Transfer from Kampala to Kasese.

The tour really begins at the Rwenzori Mountaineering Services (RMS) offices at Nyakalengija. Following registration, equipment checks and guide/porter assignment, we leave the park headquarters and head up through farmland and tall grass to the park boundary. Climbing becomes more difficult as we traverse recent landslide deposits and a rocky region, heading to River Mahoma.

After crossing the river, it is a steep climb through forest and bracken covered slopes to the Nyabitaba hut (2652m) with chances of seeing black-and-white colobus monkeys and hearing nearby chimpanzees. The hike takes approximately 6 hours.

Our second day is a long and demanding one. It is considered the most strenuous of the tour, as we trek up to John Matte Hut at 3414m altitude through a variety of demanding terrains.

We begin with a short hike before making the steep drop down to Kurt Shaffer Bridge where the trail becomes muddy and slippery as it passes through bamboo forest. Then comes what many hikers find to be the most difficult and dangerous section of the circuit, scrambling over an area of slippery boulders. This is an exhausting section and takes us to the beginning of the open moorland zone and its strange vegetation. Another hour (six hours after leaving Nyabitaba) travelling through boggy conditions and we arrive at John Matte Hut (3414m).

We leave John Matte and soon have to ford the Bujuku River to take us on to the lower Bigo bog. This is another tiring section, where we proceed by jumping between tussocks to cross the grassy bog. But eventually we come to drier and firmer ground and have a rest before attempting the upper Bigo bog. This can be a very muddy section – a real energy sapper so remember to take your time.

Climbing now becomes easier as we hike across dry ground for an hour and a half to reach Lake Bukuju. The southern part of the lake provides fantastic views over Mount Baker to the south, Mount Stanley and Mount Speke. But don’t get too carried away with the scenery as there is another muddy section to tackle, probably the muddiest section of the whole trip. But soon enough we reach the Bujuku Hut (3962m) for a well deserved rest. Be warned that the shaded location and frequent mists can make Bujuku Hut quite cold.

We take the morning to recover and wait for the sun to warm up the mountain air before leaving Bujuku Hut. The trail rises and falls before climbing steadily through the giant groundsel and moss zone via high cliffs and muddy sections of path.

Elena Hut (4541m) is the base for the final ascent to the highest peak of the Rwenzoris.

We rise early to make the most of the cool conditions on our initial steep climb to Margherita Peak (5109m). This difficult climb is often through snow but the views from the top are stunning and worth every step.

From here, we descend to the Kitandara Lakes at 4023m.

Our penultimate full day of hiking and another early start to reach the base before conditions become dark and dangerous. The descent offers beautiful views of the Congo and the now familiar alpine moss. The trail then leads through the Bujongolo and Kabamba rock shelters. This trip takes an average of 6 hours to Guy Yeoman Hut, 3261m.

This six hour descent passes back through the heather zone and bamboo forests to Nyabitaba at 2650m.

The last 2 or 3 hours hiking takes us to Nyakalengija trailhead (1600m). Then we fall into the tour vehicle and head back to Kampala/Entebbe for a much needed bath, rest and a decent meal.