Margaret Peak (Stanley)

We are travelling to the legendary, mesmerising and captivating Ruwenzori Mountains in the heart of the African continent, which have kept adventurers and scientific minds busy for thousands of years. Some have tried to find untold treasures in the impregnable rocks, others to find the source of the mighty Nile, but shrouded in clouds and secrets, the Moon Mountains still keep the secret of their enchanting majesty. The 120 kilometre-long mountain range that separates Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo includes 6 major peaks, of which we will target the most prominent – Margarita Peak, part of the Stanley Massif and reaching 5109 metres above sea level! It is the third highest peak in Africa, behind only Kilimanjaro and Kenya, but unlike them it is the only one not of volcanic origin. The grandiose peak was named in honour of Queen Margherita of Savoy of Italy by the pioneer of Mount Stanley – Prince Luigi Amedeo in 1906. The ice shell of the highest point of Ruwenzori is worth the effort required to conquer it, because according to scientists’ calculations, the area of glaciation is shrinking every year, which means that soon the chance to see the miracle of a snowy peak in the middle of equatorial Africa may soon be gone! Our ascent will not be monotonous, because different routes have been chosen for the ascent to the top of the mountain range and the subsequent descent, capturing the largest number of picturesque landscapes and magnificent panoramas.

Day 1. Entebbe.We land at Entebbe International Airport, located on the northern shore of Africa’s largest lake, Lake Victoria. We apply for a visa on a pre-applied online application form and take a comfortable transfer to a very cosy lodge just half an hour away, where a delicious dinner and local colour awaits us. We settle in for the night and prepare for the adventures ahead in the fantastic Ruwenzori Mountains! Dinner and instructing the group. Overnight at the lodge.
Day 2. Entebbe – Kasese – Nyabitaba. Most often tours involve a road route, but we get to Kasese on a domestic flight, saving a full day of travelling. We transfer to the village of Nyakalengija near Ruwenzori National Park, a huge reserve with a lush variety of vegetation stretching along the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo. Here we meet the team and begin our exciting trek through the thickets of one of the world’s most beautiful botanical areas. A slightly graded trail leads us past traditional Konjo settlements up the turbulent Mukubu River and we soon reach the Panga Range, where we stay overnight at Nyabitaba Shelter at 2650 metres above sea level. Elevation gain: 1000 metres (walking time: 5 hours). Overnight at the camp.
Day 3. Nyabitaba – Gui Yeoman. We continue our ascent through the mesmerising bamboo forest that frames the banks of the Mukubu River. Changing direction, we approach the Kichuchu River bed and follow a valley surrounded by a horseshoe-shaped ridge and covered in a colourful carpet of flowering heather to Gui Yeoman hut in the heart of the Ruwenzori mountain range. From here, from an elevation of 3505 metres, there are fabulous views of the trail and the jagged summit of Mount Baker (4843 metres) rising to the north. Elevation gain: 850 metres (walking time: 5 hours). Overnight at the hut.
Day 4. Gui Yeoman – Kitandara. The winding course of the Kichuchu River leads us up the slope and soon the grassy banks are replaced by a stony path. Along the way we come across several spectacular grottoes that provide shelter for travellers. After crossing a section of steep steps of rocky ledges, we come to the spacious plain of Freshfield Pass (4282m), almost devoid of greenery and covered only with small patches of moss. After a little rest on the plateau, we descend to Kitandara hut, hidden at an altitude of 4023 metres among green thickets near the lake with clear blue water. Gaining altitude: 750 metres, descending 260 metres (walking time – 6 hours).Overnight in the hut.
Day 5. Kitandara – Bujuku. We take a course strictly to the north, gradually gaining altitude, and leaving behind Kitandara lakes, we ascend to the Scott Elliot Pass (4372 m). All around, the mountains soar into the sky, and far below are the dizzying abysses of gorges. To avoid mountain sickness, we deviate from the classic route and descend to 3960 metres to the marshy lake of Bujuku, near which there is an overnight hut. Gain in altitude: 350 metres (walking time 5-6 hours). Overnight in the hut.
Day 6. Leaving the hut, we get to the eroded section of the path with clay soil, soon turning into a wide forest path, framed by yellow sparks of cross-leaf and delicate blue lobelia. Keeping to the right of Scott Elliott Pass, we make the ascent through thick haze and find ourselves above the clouds at Helena Hut. At 4541 metres, it feels unreal as clouds float beneath our feet and the highest peaks of Ruwenzori peek out from them, covered in icy shells. Gain in altitude: 580 metres (walking time – 4-5 hours). Overnight in a hut.
Day 7. Elena – Margarita – Bujuku. Today we start climbing before dawn, using climbing crampons and moving in a bundle. On the steep slope of the glacier we are slowly moving towards the summit, meeting on the way frightening faults, which were formed due to the movement of the ice. Showing all our determination and stamina, at sunrise we reach the sharp 5109 metre Margarita Peak and enjoy our shared accomplishment of conquering the highest point of the Moon Mountains. Having savoured the moment and taken memorable photos against the background of the signs installed on the mountain, we start the descent, which is not easier than the ascent, and in some places there are even more difficult sections with melted ice under the first rays of the sun. Back in Bujuku we have a victory dinner, sharing our impressions of the exciting trek. Elevation gain: 560 metres, descent 1100 metres (walking time – 9 hours). Overnight in a hut.
Day 8. Bujuku – John Matte. From Bujuku hut we don’t just do a return trip, we change direction to cover spectacular new sections of the Ruwenzori mountain range! After traversing the marshy banks of the Bujuku, we come to a section of trail that is a veritable natural mosaic of suitable bumps and marshy marshy ledges. The shaky ground is soon replaced by a rocky slope, on which we descend into the valley, passing Bigo’s hut. After crossing the plain, we reach the opposite end of the stone bowl and stay overnight at the John Matte hut (3505 metres). Descent of 457 metres (walking time of 5 hours). Overnight in the hut.
Day 9. John Matte – Nyabitaba – Kasese. We spend the final day of the trek on a scenic descent along heather meadows, mountain streams and bamboo thickets. We set the point of the grand ascent at Nyabitaba shelter, from where after a rest we return to the village of Nyakalengija and transfer to the hotel in Kasese, where we can finally take a hot shower and relax on a soft bed in a cosy room. Descent of 1890 metres (walking time is 6-7 hours). Overnight at the hotel.
Day 10. Kasese – Entebbe, return home. In the morning take a domestic flight to Entebbe, where we will be by noon, so you can choose any convenient return flight in the afternoon.

