Trekking Nepal (up to 6,000m) Travel Insurance FAQs

Yes — we cover trekking in Nepal up to 6,000m, with Emergency Medical & Repatriation up to £5,000,000 and Search & Rescue cover (£25,000 on Silver, £50,000 on Gold and Platinum). That takes in the classic routes — the Annapurna Circuit and Base Camp, Langtang, Gokyo, Manaslu, Upper Mustang, Poon Hill and Mardi Himal. 

Trekking Nepal is provided on the JS policies (Silver, Gold, Platinum) when you select it as your activity during the quote, or automatically when you book from this page: Get a Quote

Nepal trekking cover — the basics

1. Does the policy cover trekking in Nepal?

Yes. Select Trekking Nepal (6000m) as your activity when you quote and you're covered up to 6,000m, with Emergency Medical & Repatriation up to £5,000,000 and Search and rescue up to £50,000. 

The activity shows on your validation certificate — that's your proof of cover; supply a copy to your trekking agency.

You can also purchase on this page and the Trekking Nepal to 6000m will automatically be covered 

2. What is the maximum altitude covered?

Trekking in Nepal is covered up to 6,000 metres — which comfortably takes in every classic teahouse trek: 

• Thorong La on the Annapurna Circuit (5,416m), 
• Larke Pass on the Manaslu Circuit (5,106m), 
• Gokyo Ri (5,357m), 
• Annapurna Base Camp (4,130m), 
• Langtang and Upper Mustang.

 If your route stays on trekking trails, it stays inside the cover.

3. Does this cover Everest Base Camp?

No Everest Base Camp is its own activity with its own rate, so for an EBC trek, 

select Everest Base Camp (or buy from our EBC page) rather than general Nepal trekking — a Nepal trekking selection doesn't cover the EBC trail. 

The good news if you're combining routes: 

the Everest Base Camp selection automatically covers all your other trekking in Nepal up to 6,000m, so EBC plus Annapurna, Gokyo or Langtang on one trip needs only the EBC selection.

4. What about Island Peak, Mera Peak or Lobuche East — they're sold as "trekking peaks"?

Careful here — "trekking peak" is a Nepali permit category, not an insurance one. 

Island Peak (6,189m), Mera Peak (6,476m) and Lobuche East (6,119m) all top out above 6,000m and their summit days involve ropes, crampons and fixed lines — in policy terms that's mountaineering, not trekking, however the trip is marketed. 

The JS policy covers mountaineering up to 4,500m and trekking up to 6000m , so these peaks need cover arranged through PJ Hayman instead — call us on 0800 043 0020 or email support@jsinsurance.co.uk  and we'll quote it the right way. 

The trek *to* their base camps on ordinary trails is within the Nepal trekking cover.

5. Is the whole trip covered, or just the trekking days?

The whole trip. Cover for your chosen activity is provided on the basis of it being

 the sole purpose of the trip, and the policy is valid for the full duration shown on your certificate — from when you leave home to when you return to the UK. 

A medical emergency, lost bag or cut-short trip in Kathmandu or Pokhara is covered the same as one on the trail.

(For internal flights like Kathmandu–Lukla, see the dedicated question below.)

If you only want cover for the trekking days, we can arrange that on our Adventures policy (not the JS policy) — contact us for a quote.

6. Do I need a guide? Can I trek Nepal independently?

Nepal's rules changed: since April 2023 — and strictly enforced from the 2026 season — 

: all foreign trekkers must be accompanied by a licensed guide arranged through a registered trekking agency in every National Park, Conservation Area and Restricted Area. 

That covers virtually every route you'd buy this policy for: the Everest region, Annapurna, Langtang, Manaslu, Mardi Himal. Checkpoints scan permits

Trekking without a guide risks fines, removal from the trail and permit revocation.

This matters for your insurance too: the policy doesn't cover claims arising from your failure to comply with the laws of the country you're travelling in — so trekking guideless where the law requires one could prejudice a claim. 

