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FACTFILE
Country: Uganda
Days: 15
Difficulty: 5/5
Group size: 25 places
Registration fee: £195
Fundraising target: £3450
(£1950 without flights)
The challenge:
Do you want to avoid the crowds, and soak up the
best of East African adventure and excitement?
Then this is the expedition for you!
Known as ‘the Mountains of the Moon’, the
Rwenzori mountain range in Uganda is the
legendary source of the White Nile. The glacial
waters from the summits of this mountain range
run from Uganda to Sudan, through Egypt to the
Mediterranean Sea.
This expedition will take you to the very
birthplace of this mighty river– the high glaciers
on the peak of Mount Stanley, standing at a frosty
5109m. You will experience some of the most
contrasting environments Uganda has to offer. The
trek will take you through humid jungles
surrounded by monkeys and rare birds, to the
chilly alpine glaciers at the summit.
While this climb is non-technical, we will employ
fixed ropes for our summit attempt, and
undertake some basic training in ice-ax and
crampon use.
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About Us
We are a UK registered charity working at the grassroots level in partnership with local
communities in the developing world. We improve children’s access to healthcare, education and
child rights and protection to help them unlock their potential. We currently have
projects in India, Morocco, Nepal, Pakistan, Tanzania and the UK with over 600,000
beneficiaries to date. We believe that all children have the right to:
Enough food, clean water and shelter
A good education and a reliable health service
Live without fear of abuse/violence
We are able to do this through sustainable funding, obtained with the help of people like you. We
believe that if you dedicate your time, energy and enthusiasm towards our cause then we should
give you something life-changing and memorable in return. This is where our Challenge Events fit in!
Fundraising
How does it all work and what support
will I get?
At Childreach International we know that
fundraising can seem challenging, but as the
largest UK provider of student Challenge Events we
have the experience to help you reach your fundraising target. You will have an experienced Team
Leader behind you as well as our award winning
fundraising team there to offer support!
Throughout the year leading up to your
departure, we will make every effort to
prepare you and help you reach your target. Your
Team Leader will spend their time organising group
socials and fundraising events to get you on your
feet. In addition to this, after signing up you will
need to attend the group inaugural meeting. Your
Student Fundraising Manager will attend this session and take you through every aspect of the trip,
from fundraising to packing your bag!
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Itinerary:
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Day 1: Catch your flight from London Heathrow
Day 2: Land in Entebbe, Uganda. Our guides will pick you up from the airport, and we will make the 8 hour journey to Kyanjuki, on the
edge of the Rwenzori Mountains National Park.
Day 3: We start with a walk along the valley floor, through the Afro Montane Forest Zone. Here we may see blue monkeys or
chimpanzees as they scamper off into the forest. We will spend the night at Sine Hut (2596m).
Day 4: Today’s climb is steep, with some high steps. We cross the valley, passing by waterfalls and Giant Heather trees. Tonight we
sleep at Mutinda Camp (3688m).
Day 5: From camp, we climb and enter the Alpine Zone. We will enjoy fantastic views of the Mutinda Peaks, and down the Namusangi
Valley. Bugata Camp (4062m), where we will spend the night, offers good facilities such as solar power, toilets and washrooms– a
welcome relief after a long day’s trekking!
Day 6: We will spend today acclimatising to the high mountain altitude. We trek up to the Bamwanjara Pass, along several flat bogs.
Looking back down, we can take in fantastic views of the glacial lakes which form the start of the Blue Nile. After crossing the high pass
at 4450m, we descend to Butawu Camp (3974m). This camp is set on a high ridge above the Butawu River, with excellent views of the
snow-capped Mt Baker. We get an early night in preparation for the day ahead.
Day 7: After breakfast, we walk back along the ridge, crossing several wet areas to reach the Scott Elliot Pass. This is an enjoyable
section of the trek, and we will eventually reach Margherita Camp at 4485m. The camp was named in honour of Italian Queen
Margherita in 1906, by the first successful summit team to reach the peak.
Day 8: Today is summit day! Waking at 4.30am, we will have a quick snack & hot drink, before trekking to the Stanley Glacier. While
the route is safe, and we will be making use of some newly installed fixed-ropes and ladders, we will equip our crampons, harnesses
and helmets for safety, before stepping out onto the glacier. The climb to the top is challenging and will push the limits of your fitness.
However once you reach the peak, you will be rewarded with astounding views of the Rwenzori Mountain range and beyond. You will
stand on the glacier that forms the source of the mighty Nile River! After we stop to take in the moment and capture some pictures, we
begin our descent back down to Butawu Camp.
Day 9: After yesterday’s exertions, we will sleep late, and have breakfast at 8.30am. From camp we climb back to the Bamwanjara Pass,
and return to Bugata Camp. As we descend, there may be the chance to catch a glimpse of the rare Rwenzori Leopard.
Day 10: Our descent continues, as we skirt around Lake Bugata. We climb a 200m stretch to reach the confluence of two valleys, before
descending into the Nyamwamba Valley. We will spend the night in Kiharo Camp (3460m), surrounded by lush evergreens and babbling
streams.
Day 11: We will wake to the shrill calls of the Ruwenzori Turaco and other birds. After a slap-up breakfast, we will walk down the valley,
spotting the occasional chameleon and duiker. After a descent of a few kilometres, we climb a 200m ridge to a ridge which overlooks the
valley, before we cross down through the Bamboo-Mimulopsis and Afro-Montane Forest zones, to reach our base camp in Kilembe.
