I’d love to know if anyone has done treks in the Rwenzori Mountains and how much it costs on average, what the infrastructure is like, the landscapes, and safety in the area. Thanks so much! I’m really looking forward to your replies.
Yep, you gave me some great tips for Argentina, so I’ll try to return the favor for Uganda! 😉😏 (I haven’t been there yet—it’ll be just before South America, but I’m already looking into it.)
I can share the info from the LP "Trekking in East Africa" (though it’s from 2003😕).
Here’s what I found about the Rwenzori:
> In 2001, entry to Rwenzori Mountains NP was $900 🏴☠️, but the fee was quickly cut roughly in half;
> The Bujuku-Mubuku Circuit (7d/6n) cost $480 as a "package" (park entry + 1 guide and 2 porters + emergency fees if needed); each extra day on this circuit was $52. For other treks, it was $69/day.
> Summit climbs: Baker = $59, Luigi de Savoia = $83, Gessi = $117, Margherita, Speke, and Alexandra = $90 each.
> Camping is allowed near the "huts"; either option costs $15.
> Access is via Kasese, an easy bus ride from Kampala (7–8 hours); getting to the trailhead is a bit trickier.
> Landscapes: forests and glaciers.
> Safety: In 2001, authorities seemed to have secured this border park.
There you go! It’s a bit old (2003), but the landscapes won’t have changed. The rest will need updating with help from VF members who know more.
Have a great day!
Hi there,
I did this trek in late January 2007. Here were the conditions at the time:
Ruwenzori National Park (or Rwenzori, depending on spelling) can only be explored with a guide and porters. To do this, you must go through the Ruwenzori Mountaineering Service (RMS), an association of guides that holds a concession from the Ministry of Tourism to organize visits. RMS has an office in Kasese and a branch in Ibanda, the starting point of the trek. In theory, a trek can be organized on the spot without any major issues. Every morning, there’s a line of 200 porters/guides waiting outside the RMS offices in Ibanda. Alternatively, you can email RMS at trek@rwenzorimountaineeringservices.com. They’ll send you a quote, and payment is made via bank transfer—through a New York bank, if I remember correctly. Everything went smoothly, no hassles. However, they might try to upsell you on extra services (hotel, transfer from Kampala, etc.).
The classic route is the Central Circuit, which takes 6-7 days:
Day 1: Ibanda-Nyabittaba (+1000m)
Day 2: Nyabittaba-John Matte Hut (+700m)
Day 3: John Matte Hut-Bujuku Hut (+600m)
Day 4: Bujuku Hut-Elena Hut (+600m)
Day 5: Elena Hut - Margherita Peak - Elena Hut - Kitandara Hut (+600m -900m)
Day 6: Kitandara Hut - Guy Yeoman Hut (+300m -900m)
Day 7: Guy Yeoman Hut - Ibanda (-1700m)
You can split the last day into two, but after eight days in the mud, you’ll be exhausted and it’ll feel like a breeze. If you don’t want to summit (a shame!), you can combine days 4 and 5.
The park entry fee is $850 (I think $650 without the summit) and includes park entry, hut accommodation, a guide, two porters, and transport from Kasese. This price is non-negotiable, though one of my ultra-budget travel companions managed to knock off a few dozen dollars by using public transport between Kasese and Ibanda.
Extras you can add:
- An extra porter (mandatory if you summit): $7/day
- A cook: $7/day
- Food: $10/day
A cook and food are *highly* appreciated after a day in the rain...
For the approach, there are great buses from Kampala to Fort Portal or Kasese (4-7 hours). Hotels in Kasese and Fort Portal aren’t amazing, but they’ll do.
For more details, check out the May issue of *Montagnes Mag*. And of course, the October 2007 issue of *Trek* magazine—your humble servant had the pleasure and honor of writing it...
I'd love to, but even though we're a small team, we still need to earn a few bucks to be able to eat at the end of the month... 😇
On the other hand, I'll be posting plenty of practical info on our new website once it's online, which shouldn't be long now.
I’ve got a choice for the 7-day Rwenzori trek: go directly through RMS or also use a local tour operator. The first option would cost me 900 €, the second 1,330 €.
