Prepare for the adventure of a lifetime on this 8-day trek through the heart of the legendary Rwenzori Mountains, the “Mountains of the Moon.” This challenging and incredibly rewarding journey follows the classic Central Circuit trail, a route that takes you through a breathtaking succession of ecosystems, from lush tropical rainforests to otherworldly afro-alpine moorlands filled with giant lobelias and groundsels.
This isn’t just a hike; it’s a climb to the roof of Uganda. Your goal is the ultimate prize: Margherita Peak, the snow-capped summit of Mount Stanley and the third-highest point in Africa at 5,109 meters. You will be guided by experienced locals, supported by a team of dedicated porters, and stay in rustic mountain huts along the way. This is your chance to conquer a true giant.
Your adventure begins with a scenic drive from Kampala or Entebbe towards Kasese, the town nestled at the foot of the Rwenzori Mountains. We’ll travel through the rolling hills of western Uganda, stopping for lunch in the pleasant town of Fort Portal. From there, we continue to your lodge near the park headquarters in Nyakalengija. This evening is all about relaxing, enjoying a hearty dinner, and mentally preparing for the incredible journey ahead.
Overnight: Ruboni Community Camp (Budget) or Equator Snow Lodge (Luxury)
After breakfast, we head to the Rwenzori Mountains National Park headquarters for a briefing. You’ll meet your guides and porters, and after final checks, your trek officially begins! The trail starts by winding through community farmland before entering the dense montane forest. As you follow the path along the Mubuku River, listen for the calls of chimpanzees or the chatter of black and white colobus monkeys. The day ends with a steady climb to Nyabitaba Hut, your first stop in the mountains.
Trekking Time: 6-7 hours
Altitude Gained: 1,036m
Overnight: Nyabitaba Hut
Leaving Nyabitaba, the trail descends to the Kurt Shafer Bridge at the confluence of the Mubuku and Bujuku rivers. From here, the real climb begins. You’ll traverse a mystical bamboo forest before tackling a challenging, moss-covered section of rock. Your reward comes at the Nyamuleju rock shelter, where on a clear day, you’ll get your first awe-inspiring glimpse of Mount Stanley and Mount Speke. The landscape soon transforms into a zone of giant heather, lobelias, and groundsels before you arrive at John Matte Hut for the night.
Trekking Time: 7-8 hours
Altitude Gained: 854m
Overnight: John Matte Hut
Today’s journey takes you deeper into the otherworldly heart of the Rwenzoris. After crossing the Bujuku River, you will enter the Lower Bigo Bog, a strange and beautiful landscape of tussock grasses and giant lobelias. You’ll navigate this fascinating terrain via a boardwalk before a steep climb to the Upper Bigo Bog. The trail eventually leads to the stunning Bujuku Lake, with the dramatic peaks of Mount Baker to the south and Mount Stanley to the west framing the view. Your destination, Bujuku Hut, is situated right in this incredible valley.
Trekking Time: 4-5 hours
Altitude Gained: 457m
Overnight: Bujuku Hut
This is a crucial day as we position ourselves for the summit attempt. The trail from Bujuku climbs steeply through a forest of giant groundsels and up the Groundsel Gully. The path is muddy and challenging but leads you into the upper alpine zone. We will take the trail branch that leads to Elena Hut, a rugged, basic hut perched on a rocky outcrop of Mount Stanley. The air is thin here, and the views are stark and spectacular. This is your base for the summit, so rest, hydrate, and prepare for an early start.
Trekking Time: 5-6 hours
Altitude Gained: 579m
Overnight: Elena Hut
The day you’ve been waiting for. We begin our climb well before dawn, navigating the rocky trail by headlamp. The ascent is technical and requires ropes, crampons, and an ice axe as you traverse three glaciers, scramble over slippery rock, and navigate exposed sections. This is a physically and mentally demanding climb, but the reward is immense. Reaching the summit of Margherita Peak as the sun rises over Congo and Uganda is a truly unforgettable experience. After celebrating, we begin the careful descent back to Elena Hut and then continue down through the Scott-Elliot Pass to the beautiful Kitandara Hut, nestled beside a lake.
Trekking Time: 8-10 hours (including summit and descent)
Overnight: Kitandara Hut
From Kitandara, the trail climbs steeply up a headwall before traversing along the base of Mount Baker to Freshfield Pass (4,282m). This is your last high pass, offering stunning views back towards the peaks. From here, it’s a long descent through high alpine mossy glades and steep rocky trails. You’ll pass the Bujongolo rock shelter, the base camp for the historic 1906 expedition, before finally arriving at Guy Yeoman Hut, set in a peaceful river valley.
Trekking Time: 6-7 hours
Overnight: Guy Yeoman Hut
Your final day on the mountain. The trail descends alongside the cliffs of Kichuchu, crossing the Mubuku River through a bamboo forest before a final climb back up to Nyabitaba Hut to complete the circuit. From there, it’s all downhill to the park gate at Nyakalengija. Here, you will say goodbye to your mountain crew, receive your trekking certificate, and celebrate the incredible achievement of conquering the Mountains of the Moon.