From here will transfer back to the Trekkers Hostel in Kyanjuki. After showers, we will have a celebratory dinner and toast our
successful climb with a cold bottle of Ugandan Bell Lager!
Days 12 - 14: These days are yours to spend as you wish. You can spend more time in Rwenzori National Park, or take in a safari to see
Uganda’s gorillas, chimps or tree-climbing lions!
Day 15: Catch your flight home from Entebbe. Tired, but with the experience of a lifetime under your belt!
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What’s included:
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International return flights to Uganda (excluding self-funded option)
Experienced English-speaking guides
All meals, transfers & accommodation as outlined above
All park fees, taxes, permits & fees as required for the above itinerary
Tents during the trek
Hotel accommodation on twin shared room basis, where specified
Fully supported emergency procedures & 24/7 support line
Mobile phone provided to team leaders for use in emergencies
First Aid kit
All porter services
Summit equipment (harness, crampons, ropes, carabiners, helmet & ice axe)
Not included:
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Ugandan Visa
Personal expenditure (telephone, laundry, shopping and so on)
Tips for guides, porters & cooks. We recommend $80 per person
Beverages & alcoholic drinks
Personal camping equipment, including sleeping bag, sleeping mattress
Additional hotel stays in-country
Equipment hire (other than summit equipment stated above)
Any other service not clearly mentioned on the itinerary & trip inclusive
portion
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KIT YOU WILL NEED:
Clothing
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Summer shirts and shorts– for walking in the
heat at the start of the trek
Warm long-sleeved shirt(s)- for when it gets cold
at night
Warm long walking trousers (not jeans!)
Fleece jacket (one or more) and / or a down
jacket– for additional warmth
Thermal underwear
Good quality waterproof and windproof outer
shell (jacket AND trousers)
Cheap plastic poncho
Hats– a warm hat (woollen) or a balaclava AND a
sun hat (that has a peak & shades the back of
your neck)
Gloves– 2 pairs. One pair of thin liners and
another warmer pair which are waterproof
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Good quality sleeping bag (minimum rating of 4
seasons)
Rucksack– large enough to hold all of your
personal gear (limit of 25kg) on the mountain.
This will be carried by a porter
Day pack– Big enough to carry your daily water
(3 litres), lunch box, camera, wet weather
clothing & fleece jacket
External protective cover for rucksack & day
pack– these must be waterproof
Polarized snow glasses or goggles– to protect
your eyes from sun glare and snow. Good quality
sunglasses with side-shields will do
Miscellaneous
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Mountain boots– these are essential, and must 
be worn in to avoid blisters
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Walking shoes– lightweight, for the start of the
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climb. Trainers will be suitable
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Several pairs of warm, cushioned socks (enough
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for 1 dry pair on each day of the trek)
Gaiters (optional)- these can prevent scree, snow
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and mud (at the start of the climb) from getting
into your boots
Footwear
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Equipment
High factor sunblock (min factor 15)
Lip salve
Head torch & spare batteries
Water bottle– big enough to hold 3 litres
Water purification tablets / iodine (optional)
Spare plastic bags to keep things dry
Wash kit plus small towel
Basic first aid kit for personal use– including
paracetamol & dehydration sachets
A few bags of your favourite sweets / chews /
dried fruit
Image credits:
‘Rwenzori Mountains’ (6 photos) by Jørn Eriksson available at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jorneriksson/8496557175/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jorneriksson/8497670642/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jorneriksson/8496596299/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jorneriksson/8496528693/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jorneriksson/8496577749/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jorneriksson/8496577863/
All under a Creative Commons Attribution 2.0.
Full terms at http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0.
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SAFETY STANDARDS
ATOL License
Childreach International is acting as agent for
Travelpack Marketing and Leisure Services Ltd
(ATOL No: 2866). All the flight-inclusive tours offered
are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. When
you pay you will be supplied with an ATOL
Certificate. Please ask for it and check to ensure that
everything you booked (flights, hotels and other
services) is listed on it. Please see booking conditions
for further information or for more information about
financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to
www.atol.org.uk/ATOLCertificate.
BS 8848
Childreach International takes every possible step to
ensure that whether you are donating to us, going on
one of our challenges or participating in a
Futurebuild or Big Build, we will ensure that safety
and responsibility are our primary concern.
Monitoring and evaluating the processes that
guarantee this promise are completed with strict
adhesion to industry standards. Every year,
Childreach International completes an operational
self-assessment of all its programmes that involve
overseas travel. The assessment process follows the
BS 8848 standard and is moderated via external
consultation.
Image credits:
‘Rwenzori Mountains’ (6 photos) by Jørn Eriksson available at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jorneriksson/8496557175/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jorneriksson/8497670642/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jorneriksson/8496596299/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jorneriksson/8496528693/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jorneriksson/8496577749/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jorneriksson/8496577863/
All under a Creative Commons Attribution 2.0.
Full terms at http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0.
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How can I get involved?
To get involved visit our website:
Sign up to the Source of the Nile event under ‘Get Involved’ and ‘Choose your
challenge’
OR
Follow the link below:
https://supporter.childreach.org.uk/civicrm/event/register?reset=1&id=821
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Contact us
For further information please contact the
Student Engagement Team:
[email protected]
0203 137 5500
www.childreach.org.uk
Charity number: 1132203
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