With the tour operator, I’ll climb Margherita Peak, but with just RMS, I’ll only go up Speke Peak since there’s no glacier and no special gear is needed.
With the tour operator, I’ll join a group of 2 other people, which I think is more fun.
But is it worth the price difference?
Is it easy to meet other trekkers during the trek?
Hi Guillaume,
The organization is generally quite flexible on-site. If you decide, for example, to extend by a day for acclimatization, you’ll pay for that extra day when you check out, once the park entrance checkpoint manager notes you’ve spent an extra day in the park. If you're alone, you can discuss all this with your guide along the way. However, if you plan to climb Marguerita Peak, you’ll indeed need extra gear and an additional porter, so you’ll have to plan that in advance. The Speke summit is sometimes done as a day trip from Bujuku Hut to help with acclimatization. You can easily afford this extra day since the last two stages are completed in a single day.
As for company, I traveled solo personally. That said, I was with a group of Italians in the huts for the first three days since we were following the same stages. Then, as they spent two days at Bujuku for acclimatization, I left them to be on my own. It’s up to you. The part I did solo didn’t really bother me—it was a chance to bond with my team: a guide, two porters, and a cook...
Have a great trip!
Tonio
PS: I’ll be in Ladakh for the next 25 days. Don’t expect too many replies from me. But I’ll keep an eye on this thread, especially while the October issue of Trek mag is on newsstands...
Thanks for all this info. I still have a few questions about these places regarding snow cover (I might drag a pair of skis along just for the fun of it ;-) ):
At what altitude does significant snow cover begin?
Which area of the massif has the best snow cover? Margarita Peak, probably?
What type of snow can you expect (penitentes, ice, fresh powder)?
What’s the best season for snow cover?
Hi there,
Sorry for the radio silence—I just got back from a reporting trip... Trekking in Ladakh (Lasermo La and the Shyok Valley) plus a Stok Kangri ascent. If you're looking for info...
To answer your questions about the Ruwenzori:
The glacier starts around 4,700 m, maybe even a little lower near the Elena Hut. The largest of them is clearly the Stanley Plateau, which separates Alexandra-Margherita Peak from Savoia Peak. In terms of consistency, it’s mostly hard snow, quite frozen. The glacier has been melting visibly over the past century, and there’s no distinct season in terms of snow cover. However, only two seasons let you reach the summits without drowning: mid-December to mid-February, and mid-June to mid-July. Outside these windows, expect guaranteed torrential rain!
Skiing in the Ruwenzori? Honestly, I wouldn’t have thought of it. It seems so small... Carrying skis for eight days just to ski for an hour feels a bit frustrating. On the other hand, if you want to open routes on cams, it’s max commitment and probably lots of first ascents. Up to you!
Anthony
I’ve been dreaming about the Rwenzori, and the article in Trek Mag convinced me. I’m really tempted to do it in February.
Practical question: what about protecting photo gear? I get that February is the end of the good season for this trek, but I imagine it still rains every day—and not just a little. Is a rain cover enough to protect the camera, or is it essential to stow it in a waterproof container buried in my backpack (and therefore not easily accessible)?
I brought a film SLR camera for the 6 days of the central Rwenzori circuit.
It was in its non-waterproof protective case,
that case was in my small daypack,
that daypack was protected by my poncho when it rained, but I didn’t need to put the camera in a plastic bag. I had a plastic bag just in case, though.
With digital, it’s trickier. Make sure to bring extra batteries for digital since there’s no electricity during the trek.
Hi,
I was carrying quite a bit of gear (Nikon D200 + D70s, 12-24 mm, 18-70 mm, 80-200 mm lenses, empty hard drive for memory cards...) and opted for a waterproof canister inside a canyoning bag. This setup is a bit cumbersome but very effective since it can handle full immersions. With a few silica gel packets at the bottom of the canister, the equipment is 100% protected from the elements—it can even dry out (silica gel absorbs moisture) after a humid day.
