Ain't no mountain high enough

Since celebrities Cheryl Cole, Chris Moyles and others climbed Kilimanjaro for Comic Relief, thousands of us have been planning to follow in their footsteps.

Online ethical travel agency responsibletravel.com claims that enquires about its Kilimanjaro package have risen a thousand-fold since the Red Nose climb was broadcast on TV. The website offers several routes to the summit.

Though, at almost 6,000 metres Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa, the climb does not require any mountaineering expertise and can be tackled by any fit and healthy individual.

However, illness and injury amongst climbers are commonplace and of the 40,000 visitors who try to reach the summit of Kili every year, no more than 50% reach the top. Up to 75% of climbers turn back due altitude sickness or injuries.

Holidaymakers planning a climb or any other sort of hazardous activity during their trip should check they are covered by their travel insurance. While some sports are automatically covered by standard insurance policies, others are not.

Travel insurance for hazardous activities, such as hikes of 2,000 to 6,000 metres altitude, is available as an optional extra with insurewithease.com on payment of an additional premium. Premiums increase according to the perceived risk.

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