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Six Day Trek to Weismans Peak 4,620m - Rwenzori Mountains National Park
The six day trek is possible as we walk two sections on the way down however some people may prefer to do the trek in seven days
Day 1. Early breakfast at 7.30am meet your guides and briefing, or you drive from your hotel in Kasese or Fort Portal. After a short 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. We suggest that the trek start before 9am but is possible to start by 11am and still climb to Samalira (camp one) by a reasonable time.
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 6 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 straighter 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 15 to 20 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)
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 with good footing of 200 metres into the Nyamwamba valley and a well earned lunch break at Poly’s 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.
Day 3. 6.8 kilometres 4 to 5 hours 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.
Day 4. 6 kilometres 3 to 4 hours climbing up and 2 to 3 hours climbing down. We start by climbing up a long valley with fantastic views of the Namusanji valley as you climb then far the last half kilometres to the ridge is steep but certainly not technical. Then turn right to climb to the summit of Weismans. As we look behing we see Kachope Lakes far below then just as we near the top we see Mt Bakers seemingly towering above. From Weismann’s 4,620 metres, we can take a gentle walk across the moss covered domed shaped ridge to Stella Peak 4,635 metres. We then return to camp three for the night.
Day 5 6.8 kilometres 3 to 4 hours to Kiharo Camp then another 6km and 3 to 4 hours down to Kalalama Camp Descend via the Namusangi valley which is 6.5 kilometres across open moorland 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. Before we reach Mutinda which is very steep and rocky we turn left to descend past Lake Nsuranja to meet the trail coming down the Nyamwamba valley. We descend down past the high cliff faces to Kiharo Camp where we have lunch before continuing to Kalalama Camp.
We backtrack to Kiharo Camp by first climbing 200 metres to the top of the confulence of the two valleys then descend down the Nyamwamba Valley. Although we climbed up this section on the way up we are looking at the scenery from a different angle and see more of this beautiful landscape. Many people say that although they have trekked many mountains, this valley has some of the most beautiful scenery they have ever seen. We stop at Kiharo Camp for lunch before descending the valley to Polies shelter then climb 260 metres to the top ridge. Here we branch off to walk across to Kalalama Camp 3,134 metres which is perched on a high ridge overlooking the Kilembe valley and Kasese town.
In this schedule we walk two sections on day 5 to save a day however you may opt for the seven day walk as walking two sections in a day can be tiring if you are not fit.
Day 6. 11.6 kilometres 4 to 5 hours We slowly descend down through the bamboo forests. At around 2,600 metres the bamboo gives way to afro montane forests at we pass just above Sine Rock Shelter. This rock shelter was the home to a gentleman called Sine who spent over thirty years in the mountains poaching animals. As we reach the bottom of the ridge we cross a rather large fast flowing stream and on the Musenge rock shelter. Here we have lunch and a short break before we walk the final 6 km through thick mountain montane forest to the Rangers Post 1,727 metres After a short debriefing, we sign off and walk the 1.2 kilometres to our waiting vehicles and down to Trekkers Hostel.
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In the wet season(April May & September November) these upper areas may be covered with snow making spectular scenery with snow covered plants and landscape
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