5 Days Trek to Weismann’s Peak

5 Days Weismann’s peak hike

Have the best luxury tour in the Rwenzori mountains by hiking up to the Weismann

peak for the five days. The trek to the peak takes you through luxuriant vegetation

around the Rwenzori mountains like the prestine Montane forests where you will

watch several species like birds and primates such as monkeys. You will spend your

precious nights at different campsites like Sine Camp at 2,598 meters, Kalalama

Camp, Bugata Camp at 4,062 meters whish is found across the alpine moors. From

this camp, you will proceed to Weismann’s Peak at 4,620 meters where you will

have spectacular views of Mount Stanley, Mt, Speke and Mt. Baker especially on

clear days. After the views, you will descend down to the Nyamwamba valley and

other campsites up to the park gate.

 

Day 1: Hike up to Sine Hut at 2,596 meters

 

Start at Trekkers at 1,450 meters and sleep at Sine Hut at 2,596 meters being a

height gain of 1,146 meters.

We start by walking up the valley floor through tall forest trees of the Afro

Montane Forest Zone. This is a steady climb with multitudes of birds and a chance

of seeing blue monkeys scampering off through the forest. At times visitors may

see troupes of 15 to 20 black and white Colobus monkeys as they swing through the

tree tops. There are rare sightings of the L’Hoest monkey which are part of the

Bakonzo cultural emblems and are protected by the virtue of the King or Omusinga

or you may hear wild chimpanzee in the distance. There is wide variety of plant

species from forest trees to bamboos thickets, low shrubs, flowers, fungi, and with

many moss and lichen covered vines hanging from the tall trees creating an

awesome appeal. Enock’s Falls are just 200 meters from Sine Hut and offer a

splendid opportunity to capture a great screensaver for your memories.

 

At Sine Camp 2,596 metres we have wooden huts set between tall forest trees on a

narrow ridge where you may sit and enjoy the beauty of the Afro Montane forest

while you look down at a fantastic waterfall crashing over the rocks far below.

Some clients prefer to sit outside enjoying the warmth of the campfire and chat to

the guides about the mountains and life in their community. Sine is just below the

bamboo zone and the area around has many different bird species. 150 meters

from the camp is Enock falls which is set in livid green vegetation and hanging

vine. Truly beautiful. Sleep at Sine, or those who are fit and want to proceed to

Kalama Camp at 3,134 metres may do so and apart from the fantastic views gives

you more time at Mutinda Camp where you may climb up to Mutinda Lookout at

3,975 metres with great views

 

Start at Trekkers at 1,450 meters and sleep at Sine Hut at 2,596 meters being a

height gain of 1,146 meters.

We start by walking up the valley floor through tall forest trees of the Afro

Montane Forest Zone. This is a steady climb with multitudes of birds and a chance

of seeing blue monkeys scampering off through the forest. At times visitors may

see troupes of 15 to 20 black and white Colobus monkeys as they swing through the

tree tops. There are rare sightings of the L’hoest monkey which are part of the

Bakonzo cultural emblems and are protected by the virtue of the King or Omusinga

or you may hear wild chimpanzee in the distance.

There is wide variety of plant species from forest trees to bamboos thickets, low shrubs, flowers, fungi, and with many moss and lichen covered vines hanging from the tall trees creating an awesome appeal. Enock’s Falls are just 200 meters from Sine Hut and offer a splendid opportunity to capture a great screensaver for your memories.

At Sine Camp 2,596 metres we have wooden huts set between tall forest trees on a

narrow ridge where you may sit and enjoy the beauty of the Afro Montane forest

while you look down at a fantastic waterfall crashing over the rocks far below.

Some clients prefer to sit outside enjoying the warmth of the campfire and chat to

the guides about the mountains and life in their community. Sine is just below the

bamboo zone and the area around has many different bird species. 150 meters

from the camp is Enock falls which is set in livid green vegetation and hanging

vine.

Truly beautiful. Sleep at Sine, or those who are fit and want to proceed to

Kalama Camp at 3,134 metres may do so and apart from the fantastic views gives

you more time at Mutinda Camp where you may climb up to Mutinda Lookout at

3,975 metres with great views.

 

Day 2: Climb to Mutinda Camo at 3,975 meters

After a good breakfast, trekking starts at 8.30am and you enter the Bamboo-

Mimulopsis Zone which is steep climb with many high steps. In the wet season the

bamboo zone is rather muddy and slippery making the going slow. However, the

atmosphere and the forest is beautiful as you climb 551 metres altitude and a

distance of 1.8km to Kalalama Camp at 3,147 meters which is in the Heather-

Rapanea Zone where you can take a rest and a quick cup of tea or coffee before

heading on to Mutinda Camp. The trail meanders up and over several small knolls

along a ridge top then drops down the side of the valley before climbing again, and

in doing so cross several small streams and pass close to moss covered waterfalls.

You then climb steadily along the side of a beautiful mossy river which tumbles

down over the rocks under the Giant Heather trees whose trunks are covered in

green moss with old man beards (Usnea lichen) hanging from the branches. The

trail twists and turns as you climb up the deep valley, which has an enormous

variety of plants and flowers. This valley is unique with many Giant Heather trees

creating a beautiful atmosphere often shrouded in mist.

