- Kilimanjaro Day 1 – Marangu Gate to Mandara Hut
- Kilimanjaro Day 2 – Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut
- Kilimanjaro Day 3 – Horombo Hut to Kibo hut
- Kilimanjaro Day 4 – Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak
- Kilimanjaro Descent – Uhuru Peak to Marangu gate
Two roads diverged in a wood and I – I took the one less traveled by.Robert Frost
Kilimanjaro Day 2 – Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut
- Day number: 2
- Starting Point: Mandara Hut
- Target Point: Horombo Hut
- Altitude: 3720m
- ETA: 5 hours
- Veg Zone: Moorland
After a Successful Day 1 of our hike we were up early and after a very nice breakfast cooked by our chef, we were on our way skirting the base of the Maundi Crater along the Marangu route. The trek transitions rapidly from rainforest to a low alpine moorland zone. So, you would leave the last trees behind and see giant Senecios and Loblelias that you can see growing among the ubiquitous heather.
Prepare well about what you need to take and wear while hiking Kilimanjaro – Read more.
The Kili peaks began to appear, first the Mawenzi Peak and then the snow-capped Uhuru Peak in the distance. This was the first time we had seen Kilimanjaro face to face and it was just so majestic. It was also a moment of reality check for what lies ahead of us and this was the first time it crossed my mind – “Wow..why did I sign up for this”.
As we walked pole pole up the winding moorland path, the porters glanced past us carrying heavy load on their heads. These are the amazing people who make this journey all the more pleasant ensuring that everything is set and ready before we reach our next pitstop.
We had a lunch break en-route with another delicious packed lunch and then passed through various ridges, bridges and passing clouds before arriving at our next pit stop – Horombo Hut at 3705m. The treck was close to 5 hours covering 7.5 miles.
Horombo hut has smaller A shaped huts with bunks and at a very scenic location – up above the floating clouds. With Kili staring at a distance, it made a very picturesque background. The rooms here had no lighting and no flush toilets. We were served steak over dinner by our excellent team. Sleep was a farfetched option as it was really getting hard to get a good night’s sleep because of the altitude and we were really worried of sleep deprivation and the temperature continuing to drop.
View our Kilimanjaro Hike Video here –
Read our Day 3 excursion to Kibo hut here – Click here
Also read our successful Kilimanjaro Hike journey here – Click here.
This is Aldrin and my partner Amoli. We bring you "Earths Pilgrim" - a unique insight into our travel escapades while leaving life in a cubicle. If you are looking for some inspiration to break the shackles of a regular life, then you are the right place. Read more about us- Click here.