Annapurna Base Camp Trekking is more than a trek; it’s a magnificent hike through the world’s famous mountain ranges. Not with the Himalayas’ venerable jealousy looming over you and ancient villages everywhere. This is a journey to savour. But it’s a high-altitude journey — and one that does involve some very real danger. It is also why travel insurance is no longer a nice-to-have — it’s a must-have.
Whether you need coverage for altitude sickness to what happens if your flight is canceled, travel insurance serves as protection against the unknown, even serving as a literal life-saver. Winter on our doorsteps, many of us are starting to plan walks and treks in the Alps, Rockies or Himalayas (or to the Grand Canyon, Mount Kilimanjaro or the Tour du Mont Blanc), you’ll want to know the following handy if you want the right travel insurance — and how the right travel insurance can be the difference between misery and convalescence. PhotoCreditLin Pernille PhotographyWhy insurance matters so muchb8511_3648CreditSylvie BikGlass and metal BLRfashion “We have travel insurance, but probably it won’t help,” our guide joshed.
Annapurna Circuit Travel Insurance – Do You Need It?
Annapurna Sanctuary Trek is about 4200m of hiking, walking, and climbing, so you need to be used to the same while you try to avoid high-altitude sickness. And also, these are Remote Area Medical clinics, and so there are some complications beyond “oh just hop in a car and drive to a hospital or a health center”. And nine times out of 10, the only way to get there quickly and safely is to be airlifted — and airlifts don’t come cheap, usually running between $3,000 and $5,000 for the lift.
What To Look For In A Good Policy
You have travel insurance that you don’t take while doing high-altitude treks, such as in a country like, for example, Nepal. High altitude hikes (for example, over 5,000-6,000m, or even involving more than 3,000m) are not usually covered on a standard policy unless you take out an extra adventure cover. So, it’s critical that you ensure trekking up to or down from 4,500m is covered by your policy.
You should have helicopter air evacuations as well. The remoteness of the area is such that victims with severe altitude sickness, broken bones, or any other life-threatening health disaster as a result of the climb can be evacuated only by air. The policy needs to be on paper, whether EVACUATION of this type is excluded under the NEPAL.
Medical is a big one as well. = The only way you Fools (big F) could do that is if a pro wants to witness medical, hospital, doctors trips, prescription meds, attendants care & taking prescription meds into the come4 lot. Some also cover repatriation, or the transport back to your home country if you need to be evacuated. Without it, one large mishap or illness, and you could be stuck with an air ambulance bill, especially if it involves receiving care away from Nepal.
Finally, lost luggage/stolen gear coverage is a nice-to-have, especially if you’re going to schlep expensive gear in a kit bag. It’s so much less important than health insurance, but it’s something you might be glad you had that extra layer of protection against.
Choosing the Right Insurance Provider
There are plenty of travel cover gear buys to get, such as those from insurance firms around the globe. Those would be companies like World Nomads, SafetyWing, IMG Glob, and Allianz. Most are polices that mention trekking in Nepal, and some with a maximum height included in the policy wording.
Each provider has its strengths. For instance, some have adjustable policies you can buy (or extend) after you’ve already left home. The others offer robust, on-demand help and quick and easy claims processing. Of course, you’ll need to read the policy properly and check that our level of cover includes trekking above 4,000 meters, helicopter evacuation within Nepal, and medical emergencies.
Alternately, contact the trader with any queries before you buy. If I were you, I would ask them to make an email that claims that my insurance will cover me for all the stuff I was going to need for the Annapurna Base Camp hike, and it would be a certainty that I was insured. That will at least give you a starting point if you do ultimately file a claim.
What You’ll Pay
The cost of insurance will vary depending on which country you live in, your age, how long your trip is, but also the kind of insurance you are buying. For a hike of 2-3 weeks, a normal goal is to carry and spread out ~$80- $150 between each hiker. Add trekking coverage, possibly below 6,000 meters (about 19,685 feet), and at certain elevations; add helicopter evacuation and trip cancellation, and that number might creep up a bit, though the extra coverage is often money well spent.
Older travelers, or travelers with underlying health issues, may face higher charges. A few companies sell extras or add-ons specifically for these scenarios. The good news is that’s peanuts compared to what a real emergency will cost you on the trail, about the price of your insurance for sign-up.
WHEN AND WHERE TO BUY YOUR POLICY
If you buy your insurance before you leave the country where you live, you’ll have a better policy. If you’re attempting to purchase full coverage after the start of your trip, you’re on your own, especially for something as inherently risky as trekking. And if you are stuck waiting for flights, or if flights get canceled, or if there is a health reason that you can’t get on a plane, at least you also don’t have to have the bag on buying insurance policies that’ll cover that either.
There are, however, a few companies from which you can buy insurance after you’ve already left for your trip. We have coverage plans like those provided by outfits such as World Nomads, on the other hand, which do operate a little more like insurance you would buy when on a trip, although you can elect some coverage options to be prorated. To ensure that doesn’t happen, freeze your coverage as soon as you buy those flights or trekking itinerary.
What to Bring on the Trek
Organized? Print and digital copy at hand, off you go into the field! Leibie Levin, director of risk management at BDO USA, an accounting and consulting firm, suggests keeping your policy number, an emergency contact for your insurer, and a brief overview of your coverage in plain view. If you are hiking with a guide or a group, let them know, so that you can signal, even if you can’t say anything.
Well, because for one thing, you never know when some day you may use this information for something in the eventuality that something happens out on the trail, you know what I mean? Some local search and rescue groups may also need to see proof of insurance before they will dispatch a helicopter for you, so please have it handy.
Final Thoughts
The Himalaya view is the best here! But Donn’s is a trip that is anything but predictable. From sudden injuries and illnesses to weather disasters to just not quite making logistics work out, the mountains have their plans, and they can be downright indifferent to whether or not you feel ready.
Travel insurance allows you to check those “what ifs” off your list. Because every time you and your buddies are plodding up the trail and soaking up the warmth of a teahouse, and every time you finished glowing because you did it, instead of worrying about whether you could pull off the trip, you could do it without the least bit of doubt that you were going to be safe and warm, cutting the wind and cold — every single step of the way.