Day 1: Arrive Entebbe
Arrive Entebbe. Overnight in a centrally-located hotel.
NB. We can arrange your international flights to Uganda and your accommodation in Entebbe for you. Please note that these are not included in our published climb rates.
Day 2: Transfer Entebbe to Kasese. Overnight at local hotel.
Transfer from Entebbe to Kasese by road or air. On arrival, you will be met at the airstrip by the local climb team and transferred to the Sandton Hotel for dinner and overnight.
NB. There are a range of hotels and guesthouses available to suit different budgets in and around Kasese and in nearby Fort Motel, from very basic lodges (the Trekkers Hostel) to comfortable hotels (Hotel Sandton). Please contact us for alternative options.
Day 3: To Sine Hut – 8km – 5 to 6 hours
After an early breakfast at the Sandton, transfer to the Trekkers Hostel in the nearby village of Kilembe, start point for our treks into the Rwenzoris. Following a final kit check and briefing, set off on foot from the Hostel for the Rwenzori park gates.
Today’s walk is approx. 8 km, expected time 5 to 7 hours. The start height is 1,667 metres, climbing to 2,596 metres. Leaving the Trekkers’ Hostel at approx. 10am, you walk 2.2km to the UWA rangers post at 1,727m, where you will be briefed on the rules of the Rwenzori National Park.
As you leave the rangers post you walk along a path through tall grassland and ferns which gives way to magnificent rainforest. The forest here is largely untouched and the plant and animal life stunning. Many species of bird can be heard and seen in this rich environment, as can Chimpanzees and Colobus monkeys – though sightings of the former are very rare!
Upon entering the forest, the first few kilometres of the trail climb steadily, crossing several small streams and rivers. The trail becomes gradually steeper as you approach the bamboo zone and ascend to your first camp at Sine Hut, located just below the bamboo zone on a narrow ridge.
Day 4: To Mutinda Camp – 6.8km – 5-7 hours
Commence walking after a hearty breakfast. Today’s trail climbs steadily to begin with, as you enter the bamboo zone and then continue onto a steep moss-covered ridge about 200m in height.
The thick moss covering the ground and rocks is spectacular and we ask you to help preserve this pristine environment by keeping to the trail. Please note that during the rainy season this section of the trail becomes very muddy – rubber boots are essential!
As you near the top of the ridge and exit the bamboo forest, you’ll be greeted with stunning views of the valleys and hills below, stretching as far as Lake George and Queen Elizabeth National Park.
You’ll be in the giant heather zone now, as you approach Kalalama Camp (3,150m), perched on a high ridge overlooking Kilembe.
After a brief rest at Kalalama Camp, continue along an undulating trail to Mutinda Camp. The trail becomes less steep from here on out, and will soon see you drop down into the beautiful Mutinda Valley. Expect to reach Mutinda Camp (3,680m) late afternoon.
Day 5: To Bugata Camp – 4.2km – 3 to 4 hours
Your starting height today is 3,680 metres, climbing to 4,200 metres on the top of the confluence between the Nyamwamba and Namusangi Valleys, before dropping to Bugata Camp at 4,065m.
Trekking along the valley floor, you will pass small bogs and giant lobelias. Both sides of the valley are lined with sheer cliff faces as we near the confluence of the Nyamwamba and Namusangi Valleys.
Bugata Camp (4,065 metres) is situated above Lake Kopello, and has spectacular views looking down into the Namusangi, the valley of the nine glacier lakes.
Overnight at Bugata Camp. Bugata Camp sits at the junction between the routes to Mts Stanley, Baker and Weismann Peak. This evening, you are likely to encounter other trekkers, on their way to, or coming down from, one of the three peaks.
Day 6: To Hunwick’s Camp – 6km – 5 to 6 hours
Today’s route is designed to help you acclimatise. Starting at 4,065m, you climb to the top of Bamwanjara Pass (4,450m), before dropping to Hunwick’s Camp at 3,975m, allowing you to rest tonight at a slightly lower altitude.
