On arrival you will be picked from the airport by the guide, who will transfer you to Cassia Lodge for dinner and overnight
Day 1: Depart for Kasese via Queen Elizabeth
After breakfast Depart for Kasese, you will have lunch en route, Dinner and Over night at Travellers Inn hotel (budget) Mountains of the moon (Luxury)
Day 2: Climb- to Nyabitaba (2650m) through Bakonjo homestead
After breakfast drive to Nyakalengija trailhead (1600m). Make final arrangements for a guide and porters. Begin hiking up to Nyabitaba hut; walk through the banana sambas on the side of the steep foothills, past the typical Bakonjo homesteads with the children waving you on! Follow the trail along the Mubuku River, through landslides and up and down rocks and bluffs, Cross the Mahoma River and climb steeply through break fern slopes and podocarpus forest to Nyabitaba Hut for over night (FB).
Day 3: John Matte hut (3350m)
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.
Day 4: Bujuku Hut
Immediately after John Matte Hut, the trail drops to cross the Bujuku River and enters Lower Bigo Bog, 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 Steinmann pass. A spectacularly setting but it can be very cold, even for the Rwenzoris. (FB).
Day 5: Mount Stanley
Leaving Bujuku, through more bog, the trail climbs the steep slops west of the lake, passing through the magical Groundsels 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 splits into two. The right leads up to Elena Hut and Mount Stanley on a steep trail over large boulders. The left path leads to Scott. Elliot passes and down to Kitandara Lakes. For those sleeping at the basic Elena Hut prepared for a cold and icy night (FB).
Day 6: Climbing the summit of Margherita.
For those climbing Margherita peaks (5109m) continue to the base of the Stanley Glacier. Depending on the weather and the individual's acclimatization, it can be a four to seven hour walk to the summit of Margherita. This is a tough walk over three glaciers, slippery rock, ice and very exposed areas which are open on many sides. It is only for the physically fit and is a technical climb which requires roping up, crampons and appropriate equipment for cold, windy and icy conditions. It is best to attempt the final climb in a minimum group of 4- two climbers and two guides; (a supplement for the extra guide has to be paid for at the time of booking.) climb on to the glacier, cross the Stanly Plateau and proceed with the ascent. Subject to altitude sickness, fog and weather, scramble up to the summit of Margherita, crown of the Rwenzoris. Due to the altitude and the tough conditions not everybody will make it to the summit so do not be disappointed if you do not. Returning to Scott- Elliot pass, there are spectacular views back to Bujuku Lake and Mount Speke, up to Mount Stanley and sown to the Kitandara Lakes. Once over the pass the trail enters an alpine zone of sparse vegetation and rough boulders. Descend to the Kitandara Hut for overnight, past the Kitandara Lakes. ( For those who do not wish to climb the peak, a more restful day walking from Elena Hut to Kitandara Hut 4,023.) (FB).
Day 7: Climb Mt Stanley
To Guy Yeoman Hut (3260m). From Kitandara, the trail 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. On a clear day there are views into the Congo to the west and Mount Stanley to the north. From the pass, the long muddy descent continues, passing the rock shelter at Bujangolo, the base camp for the historic expedition by the Duke of Abruzzi in 1906 (FB).
Day 8: Climb Nyabitaba
To Nyabitaba (2650m) The path down can be slippery and muddy with little to hold on to and requires careful balancing over the vertical mud or steep rock. An overnight stop at the Nyabiaba Hut is a pleasant rest after the exertion of the previous days FB).
Day 9: Nyabitaba to Nyakalengija.
From Nyabitaba to reach Nyakalengija it can take up to three hours. From Nyabitaba starts the 40 minutes trial to see Lake Mamoha and back to the hut for descending to the Park Head Quarter. You will be picked by your driver and head for Queen Elizabeth national park for an afternoon launch cruise: Dinner and overnight at Mweya safari lodge (luxury) Ihamba lodge (midrange) Simba safari camp (budget)
Day 10 game viewing
Go for an early morning game drive in the Kasenyi sector to catch up with the early risers, elephants, buffaloes, among others. Return to the lodge for late breakfast, and drive back to Kampala. Dinner and overnight at cassia lodge
QUOTATION BASED ON 6 PAX
Budget: USD 1650 per person sharing
Midrange: USD 1800 per person sharing
Luxury: USD 1900 per person sharing
INCLUSIVE
- all ground transportation in a 4 WD
- fuel
- accommodation on safari
- meals on safari
- game drives
- full time English speaking tour guide/ driver
- park entrance fees
- vehicle entrance fees
- launch cruise
- box of bottled water on safari
- FREE Airport pickup and transfer
- Hiking fees
- Guides wages and food
- 2 Porters wages and food
- Rescue fee
- Community levy
- Accommodation on the mountain
- Charcoal fee
- government taxes and franchise fees
- accommodation in Kampala
Excludes:
- domestic and international airfares
- tips
- beverages
- laundry services
- visas
YOU CAN ADD EXTRA DAYS OR REDUCE THE DAYS AND DO 7 DAYS RWENZORI HIKING
For example you can also visit the following places
- Murchison falls national park (falls)
- Kibale forest national park (chimps)
- Bwindi national park (gorillas)