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. 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
After breakfast, start with a climb along river Lhume, in the early morning hours of the day when still fresh and strong with urge to climb the only steep Mughuli bypass. As you think of slopping down to Lake Mughuli which is within MTN network coverage to give you a chance to call friends and family members about the beauty and experience encountered on the trail. There are several short peaks which one can easily climb depending upon what time you have arrived in the camp and how you feel. The vegetation along the Lake is so beautiful to catch up your eyes. Animals you might see along the trail are the Rwenzori red-duiker, rock and tree hyrax and wild pigs. Around the camp, you can have a self-guided walk to explore the water falls. The approximate time taken from Kambeho to Mughuli Camp (3877 m) is about 6-7hrs hike with a stopover for a hot lunch at Mulhalhama resting view point.
Day 5
This camp is set in the heart of the two mountains of the Portal Peaks and Mount Gessi; it is a relaxing point to acclimatize for those interested in climbing the Portal Peaks and Mount Gessi. Five hours from Mughuli camp takes you through a very gentle crossing passing the vegetation of the alchemila, several giant lobelia species and the wonderful unknown leaf looking like a human palm. From Mughuli Camp to Bukurungu Camp (4291 m) will take you 6 – 7hrs with a stopover for a hot lunch at Kinyamiyeye. On this day if the weather is clear, your eyes and hands on the camera will have all the main peaks of Edward on Mount Baker, Margherita and Alexandra on Mount Stanley, Vittorio Emanuela on Mount Speke, Kihuma on the Portal Peaks and Mount Gessi at glance.
Day 6
From Bukurungu East Camp, we continue to Lake Bujuku (3962 m).
Day 7
Today we enter the alpine zone and trek all the way up to the camp on the north-eastern flank of Mt. Stanley, Irene Lakes (4495 m). Lunch in Irene Lakes Camp before hiking down to Bigo Camp (3440 m).
Day 8
Your final day of leaving the beauty of Rwenzori; leaving you with lust to come back. With your guide and porters over the ridge, local telecommunication signals, call your driver guide to pick you from the park for transfer to Kasese for an overnight or Entebbe for your departure flight.
Day 9
Breakfast, preparation for departure. Transfer to Kampala (Entebbe Airport) for departure.
So:
Central Circle standard program:
- with the ascent to the Margherita peak takes 9 days
- with ascent to 2 (two) peaks: Peak Spik and Peak Margherita takes 11 days
- with ascent to 3 (three) peaks: Spik, Margherita and Baker takes 12 (13) days
Accordingly, the program along the Bukurungu route:
- with the ascent to Margherita peak takes 10 days
- with ascent to 2 (two) peaks: Spik peak and Margherita peak takes 12 days
- with ascent to 3 (three) peaks: Spik, Margherita and Baker takes 13 (14) days
What can be added to this tour !!
- A trip to the city of Jinja - full white water rafting at the source of the Nile River (+1 day)
- Drive to Sipi Falls (Mount Elgon National Park, a series of three falls, the main 100-meter waterfall) (+1 day)
- Drive to Ziva Rhino Shelter for
- A trip to Murchison Falls National Park: safari, climbing to Cabarega Falls, sailing on a boat to Cabarega Falls (+2 days)
- Drive to the Mahoma waterfall and Lake Nkuruba (Nature Reserve) (+1 day)
- Trip to Semliki National Park, Sempaya hot springs (+1 day)
- A trip to Queen Elizabeth National Park: safari, a place of lions climbing trees, sailing on a boat along the canal (+1 (3) days)
- A trip to the Virunga Mountains, a hike to the crater of Mount Muhavura, one of the Virunga mountain ranges in Uganda. (+1 (2) days)
- Trip to Lake Mburo National Park (+2 days)
- Trip to Kibal National Park, safari, observation of chimpanzees (+2 (3) days)
- Trip to Bwindi National Park (impenetrable forest and gorilla habitat) and Lake Bunioni (+3 (4) days)