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Trekking Kilimanjaro Travel Insurance

JS Travel Insurance provides cover for Trekking Mount Kilimanjaro. This mountain is Africa's tallest free-standing mountain, 5,895 metres above sea level. We are pleased to offer a policy covering Search and Rescue in the event of an accident or injury whilst participating in Trekking Mount Kilimanjaro. To contact us by telephone or email, 0800 043 0020 / 01273…

Summary of Cover (per person)

Section & Cover	Silver	Gold	Platinum
Emergency Medical and Repatriation*	£5,000,000	£5,000,000	£5,000,000
Search and Rescue*	£25,000	£50,000	£50,000
Cancellation or Curtailment*	-	£3,000	£7,500
Personal Baggage*	£500	£2,500	£3,500
Activity Equipment	£1,500	£1,500	£1,500
Valuables*	£250	£250	£500
Loss of Passport*	-	£300	£500
Travel Delay	-	£300	£1,000
Trip Abandonment*	-	£3,000	£7,500
Missed Departure / Connection	-	£500	£500
Legal Expenses*	-	£25,000	£50,000

*Excess payable does vary depending on the claim benefit.

Please read the Policy Wording for the complete list of Benefits.

Healix Insurance Services Ltd, on behalf of Hamilton Insurance DAC, arranges this Travel Insurance policy for Jade Stanley Ltd. Healix Insurance Ltd is registered in England and Wales under No. 5484190 and authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority under No. 437248. Hamilton Insurance DAC is registered in Ireland No. 484148, authorized by the Central Bank of Ireland, and subject to limited regulation by the Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority in connection with their UK branch. Jade Stanley Ltd is registered in England and Wales under No. 03570857 and authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority under No. 306205.

Search and Rescue

We can provide Search and Rescue whilst taking part in Trekking Kilimanjaro.

A Local Rescue Organisation will search and transfer you to a local hospital, or we will repatriate you back to your home country if the medical facilities are not up to our standards.

This includes Helicopter Evacuation if it is a Medical Emergency.

Search and Rescue costs are covered for a period not exceeding 72 hours from when assistance is first summoned.

We recommend that you provide a copy of your Travel Insurance Certificate and the 24-hour Emergency Assistance Telephone Number to a member of your Group or Guide.

The Emergency Assistance Company will then arrange the Search and Rescue on your behalf.

Oxygen is available at most of the camps, and most decent Guiding companies have a Doctor and Nurse with them,

Trekking Travel Insurance FAQs

1. How high can I trek with this Travel Insurance policy in Kilimanjaro?

JS Travel insurance policies will cover you to trek up to 6,000 meters. Kilimanjaro comprises three volcanic cones called Kibo, Mawenzi, and Shira.

Kili stands at 5,895 meters and takes an average of 5 to 9 days to trek to the top; this will depend on one of your six routes and how fit you are.

2. What happens if I need to Search and Rescue?

You can be rescued due to serious injury, altitude sickness, or illness. You should telephone the 24-hour Emergency Assistance Service.

If you cannot contact them, you should give copies of your Travel Insurance Certificate and the Emergency Assistance Number to your trekking group so they can call on your behalf.

JS Blog on Mountain Search and Rescue

3. Is my Trekking Equipment covered?

It is covered under Activity Equipment whilst it is in transit and whilst being stored.

Let us know how much your Equipment is currently worth (including deprecation value) so that we can select a level of cover that has a suitable level cover. Sports Equipment Owned is covered to £1,500.

4. If I am injured or taken ill and must be brought home to get the treatment, am I covered by the Travel Insurance policy?

Yes, our policies cover Repatriation back to your Home Country if the treatment locally is insufficient. The Medical Assitance Service must authorize this - your Policy documents will contain a 24-hour emergency telephone number for you to call.

5. Do I need to be guided when Trekking Mount Kilimanjaro?

When Trekking Kilimanjaro, you must always be guided; it's essential to find a reputable coaching company; see 8 of the Best Tour Companies.

6. Can I combine a Safari with trekking Kilimanjaro on my insurance?

Yes, this is very popular with our policyholders, who take advantage of where they are to go on a safari. You best do it after the Climb so you can relax. Add Safari to your activity on the quote calculator.

Arusha Park is the nearest - just 50km away. Also, it is close to Mount Meru if you fancy more climbing.

7. What happens if I book my Travel Insurance and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advises me not to travel to Tanzania?

Before booking any trip, you should always check with the FCO (Foreign and Commonwealth Office) and confirm that travel to your planned area is not restricted.

If you take out a Policy before the FCO advises it's unsafe to travel, then you are covered for cancellation if this changes before you travel. If the policy is taken out after the FCO suggests that it's not safe to travel, it will be invalid.

8. Can I drink the local water in Tanzania?

We advise you not to drink the local water without treating the water first. This may cause you to become ill and be unable to complete the Trek.

It would be best to take water purifiers with you or buy filtered water or bottled wherever possible.

9. What are the primary safety preparations I need to make?

Bring suncream: the sun at high altitudes is deceptively intense; get used to size: you don't want altitude sickness; get fit, it's a demanding climb; bring a First Aid Kit.

10. What are the trickiest parts of the Climb up Kilimanjaro?

The main one everyone mentions is the Barranco Wall; it's a steep section and is narrow at 843 feet. You don't need mountaineering equipment as it's mainly scrambling, but take it slow and be sure-footed.

The Western Breach and the Lava Tower are other challenging parts of the Climb.

Prepare Before You Go

Register your Travel Insurance

When you get to your destination, provide a copy of your Travel Insurance Policy with the Trekking Company and point out the 24-hour Emergency Medical Number.

If you request Mountain Rescue by Helicopter, the Mountain Rescue Services in Nepal will need your Travel Insurance details.