Prepare for the adventure of a lifetime on this 8-day trek through the heart of the legendary Rwenzori Mountains, the “Mountains of the Moon.” This challenging and incredibly rewarding journey follows the classic Central Circuit trail, a route that takes you through a breathtaking succession of ecosystems, from lush tropical rainforests to otherworldly afro-alpine moorlands filled with giant lobelias and groundsels.
This isn’t just a hike; it’s a climb to the roof of Uganda. Your goal is the ultimate prize: Margherita Peak, the snow-capped summit of Mount Stanley and the third-highest point in Africa at 5,109 meters. You will be guided by experienced locals, supported by a team of dedicated porters, and stay in rustic mountain huts along the way. This is your chance to conquer a true giant.
Your adventure begins with a scenic drive from Kampala or Entebbe towards Kasese, the town nestled at the foot of the Rwenzori Mountains. We’ll travel through the rolling hills of western Uganda, stopping for lunch in the pleasant town of Fort Portal. From there, we continue to your lodge near the park headquarters in Nyakalengija. This evening is all about relaxing, enjoying a hearty dinner, and mentally preparing for the incredible journey ahead.
Overnight: Ruboni Community Camp (Budget) or Equator Snow Lodge (Luxury)
After breakfast, we head to the Rwenzori Mountains National Park headquarters for a briefing. You’ll meet your guides and porters, and after final checks, your trek officially begins! The trail starts by winding through community farmland before entering the dense montane forest. As you follow the path along the Mubuku River, listen for the calls of chimpanzees or the chatter of black and white colobus monkeys. The day ends with a steady climb to Nyabitaba Hut, your first stop in the mountains.
Trekking Time: 6-7 hours
Altitude Gained: 1,036m
Overnight: Nyabitaba Hut
Leaving Nyabitaba, the trail descends to the Kurt Shafer Bridge at the confluence of the Mubuku and Bujuku rivers. From here, the real climb begins. You’ll traverse a mystical bamboo forest before tackling a challenging, moss-covered section of rock. Your reward comes at the Nyamuleju rock shelter, where on a clear day, you’ll get your first awe-inspiring glimpse of Mount Stanley and Mount Speke. The landscape soon transforms into a zone of giant heather, lobelias, and groundsels before you arrive at John Matte Hut for the night.
Trekking Time: 7-8 hours
Altitude Gained: 854m
Overnight: John Matte Hut
Today’s journey takes you deeper into the otherworldly heart of the Rwenzoris. After crossing the Bujuku River, you will enter the Lower Bigo Bog, a strange and beautiful landscape of tussock grasses and giant lobelias. You’ll navigate this fascinating terrain via a boardwalk before a steep climb to the Upper Bigo Bog. The trail eventually leads to the stunning Bujuku Lake, with the dramatic peaks of Mount Baker to the south and Mount Stanley to the west framing the view. Your destination, Bujuku Hut, is situated right in this incredible valley.
Trekking Time: 4-5 hours
Altitude Gained: 457m
Overnight: Bujuku Hut
This is a crucial day as we position ourselves for the summit attempt. The trail from Bujuku climbs steeply through a forest of giant groundsels and up the Groundsel Gully. The path is muddy and challenging but leads you into the upper alpine zone. We will take the trail branch that leads to Elena Hut, a rugged, basic hut perched on a rocky outcrop of Mount Stanley. The air is thin here, and the views are stark and spectacular. This is your base for the summit, so rest, hydrate, and prepare for an early start.
Trekking Time: 5-6 hours
Altitude Gained: 579m
Overnight: Elena Hut
The day you’ve been waiting for. We begin our climb well before dawn, navigating the rocky trail by headlamp. The ascent is technical and requires ropes, crampons, and an ice axe as you traverse three glaciers, scramble over slippery rock, and navigate exposed sections. This is a physically and mentally demanding climb, but the reward is immense. Reaching the summit of Margherita Peak as the sun rises over Congo and Uganda is a truly unforgettable experience. After celebrating, we begin the careful descent back to Elena Hut and then continue down through the Scott-Elliot Pass to the beautiful Kitandara Hut, nestled beside a lake.
Trekking Time: 8-10 hours (including summit and descent)
Overnight: Kitandara Hut
From Kitandara, the trail climbs steeply up a headwall before traversing along the base of Mount Baker to Freshfield Pass (4,282m). This is your last high pass, offering stunning views back towards the peaks. From here, it’s a long descent through high alpine mossy glades and steep rocky trails. You’ll pass the Bujongolo rock shelter, the base camp for the historic 1906 expedition, before finally arriving at Guy Yeoman Hut, set in a peaceful river valley.
Trekking Time: 6-7 hours
Overnight: Guy Yeoman Hut
Your final day on the mountain. The trail descends alongside the cliffs of Kichuchu, crossing the Mubuku River through a bamboo forest before a final climb back up to Nyabitaba Hut to complete the circuit. From there, it’s all downhill to the park gate at Nyakalengija. Here, you will say goodbye to your mountain crew, receive your trekking certificate, and celebrate the incredible achievement of conquering the Mountains of the Moon.
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