My waterproof canister fit exactly into the diameter of the canyoning bag (which, by the way, is perforated to let water drain out). At the bottom of the bag, I had my day essentials (some trail snacks, a lightweight fleece...) in a small dry bag, and on top, the photo canister. I tightened the bag’s drawstring just below the canister’s lip, so I only had to remove the bag and unscrew the lid to access my camera gear (I didn’t use the canyon bag’s removable flap).
In practice, when the weather’s "nice"—meaning no rain—you can walk with your camera slung over your shoulder without any issues. As soon as the weather turns, you put everything back in the canister and only take out the gear when needed. With a little practice, it took me less than ten seconds to pull my camera out of the canister.
26L waterproof canister, available at Expé (ref. 0420): 19.90 €
Decathlon canyoning bag: 34.90 €
On a side note, for completeness, I found a great pair of oiled cotton fisherman’s pants at Decathlon that worked perfectly for this kind of expedition. They dried quickly, and I could stash my poncho in the large bellow pockets.
Tonio
Administrator www.trekmag.com
The Rwenzori tag on Trekmag
My Rwenzori trekking guide
Hi there, and thanks for all the info already shared!
Here are a few more questions if you don’t mind answering:
Is the ascent of Margherita Peak advisable for someone with no mountaineering experience? I’ve already trekked at altitudes around 5,000 meters, but without any technical difficulty. Here, it seems like you need to gear up more seriously.
Are boots really necessary? I have to admit, it feels weird not taking my trusty hiking shoes for a trek like this.
Is it easy to join a group on-site? I’ll be traveling solo in Uganda, but for this trek, I think it’s more fun to do it with others.
Hi everyone!
I’m planning the Cape Town part of our trip and would love to hike up Table Mountain via Platterklip Gorge and take the cable car back down.
Is it safe to hike this trail in early January without a guide (there are 4 of us: 3 adults and a teen)?
If a guide is highly recommended, do you know a good one?
If we end up taking the cable car both ways, is it safe to hike the summit without a guide (Mc Lear's Beacon trail)?
Same question for Lion’s Head: with or without a guide?
We’re used to hiking technical trails (Réunion Island), so my question is more about the risk of mugging on these trails.
Thanks for your feedback!
Malijp
After Seoul, I’m back on the forum again 😏, to talk about Inwol in Jirisan. I’ve planned to stay there for 3 nights to hike the Jirisan Dulle-gil trail—two sections, partly... I’m really struggling to find accommodations in Inwol that are close to the trail. I know it’s early and not all options are listed yet, but even when I set dates closer together, it’s still not obvious... If you know the area, I’d love any tips! My whole itinerary depends on finding a place to stay...
I know there are plenty of discussions on VF about the Poon Hill trek, but most seem outdated and/or don’t provide info specific to February. That’s why I’m bringing this topic back up.
Here’s my plan:
- Spending about two weeks in Nepal in the first half of February.
- Maybe extending by a few days to a week if needed.
- Heading to Pokhara—first time for my partner, second for me (I was there in September/October 1982!).
- Doing a relatively easy 4- to 5-day trek. We’re not exactly spring chickens anymore (though we’re in pretty good shape for our age).
- We don’t want to go above 3,000–3,500 meters, deal with difficult sections if there’s too much snow, or face daytime temperatures below 10°C. No problem if it drops to 0–5°C at night since we’ll be sheltered somewhere.
So, I’m wondering if the Mardi Himal trek might be too demanding for us, and if we’d be better off sticking with Poon Hill.
What do the experts think?
I’m thinking of doing the O Circuit or the full W in Torres del Paine—I already did the W about ten years ago.
I’ve got a few questions:
- Do I really need to book everything well in advance?
- What’s the budget for overnight stays if I’ll have a tent and be on my own?
- What temperature rating should my sleeping bag have for comfort?
- Do I need any special gear for the hike? I’ve got low-cut shoes.
And finally, is there a place where I can leave my bike during the hike?
My partner, our daughter, and I are planning a walking trip to Madagascar in July-August 2027.
We’d love any tips or info you can share about this plan.
Which regions should we prioritize?
Is a local guide better than a well-established agency?
Where’s the best place to buy our flight tickets from Réunion?
