8-Day Margherita Peak Rwenzori Trekking
8-Day Margherita Peak Rwenzori Trekking Itinerary to the Summit- 5,109METRES
Trekking Rwenzori Mountains National Park in Uganda to Margherita Peak is an experience incomparable with any other in the world. This 8 day Margherita Peak Rwenzori Trekking tour package takes you to the summit of the highest peak of mountain Rwenzori. The Rwenzoris have breathtaking glaciers, the Valley of Nine Lakes, and unique flora and fauna of different ecosystems. As you rise, the scenery changes from a forest covered with bearded lichen to rocky cliffs and snow-capped peaks. Hence making it one of the most spectacular mountain treks in the world.
At 5,109 meters above sea level, Mount Stanley has the Margherita Peak which is the third-highest peak in Africa. The 8 day Rwenzori climb to Margheritah peak is technical, with careful navigation over rocky sections. Also, with glaciers, and ice-covered sections. It is not a rock climb per se, but it does require the use of ropes, crampons, ice axes, and belaying techniques, especially in snowy conditions. But the views from the top are well worth it, looking out panoramically across the Rwenzori mountains Range and deep into the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Essential Rwenzori Trekking Equipment/Gear for your 8 day Rwenzori Margherita peak trek
Our Rwenzori experts/professionals provide essential climbing gear, including ropes, harnesses. Also helmets, ice screws, carabiners, ascenders, and ice axes. However, you are reccommended to bring your own:
- Sturdy hiking boots
- Warm clothing & sleeping bag
- Waterproof gear
- Crampons & personal Rwenzori trekking equipment
Our Rwenzori Trekking experts also provide gear for renting. Additionally, here is a detailed Rwenzori packing list for your 8 day Margherita peak trekking itinerary/expedition
8 Day Margherita Peak Rwenzori Trek Itinerary Highlights, Inclusions & Exclusions
8 Day Margherita Peak Rwenzori Trek Itinerary Highlights
- Day 1: Sine Camp, 2,596 meters – montane forests, monkeys, and Enock Falls.
- Day 2: Mutinda Camp, 3,588 meters – bamboo forest ascents with views from Mutinda Lookout at 3,975 meters.
- Day 3: Bugata Camp, 4,100 meters – Namusangi Valley with giant lobelias and waterfalls en route to the camp.
- Day 4: Hunwick’s Camp, 3,974 meters – trek via Bamwanjarra Pass at 4,450 meters, offering great mountain views.
- Day 5: Margherita Camp, 4,485m – Pass Lake Kitandara and Scott Elliott’s Pass to the base camp.
- Day 6: Margherita Peak Summit, 5,109m & Descent to Hunwick’s Camp – Technical climb with ropes and crampons, then descend.
- Day 7: Kiharo Camp, 3,430m – Cross Oliver’s Pass, which stands at 4,505m above sea level, and trek along the beautiful Nyamwamba Valley.
- Day 8: End of Rwenzori Trek – 1,450m. Descend to base camp through the Nyamwamba River valley filled with greenery.
Inclusions for your 8 Day Margherita Peak Rwenzori Trek Itinerary
- Park entry & Rwenzori trekking permits
- Professional Mount Rwenzori guides trained in technical climbing and rescue operations
- Porters to carry luggage- max 15kg per person
- Rwenzori accommodation in mountain huts along the trek route
- Necessary climbing gear: ropes, harnesses, helmets, ice axe, carabiners, ascenders, etc
- Meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner during the Rwenzori hike
- Purified drinking water throughout the Wenzori trek
- Arrangements for emergency evacuation in case of complications to health
- Airport transfers from Entebbe airport and transportation in the best luxury and budget 4×4 car rentals in Uganda
Exclusions for your 8 Day Margherita Peak Rwenzori hike Itinerary
- Personal trekking equipment such as hiking boots, sleeping bag, crampons, warm clothing, rain gear.
- Accommodation and food in Nyinapin or other towns before or after the trek.
- Individual travel insurance (obligatory).
- Tips to guides and porters.
