Nepal Trekking Insurance 2026: What You Need, Costs, and Why It Is Mandatory

Nepal Trekking Insurance 2026: What You Need, What It Costs, and Why It Is Mandatory

By Shreejan Simkhada, CEO of The Everest Holiday

Travel insurance is not optional in Nepal. It is mandatory. We check every client's policy before departure, and if it does not meet our requirements, we do not start the trek. This is not bureaucracy — it is the difference between a $100 insurance premium and a $5,000 helicopter bill.

What Your Insurance MUST Cover

• Helicopter emergency evacuation up to 6,000m altitude — this is the most critical requirement. Standard travel insurance often excludes helicopter evacuation or limits altitude to 3,000-4,000m. You need specific high-altitude trekking cover
• Medical treatment at altitude — including altitude sickness (AMS, HACE, HAPE)
• Trip cancellation and interruption — in case you cannot trek due to illness, weather, or personal emergency
• Coverage for the specific altitude of your trek — EBC requires cover to 5,545m (Kala Patthar), Annapurna Circuit to 5,416m (Thorong La), etc.

What It Costs

Recommended Providers

Based on feedback from our trekkers over the years:

• World Nomads — most popular with our trekkers. Good high-altitude coverage. Easy online claims
• Global Rescue — premium evacuation service. Used by expedition teams
• IMG (International Medical Group) — reliable, good altitude coverage
• Allianz Travel — comprehensive coverage, good for European trekkers
• BMC (British Mountaineering Council) — excellent for UK trekkers, specifically designed for mountain activities

Warning: Standard travel insurance from your credit card or basic online provider almost certainly does NOT cover helicopter evacuation at 5,000m+. Always check the altitude limit and evacuation clause specifically.

What Happens Without Insurance

A helicopter evacuation from Everest Base Camp to Kathmandu costs $3,000-5,000. From Gorak Shep or Kala Patthar, it can be $4,000-6,000. If you need treatment at a Kathmandu hospital, add $1,000-3,000.

Without insurance, you pay this yourself. In cash. Before treatment begins.

One trekker from New Zealand told us: "My friend got HAPE at Lobuche. Helicopter arrived within 2 hours — she was in a Kathmandu hospital by afternoon. Her insurance paid everything. The trekker in the next bed had no insurance. He was negotiating with his family to wire $5,000 while struggling to breathe."

How Our Guides Handle Emergencies

1. Guide assesses symptoms using pulse oximeter and Lake Louise Score
2. If serious: immediate descent to lower altitude (this alone often resolves symptoms)
3. If very serious: guide contacts our Kathmandu office who coordinates helicopter evacuation
4. Helicopter arrives within 1-3 hours depending on weather and location
5. Patient evacuated to Kathmandu hospital
6. Insurance claim filed with our assistance

We carry emergency medication (dexamethasone, nifedipine) in our first aid kits. We have coordinated dozens of evacuations over the years. The system works — but only with insurance.

Before You Buy — Checklist

Call your insurance provider and confirm these specific points:

• Does the policy cover trekking above 5,000m? (For EBC, need 5,545m+)
• Does it cover helicopter emergency evacuation?
• Does it cover altitude sickness specifically (AMS, HACE, HAPE)?
• Is there a per-incident limit for evacuation? (Should be at least $10,000)
• Does it cover trip cancellation due to illness or natural disaster?
• What is the claims process? (Online is easiest)

Send us a copy of your policy before your trek. We review it and flag any gaps.

All treks with The Everest Holiday require valid insurance. We help you check your policy meets requirements.

Chat with Shreejan on WhatsApp: +977 9810351300
Browse our treks: www.theeverestholiday.com

Trek With a Purpose.