NINE DAY TREK crossing the Stanley glacier on Mt Stanley is for people who do not want to climb to the top of Margherita Peak yet still experience the beauty of the Rwenzori Mountains, and who would like to observe Margherita Peak without the steep ladders down to Margherita glacier then the steep climb up the final ascent to Margherita peak. climbing to the highest point of Stanley Plateau just below Alexandra Peak to get a excellent view of Magherita Peak a few hundred metres across Magherita glacier is awe inspiring. This fantastic view point at the topmost point of the Stanley plateau is at the base to Alexandra Peak atop a 40 metre cliff overlooking Magherita glacier.which anyone with good fitness can achieve safely, yet experience all to wonders of this magnificent mountain range. Looking back across the snow covered Stanley plateau gives you the feeling that you may well be in Europe in some exotic ski resort and it is hard to inagine that you are only 38km for the equator which runs just south of the Rwenzori range.
1 or 2 persons $960 each, 3 or more persons $910, 6 or more $880 plus UWA (Uganda Wildlife Authority) gate entrance fee of $35 per day which is paid seperately in cash. Price includes all porters, food (meals) and accomodation whilst in the mountain. To do this trek in nine days it is necessary to jump two camps on the way down so you need to be very fit as trekking Rwenzori is a difficult climb. You may add days should you so wish.
Day 1. Early breakfast at 7.30am. Meet your guides and briefing. You are then driven up to the trail head (1,667m) and a gentle walk (1.2km) along a well maintained path above the Nyamwamba river 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. It is also common to see Red tailed monkeys in this area, as natural fruits are many.
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 (Camp 1) 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 in 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 3,380 metres directly at the base of some good granite rock climbs of 20 to 40 metres, with towering peaks above. Sleep in Kiharo Camp
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 in 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 in 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 4,335 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 in Camp 5
Day 6. 3 kilometres 3 to 5 hours up to Stanley Plateau and 2 to 3 hrs hours back down to Camp 5 then after a quick lunch continue down another 3 hours to sleep in Camp 4. Start height 4,333 metres climbing to 4,900 metres at the highest tip of the Stanley Plateau then descend to Camp 4 at 4,006 metres It is best to start climbing no later than 4.30 am so as to catch the sun as it hits the redish rocks and peaks as it rises over Mt Baker. It takes about one hour steady climbing 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. At times the rocks above Elena Hut may be covered with snow and thin ice but mostly it is firm rock particually in the dryer months. You reach the edge of the glacier at 4,765 metres where you will need to put on crampons and harnesses and walk at set distances to ensure maximium safety although many choose not use any ropes as Stanley plateau is relatively flat. The scenery is spectular and as you start to reach the upper areas of the glacier with the sun hitting the many peaks around. The exhilaration of reaching the top is enormous as you look across to Magherita and look up at Alexandra Peak.After enjoying the scenery you descend back down to Camp 5 usually arriving around midday for a quick lunch before descending another 2 to 3 hours to Camp 4. Sleep in Camp 4
Day 7 6 kilometres 4 to 5 hours Start height 4,006 metres climbing down to Kachope Lakes at 3,985 metres then over Bamwanjara Pass (4,450 metres) then dropping to Camp 3 at 4,006 metres. Today you walk from Camp four down to Camp three past Kachope Lakes and up and over Bamwanjara Pass. Here you have good chances to see hyrax sitting at the entrance to their rock shelter. 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 in Camp 3
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 rather wet and at times quite boggy. It is a good idea to have rubber boots for this section. 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 befroe 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 up to the Mutinda Rock Shelter. The Mutinda Rock Shelter is large enough for 80 to 100 people to take shelter from the weather as offers a dry night for our last night. Sleep in Mutinda Rock Shelter
Day 9 16.7 kilometres 6 to 10 hours distance from Mutinda to Kalalama Camp is 5.1km plus from Kalalama to the Rangers post 11.6km. 7am start as we descend down a series of rocky streams and valleys often passing or rock hopping across the rocks to Kalalama Camp 3,134 metres. As we near Kalalama Camp we pass though a beautiful valley dotted with Gaint Lobelia. After passing the Lobelia garden we climb to reach Kalalama Camp which is perched on a high ridge overlooking the Kilembe valley and Kasese town. Here we have a quick lunch before continuing to descend down through the bamboo forests. Here we cross to the ridge climbing to Samalira camp just above the lunch spot on day one. Here we have a short break before we walk the final distance through mountain montane forest to the Rangers Post 1,727 metres. 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 ragers post around 3pm.
Note:- If you wish to take it a bit more steady you can stop the night a Kalalama Camp and pay for an extra night at an additional $100 per person. This must be decided before you climb so as we take enough food and once decided and paid for we do not give refunds.
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