Trekking, hiking, and mountain climbing can be one of the most exhilarating activities for nature lovers. Climbing to new heights, taking in the mountains that tower above us, and feeling a sense of peace and freedom as we trek into the unknown. However, it is important to know what trekking insurance is, to make sure you are protected from any risks associated with it. If you already know the basics, then read on, and find out about the 5 best trekking insurance options to protect yourself in case of an emergency.
In this article, we are going to provide information on the five best trekking and travel insurance and review the best policy providers for trekking, climbing, and mountaineering insurance!
Quick Answer: Best Trekking Insurance
Editors Choice
World Nomads Insurance
- Coverage for Trekkers
- Coverage until 22,965 feet (7,000 meters)
- Up to $500,000 in coverage
2nd Best Choice
Travelex Trekking Insurance
- Coverage for Trekkers
- Coverage until 20,000 feet (6,000 meters)
- Up to $1 million in coverage
3rd Best Choice
WorldTrips’ Insurance
- Coverage for Trekkers
- Coverage until 15,000 feet (4,500 meters)
- Up to $1 million in coverage
| Insurance provider | Insurance Type | Elevation Coverage | Amount of Coverage | Best Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #4 Global Rescue Insurance: | Trekking | High-Altitude Helicopter Evacuation Package: Above 15,000 feet (4,600 meters) – no limitations on elevation. | Fully Covered with the High-Altitude Evacuation Package | Click For Best Price |
| #5 SafetyWing | Trekking | Coverage until 15,000 feet (4,500 meters) | Up to $100,000 | Click For Best Price |
Best Trekking and Hiking Insurance Providers
The information below highlights our top five choices for trekking insurance. We must insist that you look through the policies and what they cover before you purchase any hiking insurance. Whereas, it is important that you know 100% that the insurance will cover your climbing trip and all other activities you plan on engaging in before you purchase the insurance.
Our top five choices for trekking insurance are:
1. World Nomads Trekking Insurance
As an entity, World Nomads has been recommended by well known companies in the travel industry such as Lonely Planet and National Geographic — add with the thousands of customer reviews from Trust Pilot that they have garnished over the years, it is easy to see the great reputation that World Nomads has.
They are also backed by secure, trusted, and specialist underwriters who provide travelers with great cover, 24-hour emergency assistance, and the highest levels of support and claims management!
Let’s first start with who World Nomads is. You can also read my full World Nomads Insurance Review to take a deep dive into the insurance provider.
Who are World Nomads?
Since 2002, World Nomads have been protecting, connecting and inspiring independent travelers.
They offer simple and flexible travel insurance and safety advice to help you travel.
Because they believe in giving back to the places we travel to, World Nomads also enables you to make a difference with a micro-donation when you buy a policy.
And they’ll help you plan your trip with free downloadable guides, travel tips, responsible travel insights and recommendations from their global community.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers in over 100 countries. As an affiliate, we receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using this link. We do not represent World Nomads. This is information only and not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.
7 things to know about World Nomads trekking insurance
Below are seven things that you should know about World Nomads trekking insurance while considering to purchase a policy.
1. Internationally recognized underwriters:
World Nomads is backed by a suite of specialist travel insurers that provide 24/7 emergency assistance, customer service and claims support.
2. 24/7 emergency assistance:
If you need medical assistance or emergency medical evacuation, World Nomads’ multi-lingual team is available 24/7 to connect you with medical treatment and transportation during your trip.
3. Buy and claim on the road:
Had a change of plans? You can extend your period of cover or claim online at any point in your journey. You can even buy a policy if you’re already travelling.
4. Adventure activity coverage:
Designed by travelers, for travelers, World Nomads covers over 150 adventure sports and activities so you can explore your boundaries.
5. Travel safety tips and alerts:
World Nomads provides useful and up-to-date travel insurance information and global travel safety advice to help you plan for your journey and navigate the risks.
6. Donate and make a difference:
When you buy travel insurance with World Nomads, you can make a micro-donation to a community development project to help change lives in the destinations that need it most.
7. Travel content to help inspire, educate and plan:
Plan your trip with free destination guides, develop your travel storytelling skills and learn how you can be a more responsible traveler with World Nomads as your travel companion.
