Travel Insurance For Nepal

Travel insurance in Nepal is not just recommended, it is mandatory.

As of 2025, the Nepal Tourism Board requires all foreign trekkers to carry valid insurance before entering major trekking regions like Annapurna, Everest, and so on.

However, this requirement exists for very good reasons. Nepal’s mountains are beautiful but remote. Help is far away. In fact, even medical emergencies cost thousands of dollars.

Without insurance, a single helicopter rescue can destroy your travel budget and leave you stuck in a serious situation.

Why Travel Insurance Matters in the Nepal Mountains

Trekking in Nepal exposes you to risks that do not exist in normal travel. You walk at high altitudes where oxygen levels drop.

Furthermore, the trails are steep, rocky, and sometimes unstable. The weather changes without warning. Medical facilities are hours or days away from most trekking routes. These conditions create dangers that travel insurance protects you against.

Just to give you guys some idea, helicopter evacuations from places like Everest Base Camp or the Annapurna Circuit cost between USD 2,000 to USD 7,500.

In fact, if the rescue is from Complex places at very high altitudes, the cost can well exceed USD 10,000.

Now, let’s be honest here! Most trekkers cannot afford these costs from their own pocket.

Insurance companies pay these bills directly to rescue operators, which means you get help immediately when you need it most.

The other reason why you must have travel insurance is because of Altitude sickness.

Altitude sickness affects many trekkers above 2,500 meters, regardless of how fit you are. Acute Mountain Sickness causes headaches, nausea, and extreme tiredness can sometimes be life-threatening, requiring immediate descent and often helicopter evacuation.

You cannot predict who gets altitude sickness. Even experienced mountaineers suffer from it.

Now, if you’re still confused, let me tell you about another threat of mountain physical injuries that happen frequently on Nepal’s trails. It’s well known fact that the terrain in this region features loose rocks, steep descents, narrow paths with big drops, and river crossings on shaky bridges.

However, what you might not know is that trekkers often sprain ankles, break bones, and suffer trauma in these kinds of trails. In remote areas, even a twisted ankle becomes serious because you are days away from proper medical treatment. During those times, insurance gives you the comfort to land back at your home safely.

The other important thing you need to remember weather in the Himalayas changes fast. Sudden snowstorms trap trekkers. These weather events can delay your trek by days, force emergency evacuations, or cause weather-related injuries.

Sometimes, due to the avalanches, you might have to go for emergency evacuation. During those times, insurance covers emergency situations from natural disasters, including evacuation coordination and medical treatment.

What Your Insurance Must Cover

Not all travel insurance works for Nepal trekking. Standard travel insurance typically excludes coverage above 2,500 to 4,000 meters. This makes it useless for most Nepal treks. You need specialized trekking insurance that covers specific risks and altitudes.

Medical coverage should be at least USD 100,000. This covers treatment for illnesses, injuries, altitude sickness, hospital stays, and emergency medical procedures.

Nepal’s medical facilities range from basic clinics in villages to good hospitals in Kathmandu. The insurance pays for treatment at any level you need.

Emergency evacuation is the most critical coverage. Your policy must explicitly include helicopter rescue from remote mountain areas. Some insurance companies require you to contact their emergency assistance team before arranging evacuation, or they cap coverage at minimal amounts like USD 750.

The policy should cover evacuation from any altitude you plan to reach. Minimum evacuation coverage should be USD 200,000 because helicopter rescues are very expensive.

Altitude coverage determines whether your insurance actually works on your trek. You must verify your policy covers the highest point you will reach. For Everest Base Camp at 5,364 meters, you need coverage up to at least 6,000 meters. For the Annapurna Circuit with Thorong La Pass at 5,416 meters, you need coverage up to 5,500 meters minimum. For lower treks like parts of Langtang Valley, coverage up to 4,500 meters might work. Always confirm altitude limits in writing before you buy.

Trip cancellation and interruption coverage reimburses money you lose if you must cancel before departure or end your trek early. Covered reasons include illness, injury, family emergencies, natural disasters, or political problems. Coverage typically ranges from USD 1,000 to USD 10,000, depending on your total trip cost.

Baggage coverage protects your trekking equipment if it gets lost, stolen, or damaged. This includes backpacks, sleeping bags, cameras, trekking poles, and clothing. Coverage ranges from USD 15 per kilogram to USD 1,000 or more total. Expensive cameras or electronics often need additional coverage beyond standard limits.

Adventure activities coverage is important if you plan activities beyond basic trekking. White water rafting, paragliding, and bungee jumping require specific adventure sports coverage.