- Optional ascension to Weismann’s Peak: $20 per person
- Duration: 8 Days, 7 Nights
Difficulty: Demanding - Highest Point: Margherita Peak (5,109m)
- Best Time to Trek Rwenzori: December–March & June–August
- Start/End Point: Trekkers Hostel, Kilembe
Other Rwenzori tour packages
- 7 day Rwenzori Trekking Central Circuit route
- 8 day Kilembe Trail trek of Rwenzori
- 8 day Margherita peak summit
- 4 day Rwenzori birding tours
- 11 day Virunga safari expedition
Contact Us
Kilimanjaro Rwenzori experts
- Phone: +256702571234
- Email: rwenzorikilimanjaro@gmail.com
8 Day Margherita Peak Rwenzori Trekking Detailed Itinerary + Map & Video
Day 1: Kilembe Rwenzori hike to Sine Hut (2,596m)
- Start: Trekkers Hostel, 1,450m
- Rwenzori hikiing distance: 9.5km
- Elevation Gain: 1,146m
- Estimated hiking Time: 5-7 hours
The actual Mount Rwenzori hike starts at Trekkers Hostel (1,450m). Then continues for a day through the Afro-montane forest zone on a path with good scenery. Along the path, one sees a variety of fauna, including blue monkeys, colobus monkeys, and even hear chimpanzees in the distance. For avid bird watchers, several species can be found, and flora include towering forest trees, bamboo thickets, and moss-covered vines.
At Sine Camp (2,596m) set on a narrow ridge, you will relax with the sights of a cascading waterfall. For the others who want to go ahead, there is the option to go further up to Kalalama Camp at 3,134 meters.
Day 2: Trek Rwenzori from Sine Hut to Mutinda Camp (3,688m)
- Rwenzori hiking distance: 6.1km
- Elevation Gain: 992m
- Estimated Rwenzori trek Time: 5-7 hours
The Kilembe trail now enters the Bamboo-Mimulopsis zone and is steep with high steps; in wet conditions. It is also muddy and slippery. A short rest at Kalalama Camp (3,147m) precedes a climb upwards through giant heather trees covered in moss and old man’s beard lichen.
Upon arrival at Mutinda Camp (3,588m), those who wish to acclimatize can take an extra hike up to Mutinda Lookout (3,975m). Here you have a panoramic view of Kasese town, Lake George, and the Rwenzori mountain Range.
Day 3: Rwenzori trekking from Mutinda Camp to Bugata Camp (4,100m)
- Rwenzori hiking distance: 8.6km
- Elevation Gain: 474m
- Estimated Rwenzori hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Cross the Mutinda Valley; the route becomes boggy as you go especially in the wet season. The unique landscape, tufted grass, everlasting flowers, and giant lobelias lead up a steep climb to Namusangi Valley at 3,840 meters. A section that also gives excellent opportunities for photo captures with waterfalls. Also open views of Mutinda Peaks leads you to Bugata Camp, at 4,100 meters.
Day 4: Rwenzori hike from Bugata Camp to Hunwick’s Camp (3,974m)
- Rwenzori trekking distance: 8.3km
- Gain: 457m – descent 87m to sleep
- Estimated Rwenzori climbing Time: 7-9 hours
After a moderate ascent, you reach Bamwanjarra Pass at 4,450m, an excellent viewpoint for Mt. Stanley, Mount. Speke, and Mt. Baker. The trail drops down to the bogs and giant lobelia fields, one of the best places for spotting the Malachite Sunbird. A few steep sections bring you to Hunwick’s Camp at 3,974m on mount Rwenzori; this camp overlooks several peaks. This will take approximately 6-7 hours of trekking Rwenzori to reach Hunwick’s Camp.
Day 5: Rwenzori climb from Hunwick’s Camp to Margherita Camp (4,485m)
- Rwenzori hiking Distance: 5.1km
- Ascent: 510m
- Estimated Climbing Time: 4-6 hours
This Rwenzori trek via Kilembe trail goes through Lake Kitandara, a deep glacial lake surrounded by luxuriant vegetation. The ascent continues over Scott Elliott’s Pass to Margherita Camp at 4,485m, a site historically used by the Duke of Abruzzi in 1906.