Main Features:
- Coverage for Trekkers
- Standard Plan until 19,685 feet (6,000 meters)
- $500,000 in coverage
- Trip cancellation insurance
- Standard Plan until 22,965 feet (7,000 meters)
- Emergency medical evacuation
Pros and Cons of World Nomads Insurance:
The following are a list of pros and cons, things that we love and hate about the insurance policy:
Pros:
- Covers a Lot of Countries Worldwide
- High Coverage for Medical Expenses
- Flexible Prices
- Buy or Extend Anytime, Anywhere
- Perfect for adventure-loving travelers
- 24/7 customer service with online claims option
Cons:
- Limited age coverage for seniors
- Coverage can differ depending on location and nationality
- Limited COVID coverage
Some of the adventure sports and other activities that World Nomad’s trekking insurance covers include:
World Nomads’ Trekking Insurance Covers the Following Adventure Activities:
- ATVs
- Backpacking
- Ballooning
- Bungee jumping
- Cage fighting
- Caving and spelunking
- Cliff diving
- Dog sledding
- Free diving (up to 197 feet)
- Hang gliding
- Kiteboarding
- Mixed martial arts
- Mountaineering/Trekking (up to 22,965 feet)
- Paddle boarding
- Rappelling (up to 22,965 feet)
- Rock climbing
- Rugby
- Running of the bulls
- Safari tours
- Salsa dancing
- Scuba diving (up to 165 feet with a commercial instructor or guide)
- Shark cage diving
- Skateboarding
- Skiing or snowboarding by helicopter or snowcat
- Swimming with whales
- Trampolining
- Tree climbing (up to 33 feet)
- Ultimate Frisbee
- Zip line
World Nomads’ Hiking Insurance Does Not Cover the Following:
Additionally, it is important to know about what the climbing insurance does not cover. It is best to talk directly to World Nomads to understand the exclusions and limitations you may face while using this insurance. World Nomads’ insurance for trekking does not cover the following:
- Pre-existing conditions
- Non-emergency medical treatment or surgery
- Routine physical exams
- Traveling for the purpose of medical treatment
- Pregnancy or childbirth (except for complications of pregnancy)
- Participation as an athlete in professional sports
- Participation in extreme sports
- Pregnancy or childbirth costs
- Intentionally harming yourself
- Piloting or learning to pilot an aircraft
- Suicide or attempted suicide
- Cancellations due to war, civil war, acts of foreign enemies, or civil unrest
World Nomads’ Standard Plan vs. Explorer Plan
Below is a comparison table of World Nomads’ Standard plan and Explorer plan and how much coverage travelers can get.
| Coverage type | Standard plan coverage amount | Explorer plan coverage amount |
|---|---|---|
| Trip cancellation | $2,500 | $10,000 |
| Trip interruption | $2,500 | $10,000 |
| Trip delay | $500 (after a six-hour delay; $250 limit per day) | $1,500 (after a six-hour delay; $250 limit per day) |
| Emergency medical insurance | $100,000 | $100,000 |
| Emergency evacuation | $300,000 | $500,000 |
| Non-medical emergency transportation | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Accidental death and dismemberment | $5,000 | $10,000 |
| Repatriation of remains | $300,000 | $500,000 |
| Baggage delay | $750 (after a 12-hour delay; $150 limit per day) | $750 (after a 12-hour delay; $150 limit per day) |
| Baggage/personal effects | $1,000 ($500 per article limit; $500 combined article limit) | $3,000 ($1,500 per article limit; $500 combined article limit) |
| Rental car damage | N/A | $35,000 |
The amount that you will have to pay for your trekking and mountaineering insurance varies depending on your trekking destination, age, country of residence, overall trip cost as well as other factors.
2. Travelex Trekking Insurance:
Our second choice of mountaineering insurance is Travelex insurance. It is a great budget-friendly travel insurance provider that offers affordable rates and coverage for families. Moreover, they offer plan extensions that will allow you to be insured while trekking at high elevations. They provide coverage on individual bases and will allow you to get trekking insurance up to 20,000 feet (6,000 meters) above sea level. This makes it great for climbers looking to hike up to Everest Base Camp trek in Nepal or other places around the world like the Alps, the Andes or Kilimanjaro!