Thanks for your input!
Hi everyone, we’re traveling by bike, but the same question comes up for hiking: what simple products can we find in towns or villages to eat/cook and get enough nutrition for physical effort, all while keeping costs affordable? Otherwise, where can we find inexpensive dietary supplements? Since I’m on cortisone, I have to be careful about what I eat. Thanks in advance, Aichatou
We're planning to go at the end of November/beginning of December to visit (with a rental car) and hike on La Palma and El Hierro for 15 full days, including 1 day for inter-island ferry transfers. What’s the best split between the two islands—8 days on La Palma and 6 on El Hierro, or even more time for La Palma? Should we have one or two home bases on La Palma? Thanks for your tips!
Annie
Hi there,
We’re planning an 8-day backpacking trip on the island of São Nicolau. We’re torn between taking the boat from São Vicente or an inter-island flight. I’ve heard the boats don’t always run?
We’d like to make three homestay stops to travel in a star pattern from each of the three points.
First stop around Juncalinho, second stop near Cachaco, and finally a third leg near Tarrafal. We’re looking for simple but authentic guesthouses (no hotels). Any suggestions?
Thanks
Hello,
In mid-November, we’ll be in Mindelo and Santo Antão.
We’ve booked transportation with Kapverden Tours.
One trip is from Porto Novo to Ponta do Sol, including the hike from Corda to Coculi.
What’s the trail like?
Then we’ll be staying in Ponta do Sol,
Here’s what we’re planning:
A hike to Fontainhas—what’s the best direction, considering we’re not great with climbs? No problem with flat terrain or descents.
Take an aluguer to Ribeira Grande and continue along the coastal road.
With the agency:
An excursion to Cruzinha with a short walk.
Return to Porto Novo via the path from Cova to… I’m not sure where yet, to pick up the car for Porto Novo, since we’ll be taking the ferry that evening.
We’ll have a guide for this hike.
We’d love to spend a day in Tarrafal, but getting back requires a boat or taxi, and it’s really expensive!
We’re a couple, 78 and 76 years old.
What do you think of this itinerary?
I’m planning to do the Mercantour crossing following the Randoxygène route in mid-July.
I’m used to hiking in the mountains, but I sometimes get vertigo, for example on ridges with drops on both sides. I wanted to check if there are any T4 or T3-T4 sections and find out if there are any very exposed passages—and if so, where—so I can plan an alternative route.
Can anyone give me some info on this?
Thanks!
hi how can I get internet when I arrive at Haneda? I mean in areas without free wifi. Is it more interesting to buy a SIM card? If so, at the airport? thanks for your help
Hi there,
I’m planning to cross the Gourgs Blancs Pass at the end of the month, from La Soula Refuge to Portillon Refuge. On this section near the pass, I don’t have any trail marked on my IGN map. Is the path well signposted, or should I use a compass?
Also, beyond the physical effort, are there any technical, exposed, or vertigo-inducing sections on this part?
Since I’m finding very little info, I’m being thorough with my questions.
I'm developing a free and open-source web app for planning walking and cycling trips (and even car trips). You can create a route by clicking directly on the map to add waypoints, and it can consist of multiple stages. The app provides tools to edit the stages and the overall route, and to display useful information (distances, altitudes, and elevation changes). A relief profile can be shown as a graph for a specific stage or the entire route.
Once the route is ready, it can be exported as a GPX file, which can then be used with a GPS or a mobile navigation app.
The app is built in JavaScript and runs entirely in the web browser. It uses the Leaflet library and several OpenStreetMap-based services. Initially developed for my personal needs (I enjoy hiking and cycle touring), I’d be happy to share it with anyone who might find it useful. It’s free to use, doesn’t require an account, and the source code is available.
Not very well known: Hokkaido Island has national parks that rival those in North America. Hiking there is free (even many mountain huts) and requires no formalities. These treks are described in the LP *Hiking in Japan* guide—you can just buy the Hokkaido PDF. It’s way better than Mount Fuji. Of course, everything depends on the weather, which is very unstable in the Japanese mountains (frequent strong winds). The trails are often obstacle courses.