Trek within the rules and the question never arises.

Two reassurances: "mandatory guide" doesn't mean joining a group — solo travellers simply trek with their own licensed guide; and since March 2026,

Restricted areas like Upper Mustang, Manaslu and Kanchenjunga issue permits to single trekkers too (previously a minimum of two), guide still required.

7. Does the policy cover the Annapurna Circuit?

Yes — the Annapurna Circuit is a classic example of what the Nepal trekking cover is for. Its high point, the Thorong La pass at 5,416m, sits comfortably inside the 6,000m limit, and the same goes for the Annapurna Base Camp trek (4,130m) and Poon Hill. 

Teahouse trekking, side trips and acclimatisation days are all part of the covered activity — select Trekking Nepal when you quote and the whole route is covered. Get a Quote

8. Are internal flights like Kathmandu–Lukla or Pokhara covered as part of my trip?

As part of your journey, yes — your medical, baggage and the other policy sections apply for the whole trip, internal flights included. What the internal legs don't carry is the delay cover: the travel delay and missed departure/connection sections respond on the international legs of your journey, so a delayed or weather-cancelled internal flight isn't itself covered for delay. 

Build slack into your itinerary around Lukla and Jomsom flights — weather holds are routine.

9. Are restricted areas like Upper Mustang, Manaslu and Kanchenjunga covered?

Yes — provided your route stays under 6,000m and you're trekking legally (permits via a registered agency, licensed guide — see above), restricted-area treks are covered the same as the open routes. 

The restricted-area machinery (RAP permits ) agency booking) is a Nepali government requirement, not an insurance one.

Helicopter rescue, search and rescue

1. Does the policy include helicopter rescue for trekking in Nepal?

Yes — two parts of the policy work together here. Medically necessary evacuation, including by helicopter, falls under Emergency Medical & Repatriation (up to £5,000,000). 

Separately, Search & Rescue — the costs of a specialist local rescue organisation for search, rescue and emergency transfer to hospital following an accident during your covered activity — is covered up to £25,000 on Silver and £50,000 on Gold and Platinum.

The important part: call the 24 Hour Medical Claims Service on +44 (0) 1444 465 579 before accepting an evacuation wherever possible — it's a condition of the policy for any treatment likely to exceed £500, and if you can't call, someone must call for you as soon as possible. 

On Nepal's trails you will be offered helicopters — by lodges, guides and agents, sometimes insistently — and unnecessary evacuations are a known problem in the region. 

Always call the 24 Hour Medical Claims Service first where possible. 

They confirm the medical need, make the decisions on treatment and evacuation, and can guarantee payment directly. Unapproved flights and treatment may not be covered.

2. My trekking agency requires proof of insurance — will your policy satisfy the permit requirements?

Yes. 

Nepal's permit system now records your insurance details alongside your guide's licence, and agencies ask for proof of cover including helicopter evacuation at trekking altitudes — your validation certificate showing Trekking Nepal as your activity, with Emergency Medical & Repatriation up to £5,000,000 and Search & Rescue cover, is exactly what they're looking for.

3. Is search and rescue covered?

Yes — Search & Rescue is a named benefit within the medical section: up to £25,000 on Silver and £50,000 on Gold and Platinum. 

It covers the reasonable costs of a specialist local rescue organisation for search, rescue and emergency transfer to hospital following an accident while you're doing your covered activity, for up to 72 hours from when assistance is first summoned.

4. What excess applies?

For medical claims (£5,000,000 cover): £500 on Silver, £100 on Gold, nil on Platinum. For Search & Rescue specifically: £500 on Silver and Gold, nil on Platinum.

5. Is altitude sickness covered?

Yes — acute mountain sickness is the most common medical problem on Nepal's high passes, and it's covered as an illness under the medical section. 

