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HikesUgandaRwenzori: Margherita Circuit

Rwenzori: Margherita Circuit

Also known as: Mountains of the Moon

The Rwenzori "Mountains of the Moon" - surreal boggy valleys, giant plants, and a glacier climb to Margherita Peak

Difficulty 5/5 · Very hardExpeditionLoopExpedition (guided)
Distance
~50-70 km loop
Max elevation
5,109 m
Duration
7-9 days
iconicmountains of the moonglacierbogsexpedition
Plan this hike
Explore the stunning meadows and mountains on a summer hike in Arosa, Switzerland.

The route

The line through Rwenzori Mountains NP, Uganda - waypoints, elevation and the day-by-day shape of the walk.

Elevation profile5,109 m (Margherita Peak, Mt Stanley - Africa’s 3rd highest)
0 km60 km

Waypoints

  1. 1
    Nyakalengija/KilembeTrailhead
    ~1,700 m0 km

    Start

  2. 2
    Bujuku/John Matte HutHut
    ~3,500 m20 km~6 h

    Boggy valleys

  3. 3
    Elena HutHut
    ~4,540 m35 km~6 h

    Glacier base

  4. 4
    Margherita PeakSummit
    ~5,109 m40 km~9 h

    Glacier/rock summit

  5. 5
    Return circuitTrailhead
    ~1,700 m60 km~6 h

    Loop out

Season & conditions

Best season

Jun-Aug and Dec-Feb (drier)

Weather risks

Persistent rain, bog, cold, snow/ice up high; altitude

Best in the drier windows; wet, boggy and cold any time; the glacier is receding fast. Confirm.

On the trail

Terrain & surface

Otherworldly bogs, giant lobelia/groundsel, rock, ladders and a glacier finish

Technical & exposure

Non-technical walking/hiking; confirm any exposed or scrambly sections locally

Navigation & waymarking

Marked/waymarked route; navigation generally straightforward - carry a map and confirm locally

Accessibility & group fit

Suitable for reasonably fit hikers; not wheelchair accessible - confirm specifics

Crowds & solitude

A popular, well-known route - busier in peak season

Variants & turnaround

Trek to the huts/viewpoints without the technical summit; the Kilembe (Central) circuit

Getting there & staying

Trailhead access

Nyakalengija/Kilembe, from Kasese

Shuttle & transport

Out-and-back/loop - no shuttle needed

Huts, camping & refuges

Mountain huts along the circuit

Gear, water & connectivity

Layered outdoor kit, sturdy footwear, sun/rain protection, ample water; patchy mobile coverage - carry a map/PLB where remote

Facilities

Services in Kasese; limited or none on the trail

Guide & crew

Mandatory RMS guides; mountaineering gear for the summit glacier

Permits & safety

RMS (Rwenzori Mountaineering Services) guided-only; the glacier finish needs mountaineering gear/guides. Confirm.

Permits and operators change - confirm before booking.

Hazards

Altitude illness is a real risk at these elevations - acclimatize and ascend gradually; endless bog, ladders, the glacier/rock summit, cold and wet

Emergency exits & rescue

Retrace the route to exit; dial local emergency services; carry a means of calling for help where remote

This profile is desk research, compiled from public sources - not a first-hand trail report. Coordinates are approximate.

Walk Rwenzori: Margherita Circuit with your group
Manta plans the route, the huts and the easy alternatives so a mixed crew all get a great day.
Plan this hike