Rwenzori Weismann's Peak Trek

Upon arrival at Entebbe airport, you will be met and transferred to the group hotel in Kampala (approx 40 mins) for overnight accommodation. There will be a briefing with our guide before dinner. (Please note: there will be one guide for Kampala and Fort Portal, who does not trek with us. We will meet our mountain guide on Day 3 at the trek start point). Overnight: Latitude 0 Degrees (or similar)

Meals: D

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This morning we will meet our local guide at the hotel for the transfer to Fort Portal (about 5-6 hrs drive, depending on road conditions). The remainder of today is for relaxing and making final preparations. Overnight: Fort Motel (or similar)

Meals: B,L,D

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This morning at approx 7.00am, we will transfer (approx 2 hrs drive) from Fort Portal to the trek start point at Kyanjuki (1450m), near the town of Kilembe. Here we will meet our mountain guide and have a full trek briefing. After a short walk of 2.2km (about 1 hr) we will reach the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) ranger post (1727m). There are some more formalities here before we really commence our trek. It is mandatory to be accompanied by a park ranger as well as a mountain guide for the duration of the trek. As we leave the ranger post the path winds through tall grassland and ferns, giving way to magnificent pristine forests. The forests are pristine and harbour 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. There are then a couple of trail options to reach tonight's camp and our trek guide will advise which is best, depending on local conditions on the day. One option is to start climbing and go up along a ridge. The trees here become taller and straighter and are home to many types of primates. It may be possible to see troupes of black and white Colobus Monkeys and Blue Monkeys as they dash through the trees. The other option stays a bit lower, also through the same pristine forest with lichen-covered vines, and skirts the contours before a final steep pinch to the camp. For either option we will stop for lunch along the way. Sine Camp is our overnight stop (2596m) and the wooden hut here is set between tall forest trees on a narrow ridge. It has a large verandah where we can sit and enjoy the beauty of the Afro Montane forest while overlooking the fantastic Enock's Falls just 200m from the hut. Sine is just below the Bamboo zone and the area around has many different bird species. (NOTE: trek times throughout this document are approximate only; actual times will vary according to trail and weather conditions and group fitness)

Meals: B,L,D

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After breakfast today's trek begins with a steep climb and many high steps into the Bamboo Zone. In the wet season the bamboo area is muddy and slippery making the going slow. Your gaiters will come in handy here or you may even like to wear your rubber/gum boots. Occasionally unwary trekkers have sunk up to their knees. The atmosphere of the forest is beautiful as we climb 551m and approx 1.8km to Kalalama Camp (3147m). In the Heather-Rapanea Zone we can take a rest and a quick hot drink here before continuing towards Mutinda Camp, which is our final destination today. The trail meanders up and over several small knolls along a ridge then drops down the side of a valley before climbing again, crossing several small streams and passing close to moss covered waterfalls. We then climb steadily beside a beautiful mossy river which tumbles over rocks under Giant Heather trees whose branches are covered in "old man beards" (Usnea Lichen). The trail twists and turns as we climb up the deep valley, which has an enormous variety of plants and flowers. Finally we reach Mutinda Camp (3688m) which is set near a small river flowing over a waterfall. There is a chance to wash and refresh in the river (warning - it's cold) and then relax or alternatively climb to the top of Mutinda Lookout (one and a half hours up; one hour down) The view is amazing at 3975m with views across the Rwenzori Mountains and down to Kasese town and Lake George.

Meals: B,L,D

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Today, as we climb steadily higher, we will enter the Alpine Zone. The trail this morning is again boggy, but with a little skill we can step from tussock to tussock to make the going easier. We cross the Mutinda Valley through the tussock grass and everlasting flowers interpersed with many Giant Lobelias before we climb a steep section up to the Namusangi Valley (3840m), which ends abruptly with sheer waterfalls and fantastic views of Mutinda Peaks. The Namusangi Valley is a wide valley with many ups and downs and several peat sections. The trail then climbs steadily to Bugata Camp (formerly known as Camp 3) at 4100m. Bugata Camp is situated part way up Bamwanjara Pass, high above Bugata Lake, with views across Lake Kopello to the often snow-covered Weismann's Peak. There are also spectacular views down the valley over Lake Africa and Lake Kanganyika and the many small peaks towards Mutinda Camp from whence we came. There are a many Red Forest Duiker which are endemic to the Rwenzori Mountains. In the past they have been very hard to see due to the thick vegetation but since a wild fire that burnt a large section of the Alpine Zone, they are now more easily seen in the new shorter growth. Bugata Camp has good facilities with solar lights, toilets and bathrooms (cold water). Bugata also has a heli pad for emergencies only.

Meals: B,L,D

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In the early morning we climb 4.3kms (3-4 hrs) to Weismann's Peak (4620m). The trek commences by walking across the hillside below the high cliffs above Bugata Lake. Then we walk around a ridge point to Lake Kopello and walk along the edge of the lake. As you climb you will get excellent views of the four lakes in the valley below. The last section to the peak is steep on solid rock and can be difficult when snowing or iced up; and it may be necessary to use ropes for safety. On a clear day, you will get amazing views of all the main peaks - Mt Stanley, Mt Speke and Mt Baker. The top of Weismann’s Peak is relatively flat or dome shaped, with moss-covered rocks creating a beautiful ambience. Whilst Stella Peak (4626m) is near Weismann's Peak, we will not be crossing there as it requires technical expertise. From Weismann's Peak, we will descend directly to Kiharo Camp (3430m) down the Nyamwamba Valley. At the head of the valley, there is a large area of thick Giant Groundsel with dense evergreen undergrowth and moss with the rocky peaks towering above which creates its own micro environment. As you descend you will notice the terrain is made up of several flat boggy areas where millions of years ago the glaciers melted leaving behind a wall of big rocks. The valley is home to many Red Forest Duiker. Our last camping night is at Kiharo Camp (3430m), which is located in an area rich with evergreen plants and babbling streams. It may be possible at night to hear the calls of the rock hyrax as they sit in the rocky cliffs high above. Approx Walking Distance/Time: 9 km; Ascent 520m / Descent 1190m; 6-7 hrs.

Meals: B,L,D

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Our final day of trekking down the Nyamwamba Valley is mostly downhill and absolutely stunning with beautiful views. The moss-covered rocks along the river, cascading waterfalls, deep valleys and forests are possibly the best in the Rwenzori Mountains. A few kilometres from Kiharo Camp, the path turns off to the right along the river. You may catch a glimpse of a Duiker quietly feeding in small clearings as you walk along the river. The trail near the river becomes very steep in parts, and we will bypass the steep sections as necessary. Our lunch stop is a large rock shelter called Riverside Rock Shelter. After lunch, we walk through beautiful bamboo and afro montane forests with many birds, primates, duikers and hyrax. A great experience and fitting end to a fantastic trek. After debriefing, we sign off at the UWA Ranger Post and walk the remaining 2.2km to our start point, weary but exhilarated. We can rest and reflect on our achievements as our vehicle transfers us to Fort Portal for a welcome shower, bed and clean clothes. Overnight: Fort Motel (or similar)

Meals: B,L

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Today we will return to Kampala by road where our trip concludes on arrival at Entebbe airport late in the afternoon. There is no accommodation booked for tonight. Please ask your consultant if you would like post-tour accommodation and we will be happy to arrange it (additional cost applies). There are many options near the airport in the Entebbe suburb or in Kampala city proper. Please do not book departure flights before 5:00pm as it may not be possible to transfer you to Entebbe Airport in time to meet flights prior to this, alternately an internal morning flight (additional cost applies) may allow for departure flights before this time.

Meals: B

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