The Daisetsu Zan traverse is a stunning hike through volcanic terrain with a remote section in the middle that requires at least one night of camping (there are basic huts for the rest, which is popular with Japanese hikers): 4 to 6 days.
The Shiretoko traverse takes 2 days with views including an island in Russia, but the ridge is brown bear territory—there are even more here than in Denali National Park in Alaska (brown bears and grizzlies are the same). I ran into 7 in just 6 hours of hiking!
Hi everyone,
I’m leaving on Monday, August 3rd for my very first long-distance trek: the GR223 from Coutances to Mont Saint-Michel, over 6-7 days (~11-14 miles/day), solo.
I’m looking for tips from people who know this section well (Coutances → Regnéville-sur-Mer → Hauteville-sur-Mer → Bréhal → Granville → Genêts → bay crossing):
Budget-friendly accommodations: I’m struggling to find affordable stopover lodgings (a lot of what I find online are expensive vacation rentals, not really suited for a solo hiker). If you have any great spots (hostels, hiker-friendly B&Bs, nice campgrounds), I’d love to hear them!
Bay crossing: Any feedback on guides/providers leaving from Genêts for the final crossing?
General tips for a first long-distance trek: What you wish you’d known before your first time, pitfalls to avoid, etc.
Hi,
We’re planning to do the 4-day trek from Mestia to Ushguli without an agency. The descriptions mention that there are accommodations at each stop, but we can’t find any details about them. Has anyone got info or feedback on this route?
New to this forum, I’m planning a pretty big project for 2028.
I’m heading to Nepal to do a trek from Kathmandu all the way to Everest Base Camp (a cool 5,300 m 😄).
This trek is a bit special because even though I’ll be part of a group, I’m going solo (so far, no problem—I’m used to it). But it’s my first real trek, and it’s also a humanitarian one: once I reach base camp, I’ll stay an extra week to help clean up the waste left by tens of thousands of climbers! Since I’m originally from South America, from two countries that share the Andes, I have a deep respect for mountains—they fascinate me. So Everest… it’s kind of the trip of a lifetime!
So, a little question for those who’ve done treks to Everest before… any tips for good mental preparation (I’m already working on the physical side)?
We're planning to trek in Peru and Bolivia and would love to find some local agencies.
If you know any, could you share details on prices and, of course, the names of the agencies?
Which trek would you recommend?
Elocine
I'm heading out on a fully self-sufficient trek in Morocco (10 days) from Imilchil to Aghbalou.
Can I find screw-on gas canisters (Coleman, Primus) in Marrakech (any addresses?) or in villages between Imilchil and Aghbalou?
If not, are Butagaz canisters for camping gas (small 230g size) available?
Thanks in advance for your tips!
Hello, I’d like to embark on a little trip in my home country, Switzerland. I’ll start walking from La Cure, heading toward Le Noirmont first, then I’ll improvise my route—but it’ll probably follow the French border... at least as far as Lac de Joux.
I’ll decide day by day how much farther to go after that. My goal is to stay in nature as much as possible, wander around for as long as I can, and restock food in villages or towns along the way.
I’m thinking of mostly camping, but we’ll see if I end up in a hotel or another campsite depending on my route.
I’d love to reach La Chaux-de-Fonds on foot... maybe even Delémont.
The whole thing should take about a week, give or take.
I’ll be bringing my dog, and I’m preparing for this as soon as I’m ready.
Any tips to make sure everything goes smoothly for us? Things I should know—or avoid? What about shepherds with their flocks of sheep? And isn’t hunting season open right now?
I’m not sure if what I’m planning is even doable, which is why I’m asking around.
This’ll be my first time doing something like this—wandering in nature *and* with a dog. I’m really excited for this adventure... and I need it. Thanks!
We’re really keen on ecosystems and want to hike in "natural" ancient forests—not planted woods or areas heavily degraded by human activity. Travel guides (like Lonely Planet) don’t provide much info on this. Could you point us to the most interesting spots?
Thanks in advance for your tips.
We wish you happy holidays and a fantastic 2026, full of discoveries!
