The Rwenzori Mountains lie along the western border of Uganda and rise to a height of 5,109 metres. Here are the legendary 'Mountains of the Moon', a World Heritage Site - and these incomparable, beautiful, mist-shrouded peaks provide a unique backdrop to one of our most magnificent national parks.

In the centre of the range, which boasts Africa's third highest mountain, six peaks carry permanent snow three with glaciers, while the lower slopes are covered with dense forest. Walking trails on the lower slopes do not call for mountaineering experience, although the higher you go the fitter you need to be. These fabled mist-covered "Mountains of the Moon," 120 km in length and 48 km in width, were formed from a block which was thrust up during the creation of the western arm of the Great East African Rift Valley.

 
The highest of these peaks, and the third highest peak in Africa, is Mt. Margherita rising 5,109 metres above sea level. The Rwenzori Mountains were gazetted as a National Park in 1991. The Park covers 996 km² of rugged mountain terrain. Whether they are experienced climbers or casual day-hikers, Rwenzori Mountain National Park offers visitors a unique experience of an Afro-Montane rainforest.

The main attraction is the luxuriant vegetation found above 3,000 m which includes the giant forms of Lobelia, Heather and Groundsel. Rwenzori Mountains National Park is also home to the hyrax, blue monkey, chimpanzee, giant forest hog and many unique bird species such as the Rwenzori touraco, the handsome francolin and the olive pigeon.

The best time for mountaineering is during the dry seasons from mid-December to the end of February and from June to mid-August

The climb is technical and although prior expertise in working with ropes and crampons is not required, it is beneficial.

Day One: Arrival at Entebbe airport, meet and greet and transfer to hotel in Entebbe .

Dinner and overnight at Sophie´s Motel.

Day Two: After early breakfast, briefing and transfer to Kampala . Change money. Depart to Kasese, lunch on route.  Dinner and overnight at Hotel Margherita.

Day Three: After breakfast you are transferred to Nyakalengija – Ibanda to start your hike. Here you meet the mountain guide and porters. Stop for picnic/packed lunch. You trek for 3 - 4 hours through coffee plantations and crossing the Mahoma River travelling through forest for overnight at the Nyabitaba Hut (2650mt) set on a forested ridge with a view of portal peaks and Bujuku Valley .

Day Four:  Early breakfast, then start the hike to John Matte Hut (3550mt), a 6 - 7 hour walk. Our trail descends through forest to cross to Bujuku River at Kurt Shaffer Bridge and through a Lobelia, Giant Heath and Grounsel forest you will stop at Nyamileju hut "Place of Beards", name that refers to the moss and lichen hanging from the trees. We carry on to John Matte,which is close to the river in a grove of Giant Heather, for overnight.

Day Five: Trek to Bujuku Hut.(3977mt), a 6 – 7 hour walk. We travel through the two Bigo Bogs to Bigo Hut, crossing Kibatisi Bog to cooking pot cave and on to the beautiful set of Lake Bujuku . Here you should be able to have a wonderful view of Mounts Stanley, Speke and Baker and the incredible ice cave on Mount Speke should be clearly visible.

Day Six: Trek to Elena Hut (4541mt), a 4-hour walk. You will leave the valley early through beautiful vegetation consisting of Giant Grounsels and Lobelia and the views of Savoia and Elena Glaciers. Further ascent via Scott Eliot Pass (highest point of loop trail 4372mt) through the snow to Elena Hut for overnight.

Day Seven: This day marks a final ascent to the third highest mountain in Africa , Margherita Peak (5109mt). The ascent takes about 4 -5 hours. After summit we descend for about 4 – 5 hours to the beautiful Lake Kitandara for overnight at Kitandara Hut (3900mt).

Day We trek to Guy Yeoman (3480mt), a 6-hour walk. We will make a steep ascent to the fresh field pass (4282mt) and then descend to Bujonglo Cave (3720mt) the base used for Duke of Abruzzi's 1906 expedition. We will pass the Kabamba Cave (3450mt) the waterfall and rock shelter. Overnight at Guy Yeoman Hut set in Giant Heather zone.

Day Nine: Descend from Guy Yeoman to Nyabytaba Hut, a 6-hour walk. Steep descent through the Bamboo Zone via Lake Mahoma . Overnight at Nyabitaba Hut.

Day Ten: We descend for about 2 - 3 hours to Nyakalengija Ibanda where the trek ends. Our vehicle will be waiting for you to be transferred to Fort Portal , lunch at the Travellers Inn. Dinner and overnight at Rwenzori View Guesthouse.

Day Eleven: Breakfast, and departure to Kampala. Once in Kampala, and time allowing (not included), we can do a short city tour of Kampala including the Kabaka´s cultural trail - Kasubi Tombs, the Uganda Museum- to have a view of the socio-cultural and the economic status of the central part of the country. After you will be transferred to Entebbe. Dinner and overnight at Sophie´s Motel.

Day Twelve: Breakfast and transfer to Entebbe airport for your departure flight.

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Very long days with steep paths, boulders , rock and ice. Glaciers and snow will be encountered at high altitude. Increased presence of rocky glacial moraines and ice ridges. Climb entails some technical sections where ropes, crampons and ice picks may be needed. No prior Technical experience is helpful but not required. Snow gullies and ridges of around 45 degrees. Altitudes up to 6000m. High risk of altitude sickness.

Good cardio vascular fitness is needed with weight and circuit training and running. Lots of hill walking. Backpacks will weight about 4-5kg and contain water, camera and essentials. Trek weight loss in the region of 4kg.

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