Welcome to Uganda! On arrival, you will be met and greeted at the Airport by a Valiant Safaris driver-guide who will be your driver for the trip, and then transfer to your hotel for check-in. For morning arrivals you may choose to drive straight to the park and stay at the base of the mountain, however you may also choose to stay in Entebbe and relax resting from a long-haul flight.

Start the day with an early breakfast before starting the drive to Kasese and to Nyakalengija at the base on the Rwenzori ranges. You will spend a night at the foothills of the mountains, this will allow you to acclimatize as you contemplate on the trekking challenge that lies ahead! The drive from Entebbe to Kasese is Approx. 372 km and 7 hours.

After breakfast, drive to the trailhead at Nyakalengija 1,615m. get porters, guides and briefing before starting the hike. The initial part of the trail passes through Bakonzo farms, before climbing steeply to Nyabithaba Hut at 2650 metres, set on a forested ridge with good views of Portal Peaks and the Bujuuku Valley. Ensure you keep your wet weather gear with you, some patches along this route are very wet and muddy, you may end up with pretty wet boots in the evening. Ensure your boots are waterproofed, and that you have spare lightweight Shoes to wear in camp this evening, allowing your boots to dry. Take it slow, today you will encounter some steep parts on the climb. The porters walk ahead and sometimes with you - make sure every day, that you have all your personal gear needed with you, as you will not have access to your bag. Conditions are difficult on this route, and your guide/porters will do everything they can to make your climb pleasant and as much comfortable.

Start with a rather steep downhill section where you will cross the confluence of the Bujuuku/Mubuku Rivers at the Kurt Scharfer bridge, after which you steeply ascend through heather and giant groundsel forests to John Matte hut, situated in a grove of giant heather at 3 415 metres. Again, keep your wet weather gear handy, and some snacks for the route. Drink plenty of water. The hut is a spacious one and well worth using, although there are nice spots to pitch your tent if you feel the need. Eat well - at higher levels your appetite will diminish. Learn to pace yourself with your breathing - do not try to rush to catch up with anyone, go at your own, most comfortable speed and you will arrive at camp relatively easily. This day it is advisable to hike in rubber boots (“wellies”), as some parts of the route are very wet and muddy.

Across the two Bigo Bogs as well as the Kibatsi Bog, the “wellies” are a great help here! There are the remains of a causeway of wooden planks across the Kibatsi bog, which is in various states of disrepair at this stage, up to Lake Bujuuku. The shores are muddy, the last obstacle before Bujuuku Hut (3 977 m). Excellent views of Mt. Baker, Mt Speke and Mt. Stanley if the weather is clear.

The trail from Bujuku takes you through more bog, while climbing the steep slopes west of the lake and through the magical and forest of Groundsel Gully. Turn to your right up to Elena Hut and Mount Stanley on a steep trail over large boulders. While the trail on your left leads to Scott-Elliot Pass and down to Kitandara Lakes the trail on he left leads those who are not climbing Margherita Peak to Kitandara Hut. Since on this trek we are aiming the peak! We take the right to the coolly and Icy Elena Hut where we shall have dinner and overnight.

Very early in the morning, you attempt climbing the highest peak, Margherita of Mount Stanley standing at 5,109m asl. To reach the summit of Margherita, the climb takes about 4 -5 hours depending on the weather conditions and the pace of the climbers. This tough walk takes you over three glaciers, slippery rock, ice and very exposed areas which are open on many sides. Climbing on to the glaciers, cross the Stanley Plateau and proceed with the ascent. Acclimatized to fog, altitude sickness and coolly weather, scramble up to the summit of Margherita the highest peak of the Rwenzori. The descend from Margherita peak back to Elena Hut will take you about 2 – 3hours. After your lunch at Elena hut, descend to the Scott-Elliot pass (4372m asl.), where you will have spectacular views of the Bujuku Lake and Mount Speke. continue along the trail through an alpine zone of sparse vegetation and rough boulders, descend past the Kitandara Lakes for dinner and overnight at the Kitandara camp.

A steep climb over the Fresh field Pass (4 282m), before descending to Guy Yeoman Hut, set in the giant heather zone at 3 506 m. It is likely you may experience seizure of joints - particularly knees today - keep a support bandage with you for this descent, and perhaps some anti-inflammatory pills/cream. The Trek is approximately 7 hours.

This morning you’ll start a bit earlier than usual, as you have an extra hour or so for your descent to the gate. A long walk today! A steep descent through the bamboo zone below Guy Yeoman, the route descends the cliffs of Kichuchu. Beyond Kichuchu the muddy path crosses the Mubuku River twice through a bamboo forest before descending to Nyabitaba then complete the circuit at Nyakalengija. since the trek finishes in the evening, you will spend an overnight at the camp. The descent is approximately 8 hours.

You will have a breakfast at the Camp before starting a 7 hours drive back to Entebbe with Lunch en-route. Arrive Entebbe in time to check in for your evening departure