Claire and Albert
Hi, this might not be the right section, but I’d like to know if it’s possible to start mountaineering with another person without necessarily hiring a guide. We’ve done quite a bit of hiking but not mountaineering—we’ll just do a half-day glacier course. After that, we were thinking of starting with La Grande Motte and the Pointe de la Traversière, which were recommended to us. Honestly, for things like roping up and knots, I’ll learn at home with lots of videos and a book.
We’re leaving in 9 days for a two-week trip to Madeira, mainly to hike.
From my research, I’ve found that since last year, access to most trails—and systematically for the most popular ones—is now paid. You have to pay an access fee of 4.50 € per person per classified hike in 2026, and even 10.50 € for the most iconic hike: Pico Arieiro to Pico Ruivo. When paying, you also have to choose a day and a 30-minute time slot for your start time. Of course, this reservation is neither changeable nor refundable, even if the weather that day is terrible.
Personally, given the massive influx of tourists to the island in recent years, I don’t mind paying a fee to help maintain the trails. Similarly, setting a limit on the number of people who can hike them per day is certainly preferable to preserve this priceless heritage.
However, what’s much less fair is that in reality, most of the available spots are reserved: 1/ for Madeira residents (which is normal); 2/ for "economic operators" (meaning local tour operators). For example, if you’re a non-resident (independent tourist), no booking is possible for the Pico Arieiro hike for an early morning start before September! So, unfortunately, we’ll have to skip this hike.
It’s the same issue for Ponta de São Lourenço, the 25 Fontes, Pico Ruivo... in short, all the most popular hikes. Oh well, we’ll skip those too!
So my question is: which hikes do you recommend where we won’t face the huge crowds that the others get? And where we can book the day before for the next day, taking the weather into account?
Finally, a quick accommodation question: we’ve booked the first week in Funchal, but I haven’t decided yet for the second week. Do you have any advice on where to stay in the south or north, preferably avoiding overly concrete-heavy and touristy spots?
I’m reposting about the logistics for Samaria Gorge.
I’d love to get recent info, especially about whether it’s possible to park my car in Omalos, do the hike, and then catch a bus back to my vehicle.
In theory, it’s doable, but when you check the KTEL website, there aren’t any feasible schedules listed. If anyone has recently organized this with reliable, verified details, I’d really appreciate it. Thanks in advance!
Hi there,
We’re flying from Montreal to Lyon this August to go hiking in the French Alps. We’ve rented a car and will be staying at campgrounds. We’re planning to do day hikes and want to stay a few days in one spot, do a few hikes, then move on to our next camping spot. Could you share your favorite spots or any recommendations for places to spend a few days with great hikes?
A few details:
We arrive in early August and leave in early September.
We’re looking for day hikes (or shorter), moderate difficulty, with a cumulative elevation gain of no more than 1000m, and of course, beautiful scenery!
We’d prefer not to drive too much—maybe it’s best not to head too far south and deal with unnecessary heat?
Along the same lines, if you know of any great campgrounds where we can start our hike directly without needing the car, we’d love to hear your suggestions!
Hi there,
I’m planning to go hiking on this island and would like to know the best time to do it. I visited for a few days in November 2018—not for hiking but just to explore—and the weather wasn’t great, especially in the mountains. So, is a star-shaped itinerary doable if I rent a car and maybe use two different accommodations?
I’m not planning to join an organized group—just traveling with one other person and organizing things ourselves—unless you’d recommend a local agency or guide. Finally, even though I’ll be getting maps, a topo guide, and a GPS, I’d really appreciate your top hiking recommendations.
Thanks so much for your tips!
I’m planning a trip around Cap Corse and the AGRIATES in 2026, from May 8th to 15th (there are still 2 spots left, by the way! Just DM me if you're interested).
I’d love to know which hikes are worth prioritizing in the AGRIATES. We’ll be staying in SALECCIA for two days as our base—what should we focus on from there?
A round trip to IGNHU beach? Any other suggestions?
For Ostricano, I think it’s too far for a round trip...
Thanks for your tips!
Have a great day,
Anie, Toulouse
