Rwenzori - Portal Peaks (4390Masl)– Camping

Day 1: Amundsen Camps (2200Masl)

After breakfast start and checking your climbing equipment and other necessities you travel to Mukorokimi Rwenzori Ranges Hikers Association  office, the starting point to the Mountain, It is from here that you meet the Guides and porters that Escort you to the Higher peaks, This day you walk through Coffee plantations, homesteads, schools and interact with local Bakonzo people the inhabitants of the Rwenzori mountains to have a night the Amundsen  community camp at the edge of the national park, it takes you between 3-4hours to reach the community camp.

Day 2: Rwigho Camp 3300Masl

After breakfast, take on the trail which bends west on the ridge overlooking the Kasuka and Isule valleys and onward to Kebitakuli for a rest while and take a breath and thereafter, hike through the montane rain forest overlooking bamboo forested valleys. Encounter plant species like the Disa stairssi, Scadoxus cyrtanthiflorus, Impetiens apiculata and spot or hear calls of black and white colubus monkeys, The Rwenzori Turaco and other birds. On trail you will spot chimpanzee nests and droppings or hear their calls. The trail will lead you through the heather zone and reach Rwigho Camp for an overnight. It will take you only 5-6 hours.

Day 3: Kambeho 3700Masl

After breakfast, the trail takes you through the heather trees (Ericathiasis) with lots of moss hanging over these trees. The is the heather zone with a lots of heather trees, scencio trees, alchemila, black berries, and many more plant species. While on trail you will be able to spot black and white Colobus monkeys, Varvet monkeys, sun birds, the Rwenzori turaco a rare beautiful bird in the park. On this day you will see lots of giant lobelias, everlasting flowers and rock shelters. Overnight at Kambeho Camp. This hike will take you 5 – 6 hrs with a stopover for a hot lunch at Mitiyighaghire.

Day 4:  Lamia Camp 3650Masl

After breakfast, start with a climb along river Lhume, in the early morning hours of the day when still fresh and strong with urge to climb the only steep Mughuli bypass. As you think of slopping down to Lake Mughuli which is within MTN network coverage to give you a chance to call friends and family members about the beauty and experience encountered on the trail. There are several short peaks which one can easily climb depending upon what time you have arrived in the camp and how you feel. The vegetation along the Lake is so beautiful to catch up your eyes. Animals you might see along the trail are the Rwenzori red-duiker, rock and tree hyrax and wild pigs. Around the camp, you can have a self guided walk to explore the water falls. The approximate time taken from Kambeho to Lamia Camp is about 6-7hrs hike with a stopover for lunch at Mulhalhama resting view point.

Day 5: Climb Portal Peaks 4391Masl to Bukurungu Lake camp 3890 Masl

Wake up very early and have a breakfast and get set off to Kihuma Peak which is the highest point for the Portal peaks. Your guide will be happy to see you get to the point which seems to be high with some vegetation. This is somehow unique of other peaks. You will take a whole day because of the beauty that is here. You will then descend to Bukurungu East Lake camp which is set in the heart of the two mountains of the Portal Peaks and Mount Gessi; it is a relaxing point to acclimatize for those interested in climbing Mount Gessi. On this day if the weather is clear, your eyes and hands on the camera will have all the main peaks of Edward on Mount Baker, Margherita and Alexadra on Mount Stanley, Vittorio Emanuela on Mount Speke. Have an overnight at Bukurungu.

Day 6: Nyabitaba Camp 2650Masl

After a cup of coffee get set off to descend the Bujuku valley along the river that connects water down wards to river Mubuku.

Walk down valley through John Matte, down to Nyamulenju rest shelter where you can have your lunch and stretch through mosh-covered rocks and follow the trail which drops you to Kurt Shafer Bridge, just below the confluence of the Mubuku and Bujuku rivers and reach Nyabitaba camp for dinner and overnight. The walk takes between 5-6hours.

Day 7: Nyabitaba camp- Mihunga Park gate

After breakfast, descend through the heather zone route with beautiful views of the Rwenzori Mountains Range onto Mihunga Park gate to complete your adventurous trek of the Rwenzori at Mihunga Park gate. While on the trail, you will see more of the black and white Colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, a lots of bird species like the starlings, sun birds, the great blue Rwenzori turaco, the Ross’s turaco and many of the butterfly family. It will take you 3-4 hrs from Nyabitaba camp to Mihunga Park gate to join your driver to Kasese town for a shower and WiFi before you can be hosted for a dinner by management of Rwenzori Ranges Hikers Association to welcome you back. Overnight at lodge.