Travel Insurance companies have their preferred Operators, so ensure that you call [or have someone contact on your behalf] the 24-hour Emergency Assistance Service listed in your Policy Documents.

Get fit

Trekking up to 6,000 metres is not for the faint-hearted; it's strenuous, and the lack of oxygen after 2,500 meters makes Trekking difficult. You should always keep to your fitness levels and not go beyond your limits, especially if you are not comfortable or confident at this altitude.

Acclimatisation is important. Here's a link to a retailer that provides products to help you acclimate before leaving the United Kingdom: www.altitudecentre.com. This won't wholly simulate Trekking in Nepal at altitude, but it may help.

Trekking Gear

Pack light! One of the biggest mistakes is taking too much gear and not using half of it but being burdened with the weight of it. Here's a list of essentials:

Daypack backpack (Approx. 20 litres and designed for use with a Camelbak bladder; carry your camera, water, rain gear, sunscreen, snacks, etc.)
Hiking Boots (wear them before you go as you don't want severe blisters) and comfy slip-on shoes for the evenings.
Thick Wool Socks
Trekking Pants (waterproof), Thermal Tops (long sleeve) and Therma Bottoms, Windproof Jacket, Lightweight Rain Jacket and T-shirts
Woollen or Peaked Hat, 100 UV Protection Sunglasses, Water Purification Tablets, Sunscreen, Chapstick, Quick Dry Towel, Bungy Cord, Karabiners, Head Torch, Washing Powder, Water Bottles, First Aid Kit
Camera + extra batteries, iPod for summit nights, Kindle or books for the downtimes.

Choose a Reputable Trekking Company

If you are not organizing the Trek through a United Kingdom Operator, ensure you are with an authorized Trekking Agency with full licenses and registration from the Authorities. An agency has to have registration with the Tanzania Association of Tour Operations (TATO) to operate.

All Porters must be registered under the Kilimanjaro Porter Assistance Project (KPAP) and have a TALA license.

Make sure you register your travel insurance with the Trekking company you use.

Vaccinations

Vaccinations sometimes require several jabs across an extended period (sometimes over three months), so see your doctor as soon as possible to schedule your vaccines.

You and your Doctor can check on the NHS website for all current vaccines required in your destination.

If you are fit and healthy, you should be able to cope with most things Kilimanjaro throws.

But rather be safe than sorry. A medical check-up is essential for people with asthma or pre-existing medical conditions.

Yellow Fever - The Yellow Fever vaccination is not essential if you arrive directly in Tanzania. However, immunization is vital if you go through any country subject to Yellow Fever. You will need a Yellow Fever vaccination card.
Malaria - Tanzania is a very high-risk country; therefore, every precaution should be taken.
Hepatitis A & B
Rabies
Diphtheria / Tetanus / Polio
Typhoid

Find out more on our Tanzania Page

Visa Requirements

All British passport holders need a Tourist or Business Visa to enter Tanzania; types of entries, the validity of the Visa / Passport, and the duration of stay for this category of visa are as follows :

Single Entry Travel Visa - A validity of 3 months with effect from the date of issue and a maximum period of stay of 90 days.
Multiple Entry Travel Visa - A validity of either 12 months with effect from the date of issue and a maximum period of stay of 120 days in aggregate.

You do not need a Trekking Permit to climb Kilimanjaro, although you must trek with a registered and licensed guide.

Fees will apply when entering the Kilimanjaro National Park; for a six-day / five-night Camping Trek, you pay about £600 in fees.

Kilimanjaro Main Routes

The Marangu (Coca-Cola) Route

Known as the " Coca-Cola" route, the Marangu Route is a classic trek on Mount Kilimanjaro. It is the oldest and the most well-established Route.

Many favour the Marangu Route because it is considered the easiest mountain path, given its gradual slope.

It is also the only Route that offers sleep huts-style accommodations.

The Machame Route

Known as the " Whiskey" route, the Machame Route is now the most popular Route on the mountain.

Compared with Marangu, the days in Machame are longer, and the walks are steeper.

The Machame route is considered complex and better suited for more adventurous Trekkers.

The Rongai Route

The Rongai Route is the only Route approaching Kilimanjaro from the north, close to the Kenyan border. Rongai has low traffic.

It is the preferred route for those looking for an alternative to the crowded Marangu Route, those who would like a more remote hike, and those who are climbing during the rainy season (the north side receives less precipitation).

The Lemosho Route

The Lemosho Route is one of the newer Routes on Mount Kilimanjaro.

The Route begins in the west, and rather than simply intersecting the Shira Plateau (like Machame), Lemosho crosses it from Shira Ridge to Shira Camp. Climbers encounter low traffic until the Route joins the Machame Route.

Afterwards, Lemosho follows the same route through Lava Tower, Barranco and Barafu, known as the southern circuit.

The Shira Route

The Shira Route is another path approaching Kilimanjaro from the west, nearly identical to the Lemosho Route.

Shira was the original Route, and Lemosho was the improved variation.

While Lemosho starts at Londorossi Gate and treks through the rainforest to Shira 1 Camp, the Shira Route bypasses this walk by using a vehicle to transport climbers to Shira Gate, located near the Shira Ridge.

The Umbwe Route

The Umbwe Route is short, steep and direct. It is considered the most challenging way up Mount Kilimanjaro.

Due to the quick ascent, the Umbwe Route does not provide the necessary stages for altitude acclimatization. Although the traffic on this Route is meagre, the chances of success are also low.

Good Blog on Altitude Sickness

Pre-Existing Medical Conditions

If you have pre-existing medical conditions and are taking part in Trekking Mount Kilimanjaro whilst travelling abroad, we can provide you with cover.

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