Another great aspect that we like about the Travelex’s service, is that they have an app that you can download which will provide important information about the country you are traveling to. It will help keep you safe by providing real-time security alerts, information about food and water safety, as well as ATM locations!
If you are looking for a budget travel insurance plan that will cover the adventure sports aspect of your vacation, Travelex climbing insurance will be a great fit for you! You can get a free quote from hen Travelex climbing insurance. You can also read our full Travelex Insurance review, to learn more about how they are one of the best trekking insurance providers!
Main Features:
- Coverage for Trekkers
- Coverage up to 20,000 feet (6,000 meters) above sea level
- Up to $1 million in coverage
- Free coverage for children under 17
- Can apply for pre-existing medical condition waivers
- Travel delay coverage of $2,000
Pros and Cons of Travelex Trekking Insurance:
The following are a list of pros and cons, things that we love and hate about the insurance policy:
Pros:
- The travel insurance will include free coverage for children under the age of 17 if they are with an adult that is covered by the insurance policy
- Offers an adventure sports upgrade, including for high elevation trekking
- You can upgrade the plan to get a “cancel for any reason”
- Medical expense coverage is primary, compared to some competitors’ secondary coverage.
- Provides great travel delay coverage. Providing USD $2,000 per person after an initial five-hour delay.
Cons:
- “Cancel for any reason” coverage provides 50% reimbursement of the non-refundable deposits – which is lower than most travel insurance providers, who usually provide 75%
- The emergency medical expense coverage for the Travel Select plan is $50,000, compared to higher levels from top competitors.
- Baggage delay benefits only apply after an initial 12-hour wait – longer than most companies
Some of the adventure sports and other activities that Travelex’s trekking insurance covers include:
Travelex’s Trekking Insurance Covers the Following Adventure Activities:
- Trip cancellation insurance
- Travel medical insurance
- Emergency medical evacuation
- Travel delay insurance
- Travel interruption insurance
- Baggage and personal effects
- Car rental collision coverage of $35,000 (upgradable)
- Flight accident or death (upgradable)
- Medical expenses and emergency evacuation (upgradable).
- Coverage for adventure sports activities (upgradable)
Travelex’s Trekking Insurance Does Not Cover the Following:
Additionally, it is important to know about what their climbing insurance does not cover. It is best to talk directly to Travelex to understand the exclusions and limitations you may face while using this insurance. Travelex’s insurance for trekking does not cover the following:
- Intentionally self-inflicted injury
- Normal pregnancy or childbirth
- Mental, nervous or psychological disorders
- Experimental medical treatments
- Injuries due to intoxication or drug abuse
- Routine physical examinations
Travelex Trekking insurance Pricing:
The amount that you will have to pay for your trekking and mountaineering insurance varies depending on your trekking destination, age, country of residence, overall trip cost as well as other factors.
Here are a few examples of trips and costs associated with them, so you can get an idea of what you may have to pay for your trekking insurance with a Travelex Select Plan:
| Package Example | Cost |
| Two travelers age 30, $5,000 trip cost, traveling to Turks and Caicos | USD $210 |
| Two travelers age 40, $5,000 trip cost, traveling to Mexico | USD $316 |
| Two travelers age 65, $7,000 trip cost, traveling to Greece | USD $566 |
3. WorldTrips’ Trekking Insurance:
For our third choice, we suggest WorldTrips travel insurance plan, as it is a flexible plan that allows travelers to pick and choose which add-on coverage they need. WorldTrips, flexible plans include coverage for pets, adventure sports like high altitude climbing and hiking, destination weddings, and even hunting and fishing equipment.
For travelers looking to take part in various adventure activities, WorldTrips high altitude travel insurance is going to be best for you. However, the elevation coverage is less than the other two plans mentioned above. Whereas, WorldTrips’ only provides trekking travel insurance under 15,000 feet (4,500 meters) above sea level.
Therefore, if you plan on hiking to extreme elevations, you will have to choose a different trekking insurance provider. If the elevation issue is not a problem for your vacation, then WorldTrips is a great hiking travel insurance provider because of the options and upgrades it gives travelers.