Peak climbing with ropes, crampons, or ice axes needs mountaineering coverage, not just trekking insurance. Many insurance companies offer different tiers like Standard, Adventure, and Extreme Adventure with different activities included.

Weather delay coverage reimburses expenses when flights are canceled due to weather. This is extremely common on mountain routes. Coverage typically starts after 6 to 12 hours of delay and pays for accommodation, meals, and alternative transportation. Some policies pay USD 35 to USD 100 per day for weather delays.

Your insurance must include 24/7 emergency assistance. This means a phone number you can call any time for help. The assistance team coordinates with local rescue operators, arranges helicopter evacuations, guarantees payment to rescue services, and provides medical advice. This support network can save your life in remote areas where hours matter.

Cost of Insurance for 30 Days

For a 30-day trekking trip in Nepal, insurance costs between USD 100 and USD 300 for most international travelers. The exact amount depends on several factors.

Basic coverage up to 5,000 meters costs USD 100 to USD 150 on average. Comprehensive coverage up to 6,000 meters costs USD 150 to USD 250 on average. Premium coverage above 6,000 meters with extensive benefits costs USD 200 to USD 300 on average.

However, you need to consider that your age significantly affects the cost. Travelers between the ages of 18 to 49 pay standard rates.

Ages 50 to 69 pay might have to pay 20 to 40 percent more. Ages 70 to 74 face additional deductibles of USD 200 to USD 500 and premium increases of 50 to 100 percent.

Travelers over 75 have limited provider options and pay substantial premiums.

The altitude you plan to reach impacts pricing more than which region you trek. Policies covering up to 4,000 meters cost USD 50 to USD 100. Coverage up to 5,500 meters costs USD 100 to USD 200. Coverage up to 6,000 meters costs USD 150 to USD 250. Coverage above 6,000 meters costs USD 200 to USD 350 or more.

Medical coverage limits also affect price. Policies with USD 50,000 medical coverage cost less than policies with USD 100,000 or USD 250,000 coverage. Higher evacuation limits increase premiums. Unlimited evacuation coverage costs more than USD 100,000 or USD 200,000 limits.

Additional features add cost. Trip cancellation and interruption coverage adds USD 30 to USD 80. Adventure sports coverage adds USD 20 to USD 50. Cancel for Any Reason coverage, which gives maximum flexibility, adds 40 to 60 percent to your premium.

However, you need to be careful as hidden fees exist in many policies. Most policies have deductibles ranging from USD 100 to USD 500 that you pay before insurance coverage begins.

Helicopter evacuations often have separate deductibles of USD 500. Travelers over 70 face age-related surcharges that may not appear in advertised prices. Administrative fees, policy change fees, and currency conversion fees can add costs.

For adequate protection during a 30-day Nepal trek, experts recommend minimum coverage of USD 100,000 for medical expenses, USD 200,000 for emergency evacuation, USD 5,000 to USD 10,000 for trip cancellation, USD 1,000 to USD 2,000 for baggage, and 24/7 emergency assistance included. This level of coverage typically costs USD 150 to USD 250 for most international travelers under age 70.

Best International Insurance Companies

Several insurance companies specialize in Nepal trekking and have proven records of successful evacuations and claim payments.

World Nomads

World Nomads works best for adventure travelers from the USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. They cover altitudes up to 6,000 meters on both Standard and Explorer plans. Key features include comprehensive trekking and hiking coverage, emergency evacuation and helicopter rescue, trip cancellation and lost baggage protection, 24/7 assistance, and an easy online claims process.

You can purchase while already traveling. Medical coverage goes up to USD 500,000. The cost is mid to high range, depending on your age and trip length. World Nomads has an excellent reputation in the adventure travel community and covers a wide range of adventure activities. However, you must contact their emergency assistance before helicopter evacuation or coverage gets capped at a minimal amount.

SafetyWing

SafetyWing suits digital nomads and long-term travelers. They cover altitudes up to 4,500 meters, which is not enough for Everest Base Camp or high passes, but works for lower treks. Pricing starts around USD 42, making it the most budget-friendly option.

You can purchase while abroad, and coverage begins immediately. They include emergency evacuation up to USD 100,000 and cover basic trekking and hiking. The coverage works for families because it includes two children under 10 per family.

However, the lower altitude limit makes it inadequate for popular high altitude treks. It does not cover trip cancellation and has limited adventure sports coverage compared to competitors.

IMG (International Medical Group)

IMG (International Medical Group) provides comprehensive medical coverage and works well when paired with specialized evacuation services. They cover altitudes up to 5,500 meters. Their strength is excellent medical coverage quality and reliable claims processing. They suit USA, Canada, and Europe residents seeking strong health insurance components.

