Margherita ten day trek

Nine day trek to Margherita Peak

Day 1. The trek starts at Trekkers Hostel in Kyanjiki 12 kilometres from Kasese past Kilembe. Best to start by 8.30am but can leave as late as 10am. Meet your guides and briefing. You walk 2.2km to the UWA rangers post at 1,727metres.

Here the rangers brief you on the day’s activities and rules of the National Park.

Today’s walk 8.6 km expected time 5 to 7 hours Start height is 1,667 metres climbing to 3,171 metres

The first two kilometres climbs steadly through prestine montane forest, with tall trees thick undergrowth and a multitude of different species of birds and primates. Then a fairly strenuous climb up a main ridge with few rocks and firm footing except immediately after a heavy downpour climbing to your first night at Samalira Camp. As you leave the rangers post you walk along a path through tall grassland and ferns which gives way to magnificent pristine forests. As this is a new route the forests are untouched and carry a wide variety of trees and plants. Many species of birds can be heard and seen in this rich environment. The first few kilometres climb steadily crossing several small streams and rivers then we start climbing the ridge. As we climb the trees become taller and more straight and it is common to see and hear many types of primates, on the left you may hear troupes of chimpanzee echoing around the valleys. Particularly around our lunch spot at 2,570m it is possible to see troupes of 20 or more black and white Colobus monkeys or Blue monkeys as they dash through the trees.

After lunch we continue to climb steadily passing a rock shelter (2,785m) previously used by poachers to hunt primates and dika (small antelope) After the rock shelter the climb enters the bamboo zone and becomes steeper. As we near the top we break out of the bamboo to fantastic views of the valleys and hills below looking across to Lake George and Queen Elisabeth National Park in the distance. The equator lies just north of Lake George. Samalira Camp is at 3,147 metres, meaning views or lookout and offers great views of the surrounding landscape and Kasese town. (Mobile network available at this camp) Sleep at Samalira Camp

Day 2. 6.9 kilometres 4 to 5 hours. After a hearty breakfast we commence walking at 8.15 and initially climb steadily then cross a small stream and the climb becomes steep for about 200 metres up a narrow moss covered ridge. The thick moss covering the ground and rocks under the giant heather trees is spectacular and we ask you to help preserve this prestine environment by keeping to the pathway. The views give us the impression that we could fly as we look across the many ridges and valleys far below. You can see Kilembe village deep in the valley and across Lake George. After a relatively short climb the trail becomes less steep as we pass over Chavumba (meaning heaven) at 3,316m them cross a small flat valley to climb up a steady ridge through moss covered trees and misty forests to the top of the ridge at 3,515 metres. Here we descend steadily for about one kilometre before descending a steep drop of 200 metres into the Nyamwamba valley and a well earned lunch break at Polies Rock Shelter 3,249 metres.

After lunch we climb steadily above the Nyamwamba River for 1.6km though old giant heathers covered in old man’s beard moss to Kiharo Camp at 3,588 metres directly at the base of some good granite rock climbs of 20 to 40 metres, with towering peaks above. Sleep at Kiharo Camp 3,588 metres

Day 3. 6.8 kilometres 4 to 5 hours Start height is 3,380 metres climbing to 4,200 metres on the top of the confluence between the two valleys then dropping to Camp 3 at 4,030 metres. We start by ascending to pass through Bamwanjara Pass then descend to Kachope Lakes The top of the pass trail that offers spectacular scenery of the main peaks ahead particually on a clear day.After an early breakfast we climb a short steep climb through the narrow valley with large moss covered rocks. This area is stunning as you weave through the narrow passes near the foot of towering peaks till you reach the wider upstream Nyamwamba River. From here you climb steadily along the valley floor with small bogs and many giant lobelias. Both sides of the valley are lined with sheer cliff faces as we near the confluence of the Nyamwamba and Namusangi valleys. Our third camp at 4,065 metres, is above Lake Kopello and has spectacular views looking down the valley of nine glacier lakes, the Namusangi valley. Sleep at Camp 3

Day 4. 6 kilometres 5 to 6 hours. Start height is 4,030 metres climbing to 4,450 metres on the top of Bamwanjara Pass then dropping to Camp 3 at 4,006 metres. We start by ascending to pass through Bamwanjara Pass then descend to Kachope Lakes The top of the pass trail that offers spectacular scenery of the main peaks ahead particually on a clear day.We start by descending to pass through Bamwanjara Pass to Kachope Lakes a trail that offers spectacular scenery of the main peaks ahead where on a clear day you can see Mt Stanley, Mt Speke in the centre and Mt Baker. On the right one can see McConnell’s Prong named after a British explorer and geologist. The view is awesome!! The Kachope Lakes area is one of the three known areas where on a misty day one may catch a rare glimpse of the Rwenzori leopard. Little research has been done on this animal yet it is more rare than the snow leopard, which has gained so much attention in recent years. After passing Kachope Lakes we climb to Camp four at 4,006 metres. Sleep at Camp 4

