Day 1: Drive to Kasese
We drive westwards towards Fort Portal to the foothill of Rwenzori
mountain Park (about 5 hours). Traveling on both asphalt and unpaved roads, you
pass through traditional Ugandan Villages where you see people at work tending
their traditional crops of millet, sorghum, beans and maize. The lush rolling
hills of this region provide good photo opportunities. As you approach Fort
Portal in the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains, you enter Uganda's famous
tea plantation region. A carpet of green spreads before you, as far as the eye
can see, and seems an unusual contrast to the countryside through which you
have just passed. You arrive at Fort Portal, then, continue to Kaese town
overnight at Rwenzori trekker’s hostel
Day 2: The trek starts at Trekkers Hostel in Kyanjiki 12 kilometres from
Kasese past Kilembe. Best to start by 8.30am but
can leave as late as 10am. Meet your guides and briefing. You walk 2.2km 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 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 3: 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. Here if you have
the energy you may decide to do a spot of rock climbing before settling down
for the evening. Sleep in Kiharo Camp
Day 4: After
a early breakfast in Kiharo Camp we climb a steep section passing around
and through huge moss covered bolders. At times you get glimpses of the cliffs
towering above as you move through thick forests of giant heather trees. The
surroundings are evergreen as moss covers rocks and trees ande is possibly the
most beautiful section in the entire Rwenzori Mountains. After about 1km you
pass below some high cliffs and beautiful open basins which were formally the
final resting bed of huge glaciers as the melted millions of years ago. About
three kilometres up the valley you turn left up a valley to Lake Nsuranja and
cross to the top of a steep drop to Mutinda Rock Shelter, here you can stand on
the edge of the cliffs and get excellent views of Mutinda Peaks before
descending to the valley far below. You cross a fast flowing river then climb
up to the shelter. Mutinda Rock Shelter is big enough for more than eighty
people to sleep and offers a large dry area where you can relax and enjoy the
unique atmosphere of the Rwenzori Mountains.
Day 5: The distance from Mutinda to Kalalama Camp is 5.1km however before you descend you may climb up to Mutinda lookout at 3,975
metres and which takes about 45 minutes to one hour then about 30 minutes to
descend. Mutinda Lookout (see picture below) is the lowest and flatest peak of
Mutinda Peaks where on a clear day you get fantastic views of the mountain
range and down across the foothills to Kasese town, Queen Elisabeth National
Park and beyond. After enjoying the view and the unique atmosphere you descend
to the rock shelther for a cuppa tea and something to eat before continuing to
Kalalama camp perched on a high ridge overlooking the Rwenzori foothills and
Lake George. After a cuppa we descend down a series
of rocky streams and valleys often passing along river beds or rock hopping as
we descend down to Kalalama Camp 3,134 metres.
This section is absouletly amazing as we hop across the moss covered rocks in
this unique environment which is closed inbetween huge cliffs creating a
different micro-environment. As we near Kalalama
Camp we pass though a beautiful flat valley dotted with about 150 Gaint Lobelia.
After passing the Lobelia garden we climb to walk along a ridge down to
Kalalama Camp which is perched on a high ridge
overlooking the Kilembe valley and Kasese town. Sleep
in Kalalama Camp
Day 6: We descend down through the
bamboo forests. Here we cross to the trail 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 rangers post around 3pm. After a short
debriefing, we sign off and walk the 2 kilometres down to Trekkers Hostel from here we shall drive heading to Kampala
(about 5 hours driving) via Mubende. This route travels through breathtaking
scenery and delightfully rolling plantations, some of the best in Uganda.
Trekking Note:
Trekking takes place throughout the
time and starts from Trekkers Hostel in Kyanjuki at foot of Mountain Rwenzori.
Our safari starts and ends in Kampala
Clients will carry hiking shoes,
sleeping bags warm clothes
Climbing to the peaks will require
ice axe, mountain boots, crampons, ropes and prior booking arrangements.
Mountain climbing/hiking takes place
throughout the year, however, the months of April, May, October and November
experience more rains but this does not stop hiking activities.
Accommodation in Kampala before and
after the trek plus airports, transfers can be arranged on request.
Price includes UWA Park entrance fees $35 charged per 24 hours,guides,
one porter per client (maximium 15kg luggage) Until we build our huts,
accommodation is in our 6 - 8 person permanent tents, stretchers &
mattresses are provided but you need to bring a warm sleeping bag and clothes.
All treks include camping and meals however you may desire to bring your
personal snacks, sweets or chocolates. Price does not include breakfast on the
first day nor dinner on the last day. Additional porters may be hired to carry
extra personal luggage (above the 15kg limit) through the company at $12 US per
day
Climbing ropes and harnesses with carabinas and crampons are
supplied free of charge but you are welcome to bring your own.
Items for hire, Sleeping bag $10 Warm
jacket/sweater $10, Rubber boots free, Gloves $5 Prices are per trek regardless
of number of days not per day
Please book this tour now via our 24/7 hot line
+256 777 50 61 26 , +256 704 63 50 44 OR via
our email info@gorillatourbooking.com. orgorillatourbooking@gmail.com
We are warmly waiting for you inquiry!
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