The True Traveller used to arrange numerous treks to Kilimanjaro when we were a travel company, and the Rongai Route used to be the most popular one as it’s the easiest of treks and you stay overnight in huts instead of camping.
Without doubt, Kilimanjaro is one of the most challenging climbs, which as "Kili" is the highest mountain in Africa at 5,895 metres, it’s no real surprise. Training for such a trek is essential, as is proper Travel Insurance. The vast majority of travel insurances won’t allow trekking over 4,000 metres, but with our insurance, if you take out the "Extreme Pack" when you apply for your insurance, you are covered for trekking Kilimanjaro, so you can reach Uhuru Peak in total confidence you have the right cover, and at the right price!
There is now a commercial high-altitude helicopter based at Moshi Airport, close to Kilimanjaro, run by an organisation called Kili MedAir, so in the event of a serious injury requiring immediate evacuation, this will most likely be your way off the mountain. Do note for mild AMS, you will normally be escorted down the mountain by your guides as it wouldn’t be appropriate to use a helicopter for such an event.
The True Traveller was originally a travel company, not an insurance company, and although we believe we’ve designed the best value insurance we possibly can, we understand that the price of insurance does put people off taking it out to start with. Our maxim is, if you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel.