Guidance
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance isn’t optional for our treks - it’s required. Not because we’re expecting something to go wrong, but because when something does, a helicopter evacuation from 4,000m can cost tens of thousands of dollars without proper coverage.
Why We Require It
Remote mountain terrain means the nearest hospital can be days away on foot. Helicopter evacuation is often the only realistic option in a medical emergency, and it is expensive - routinely $3,000 to $10,000+ USD depending on altitude and distance, payable in some cases before the helicopter will even take off without confirmed insurance coverage.
What Your Policy Must Cover
- Emergency helicopter evacuation, specifically at your trek's maximum altitude
- Coverage up to at least 6,000m if trekking above 5,000m (many standard policies cap at 4,500m)
- Emergency medical treatment abroad, including hospitalization
- Trip cancellation and interruption coverage
- Repatriation coverage in the event of serious illness or injury
Common Coverage Gaps to Check For
- Many standard travel policies cap altitude coverage at 3,000–4,500m - well below Everest Base Camp (5,364m) or Thorong La (5,416m)
- Adventure or 'hazardous activity' exclusions sometimes apply to trekking by default - check the fine print
- Some policies require pre-authorization for helicopter evacuation, which can cause delays if not arranged in advance
- Credit card travel insurance is rarely sufficient for high-altitude trekking coverage
How Evacuation Works, If Needed
If your guide determines evacuation is necessary, we contact your insurance provider directly using the emergency number on your policy to confirm coverage, then coordinate with local helicopter operators. Having your policy details, including emergency contact numbers, saved offline (not just on your phone, which may lack signal) speeds this process significantly.
Need Help Finding a Policy?
We’re happy to point you toward insurance providers commonly used by trekkers on our routes, based on what we’ve seen work smoothly in real evacuation situations - just ask when you book.
Ask us about insurance providers →