Travel Insurance

Why travel insurance is mandatory

Trekking and climbing in the Himalaya take you far from roads and hospitals. If you are injured, fall ill or develop altitude sickness, the fastest way to reach medical care is often by helicopter, and in some areas it is the only way. Rescue and hospital treatment can be very expensive, and helicopter operators usually need confirmation of insurance before they fly. For your safety, we only take travellers who hold valid travel insurance for the whole of their trip.

What your policy must cover

• Emergency helicopter rescue and evacuation up to the maximum altitude of your trip. Check the altitude limit in the policy wording and make sure it is higher than the highest point on your itinerary.
• Medical treatment and hospital costs, including repatriation to your home country if needed.
• Trekking at altitude: many standard travel policies exclude trekking above a certain height, so make sure yours covers the full altitude of your route.
• Mountaineering cover for climbs: if you are joining a trekking peak or expedition, your policy must cover mountaineering, including the use of ropes, ice axes and crampons, up to the summit altitude.

Strongly recommended cover

• Trip cancellation and curtailment, in case you have to cancel before departure or leave your trip early.
• Lost, stolen or delayed baggage and personal belongings.
• Travel delays, for example when mountain flights are delayed by bad weather.

What to send us

Please send us your insurance details before you arrive in Nepal using our Submit Insurance Detail form. We will need:

• the name of your insurance company;
• your policy number;
• your insurer’s emergency assistance phone number;
• the dates of cover and the maximum altitude covered.

Please also carry a copy of your policy on your trip and share the details with your family or emergency contact at home. We only use your insurance details to arrange help in an emergency.

Tips for choosing a policy

• Read the full policy wording, not just the summary, and check the altitude limit and any exclusions for trekking or mountaineering.
• Buy your insurance as soon as you book, so that your cancellation cover starts straight away.
• Make sure the policy covers your whole journey, from leaving home until you return, including any extra days in Kathmandu or elsewhere.
• Declare any existing medical conditions to your insurer, otherwise your cover may not be valid.
• If your trip includes Tibet, Bhutan, India or Pakistan, check that every country on your itinerary is covered.
• If you are unsure whether a policy is suitable, ask us and we will tell you what we look for, although the final choice of insurer is yours.

For full details, see our Trip Terms and Conditions, or contact us with any questions.