Main Features:
- Coverage for Trekkers
- Coverage up to 15,000 feet (4,500 meters) above sea level
- Up to $150,000 in coverage
- Upgrade to “cancel for any reason”
- Flexible plans – travelers can pick and choose coverages
- Travel delay coverage of $2,000
Pros and Cons of WorldTrips Hiking Insurance:
The following are a list of pros and cons, things that we love and hate about the insurance policy:
Pros:
- You can get a “cancel for any reason” upgrade
- You can add an upgrade to your policy to get “interruption for any reason” coverage
- Includes excellent missed connection coverage of $2,000 per person after a three-hour delay.
- Provides travel delay benefits of $2,000 per person.
- WorldTrips offers coverage for travel inconveniences
Cons:
- The elevation coverage they offer, up to 15,000 feet (4,500 meters) above sea level, is significantly lower than other trekking insurance providers.
- Emergency medical expense coverage of $150,000 is quite low when compared to other policy providers
- You have to wait 12 hours to get baggage delay benefits
Some of the adventure sports and other activities that WorldTrips’ hiking insurance covers include:
WorldTrips’ Trekking Insurance Covers the Following Adventure Activities:
- Indoor and outdoor rock climbing
- Mountain biking
- Mountaineering (at elevations under 4,500 meters)
- Rappelling
- Rock scrambling
- Snowboarding (recreational downhill and/or cross country)
- Snow skiing (recreational downhill and/or cross country)
- Zip lining
- Zip trekking
- Bodyboarding
- Scuba diving
- Surfing
- Wakeboarding
WorldTrips’ Trekking Insurance Does Not Cover the Following:
Additionally, it is important to know about what the climbing insurance does not cover. It is best to talk directly to WorldTrips to understand the exclusions and limitations you may face while using their trekking insurance plan. WorldTrips’ insurance for trekking does not cover the following:
- Mental, nervous or psychological disorders (unless hospitalized for more than 72 hours)
- Intoxication
- Participating in organized or contact sports
- Traveling against the advice of a physician
- Elective treatment and procedures
- Medical tourism
- Self-inflicted injury
WorldTrips’ Trekking insurance Pricing:
WorldTrips’ pricing for trekking insurance is broken down by age, and is charged per day. Moreover, depending on the plan you choose, and the amount of medical maximum you are looking for, will also change the overall policy price.
The table below shows the breakdown of costs for traveling outside of the United States. The table is pulled directly from WorldTrips website
| Medical Maximum → | ||||||
| Age ↓ | $50,000 | $100,000 | $250,000 | $500,000 | $1 Million | $2 Million |
| 14 days-29 years | 0.81 | 0.97 | 1.22 | 1.34 | 1.46 | 1.52 |
| 30-39 | 1.02 | 1.27 | 1.52 | 1.64 | 1.85 | 1.91 |
| 40-49 | 1.68 | 1.87 | 2.20 | 2.36 | 2.60 | 2.69 |
| 50-59 | 2.94 | 3.03 | 3.51 | 3.74 | 4.13 | 4.25 |
| 60-64 | 3.64 | 3.60 | 4.24 | 4.54 | 4.96 | 5.11 |
| 65-69 | 4.13 | 4.55 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 70-79 | 6.72 | 7.40 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 80+* | 12.31 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
4. Global Rescue Insurance:
Global Rescue Trekking Insurance is a well-known provider of rescue memberships in high-altitude and trekking circles. This plan is highly recommended by many of Nepal’s travel and expedition companies.
The most significant advantage for trekkers with Global Rescue’s rescue and evacuation insurance is no elevation limit. Meaning that this policy covers you even when you decide to go to the summit of Everest!
You can get a membership on long term or even short-term basis (7, 14, or 30 days), making the plan extremely flexible and affordable! However, it is important to note that the Global Rescue membership is different than a traditional travel insurance plan. Their altitude travel insurance does not cover travel cancellations, delays, baggage, or medical and dental expenses.
They do offer add-on travel insurance policy with IMG (IMG Signature Travel Insurance), which provides coverage for all these items in addition to your high-altitude and rescue/evacuation coverage.