Day 5. 4.1 kilometres 3 to 5 hours Start height is 4,006 metres climbing to 4,333 metres at Camp 5. Today is a relativately easy walk past Kitandara Lakes and climb through Sott Elliott pass to our camp situated right on the pass with fantastic views down the valley to Lake Bujuku and Mt Speke. To the south you see Kitandara Lakes and Wiesmanns Peak. The camp is at 4,460 metres in a flat sheltered position covered with moss where you can get a good sleep before climbing any of the peaks on Mt Stanley including Margherita and Alexandra Peaks. Sleep at Camp 5

Day 6. 3.5 kilometres 3 to 5 hours up to Magherita Peak and 2 to 3 hrs hours back down to Camp 5.Start height 4,460 metres climbing to 5,109 metres on top of Margherita Peak. It is best to start climbing no later than 3.30am. So is best to get up at 3am have a quick cup of coffee or tea and some light high energy snacksand set off. It takes about one and a half hours to reach Elena hut (4,540m) which we bypass on the way to the peaks. After Elena the climb is steep but firm underfoot as you are walking on hard rock. You reach the edge of the glacier at 4,765 metres where you will need to put on crampons and harnesses at set distances. Although there is few crevices he guide will lead the way as one never knows. The scenery is spectular and as you start to reach the upper areas of the glacier and the saddle between the two peaks Alexandra and Margherita the sun will just be peeping over the horizon giving the chance of fantastic photographs of the two main peaks tip with sunlight. You then reach the upper weather station (4,830 metres) where you climb down to a ladder (4803 metres) onto the upper glacier leading to Magherita Peaks. First you climb up the glacier to a small saddle between Alexandra and Magherita Peaks at 5,025 metres where you scrambe up a steep rocky climb to the main peak. At times the rocks are covered with snow and ice and may be slippery but mostly it is firm rock. The exhilaration of reaching the top is enormous as you look across Albert Peak to the DRC (Congo) then east across the spectra of the Rwenzori Mountains. After enjoying the scenery and signing the book, you descend using the same path down to Camp 5. Sleep at Camp 5 (some people prefer to walk directly down to camp 4 so as to sleep at a lower altitude but this depends on your fitness as you would need to leave Camp 5 before 3pm to aviod walking in the dark)

Day 7 10.1 kilometres 5 to 7 hours Start height 4,460metres walking down to Camp 4 at 4,006 metres where the trail drops a little more to pass just above Kachope Lakes at 3,985 metres and then over Bamwanjara Pass (4,450 metres) then dropping to Camp 3 at 4,006 metres. After a good breakfast you walk from Camp five down to Camp 4 which takes a couple of hours passing through Scott Elliot Pass. After a short break at Camp 4 there is a rather tough climb of 450 metres to pass over Bamwanjara Pass then down to Camp 3 at 4,030 metres While crossing the pass you get the chance to see hyrax sitting at the entrance to their rock shelter warming in the midday sun. Their main predator is the Rwenzori Leopard Panthera pardus ruwenzorii which is rarely seen. The leopard has been heavily poached in the past and there are few left however on a rare occasion on a misty or overcast day you may be lucky to see one briefly as they move between the rocks. Sleep at Camp 3

Day 8 9.5 kilometres 4 to 6 hours Today we descend via the Namusangi valley across open moreland and large areas of tussock grass. As this is a valley floor it is relativately flat and water from farther up the mounains sweeps across the moors making the going wet and boggy. It is not soil but layers and layers of compresed tussock grass which over the years has transformed to peat. It is a good idea to have rubber boots for this section although occasionly you may find your foot can sink deeper than a rubber boot. In the future we intend to construct a timber boardwalk however this will be after construction of huts and other infrusture as it will be a long and expensive process. We contine down the valley passing several small waterfalls and moss covered valleys until we reach the steep rocky section above Mutinda with fantastic views of Mutinda Peaks directly ahead. We turn left just as before the river drops over a sheer cliff to the Mutinda valley to walk down several steep slopes until we reach the valley floor. Here we again cross the river and continue down the valley to Kalalama bypassing the climb up to Mutinda Rock Shelter. The walk down to Kalalama follows mainly down a rocky river where in places you are required to rock hop down longside the rocky river. The atmosphere is truly unique as the valley is closed in and often misty creating the ideal environment for mosses and lichen. As we near Kalalama Camp we pass though a beautiful valley dotted with Gaint Lobelia Sleep in Kalalama Camp which is perched on a high ridge overlooking the Kilembe valley and Kasese town

