Your trekking adventure can be covered, but there is an altitude limit of 6000 metres (19685 feet). That means a ‘yes’ for Mt Kilimanjaro at 5895m or 19340.5 feet (just squeezed it in), Everest Base Camp at 5364m or 17598.4 feet and no issue with Machu Picchu.
What you need to do to be covered
When you get your quote, add the type of ‘trekking’ or ‘hiking’ as an adventure option. It’s that simple! You will also need to specify the maximum altitude (above sea level) you'll hike to e.g. up to 2000 metres or up to 6000 metres, so make sure you know this before you buy the policy.
You must add all the adventures and activities you plan to try on your trip when you buy it. You won’t be able to make changes after your policy is issued.
Just be aware that it’s NOT possible to upgrade to a higher level of sport and activity cover mid-way through your policy so be sure to choose the right level of cover for all the adventures and activities you plan to try on your trip when you buy it.
Read more about how it all works and what restrictions apply to certain activities here.
What’s covered?
On both the Standard Plan and Explorer Plan, you're automatically covered to trek/hike to 2000 metres.
If you want to hike above 2000 meters up to a maximum of 6000 metres, you'll have to pay an additional premium.
Depending on the situation you find yourself in, there’s cover for:
- evacuation if it’s urgent and medically necessary (by the most appropriate means including helicopter when necessary and available);
- emergency overseas medical expenses for treatment at the hospital or local medical centre; and/or
- repatriation home if you’re seriously ill or injured and unable to continue your trip.
If something happens to you while on your trek, make sure you (or someone else) contact our 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team as soon as possible. If medically necessary and urgent, they can arrange your evacuation to the nearest, most appropriate medical facility.
If a guide or tour operator wants to arrange your evacuation, you must contact our Emergency Assistance Team first to guarantee cover. Wherever possible, do it yourself or ask a friend to do it for you. Some unscrupulous operators are saying they’ve received our go-ahead when they haven’t, and the result is that we’re paying unnecessary bills, and trekkers are being taken off the mountain when they didn’t need to miss out on the rest of the trip. Who wants to go all the way to Nepal and only trek for a day or two when a little rest and recuperation was all that was needed to keep going?
Please be aware your cover may be limited if our Emergency Assistance Team are not contacted.
Who pays for medical treatment depends on what’s happened to you and the necessary treatment required.
What’s not covered?
Travel insurance is not designed to cover everything, so take the time to read the terms, conditions, limits and exclusions in the Policy Document, particularly Sections 1 & 2 for medical and evacuation as well as the section specific exclusions and the General Exclusions, so there are no surprises if you do need to use it.
Here are a few of the things that aren’t covered:
- trekking/hiking over 6000 metres on any plan.
- search and rescue if you’re lost up there in the mountains, or at any other time.
- if you put yourself at risk by not following local advice, or if you go to a region where there is a government travel warning against travelling there.
This is only a summary of cover and does not include the full terms, conditions, limits, and exclusions of the policy. You should read your Policy Document in full, so you understand what is and isn’t covered. If you are unsure about your level of travel cover, please contact us for help.
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Before your trip, check the latest government advice for any travel alerts for your destination.