• Russian-speaking trek leader with extensive experience of climbing in groups of 4 people or more.
• All transfers according to the programme.
• Hotel accommodation, number of nights according to the programme
• Permit to visit the national park/permit for climbing
• Services of local English-speaking guide
• Services of cook, porters
• Accommodation in tents during the climb. We use the best tents on the mountain.
• Full board (breakfasts, lunches, dinners) during the ascent.
• First aid kit
• Camp equipment and public equipment

• International flight
• Mountaineering insurance
• Visa
• Lunches and dinners in the hotel before and after the ascent
• Single accommodation
• Tips for the team after the ascent
• Any costs related to program changes

Documents:

• Passport
• Plane tickets
• Medical insurance covering evacuation by helicopter

Personal equipment:

• Backpack 30-50l.
• Sleeping bag, comfort temperature from -20C.
• Rug
• Trekking poles
• Steel cats
• Ice axe with self-guards
• Mountaineering system
• Helmet
• Carabiners – 4 pcs.
• Self-guards
• Jumar
• Descent device
• Mug – spoon – bowl

Clothing and footwear:

• Triple or double mountaineering boots. Double – plastic or leather
• Trekking boots well impregnated in advance with special water repellent.
• Trainers (for the city)
• Waterproof membrane layer – jacket + trousers
• fleece suit
• Thermal underwear top+bottom
• Mid-range down jacket
• Warm mittens
• Thick gloves
• Thin gloves
• Bandana or baf (in addition to protection from the sun in the valley, you can use it to insulate your throat or face in the cold)
• hat
• Warm trekking socks for the day of climbing
• Windproof mask for the lower part of the face

Miscellaneous:

• Diode head torch
• Powerbank
• Sunglasses
• Ski mask-goggles
• Mackintosh
• Thermos – 1 litre. Preferably without a button in the lid
• leggings
• Sun cream spf 50
• Hygienic lipstick spf 10-15
• Chemical warmers (not obligatory, but can be very useful).
• Personal first aid kit
• Elastic bandage and/or support bandage
• Toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, shampoo, flip-flops.
• Towel
• Toilet paper