Mountains of the Moon
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Overview
Highlights
- Marvel at views from the summit of Margherita Peak (5109m)
- Trek in the UNESCO World Heritage listed Rwenzori Mountains, a source of the River Nile
- Discover remote alpine valleys and glacial landscapes
- Experience pristine tropical rainforests
- Trek through Giant Lobelia forests along the remote Kilembe Trail
- Delight in the diverse flora of the region
What's this trip about?
Details
Travel Themes
Destinations
Attractions
Activities
Trip includes
- 12 breakfasts, 11 lunches and 10 dinners
- airport transfers (day 1 and 13 only)
- 3 nights in good quality hotels on a twinshare basis
- 9 nights fully supported camping in permanent camps on a multishare basis with camp bed and mattress
- group camping equipment (sleeping bag not included)
- group climbing gear (includes ropes, crampons, harness and ice axe)
- English speaking local guide *Rwenzori Mountain Guide and park ranger
- experienced local guides, cook and camp crew
- porters to carry personal and group equipment
- Rwenzori trekking permits and mountain rescue fees valued at US$350
- private transport
Itinerary
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 d...
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
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...
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. Occ...
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 flower...
Going steadily up again to start the day, we climb towards Bamwanjara Pass. The area is covered by everlasting flowers and Giant groundsel with tussock marshland typical of the region. Giant Lobelia are again seen here, its nectar being the main food source of the Sca...
Today is a relatively easy walk past Kitandara Lakes with an enjoyable climb through Scott Elliott Pass (4335m) to our base at Margherita Camp (formerly Camp 5) (4460m). The camp is below historic Elena Hut and is sheltered with a ring of high rocks from the original ...
We wake very early (between 1:00 - 2:00 am), have a hot drink and a light, high energy snack before setting off. It takes about one and a half hours to reach Elena Hut (4540m) which we bypass on the way to the peaks. After Elena the climb is steep and can be tricky if...
After a big day yesterday, a late breakfast (8.30am) is in order before starting on the trail by 9:00am. We retrace our steps over Bamwanjara Pass - a steep pinch at this stage of the trek. While crossing the pass we may see hyrax warming themselves on the rocks in th...
We will take a different route to that of our ascent, from Bugata to the base of the mountain which will make for some variety on our return walk. We will set off around Lake Bugata and the tributary of Kopello Lake then climb 200 metres to the confluence of the Namus...
We wake this morning to the shrill calls of the Rwenzori Turaco and other birds. After a hearty breakfast we commence walking down the valley accompanied by many species of birds diving in and out of the thick vegetation. Chameleons are a common sight as they crawl al...
Our final day of trekking takes us down a long ridge through the bamboo forests and the afro montane forests back to the UWA Ranger Post. Some fast walkers have descended to the rangers post by midday however the majority of people arrive at the rangers post around 1p...
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 ...
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Dates & Availability
Check Current Availability, prices, specials with World Expeditions.
The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.
World Expeditions Reviews & Ratings
Excellent adventure tour in Uganda, great tour guides and great experience
Tough hike with spectacular scenery, well worth it!
Mountains of the Moon was an unforgettable trek with spectacular scenery
We virtually had the whole Rwenzori Mountains to ourselves - an undiscovered gem, particularly while the glaciers are still there. Everyone found it very challenging...
The Rwenzori Mountains are a deeply surreal place, home to the highest mountain range and only year round snow in Africa, despite lying close to the equator on the border between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo
They are a tough but rewarding place to hike, with the seemingly endless mud and high altitude (often over 4,000m above sea level) offset by incredibly diverse lands...
In a word it was fantastic and totally successful
David and I joined with three other clients at Entebbe where we were met by Remi as planned and everything continued to run smoothly from there on. The five of us go...
Other World Expeditions Reviews
I had to leave the tour early because of illness
My tour guide, Tien, was wonderful. There was a tour participant from Australia who was a physician, and he acted like the tour medical director, demanding I leave...
An amazing experience that was made truly possible by booking through World Expeditions
. The team in Nepal went above and beyond to ensure our every requirement was met within their control.. The sherpas, guides, cook, and porters were exemplary, very ...
My wife and I had a wonderful trek in the Annapurna region
We are both 80 but fit and the route was designed to be less exacting than on our last visit to the same area. This allowed ample time to look at the flowering Rhodo...
Tour Operator
Taking the Paths Less Travelled Since 1975
Since its inception in 1975, World Expeditions has earned an outstanding reputation as an innovator and world leader in quality, small group adventure holidays. Responsible travel at our core, we always believed that it is not only where but also how you travel that truly creates an experience of a lifetime. Over the past decades World Expeditions has been operating authentic and innovative adventure holidays with a genuine focus on the paths less travelled. We are the pioneers in designing groundbreaking itineraries and many say our trips start where others end. As a leader in responsible travel, we offer big adventures with a small environmental footprint. While safety is core to how we operate, we’re also focused on the fun factor and suitably challenging you to reach that great sensation of personal achievement while enjoying the camaraderie of like-minded travellers.
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Logistics
What's excluded
- international flights
- airport and departure taxes
- visas
- travel insurance (must include trekking above 3900 metres; and mountaineering/Global Rescue insurance for Summit Day only)
- sleeping bags
- aerated and alcoholic drinks
- bottled water
- tips
- items of a personal nature such as phone calls, laundry, etc.
Accommodation
- 13 day trip
- 10 day trek
- 3 nights hotel
- 9 nights permanent camp
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