5-8 Days Rwenzori Mountain Hike from DR Congo
5-8 Days Rwenzori Mountain Hike from DR Congo
The tour will start and end at Uganda and DR Congo border precisely at Kasindi.
Clients need to come with their own equipment because Virunga National park does not have all equipment, especially for those who want to reach the Marguerite peak.
Highlights
- Margarita peak
- Virunga national park
- Fort portal
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Kasindi – Virunga National Park, Mutsora
Meeting with your guide at DR Congo -Uganda border precisely at kasindi, Congo side before noontime, after greetings, do immigration formalities then get the briefing and drive to Mutsora at Virunga National park precisely at Mutsora where there is Virunga National park headquarter, dinner and overnight at Virunga National park tent. Full Board. Note: Mutsora is the starting point of Ruwenzori Mountain. The hike of Ruwenzori will start and end here.
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Day 2: Ruwenzori Mountain hike: Mutsora – Kalonge
After breakfast, you leave Mutsora through Mutwanga to the first station Kyandolire that marks the park limits. From here, you hike to the first hut Kalonge where you will spend the night. It is about a 5 – 6 hours hike. It is not a difficult hike compared to the other days – You will also pass through a few rivers where you may collect water (the water is fairly clean). The night will be spent at Kalonge hut (budget). Meal included.
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Day 3: Kalonge – Mahangu
After early morning breakfast, start your hike, because this is often considered the hardest day of the hike but it is incredibly strenuous as you are constantly going uphill. You rise over 1500m in a single day. The hike is about 6hours. You will spend your night at Mahangu hut (budget), which is pretty much the same as Kalonge. You will also pass through the last stream on the hike soon after you leave Kalonge. Meal included.
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Day 4: Mahangu – Kiondo
After early morning breakfast, start your hike again. The hike is not as strenuous as the day before, but it is also quite tiring, here you are constantly crossing over moss-covered tree trunks and roots and going uphill at the same time. The hike is about 6 hours and you end up at Kiondo hut. Kiondo hut has a gorgeous view of the valley, the mountains, and the glacier. You will probably take an hour tea break before suggesting going up to Wasuwameso (4462m) if the weather permits. Wasuwameso is the highest point that a non-mountaineering mortal can reach, and it has an incredible view of everything – the valley, Lake Noir, Lake Vert, Stanley Plateau, Peak Marguerita, Peak Albert, Peak Alexandra, and the glacier – all this, of course, depends on weather and visibility. The hike from Kiondo to Wasuwameso is not hard – only an hour, but it can be a bit slippery with moss-covered rocks. You return to Kiondo for the night (budget). Meal included.
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Day 5-7 are Optional
This is the day where you can decide to descend or continue.
To continue
You will make a round trip from Kiondo to Moraine hut, spending an extra night back at Kiondo. From Kiondo to Moraine, you must pass through a pretty hairy part that involves crossing a very deep abyss. At Wasuwameso, you pretty much already see everything you would want to see. At Moraine, you are closer to Peak Marguerita, but it is only useful if you are summiting, the only additional thing you gain is the full view of Lake Gris but depending on the weather condition.
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To descend
This is going to be a pretty tough day – probably as hard as Day 2. You go from Kiondo all the way back to Kalonge, and it is about a 6hours hike going down really steep hills and one has to be more careful not to slip. You spend the night at Kalonge. Meal included.
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Day 6: Kalonge – Mutsora
You leave from Kalonge to Mutsora. It’s not a long hike, between 4 and 5 hours max, overnight at Mutsora in the tent. Meal included.
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Day 7: Mutsora
After breakfast, spend the whole day at Mutsora and Mutwanga visiting different projects done by the park, visit the local palm oil factory and so much more, overnight at Mutsora in the tent. Full Board.
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Day 8: Mutsora – Uganda border
After breakfast, you will drive back to the Uganda border precisely at Kasindi, after immigration formalities you will continue to Fort portal for overnight.
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End of tour
Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
What’s included?
The cost for 1 pax will be $2305 including 1 Virunga National Park tourist visa, vehicle, a driver, fuel and road government taxes, 3 nights in the tent at Mutsora and 4 nights in huts while on Ruwenzori mountain, Ruwenzori Mountain permit, the sleeping bag, porters, meal, drinking water, a park ranger, and an English and French-speaking guide.
What’s excluded?
Not included your Uganda visa, medical service, individual insurance, tips, a meal outside Virunga National park, other drinks, more equipment needed for the hike, and everything not listed in the program.