It is a short but steep climb to the top of Bamwanjara Pass, where you will be greeted with spectacular views of the main peaks, including Mt Stanley, provided the weather is fine. From the Pass it is a steady descent down to the Kachope Lakes.
The Kachope Lakes area is one of three known areas of the mountains where the rare Rwenzori Leopard can be seen. Little research has been done on this animal, which is considered even rarer than the Snow Leopard – sightings are not expected, but keep an eye out just in case! After passing the Lakes, it is a short climb to Hunwick’s Camp at 3,975m.
Day 7: To Mt Baker Summit – 6 to 9 hours
Depart camp at approx. 6:30am for Mt Baker (4,842 metres). Ascent time from Hunwick’s Camp to the top is approx. five hours and descent three hours. This is a steep climb over rocky scree, with significant exposure – you will need a good head for heights.
Safety ropes are used on the steeper sections of the climb. During the wet season of April-May and September-October, Mt Baker becomes a precarious climb, and you will often encounter light snow and ice en route to the summit.
After a steep ascent you descend along a crack in the rock face to what remains of the glacier and a short 300m walk to the peak.
If you have fine weather or a break in the cloud, you can expect fantastic views of Margherita & Alexandra Peaks, Stanley’s plateau and the glaciers. After taking in the views, walk back across the glacier and descend to McConnell’s Camp, and then on to Hunwick’s Camp, where you rest tonight.
Day 8: To Bugata Camp – 10.1km – 5 to 7 hours
Starting from Butawu Camp, follow the trail back to Bugata Camp, passing above the Kachope Lakes at 3,985m and then over the Bamwanjara Pass, retracing the steps you took during day 5.
Day 9: To Kalalama Camp – 9.5km – 4 to 6 hours
Descend via the Namusangi Valley across open moorland and large areas of tussock grass. The valley floor is likely to be wet and boggy, so it's a good idea to have your rubber boots ready for this section of the walk.
Continuing down the valley you pass several small waterfalls before eventually reaching Mutinda Cave, with fantastic views of the Mutinda Peaks directly above. It is possible to camp here, though you will not be doing so today.
Crossing the Mutinda valley, you approach Kalalama Camp, which perches on a high ridge overlooking the Kilembe Valley and the town of Kasese.
Overnight in Kalalama Camp.
Day 10: To Trekkers Hostel – 10.7km – 4 to 6 hours
Leaving Kalalama Camp you descend through the bamboo forest and down the ridge to the Ranger’s Post, aiming to arrive around noon. From the post, it is a short walk down to the Trekkers Hostel.
On arrival at the Hostel, enjoy a late lunch before transferring to the Sandton Hotel in Kasese for dinner and overnight.
Day 11: Departure
Your itinerary ends this morning in Kasese. We can arrange for your transfer back to Entebbe/Kampala if required.
If you are continuing with a safari to Queen Elizabeth or gorilla tracking in Bwindi, your driver and guide will come to meet you this morning at your hotel for the start of your safari.
Mt Baker 8 Day Trek
8-day Rwenzori climb itinerary - typically combined with Margherita Peak.
Mt Baker 8 Day Trek
Explore the fascinating Rwenzori massif in this 8 day trek to Mt Baker via the Kilembe Trail. The third highest mountain in the Rwenzori range, Mt Baker is a technical climb suitable for experienced climbers, which can be booked as a standalone climb or in combination with Margherita Peak (Mt Stanley).
Outline Itinerary
Price guide
Price based on two climbers and inclusive of fully-supported 8-day climb to Mt Baker, Rwenzori park fees, and accommodation before and after the climb. Please see our Rwenzori rates chart for detailed pricing.
Pricing
11 days from £1620pp
Kilimanjaro Open Group Climb
Mussa our guide and his whole team helped to make the trip memorable for all of the right reasons.