Make sure to check out my Global Rescue Insurance review blog, it will go into depth about what the medical Helicopter evacuation coverage offers!
Main Features:
- Coverage for Trekkers
- No limitation on altitude for coverage
- Emergency medical coverage — up to $100,000
- Trip cancellation — up to $100,000
- Lost luggage/baggage delay — up to $2,500
- Up to 150% of trip cost insured for trip interruption
Pros and Cons of WorldTrips Hiking Travel Insurance:
The following are a list of pros and cons, things that we love and hate about the hiking insurance policy:
Pros:
- Secure the value of your entire trip
- Industry’s most complete travel insurance products
- Field Rescue services from the point of injury or illness
- Face-to-face video consultations and advice about your diagnosis
- Prescriptions, lab work, diagnostic imaging
- Help determining the best possible treatment options
Cons:
- Can be expensive depending on the trekkers usage of the plan
- Have to buy annual membership
- Emergency medical expense coverage of $100,000 is quite low when compared to other altitude insurance policies
Global Rescue Trekking Insurance Membership Covers the Following:
- Worldwide Field Rescue: teams on standby to rescue members in dangerous or remote locations.
- Medical Evacuation: teams capable of transporting members back to their home country hospitals from anywhere in the world.
- Medical & Security Advisory: on-call paramedics, nurses, and military special operations veterans to provide virtual medical assistance and security advice in emergencies.
- Other Travel Assistance Services: include visa and passport support, hospital referrals when needed, translation services, and even logistics management.
Global Rescue Insurance Policy Pricing
Below are the prices you can expect to pay depending on the length of your trekking trip:
| GLOBAL RESCUE MEMBERSHIPS* | INDIVIDUAL MEDICAL ONLY | FAMILY MEDICAL ONLY | INDIVIDUAL MEDICAL & SECURITY | FAMILY MEDICAL & SECURITY |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 Day Membership | $139 | $229 | $260 | $445 |
| 14 Day Membership | $179 | $329 | $350 | $655 |
| 30 Day Membership | $259 | $429 | $515 | $855 |
| Annual (up to 45 days per trip) | $359 | $639 | $720 | $1,270 |
*Additional memberships are available. For members adventuring to higher altitudes, the High-Altitude Evacuation Package provides medical transport services to members who travel above 15,000 feet or 4,600 meters at any point during their trip (excluding airplane travel) and who require emergency transport due to injury or illness.
5. SafetyWing
SafetyWing is a well-known travel insurance provider that offers policies designed specifically for digital nomads and long-term travelers. While they offer coverage for some adventure activities like hiking, trekking, and mountaineering, it is important to carefully review their policy to ensure that it covers the specific activities you plan to undertake.
Unfortunately, they will not cover you while trekking above 4,500 meters. This is still pretty high, and depending on the elevation of your trek, it might be just enough for you to get by with!
Their policies generally provide medical coverage, emergency medical evacuation, trip interruption, and travel delay coverage. However, they may not offer as comprehensive adventure activity coverage as other travel insurance providers. It’s essential to carefully read the policy’s terms and conditions, including any exclusions or limitations.
Ultimately, whether or not SafetyWing is a good insurance provider for trekking depends on your individual needs and the level of coverage you require. If you plan to undertake high-risk activities or travel to remote areas, you may want to consider a policy from a provider specializing in adventure travel insurance.
You can read my entire SafetyWing Insurance review for more information about if their travel and trekking insurance are right for you!
Main Features:
- Coverage for Trekkers
- Coverage up to 15,000 feet (4,500 meters) above sea level
- Up to $250,000 for intense care unit
- Up to $5,000 for trip interruption
- Up to $100 a day for Travel delay after a 12-hour delay
- Up to $100,000 for emergency medical evacuation
Pros and Cons of SafetyWing Hiking Insurance:
The following are a list of pros and cons, things that we love and hate about the insurance policy:
Pros:
- Website is easy to navigate and understand
- Can sign up while abroad and be covered immediately
- Young children included – 2 children under 10 per family (1 per adult)
- Trip interruption – Up to $5,000. No deductible
- Easiest and fastest insurance to sign up for
- Visits to home country are covered – After 90 days abroad, you’re covered for brief visits back home for up to 30 days (15 days for US residents).
