18-Day Rwenzori Trek | Summit All 8 Major Peaks via Kilembe
An EPIC 18-Day Rwenzori Trek | Summit All 8 Major Peaks via Kilembe Circuit. Ascend each of the eight main Rwenzori summits in the space of eighteen days. This is the best mountaineering expedition in Africa; you’ll get to see glaciers, alpine forests, lakes, and rough highland terrain.
Hiking to the top of each of the eight highest peaks in the Rwenzori Mountains takes 18 days on our personalised Rwenzori trek. This walk to the Moon’s Mountains is best suited for those who have been trekking before. Take on the Rwenzori Mountains in a single day! If you want to reach the peak of Mount Stanley (Margherita, Cheptegei, and Albert Peaks), as well as Baker, Speke, Gessi, and Emini, then you should go on a trekking safari with Rwenzori.
Ascending the Kilembe Trail leads hikers through some of the world’s most biologically diverse mountain ecosystems, from dense Afro-montane forests to bamboo zones, enormous heather woods, swampy Afro-alpine moorlands, and eventually cold glacial terrain. There is always something fresh to see, something different to conquer, and a whole new way of looking at this wonderful mountain range.
18-Day Rwenzori Trek | Summit All 8 Major Peaks via Kilembe Highlights
- Day 1: Arrival in Kasese & Trek Preparation
- Day 2: Nyakalengija (1,450m) – Sine Camp (2,596m)
- Day 3: Sine Camp – Mutinda Camp (3,688m)
- Day 4: Mutinda Camp – Bugata Camp (4,062m)
- Day 5: Summit Weismann Peak (4,620m), Return to Bugata Camp
- Day 6: Bugata Camp – Bamwanjara Pass – Butawu Camp (3,974m)
- Day 7: Summit Mount Baker (4,844m), Return to Butawu Camp
- Day 8: Butawu Camp – Margherita Camp (4,485m)
- Day 9: Summit Margherita Peak (5,109m)
- Day 10: Summit Alexandra Peak (5,083m), Return to Margherita Camp
- Day 11: Traverse to Elena Camp, Ascent Toward Mount Speke Base
- Day 12: Summit Mount Speke (4,890m), Return to Camp
- Day 13: Traverse to Camp for Gessi & Emin
- Day 14: Summit Mount Gessi (4,715m)
- Day 15: Summit Mount Emin (4,798m)
- Day 16: Traverse Back Toward Weismann Valley, Overnight at Bugata
- Day 17: Bugata Camp – Sine Camp
- Day 18: Sine Camp – Nyakalengija
A Detailed 18-Day Rwenzori Trek | Summit All 8 Major Peaks via Kilembe Highlights
Day 1: Arrival in Kasese & Trek Preparation
When you get to Kasese, meet your guides, check your equipment and go over the entire safety procedure. The Rwenzori crew prepares for the next days by checking the weather, food, guide ratios, and equipment.
Day 2: Nyakalengija (1,450 m)–Sine Camp (2,596 m)
Elevation gain: +1,146 m.
Explore a dense montane forest on foot while listening to the calls of sunbirds, blue monkeys, and black-and-white colobus monkeys. A continuous ascent characterises the path.
Day 3: Sine Camp–Mutinda Camp (3,688 m)
Step into the heather woods and bamboo zone. There will be muddy areas and ladders made of wood. To get a feel for the altitude, make your way up to the viewpoint at Mutinda (3,925 m).
Day 4: Mutinda Camp–Bugata Camp (4,062 m)
Go across wide-open meadows populated by towering lobelias and perennial blooms. Weismann Peak and Lake Kopello may be seen in all their glory from Bugata.
Day 5: Summit Weismann Peak (4,620 m)—Return to Bugata Camp
Peak: Weismann (4,620 m).
Difficulty: Moderate.
You have reached the expedition’s first peak. Views of the Rwenzori mountain range are available from the peak.
Day 6: Bugata Camp – Bamwanjara Pass – Butawu Camp (3,974m)
Proceed via the breathtaking Bamwanjara Pass, which is frequently buffeted by gusts that originate in the mountains. Go down into the valley that goes up to Mount Baker.
Day 7: Summit Mount Baker (4,844 m)—Return to Butawu Camp
Peak 2: Mount Baker (4,844 m).
The ridge reveals incredible views of the Mount Stanley ice fields.
Near the summit ridge, there are scrambling areas and the climb is steep and rocky.
Day 8: Butawu Camp – Margherita Camp (4,485m)
Approach the snowline with more haste. Crampon and rope training for glacial climbs starts here.
Day 9: Summit Margherita Peak (5,109m
Peak 3: Margherita (5,109 m)—The Roof of the Rwenzori.
Optionally summit Alexandra Peak (5,083 m) on the same day if weather allows.
The peak of the Rwenzori mountain range. A challenging summit push awaits, including with glacier navigation, ropework, crevasses, and more.
Day 10: Summit Alexandra Peak (5,083 m)—Return to Margherita Camp
Peak 4: Alexandra (5,083 m)
Today is the day to reach the peak of Alexandra if you haven’t already. The icy ridges make it the most challenging of the Stanley summits.
Day 11: Traverse to Elena Camp—Ascent Toward Mount Speke Base
Position yourself for Speke by navigating steep rocky portions and following the contours of the massif.
Day 12: Summit Mount Speke (4,890 m)—Return to Camp
Peak 5: Mount Speke (4,890 m).
Mount Speke’s top ridge offers a breathtaking climb. A dreamlike “floating in the clouds” sensation is often created by the fog.
Day 13: Traverse to Camp for Gessi & Emin
Make your way down and back up through valleys filled with gigantic groundsel plants. Get to a base camp near the northern peaks.
Day 14: Summit Mount Gessi (4,715m)
Peak 6: Gessi (4,715 m).
The most precipitous drops of any mountain are found on Mount Gessi, which is known for its steep rocky ledges.
Day 15: Summit Mount Emin (4,798m)
Peak 7: Mount Emin (4,798 m).
The emin is rough and jagged, and there are exposed scramble areas. An incredibly satisfying peak.
Day 16: Traverse Back Toward Weismann Valley—Overnight at Bugata
Back on the southern circuit you go. Extensive drop, but really picturesque.
Day 17: Bugata Camp – Sine Camp
Your vitality is revitalised by the descent in elevation. As the air gets heavier and warmer, the noises of the forest come back.
Day 18: Sine Camp – Nyakalengija
Go back down to where the trail began. Only a small number of mountaineers manage to reach the peak of each of the eight Rwenzori mountains; you should be proud of yourself for doing so.
End of the 18-Day Rwenzori Trek | Summit All 8 Major Peaks via Kilembe