True Traveller

True Traveller works best for UK and European travelers. They offer unlimited altitude coverage with their Extreme Adventure Pack. Their Adventure Pack covers up to 4,600 meters, and the Extreme Adventure Pack covers any altitude above that.

They include helicopter and air ambulance on medical grounds and provide specialist trekking and mountaineering coverage. They cover Thorong La Pass, Everest Base Camp, and all Nepal routes. Average helicopter rescue coverage is around USD 6,000. They are specifically designed for high altitude trekking with excellent UK-based customer service.

Global Rescue

Global Rescue leads in emergency evacuation services. They cover worldwide travel at all altitudes. Key features include premier evacuation and medical advisory service, staff of first responders and military special operations veterans, evacuation from point of injury to home hospital of your choice, and extensive Nepal experience with hundreds of Everest region evacuations since 2004. They require a High Altitude Evacuation Package for travel above 4,600 meters. The cost is higher than standard insurance. Their strength is industry leadership in medical evacuation and unmatched expertise in remote rescues. Many travelers pair Global Rescue with other insurance for comprehensive coverage because Global Rescue primarily focuses on evacuation rather than trip insurance.

Allianz Travel Insurance provides comprehensive coverage options with altitude coverage up to 6,000 meters, depending on the plan. They are a well-established company with global presence, offering medical coverage, evacuation services, and 24/7 assistance. They suit travelers from Germany, Switzerland, the USA, and Australia seeking an established large company.

Pre-Purchase Checklist

Before you buy trekking insurance, verify these critical points to ensure your policy actually protects you.

Confirm maximum altitude coverage matches or exceeds your trek’s highest point

For Everest Base Camp, you need a minimum of 6,000 meters of coverage. For Thorong La Pass, you need a minimum of 5,500 meters. For high passes and peaks, you need 6,000 meters or higher coverage. Get altitude confirmation in writing because this is the most common exclusion that invalidates claims.

Verify that helicopter evacuation is explicitly included from remote trekking areas in Nepal

Confirm the evacuation coverage amount is at least USD 200,000. Check whether you must contact emergency assistance before arranging evacuation, or coverage will be capped. Understand that many policies have separate USD 500 deductibles for helicopter rescue.

Verify medical expense coverage is at least USD 100,000

Check that altitude sickness conditions, including Acute Mountain Sickness, High Altitude Pulmonary Edema, and High Altitude Cerebral Edema, are specifically covered. Confirm coverage for medical treatment in Nepal, including hospital stays in Kathmandu.

Research the insurance provider’s reputation through reviews from actual trekkers who filed claims

Companies with proven track records of successful evacuations in Nepal are better than general travel insurers. Verify the provider is licensed in your country and financially stable enough to pay large claims.

Read the complete exclusions section of the policy document before purchase

Common exclusions include pre-existing conditions unless you purchase a waiver, alcohol or drug-related incidents, trekking without a licensed guide, which is now required in Nepal, trekking above the policy’s altitude limit, and acts of war or terrorism in some policies.

Disclose all pre-existing medical conditions to your insurer before purchase

Most policies exclude these unless you purchase a waiver within 10 to 14 days of your first trip payment. Get written confirmation that your specific conditions are covered.

Verify the trip cancellation coverage amount is adequate for your total prepaid costs

Review covered reasons for cancellation, such as illness, injury, family emergency, or natural disaster. Check trip interruption coverage if you must end your trek early. Understand flight delay and cancellation coverage, especially for Lukla and mountain flights.

Confirm trekking is a covered activity because many standard policies exclude it

Check whether hiking with a guide is required for coverage. Verify coverage for adventure sports you plan, like rafting or paragliding. If peak climbing is involved, you need explicit mountaineering coverage with the use of ropes, crampons, and ice axes.

Verify the 24/7 emergency assistance hotline with contact numbers for Nepal

Check whether emergency assistance is multilingual or English-speaking. Understand the emergency contact procedure and whether you must call before evacuation. Save emergency numbers in your phone and carry a written copy.

Purchase insurance as soon as you book your trek to maximize the coverage window

Buy within 10 to 14 days of your first trip payment if you need a pre-existing condition waiver or Cancel for Any Reason coverage. Purchase before entering Nepal if your policy includes trip cancellation coverage.

Get the total cost, including all fees such as deductibles, activation fees, and surcharges

Compare quotes from multiple providers for similar coverage levels. Understand what factors can increase cos,t, including age, trip length, altitude, and activities.

Read the entire policy document, not just the summary or marketing materials

Call the insurer with specific questions about your trek before purchase. Get written confirmation of critical coverage element,s including altitude, evacuation, and activities. Carry both physical and digital copies of your policy and emergency contact information while trekking.