Cons:
- Limitations on the adventure activities you will be covered for
- The maximum altitude trekkers are covered is relatively lower than other providers
- Maximum is lower than other providers and is cumulative amongst the family or group the trekker is traveling with
SafetyWing Insurance Covers the Following:
Here are only some of the things that are covered:
- Emergency medical treatment
- Lost luggage
- Travel delay
- Evacuation in the event of terrorism, political disruption, or medical emergencies
- Accommodation in the event of natural disasters
- Transportation of a family member from your home country to you in case you have to stay in the hospital for an extended duration
- Personal liability for losses or injuries to third-parties
SafetyWing Insurance Does Not Cover the Following:
- Trip cancellation and
- Most adventure sports
SafetyWing insurance Pricing:
Below is a breakdown of how much you can expect to pay for insurance with SafetyWing per month. Please note that the price does not include traveling in the USA.
| Age Range | Price per Month |
|---|---|
| 18-39 | $36.96 |
| 40-49 | $59.92 |
| 50-59 | $94.08 |
| 60-69 | $127.68 |
Best travel insurance for trekking up to 6000m
The best trekking insurance up to 6000 meters, are World Nomads, Travelex or Global Rescue insurance policies.
Global Rescue’s coverage does not have an altitude cap. However, World Nomads and Travelex will void your insurance if you go above 6000 meters. Here are a couple of popular trekking routes below 6000 meters that these plans will cover:
- Everest Base Camp Trek (5,364 m): This iconic trek takes you to the base camp of Mount Everest, offering breathtaking views of the Himalayas, Sherpa culture, and stunning landscapes.
- Annapurna Circuit Trek (5,416 m): Known for its diverse scenery, the Annapurna Circuit is a classic trek that takes you through lush valleys, high mountain passes, and traditional villages in the Annapurna region.
- Inca Trail (4,215 m): The Inca Trail is a historic route that leads to the magnificent ruins of Machu Picchu. This trek combines beautiful Andean landscapes, ancient Inca sites, and rich cultural experiences.
- Kilimanjaro Machame Route (5,895m): Mount Kilimanjaro’s Machame Route is a challenging trek that takes you through diverse ecosystems, including rainforests, moorlands, and alpine deserts, culminating in a summit attempt to the highest peak in Africa.
Best Trekking Insurance for Everest Base Camp in Nepal?
While there is no specific travel insurance exclusively for the Everest Base Camp trek, either of my previous three suggestions will provide coverage for this trek. The highest elevation typically reached on the trek is Kala Patthar at 5,644 meters (18,519 feet).
Key Things To Consider When Looking for High Altitude Trekking Insurance:
Having conducted extensive research on travel insurance for my own high-altitude expeditions and treks, and having personally dealt with making insurance claims during my five years of travel, my top recommendation is to thoroughly review the product disclosure statement (PDS).
Here are three things to look for when purchasing trekking insurance:
- Altitude Limits: Check for hidden altitude limit clauses and special conditions regarding the use of ropes or ice axes in trekking insurance.
- Medical Coverage: Consider if medical expenses, overseas hospitalization, and emergency care are included in the insurance policy. Non-traditional rescue memberships may not cover in-country medical treatment.
- Pre-Existing Medical Conditions: Review insurers’ requirements for pre-existing conditions, as complications from altitude-related illnesses may affect coverage for existing heart, brain, or lung issues.
FAQs: High altitude trekking travel insurance
Below are some of the most frequently asked questions when it comes to high altitude trekking travel insurance in Nepal!
The four best trekking insurance for Nepal are:
– World Nomads
– Travelex
– WorldTrips
– Global Rescue Membership
– SafetyWing
Yes and no. Travel insurance is not mandatory to visit Nepal. However trekking insurance is mandatory to get a TIMS pass and go trekking in most of the routes in the Himalayas.
Yes you can get travel insurance for Nepal. Many companies offer some form of coverage for tourists visiting Nepal. However, if you are going to engage in adventure activities like trekking, you will need a specialize insurance for high altitude treks.