Day 1
You will be met by a representative of our company at Entebbe International Airport or at your hotel in Entebbe or Kampala. He will drive you west of the capital Kampala to Kasese town for an overnight at hotel while enjoying the views of the cloudy Rwenzoris from the balcony of your hotel or the clear views of the savannah Queen Elizabeth National park below Kasese town before your trek to Rwenzori mountain the next morning. A drive to Kasese takes 5-6 hours via Kampala to Fort-portal road which is 372 Km or 6-7 hours drive via Kampala-Masaka-Mbarara highway which is 422 Km. Along the way you will have a stopover for lunch either in Fort-portal or Mbarara either way before proceeding to Kasese town for an overnight.
Day 2
Have an early morning breakfast and transfer from your hotel in Kasese town to Omukorukumi which is a 1 hour drive and start your hike to reach RMNP / Kasanzi Gate for registration at the Park Ranger outpost. Here after, take on the trail which bends west on the ridge overlooking the Kasuka and Isulevalleys and onward to EKebitakuli for a hot lunch while taking a breath and thereafter, hike through the montane rain forest overlooking bamboo forested valleys. Encounter plant species like the Disastairssi, Scadoxus cyrtanthiflorus, Impetiens Colobusse and spot or hear calls of black and white Colobus monkeys, The Rwenzori Turaco and other birds. On the trail you will spot chimpanzee nests and droppings or hear their calls. The trail will lead you through the heather zone and reach Rwigho Camp (2650 m) for an overnight rest immediately after crossing River Rwigho. It will take you only 6-7 hours.
Day 3
After breakfast, the trail takes you through the heather trees (Ericathiasis) with lots of moss hanging over these trees. Kambeho camp lies in the heather zone which is characterized by views of hanging valleys. The is the heather zone with a lots of heather trees, scencio trees, alchemila, black berries, and many more plant species. While on trail you will be able to spot black black and white Colobus monkeys, Varvet monkeys, sunbirds, the Rwenzori turaco a rare beautiful bird in the park. On this day you will see lots of giant lobelias, everlasting flowers and rock shelters. Overnight at Kambeho Camp (3700 m). This hike will take you 5 – 6 hrs with a stopover for a hot lunch at Mitiyighaghire.
Day 4
Early morning leave Kambeho camp after a somewhat cold night climbing along River Lhume taking the Mughuli pass the only steep bypass on the trail. After a steep climb on Mughuli bypass descend down past Lake Mughuli which is within a strong MTN network service to allow you catch up with some mobile phone calls before proceeding to Lamia camp (3850 m). There are several unnamed beautiful peaks which can easily be climbed by those interested as they acclimatize for climbing the Portal peaks and Mount Gessi. Around the camp, you can easily explore the water falls which gives the real taste of the Rwenzori mountains waters. Overnight at Lamia camp
Day 5
This is your last day along the Bukurungu Rwenzori mountains climbing route joining the Central circuit trail at the beginning of the lower Bigo bog before crossing River Bujuku. Descend down from Lamia camp down past the Bukurungu lakes before reaching the Bujuku River bridge on the lower Bigo walk boards. Climb gently to Bigo camp (3440 m) to pitch your tents for an overnight or sleep at John Maate hut for a warmer night.
Day 6
Depending on where you spent the night whether at John Maate camp or Bigo camp, depart with an aim of making it to Elena camp to prepare for your summit of Mount Stanley Margherita peak 5,109m asl.
Cross the Lower Bigo bog before climbing a narrow section to the upper Bigo bog. Continue to the Omukendeghe shelter for a rest before continuing through the Bujuku valley bog. Climb westwards towards Elena hut crossing the route to Kitandara camp from Bujuku camp. Here you will enter the Afro alpine zone climbing through rocky sections before reaching the cold Elena camp at 4.505m asl for an overnight.
Day 7
Very early in the morning, you attempt climbing the highest peak, Margherita (5109 m) 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 (4372 m), 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 (4430 m). Descend duration: 3 – 4 hours.
Day 8
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 (4282 m). 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 (3261 m). Hike duration: 6 – 7 hours.
Day 9
Today we keep going down (the route descends the cliffs of Kichuchu) until we reach the Mihung gate. Here you will meet your driver for your Kasese transfer. Overnight in Kasese.
Day 10
Transfer to Kampala (Entebbe airport) for departure