You wake in the cool air in Nyakalengijo, at the base camp. You meet your guide(s) and escorts and soon start off on the 3 to 4-hour steep walk to Nyabitaba Hut, stay here overnight.

The gloomy Portal Peaks greet you in the morning and shadow your right shoulder as you cross the confluence of the Mobuku and Bujuku rivers by Kurt Schaefer Bridge. Climb and descend through bamboo forests, moss, and lichen-festooned trees you are led to John Matte Hut. Here afternoon sun often brings a tantalizing glimpse of gold-struck Margherita and Alexandria peaks.

Breathtaking views down the valley begin your day and five (5) hours of difficult boggy conditions, but rewarding, will see you through the Bigo Bogs and passing to the real beauty of Lake Bujuku, at 3800m it is a black, cold and still body of water overlooked by Bujuku Hut..

Today we proceed around Lake Bujuku and climb steeply toward Scott Elliot Pass. Branching to Elena Hut, a testing section of boulders and fissured steeply sloping rock will make you earn your bed.

Rising early, you prepare with your guide for the attempt on Margherita. A difficult traverse of more boulders and steeply sloping rock is followed by an easier but still challenging (remember the altitude) trudge in crampons along the Stanley plateau before the final ascent leading – if you are – to the summit. Still wrapped in euphoria from your achievement, there follows a careful descent to Elena Hut for lunch. Time permitting you will descend to Kitandara hut, facing the lower of the Kitandara Lakes.

A thigh-busting climb to Freshfield Pass is rewarded with fabulous views of the lakes and DR. Congo. The Mobuku Valley leads us on a visually stunning descent to Guy Yeoman Hut.

Your final day and all you can think of is a hot bath and a restaurant meal, but you have to wait a bit longer… bogs and bamboo forest proceed your second glimpse of Nyabitaba to have a night or just a brief cup of tea here and then it’s on to Nyakalengijo and what you are dreaming of. You arrive in mid-afternoon, exhausted, but with a smile and memories that won’t wash off with the dirt and tiredness in your hot shower.