Day 6: Summit Day – Margherita Peak 5,109m – Hunwick’s Camp
- Margherita Summit Distance: 3.8km
- Elevation Gain: 624m
- Descent to Hunwick’s: 8.9km (descend 1,134m)
- Estimated Hiking Time: 10-14 hours
Start the summit push at 2:00 AM. Weather around these Rwenzori mountains changes every now and then, and snowfall is highly expected between 1-4 PM. Because of safety issues, there is a strict turn-around time of 10:00 AM. This glacier is retreating, hence making the ice steeper. Rwenzori guides will navigate through this part safely, but it requires the climber not to make reckless moves.
On reaching the Margherita Peak summit of mountain Rwenzori, take great views of the Rwenzori mountain. Also, Congo views before descending down to Hunwick’s Camp.
Day 7: Hunwick’s Camp – Kiharo Camp (3,460m)
- Rwenzori trekking distance: 15.8km
- Ascent: 530m, then descend 1,075m
- Estimated hiking Time: 9-12 hours
The Kilembe trail ascends over Oliver’s Pass at 4,505m, and then winds its way down the Nyamwamba Valley past cascading waterfalls, various forests, and a multitude of wildlife. Kiharo Camp rests in the valley bottom beside a river, with towering cliffs above.
Day 8: Rwenzori trek from Kiharo Camp to Kilembe (1,450m)
- Rwenzori trekking distance: 15.8km
- Ascent: 530m, then descend 1,075m
- Estimated hiking Time: 9-12 hours
The Kilembe trail ascends over Oliver’s Pass at 4,505m, and then winds its way down the Nyamwamba Valley past cascading waterfalls, various forests, and a multitude of wildlife. Kiharo Camp rests in the valley bottom beside a river, with towering cliffs above.
Note: Climbing Margherita Peak of mountain Rwenzori has become more tricky in the recent years, due to a change in climate and melting of glaciers. Steep ice up to 60% is experienced. Basic Rwenzori climbing abilities such as knot tying, ascenders, figure-eight belaying, and ice axe handling are recommended. Our trained Rwenzori guides will be available to lead you through. Although any climber visiting mount Rwenzori should be willing to learn or adapt. Mount Baker and Mount Speke have similar have similar challenging Rwenzori peaks as well.
This 8-day Margherita Peak trek is a bit demanding yet rewarding with some of the most spectacular sceneries around Africa’s fabled “Mountains of the Moon.”
Cancellation Policy for this 8 day Margherita Peak hike tour package of Mountain Rwenzori
Before going on your 8-day Margherita Peak Rwenzori hiking holiday via the Kilembe trail, make sure you understand your trip cancellation policy in case of unforeseen circumstances
- Payments for this 8-day Margherita Peak Rwenzori hiking expedition are not refunded in the event of a late withdrawal.
- Late cancellations for this 8-day Rwenzori expedition risk additional fees.
- Early cancellation demands flexible rearrangement.
- Travel insurance protects cancelation in the event of an emergency before this 8 day Margherita Peak trekking expedition of mountain Rwenzori.
Tip: Always check the refund policies before booking and consider buying insurance that covers trip protection.
Rwenzori trekking itineraries
- 8 day Kilembe Trail trek of Rwenzori
- 7 day Rwenzori Trekking Central Circuit route
- 8 day Margherita peak summit
- 11 day Virunga safari expedition
- 4 day Rwenzori birding tours
- 1 day Rwenzori trek via Kilembe trail
- 9 days Rwenzori hiking Bakurungu trail
- 5 Days Rwenzori Trekking to the Top of Weismann Peak
- 4 days Rwenzori Cultural and Nature walk
- 2 days Rwenzori Mountains Hiking
Rwenzori Guide
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- 6 day Kilimanjaro trekking Marangu route
- 3-Day Kilimanjaro Cultural Tours package
- 8 day Kilimanjaro climb via Lemosho route
- 5 day big 5 safari Tanzania
- 3 day Kilimanjaro Cultural tour
Kilimanjaro Guide
Useful links + other African safari packages
- Rwenzori trekking services
- Kilimanjaro Climbing guide
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- 3 day Queen Elizabeth self drive from Kampala
- self drive Uganda
- Car rentals 4×4 East Africa
- Masai Mara Great Migration
- Serengeti Wildebeest Migration
- Big 5 safari Uganda
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- what to pack for your trek
- Rwenzori vs Kilimanjaro
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