Day 9 10.7 kilometres 4 to 6 hours distance from Mutinda to Kalalama Camp is 5.1km plus from Kalalama to the Rangers post 11.6km. Descend down through the bamboo forests which at times get boggy and slippery due to the mass of fallen leaves. During the wet season we cross to the ridge climbing to Samalira camp just above the lunch spot on day one as the river above Musenge Rock Shelter may be very deep and fast flowing, however during the dry season we continue directly down the ridge to Musenge shelter and down to the rangers post After debriefing, we sign off and walk down to Trekkers Hostel. Some fast walkers have descended to the rangers post by midday however the majority of people arrive at the rangers post around 1pm.

Ten day trek to Margherita Peak

Here the rangers brief you on the day’s activities and rules of the National Park.

Today’s walk 8.6 km expected time 5 to 7 hours Start height is 1,667 metres climbing to 3,171 metres

Day 8. 5.8 kilometres 4 to 6 hours Today we descend via the Namusangi valley across open moreland and large areas of tussock grass. As this is a valley floor it is relativately flat and water from farther up the mounains sweeps across the moors making the going wet and boggy. It is not soil but layers and layers of compresed tussock grass which over the years has transformed to peat. It is a good idea to have rubber boots for this section although occasionly you may find your foot can sink deeper than a rubber boot. In the future we intend to construct a timber boardwalk however this will be after construction of huts and other infrusture as it will be a long and expensive process. We contine down the valley passing several small waterfalls and moss covered valleys until we reach the steep rocky section above Mutinda with fantastic views of Mutinda Peaks directly ahead. We turn left just as before the river drops over a sheer cliff to the Mutinda valley to walk down several steep slopes until we reach the valley floor. Here we again cross the river before climbing to the Mutinda Rock Shelter. Although very beautiful this section can be tiresome as you scrambe over huge boulders on your climb to Mutinda. We have placed big tents under the rock shelter which is large enough for 80 to 100 people to take shelter from the weather. Sleep Mutinda Camp at 3,688 metres

Day 9 4.2 kilometres 3 to 5 hours In the morning you may decide to take the option of climbing to the top of Mutinda Lookout (3,975 metres), this takes about one hour and offers fantastic views as you stand on the moss covered peak. This climb is steep and near the top we have constructed a wooden ladder to enable you to climb more easily. There is no extra charge for this option and timewise it is easy to climb to the lookout and then walk down to Kalalama Camp. After taking in the views and unique atmosphere you then descend to the rock shelter and a cup of tea or coffee before descending to Kalalama. This adds about two hours or more to your trek.The walk down to Kalalama follows mainly down a rocky river where in places you are required to rock hop down longside the stream. The atmosphere is truly unique as the valley is closed in and often misty creating the ideal environment for mosses and lichen. As we near Kalalama Camp we pass though a flat valley dotted with Gaint Lobelia. Some say this is one of the most beautiful sections of the entire trip. Sleep in Kalalama Camp which is perched on a high ridge overlooking the Kilembe valley and Kasese town

Day 10 10.7 kilometres 4 to 6 hours distance from Mutinda to Kalalama Camp is 5.1km plus from Kalalama to the Rangers post 11.6km. Descend down through the bamboo forests which at times get boggy and slippery due to the mass of fallen leaves. During the wet season we cross to the ridge climbing to Samalira camp just above the lunch spot on day one as the river above Musenge Rock Shelter may be very deep and fast flowing, however during the dry season we continue directly down the ridge to Musenge shelter and down to the rangers post After debriefing, we sign off and walk down to Trekkers Hostel. Some fast walkers have descended to the rangers post by midday however the majority of people arrive at the rangers post around 1pm.

Nine day verses ten day Margherita trek

The difference between the 9 day trek and the 10 day trek is that the 9 day trek bypasses Mutinda Rock Shelter or one of the other camps. Many climbers prefer to bypass as their main goal was to climb Margherita, however we feel Mutinda is unique and definitely worth the addition day. Over the years the rock shelter has provided dry shether from the heavy rains in the Rwenzori Mountains and no doubt there are many stories about the various goups who have stayed here. The option of climbing up to Mutinda Lookout (3,975 metres) is well worth the effort and which takes about one hour climbing from the rock shelter (3,688 metres). We do not charge extra should you decide to take the option of climbing to the lookout.