Destination

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Duration
8 Days 7 Nights
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Tour Type
Mountains & Hikes
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Group Size
5 Person
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Tour Guide
Yes
Uganda

8 Days Central Circuit with Margherita Peak – Rwenzori Mountains

The Central Circuit is the most popular trekking route in the Rwenzori Mountains, offering a thrilling adventure through misty valleys, bamboo forests, giant lobelias, and breathtaking glaciers. This 8 day trek takes climbers deep into the heart of the “Mountains of the Moon,” combining unique landscapes with rich biodiversity. The ultimate highlight is summiting Margherita Peak (5,109m) on Mount Stanley Africa’s third-highest mountain. With challenging trails, dramatic scenery, and the reward of standing atop a glaciated summit, the Central Circuit is perfect for seasoned adventurers seeking a once-in-a-lifetime mountain experience in Uganda.

Destination Rwenzori Mountains
Activities Hike, Nature walk and viewing of flora and fauna
Duration 8 Days & 7 nights
Airport transfer Yes
Included
  • Full board accommodation in the mountains
  • All activities mentioned above
  • Transportation and entrance fees including permits
  • English speaking guide, porters and photo coverage
Excluded
  • Personal Items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, International flights tips, and visa fees)
  • Government imposed increase of taxes and park fees
  • Activities not mentioned  above and climbing equipment which can be hired at separately
  • Accommodation before and at the end of the tour
Note this is a group package, and it can be customised to fit the clients budget and interest

Details

Tour Highlights

  1. Hiking Rwenzori
  2. Nature walk
  3. viewing of flora and fauna

You will be received from Entebbe International Airport, have a short briefing with our driver guide and then proceed to Kasese district where mountain Rwenzori is located. You will step a night at a lodge in Kasese before embarking on hike the following day. Journey will take approximately 7hrs. There is an option to fly but on request of the guest.
The trail begins by passing through 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 up onto a massive ridge to reach Nyabitaba hut. During this part of the trip you may hear chimpanzee and see black and white colobus, blue monkey and the brilliantly coloured Rwenzori turraco. The hike takes an average of 6 -7 hours.
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 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 John Matte Hut after passing through the tiring bog, for dinner and overnight at the hut. The hike takes an average of 7 - 8 hours.
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. This camp is good for acclimatization for clients attempting the summits of peaks Mount Stanley and Mount Speke. Dinner and overnight at Bujuku hut. The hike takes an average of 4 – 5 hours.
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 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 an average of 5 – 6 hours.  
Very early in the morning, you attempt climbing the highest peak, Margherita of 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 ascent. Acclimatized to fog, altitude sickness and coolly weather, scramble up to the summit of Margherita the highest peak of the Rwenzori. The descend 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 asl.), 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 camp. The descend takes an average of 3 – 4 hours. 
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 4282m asl. 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. 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 and then an overnight at Guy yeoman camp. The hike takes an average of 6 – 7 hours. 
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. Continue descending Nyabitaba Camp and complete your trek by the evening at Nyakalengija, the base camp. The descent takes 7 – 8 hours

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Base Price $2265