The Londorosi Route offers one of the most remote and scenic ascents of Mount Kilimanjaro, combining dramatic landscapes with true wilderness adventure. Starting on the western side of the mountain. It’s a perfect choice for trekkers seeking solitude, challenge, and an unforgettable journey away from the crowds.
The journey to Londorosi Gate takes about 3.5 to 4 hours by vehicle from Moshi town, covering a distance of approximately 75 to 80 kilometers (47 to 50 miles). As you leave the bustling town of Moshi, located at 900 meters (2,950 feet) above sea level, the road climbs gradually into the cool, green highlands of the West Kilimanjaro region. Londorosi Gate itself sits at an elevation of around 2,250 meters (7,380 feet) – a dramatic shift in landscape, vegetation, and climate.
The Londorosi Route approaches Kilimanjaro from the west, moving through untouched rainforest before connecting with high-altitude trails that lead to the summit via the Northern Circuit or Southern Circuit – depending on the specific itinerary. It’s the gateway to some of the longest and quietest treks, with excellent acclimatization and stunning vistas.
The communities around the Londorosi area are home to the Chagga and Maasai people. This region is known for its peaceful farming villages, where locals cultivate bananas, maize, avocados, and beans, along with coffee grown on the nutrient-rich volcanic soil. On the way to the gate, you’ll pass green rolling hills and traditional homes surrounded by banana groves and grazing cattle – a reflection of rural Tanzanian life at its most authentic.
The Londorosi Route begins in the Montane Rainforest, a lush, humid zone filled with life. Here, trekkers often spot black and white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, and a variety of birds, including hornbills, sunbirds, and turacos. Small forest animals and colorful butterflies add to the vibrant ecosystem. As you ascend, the scenery shifts to heather-covered moorland, then to alpine desert, and finally to the icy summit zone of Kilimanjaro.
Although Londorosi shares the same entry point with Lemosho, it remains far less trafficked because fewer companies and climbers choose this more demanding route. If you’re seeking solitude, serenity, and a more personal connection with the mountain, this path offers exactly that. It’s ideal for photographers, nature lovers, and trekkers who value the journey as much as the destination. The Londorosi Route is not just remote –
it's also physically demanding due to:
Longer distances
Steeper sections in the early days
Colder nights at higher elevations
Technical terrain in some places, depending on the route variation
This route requires excellent physical condition and mental stamina, especially if paired with the longer Northern Circuit, which adds more days and altitude fluctuation.
Choose Londorosi if:
You are looking for a less crowded trail
You want to experience raw nature and wildlife
You have a good level of fitness and enjoy a serious challenge
You want to increase your chances of summit success with great acclimatization
To view the full itinerary for the Londorosi Route
Please click the link below.