Travel Insurance Advice

Why Insurance Matters Here

Nepal, Bhutan and Tibet involve mountains, remote regions, and altitudes that change everything about travel risk. A short list of real numbers:

• •A helicopter rescue from the Khumbu region to Kathmandu typically costs USD $3,000 to $10,000, paid up front
• •A rescue from above 5,000 metres can cost USD $6,000 to $15,000
• •Hospital treatment in Kathmandu for a serious incident, including evacuation, can exceed USD $30,000–$50,000
• •A delayed Lukla flight may force unplanned hotel and meal costs over several days
• •A family emergency at home may require you to cut a trip short and re-book a flight at peak-season prices

Without insurance, you are personally responsible for every one of these costs. With the right policy, most are covered.

What Your Policy Should Cover

At a minimum, look for these specific items on your policy before you buy:

For all travellers in Nepal, Bhutan or Tibet

• •Medical expenses overseas — at least USD $100,000
• •Emergency medical evacuation — at least USD $100,000
• •Repatriation (return to your home country)
• •Trip cancellation and interruption
• •Lost or stolen luggage and travel documents
• •Personal accident / death and disability
• •24-hour emergency assistance phone line

For trekkers (additional)

Trekking covered to the maximum altitude of your trip:

• •Annapurna Circuit / Thorong La: 5,416m
• •Everest Base Camp / Kala Patthar: 5,545m
• •Three Pass / Kongma La: 5,535m
• •Manaslu Circuit / Larke La: 5,160m
• •Upper Mustang: 3,840m
• •Langtang Valley: 4,984m

• •Helicopter evacuation explicitly named and covered up to your trip altitude
• •Coverage for altitude sickness (AMS, HACE, HAPE) and altitude-related illness
• •Search and rescue costs

For mountaineering expeditions (additional)

• •Coverage specifically for "mountaineering" or "alpine climbing" — not just trekking — up to your peak's altitude
• •Coverage for use of ropes, fixed lines, and technical equipment
• •Coverage at altitudes above 6,000m where required (most policies cap at 6,000m — be specific with your insurer)

Read the Fine Print

This is the most important step. Standard travel insurance often excludes altitude above 3,000m or 4,000m unless you add a specific trekking endorsement. Some policies use the word "trekking" loosely — confirm in writing what is covered. Specifically check:

• •The exact altitude limit on the policy
• •Whether helicopter evacuation is included or treated as separate
• •Whether your trip's region is covered (some policies exclude restricted areas)
• •The excess (deductible) on rescue claims — some have a fixed deduction even for valid claims
• •Pre-existing condition exclusions

If anything is unclear, call your insurer and ask. Save their answer in writing if you can.

Insurance Providers Commonly Used by Trekkers in Nepal

These are providers our travellers commonly mention. We do not endorse or have any commercial relationship with any of them — please research each one for yourself:

• •World Nomads — widely used by international trekkers; multiple altitude tiers available
• •Global Rescue — rescue and evacuation membership; pair with a separate medical/cancellation policy
• •IMG Global — US-based; offers high-altitude add-ons
• •True Traveller — UK/EEA-based; specific Nepal endorsement and altitude packs
• •Allianz — global; check altitude limits carefully
• •InsureandGo / AdventureSports Cover — UK adventure-focused

Many travellers also use insurance offered through their national travel association, university, or credit card — these often have lower altitude limits, so check before assuming you are covered.

Before You Travel

Before you leave home:

• •Buy your policy before departure (you cannot usually buy or upgrade it once you are in Nepal)
• •Save the policy document and your insurer's 24-hour emergency contact number to your phone
• •Print a copy and leave one with your guide and one with us
• •Share the policy details with us when you confirm your booking — this helps us coordinate rapidly if you need a helicopter

On the Trip

If something happens on the trip:

1. 1.Tell your guide immediately
2. 2.We will help arrange the right evacuation and medical care
3. 3.Contact your insurer's 24-hour line as soon as it is safe to do so
4. 4.Keep all receipts, medical reports, and police reports — your insurer will need them

Our Role

We are not insurance agents. We do not sell insurance. We strongly recommend it, we will help coordinate emergencies on the ground, and we will provide any documentation your insurer needs. The policy itself is between you and your insurer.

Contact

If you have any questions about insurance in relation to your specific trip:

• •Email: info@templefronttours.com
• •WhatsApp: +977 9851007885