparse vegetation and rough boulders, descend past the Kitandara Lakes for dinner and overnight at the Kitandara hut.
The descent takes an average of 3 – 4 hours.
Day 7: KITANDARA – MT. BAKER (4843M) – KITANDARA
After breakfast, start with an early morning trek from Kitandara hut through the Fresh Field pass (4215m) and enjoy the impressive views of DR Congo up to Edward peak.( ascent may take about5 – 6 hours).
From Edward peak descend back to Fresh Field pass and then back Kitandara camp for an Overnight(descent takes about 3 – 4 hours).
Day 8: KITANDARA – GUY YEOMAN (3261m)
Have an early breakfast, and embark on you 9 days trekking and hiking expeditions to Rwenzori mountains along the trail that ascends steeply up the headwall, spreading out from the base of Mount Baker and continuing along the southern side of the mountain to Fresh field Pass (4282m.) At this point you can view Congo to the west and Mount Stanley to the north. After then, take on the long high alpine mossy trek. Thereafter start the descent through steep rocky trails and the rock shelter at Bujongolo, the base camp for the historic expedition by the Duke of Abruzzi in 1906 and then an overnight at Guy yeoman camp.
The hike takes about 6 – 7 hours.
Day 9: GUY YEOMAN – NYABITABA - NYAKALENGIJA (1615m.)
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 Nyabitaba to complete the circuit. Descend further to Nyabitaba hut and later continue with your trek to Nyakalengija, the base camp, which marks the end of the 9 days trekking and hiking expedition to the Rwenzori Mountains.
The descent takes about 7 – 8 hours.
