Travel Insurance
Why it's mandatory for every Camping Trek departure, exactly what your policy needs to cover, and how to choose the right one for your route.
Why Insurance Is Mandatory
Travel insurance with emergency evacuation coverage is a firm requirement for every Camping Trek departure, regardless of route or duration. This isn't bureaucratic caution - it's the single most important piece of preparation for trekking safely at altitude.
Helicopter evacuation isn't optional at altitude
On high-altitude routes, evacuation by road often isn't possible. If HAPE, HACE, a serious injury, or another emergency requires rapid descent, a helicopter may be the only realistic option - and without insurance, that cost falls entirely on you at the moment you're least equipped to arrange payment.
Evacuation costs are substantial
A single helicopter evacuation from high-altitude regions like Everest or Annapurna can run into several thousand US dollars, billed directly and often expected to be settled quickly. Insurance is what stands between a medical emergency and a financial one.
It's a firm requirement, not a suggestion
Camping Trek requires proof of valid travel insurance with emergency evacuation coverage before departure on any trek or expedition. This is a firm requirement, not a suggestion - our guides carry the authority to request evacuation on your behalf if your condition warrants it, and that only works smoothly with insurance already in place.
You'll be asked to provide proof of valid insurance - policy number and 24-hour emergency contact - before your trek begins. We cannot allow a client onto a high-altitude route without it on file.
What Your Policy Needs to Cover
Not all travel insurance is built the same, and the cheapest option online is often missing exactly the coverage that matters most for Himalayan trekking. Check your policy against every item below before you buy.
Emergency helicopter evacuation
The single most important line item - confirm the policy explicitly covers helicopter rescue, not just ground ambulance transport.
High-altitude trekking coverage
Many standard travel policies exclude activity above a specific altitude (often 3,000m–4,000m) unless you add specialist coverage - check the exact altitude ceiling against your planned route's maximum elevation.
Medical treatment & hospitalization
Coverage for treatment costs in Nepal and, if needed, medical repatriation to your home country.
Trip cancellation & interruption
Reimburses non-refundable costs if you need to cancel before departure or cut the trip short due to illness, injury, or another covered reason.
Personal gear & baggage
Covers loss, theft, or damage to trekking gear and personal belongings - useful given how much equipment a Himalayan trip involves.
Adventure/mountaineering activity rider
Standard travel insurance frequently excludes trekking and mountaineering as "hazardous activities" by default - this needs to be specifically added for climbing-related policies, especially for expeditions.
Altitude Coverage by Route
Insurance policies almost always specify a maximum covered altitude. Going even slightly above that ceiling - even briefly, even at a pass rather than an overnight stop - can void your coverage entirely. Match your policy's altitude rating against your route's actual high point, not its average altitude.
Insurers Commonly Used by Our Clients
We don't sell or profit from any insurance policy - these are simply providers past clients have used successfully for high-altitude coverage. Always confirm current terms directly with the insurer, since policies and altitude limits change.
World Nomads
Popular with independent trekkers; offers adjustable altitude and activity add-ons, purchasable even after departure begins in some cases.
Global Rescue
Specializes in evacuation and rescue coordination specifically, often paired with a separate general travel policy for medical/trip costs.
IMG (International Medical Group)
Commonly used for expedition-grade policies covering technical mountaineering at extreme altitude.
Your home insurer's travel rider
Some domestic insurers offer high-altitude adventure riders - always confirm the specific altitude ceiling and evacuation clause directly with them.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Submitting Your Policy to Camping Trek
Once purchased, send us your policy number, provider name, and 24-hour emergency assistance contact number ahead of your trip start date. Our guides keep a copy of this information on file throughout your trek so it's ready instantly in the event of an emergency - one less thing to manage on the day it actually matters.
Questions before you buy?
If you're unsure whether a policy meets the altitude or evacuation requirements for your specific route, send us the policy details and we'll help you confirm it's suitable before you commit to it.