The “Mountains of the Moon” are, in fact, legendary becaus for centuries, legend and rumour had told of the existence of snowy mountains that fed the Nile. About 1800 years ago, Ptolemy showed them on a map and called them the "Lunae Montes", the Mountains of the Moon. Taking Ptolemy’s map as their basis, cartographers throughout the centuries depicted conjectured mountains and lakes on their charts of Africa, but the precise identification of the Rwenzori range did not occur until the middle to the late1800s.

This itinerary is for the physically adventurous, however, when approaching the top, participants have a choice of following a trekking path or attempting to summit Mount Margherita at 5109 meters (@16,500 ft).

DAY 1: Arrive at Entebbe International Airport and transfer to the Sheraton Kampala Hotel for an overnight stay.

DAY 2: Drive through undulating countryside to Fort Portal and eventually to Kasese right at the foot of the legendary Mountains of the Moon. Meet the Rwenzori Mountaineering Services Officials in their downtown office and make arrangements for the porters, guides, equipment and food. Dine and stay at Hotel Margherita.

Transfer early in the morning from Kasese to Nyakalengija from where the climb starts. Travel to the trailhead at Nyakalengija and then trek through coffee plantations to cross the Mahoma River, traveling on through the forested ridge with views of the Portal Peaks and the Bujuku valley.

DAY 3: Nyakalengija 1615m to Nyabitaba Hut (5 hours) 2650m

DAY 4: Nyabitaba hut to John Matte Hut ( 7 hours strenuous) 3550m - The climb descends through forest to cross the Bujuku River at the Kurt Schafer Bridge (built 1989) and through a giant heather and groundsel forest. A brief stop at the Nyamileju Hut – “Place of beards” a name that refers to the moss and lichen hanging from the trees. Proceed to John Matte Hut which is close to the river in a grove of giant heather.

DAY 5: John Matte Hut to Lake Bujuku Hut. (5 hours) 3900m - Travel through the two Bigo Bogs to Bigo hut, crossing the Kabatsi Bog to Cooking Pot Cave and onto the beautifully set Lake Bujuku Hut. Here you should be able to have wonderful views of Mounts. Stanley, Speke and Baker. As well, the incredible ice cave on Mt. Speke should be clearly visible.

DAYS 6 & 7 (TREKKERS): Bujuku Hut to Kitandara hut 3910m - Travelling through Groundsel Gully and via Scott Elliot Pass (highest point of the loop trial – 4372m) descend to Kitandara Lakes with the Savoia Ridge and Elena Glacier always on the skyline. The next day will be spent resting and exploring the beautiful Kitandara Lakes.

DAYS 6 & 7(CLIMBERS): Summit Attempt Guests. Bujuku Hut to Elena Hut (4541m) to Margherita (5109m) - Climb to the Elena Hut as the starting point for the ascent of Margherita, the summit of the highest mountain range in Africa. If there is a clear morning, one can see all of the major peaks, as well as the DRC rain forest some 3000m below to the west. Descend to the Elena hut for some welcome tea before making the journey to Kitandara Lake where we rejoin the trekkers.

DAY 8: Kitandara Hut to Guy Yeomen hut (3450m) - Start on a steep ascent to the Freshfield Pass (4282m) and then descend to Bujongolo Cave (3720m) which was the base used for Duke of Abrizzi’s 1906 expedition. Pass the Kabamba Cave (3450m), the waterfall and rock shelter, then stay overnight at the Guy Yeoman hut, which is set in the giant heather zone.

DAY 9: Guy Yeoman Hut to Nyakalengija 1615m (7hours) – Kasese.Descend steeply through the bamboo zone via Lake Mahoma to the trailhead at Nyakalengija and transfer to Hotel Margherita in Kasese.

DAY10: Depart in the morning for Kampala via Mubende arriving in time for a brief city tour and shopping. Transfer in the evening to Entebbe Airport for flight connections.

Contact us for more information about this tour.

Read more about the huts and caves at http://www.uwa.or.ug.