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Jamie McGuinness, Project Himalaya owner-guide
Leader Jamie McGuinness
Project Himalaya

 

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Insurance

To join one of our trips you really should have comprehensive travel and medical insurance. We don't arrange or sell insurance. One day, I will simplify this page.

Trek and travel insurance Nepal

With the insurance scams over the last decade, companies have upped their premiums for Nepal. Do check that trekking (hiking) in Nepal is covered.

Climbing only: for our treks that include a peak climb without ropes you need insurance that includes "hiking" to 7000m AND helicopter evacuation. Do get the correct policy even if we are only climbing for a day or two. Note "winter sports" is skiing; not needed for a trek.

Do read the fine print to ensure you are covered for all our activities.

Trek and travel insurance India

Ladakh is now a separate union territory (UT; akin to a small state but run by the central government) and so is administratively COMPLETELY separate from Jammu & Kashmir which is now its own separate union territory and so makes getting insurance easier (at least once maps are updates, which is happening slowly).

For trekking/climbing in India, in theory helicopter evacuation is possible, however in practice it usually doesn't happen as only the army can fly helicopters and they are often busy.

Similar to Nepal, for our treks with an unroped peak climb do get a policy that covers "hiking" up to 7000m (these are policies suitable for Aconcagua, and are also suitable for our non-roped peaks).

Travel advice/warnings

Do look up the relevant info, there are some useful titbits in there, although there is also a lot of detail that is of little relevance as they are covering all their legal bases:

India

Australian government smart travel advice

UK government travel cautions

US State Department

Nepal

Australian government advice

UK government travel cautions

US State Department alerts & warnings

Research first

First, understand the various options in this must read comprehensive Expedition Portal post.

Here is an adventure travel primer, with a handy link too.

Following is our old list, once post-covid insurance becomes available, I will update.

First, consider your household insurer, your medical insurer (especially if you live in the USA or Canada) or your travel agent. Your household insurer or your medical insurer should be able to offer a cheaper policy than a travel agent, however ensure it covers the specific activities, such as "hiking" for treks or "guided+roped mountaineering" for trek-climbs.

Trekking is "Hiking", in insurance terms, and some policies cover up to 7000m, ie the summit of Aconcagua, which means you could also be covered for our non-roped climbs in Ladakh and Nepal.

UK citizens

UK companies will only cover residents of UK-Ireland.

Snowcard - adventure specialists, check first

Campbell Irvine Direct - who arrange for many trek operators; covers trekking/hiking to 7000m (but indicates this must be on “recognised routes”)

JS Insurance - specifically tailored for trekking up to 6000m and they have a Nepal insurance policy as well

Dogtag UK - their extreme+ covers trekking to 7000m

Adventures Insurance - trekking 4000-6000m

BMC - (for members of the BMC): Alpine & Ski, covers trekking above 5000m (i.e. apparently up to 7000m), climbing of most peaks worldwide up to 6500m (but not in “remote” regions)

Austrian Alpine Club AACUK - (for UK members of the Austrian Alpine Club): rescue, repatriation and medical expense cover for all mountain activities up to 6000m

US-Canada citizens:

HCCmis.com - for trekking and mountaineering up to 7000m

Atlas Travel Medical - also for trekking and mountaineering up to 7000m

IM Global - a broad range of options, including for expats

Travel Insured - handled one of our trekkers well in an emergency

Canadian citizens

TuGo - travel insurance for trekking and mountaineering

Worldwide

Global Rescue - travel Membership provides medical advisory and evacuation, field rescue. **This in not an insurance policy.** Evacuation is only due to illness/injury. Evacuation is to nearest local medical facility if injury/illness is life-threatening, or to “home hospital” if not. Medical expenses are not covered by membership, although comprehensive travel insurance is available at extra cost.

World Nomads have Nepal and India hiking-trekking policies up to 6000m

The above should cover everything but it is also possible to get separate insurance deals, and if you are a frequent flier having lost luggage, trip cancellation insurance separate from medical insurance makes sense.

 
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