Follow your guide's advice 

— descend when advised 

— and call the 24 Hour Medical Claims Service as soon as possible; pre-authorisation is what guarantees the evacuation gets paid for.

Price and quotes

1. How much does Nepal trekking insurance cost?

It depends on your age, trip length and level, so the accurate answer takes two minutes:

Get a Quote.

2. Why is Nepal trekking insurance more expensive than ordinary travel insurance?

Because the insurance you're buying is expensive to provide: helicopter evacuation from 5,000+ metre passes and medical treatment or repatriation from Nepal. The risk is priced accordingly.

3. How far in advance can I buy?

Up to 270 days before departure — and cancellation cover starts as soon as you buy, so booking early protects your trip cost from day one (Gold and Platinum; Silver does not include cancellation cover).

4. Can I get a quote for a group or charity challenge team?

Yes — enter your trip details and travellers online, or email your dates, destination and number of travellers to support@jsinsurance.co.uk and we'll quote it for you. 

(School and group trips are covered provided there is one adult for every 10 children.)

Who and what we can cover

1. You mention more than one policy — which one is right for me?

The JS policy (Silver, Gold or Platinum) with Trekking Nepal selected is the right route for most treks: full travel insurance covering your whole trip, bought before you leave the UK, for travellers under 66. 

We use the Adventures policy where the JS policy doesn't fit — insuring just your trekking days, travellers aged 66–75, or if you've already been abroad for some time. 

Climbing peaks above 6,000m (Island Peak, Mera and the like) go through PJ Hayman— see the trekking peaks question. Not sure which fits? Call us on 0800 043 0020 or email support@jsinsurance.co.uk.

2. Are there age restrictions for Nepal trekking cover?

All insured persons must be under 66 when the JS policy is purchased. If you're 66 or over, we can still cover you up to age 75 on our Adventures policy — contact us and we'll quote it.

3. Can I get Nepal trekking cover with a pre-existing medical condition?

Yes, often. If your condition is on our accepted list (pages 8–9 of the JS policy wording), you're covered provided you meet the conditions listed there — for example no specialist referral for worsening in the last 12 months and no hospital admissions in relation to the condition. 

If your condition is outside the list, contact us — we have another broker who may be able to cover you.

4. Can you cover me if I don't live in the UK?

Our policies are for residents of the UK and Channel Islands — you must have spent at least 6 of the last 12 months at your main home in the UK or Channel Islands, have a UK National Insurance number (if 16 or over) and be registered with a doctor here when you buy. If you live elsewhere, contact us and we'll see whether we can point you somewhere.

5. I've already left the UK — can I still buy cover?

Only just: if you forgot to buy before departure and your trip is at least 7 days, you can buy within 48 hours of leaving, provided you have no claims pending and nothing has happened that's likely to lead to one. 

Beyond 48 hours, we can't cover the trip on the JS policy — but our Adventures provider may be able to; you'll need to confirm you have no pending or outstanding claims.

Policy admin

1. Can I use an annual policy for Nepal trekking?

Yes — annual policies cover trips up to 31 days each, which covers the classic itineraries: Annapurna Circuit (14–21 days), Langtang (7–10), Manaslu (14–17), ABC (10–14). 

Choose Annual as your policy type and make sure Trekking Nepal is your selected activity. 

Longer expedition-style itineraries may need a single-trip policy — trips up to 12 months are available.

2. My existing annual policy won't cover Nepal trekking — can I buy a policy just for this trip?

Yes — a single-trip policy with Trekking Nepal selected covers you from when you leave home to when you return to the UK, running alongside your annual policy. It usually works out better than trying to patch cover for just the trekking days, because there are no gaps.

3. How do I find Nepal trekking on the website?

It's in the activity list — start a quote and add it as your activity, or book direct from the Nepal trekking page 

4. Where does the activity show on my documents?

On your validation certificate under activities, and in the activity list attached to your quote and policy pack. That certificate is your proof of cover for agencies and permits.

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