Day 1: Arrive at Entebbe International Airport and transfer to Sheraton Kampala Hotel for overnight stay.
Day 2: After breakfast depart from Kampala through Uganda’s beautiful green undulating countryside to Fort Portal and eventually to Kasese right at the foot of the legendary Mountains of the Moon. Meet the Rwenzori Mountaineering Services Officials in their down town office and make arrangements for the porters, guides, equipment and food. Dinner and overnight stay at Hotel Margherita
Day 3: Nyakalengija 1615m – Nyabitaba Hut (5 hours) 2650m. Early morning transfer from Kasese to Nyakalengija where the climb starts from. We travel to the trailhead at Nyakalengija and then trek through coffee plantations to cross the Mahoma River, traveling on through the forested ridge with views of the Portal Peaks and the Bujuku valley.
The climb descends through forest to cross the Bujuku River at the Kurt Schafer Bridge (built 1989) and through a giant heather and groundsel forest. A brief stop at the Nyamileju Hut – “Place of beards” a name that refers to the moss and lichen hanging from the trees. Proceed to John Matte Hut which is close to the river in a grove of giant heather.
Day 4: Nyabitaba hut – John Matte Hut. ( 7 hours strenuous) 3550m. The climb descends through forest to cross the Bujuku River at the Kurt Schafer Bridge (built 1989) and through a giant heather and groundsel forest. A brief stop at the Nyamileju Hut – “Place of beards” a name that refers to the moss and lichen hanging from the trees. Proceed to John Matte Hut which is close to the river in a grove of giant heather.
Day 5: John Matte Hut – Lake Bujuku Hut. (5 hours)3900m. Travel through the two Bigo Bogs to Bigo hut, crossing the Kabatsi Bog to Cooking Pot Cave and on to the beautifully-set Lake Bujuku Hut. Here one should be able to have wonderful views of Mts. Stanley, Speke and Baker and the incredible ice cave on Mt. Speke should be clearly visible. Possibility to ascent Mt. Speke or…………
Day 6: Summit Attempt Guests. Bujuku Hut – Elena Hut 4541m. Climb to the Elena Hut as the starting point for the ascent of Margherita, the summit of the highest mountain range in Africa.
Day 7: Summit attempt Guests. Elena Hut ascent of Margherita – Kitandara Hut. On clear mornings all the major peaks may be seen as well as the DRC rain forest some 3000m below to the west. Descend to the hut for some welcome tea before making the journey to Kitandara Lake.
Day 8: Kitandara Hut – Guy Yeomen hut 3450m. Start on a steep ascent to the Freshfield Pass 4282m and then descend to Bujongolo Cave 3720m (the base used for Duke of Abrizzi’s 1906 expedition). Pass the Kabamba Cave 3450m, the waterfall and rock shelter, staying overnight at the Guy Yeoman hut set in the giant heather zone.
Day 8: Guy Yeoman Hut – Nyakalengija 1615m (7hours) – Kasese. Steep descent through the bamboo zone via Lake Mahoma to the trailhead at Nyakalengija and transfer to hotel Margherita in Kasese.
Day 9: Morning, depart for Kampala via Mubende arriving in time for a brief City tour and shopping. Evening, transfer to Entebbe Airport for flight connections.