In the afternoon you may wish to climb up to the top of the Mutinda Lookout (one

to two hours up and one hour down) The views are amazing as you stand on moss

covered rocks at 3,925 meters with views across the Rwenzori Mountains and down

to Kasese town and Lake George. For those clients who are climbing to Margherita

or any of the main peaks climbing Mutinda 3,975 meters is also an excellent way to

acclimatise and reduce the risk of high-altitude sickness.

Day 3: Hike to Bugata Camp at 4,062 meters

The trail here is boggy particularly in the wet season but with a little skill you can

step from tussock to tussock to make the going easier. We have put several

boardwalks across the worst of the bogs and continuing to build more to make it a

little bit easier. You cross the Mutinda valley through the tussock grass and

everlasting flowers interspersed with many Giant Lobelias before climbing a steep

section up to the Namusangi Valley (3,840 meters), which ends abruptly with sheer

waterfalls and fantastic views of Mutinda Peaks. The Namusangi Valley is wide,

with many ups and downs and crossing several bogs as the trail climbs steadily to

Bugata Camp at 4,062 meters. Bugata Camp is situated way up Bamwanjara Pass

high above Bugata Lake with views across Lake Kopello to Weismann’s Peak, which

is often covered with snow then down the valley views of Lake Africa and Lake

Kanganyika and the many small peaks towards Mutinda Camp. The area is covered

with tussock grass, everlasting flowers (Helichrysum), St John’s Wort (Hypericum

becquaeritii), giant groundsel (Senecio adnivalis) and Giant lobelia (Lobellia

gibberoa). There are a many Red Forest Duiker (Cephalophuc nigrifrons rubidus)

which are a sub-species only found in the Rwenzori Mountains.

Bugata Camp has good facilities, solar lights, good toilets and bathrooms where

the guides may prepare some warm water in a basin for you to wash. Bugata also

has a helicopter pad (GPS reading N 18.312 E29 53.457) in case of any need for

rescue by helicopter but be warned that a helicopter in Uganda costs around

$10,000 per hour flying time which is way more than other countries so you need

insurance in case of rescue.

Day 4: Climb to Weismann’s peak 4,620 meters and Stella Peak 4,626 meters.

3.7km to Weismann’s Peak then another 800 metres to Stella Peak and return.

The trek starts by walking across the hillside below high cliffs above Bugata Lake

then around a ridge point to Lake Kopello where we walk along the edge of the

lake which according to researchers the water temperature averages 2˚C As you

climbing you get excellent views of the four lakes along the valley below. The last

section to the peak is steep on solid rock and can be difficult when snowing or iced

up and it may be necessary to use ropes for safety. On a clear day you get

awesome views of all the main peaks, Mt Stanley, Mt Speke and Mt Baker. The top

of Weismann’s Peak is relativity flat or dome shaped with deep moss growing on

the rocks creating a beautiful atmosphere. Stella Peak 4,626 metre is near

Weismann’s but needs full technical as is dangerous and needs experience and a

good head for heights. We do not advise crossing to Stella Peak

From the peak we descend directly to Kiharo Camp 3,460 metres down the

Nyamwamba Valley. At the head of the valley there is a large area of thick Giant

Groundsel with dense evergreen undergrowth and moss with the rocky peaks

towering above which creates its own micro environment. As you descend the

valley you will notice the terrain is made up of several flat boggy areas where

millions of years ago glaciers sat and melted leaving a wall of big rocks in front of

where it lay. The valley is home to many Red Forest Duiker (Cephalophuc nigrifrons

rubidus) At night you may stay in Kiharo Camp at 3,460 metres an area rich in

evergreen plants and babbling streams. Particularly during the dryer months at the

night, the air is filled with the calls of the rock hyrax as they sit in the rocky cliffs

high above.

Day 5: Ascend to Kiharo Camp to the park entrance and then continue to

Trekkers Hostel

The trail down the Nyamwamba Valley is mostly downhill and absolutely stunning

with beautiful views, moss covered rocks along the river, cascading waterfalls,

deep valleys and forests are possibly the best in the Rwenzori Mountains. This part

of the trail took us six years to find a way through and a route which is easy

enough for tourists to use. In 1937 the explorer and geologist McConnell tried to

find a way up this valley but failed and have to turn back and search for another

route up the mountain but now you can experience this truly beautiful valley.

A few kilometres from Kiharo Camp the path turns off to the right to pass along

the river. In the clear areas you may catch a glimpse of a Duiker quietly feeding in

small clearings as you pass along the river. This area is possible the highest

population of Rwenzori Red Duikers anywhere in the National Park A few

kilometres down the river it becomes steeper with multitudes of stunning

waterfalls. After the waterfalls we climb up and over a high ridge then down

though the dense forests with stunning views of the valley below. We stop at

Forest View Camp for lunch before proceeding back to Base Camp. A great

experience and ending to a fantastic trek.

Includes in the package Quotation

• Accommodation at the campsites of the mountain
• Meals
• Porters and park rangers
• Hiking permits
• Mineral water

Excludes from the quotation

• Tips