High Altitude Trekking Insurance Calculator
Answer three quick questions and we'll surface trekking travel insurance options that match your altitude, technical gear and trip type, based on policies we've personally used across Nepal, the Karakoram, Patagonia and the Andes.
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Three quick questions. Takes 30 seconds.About this trekking insurance calculator
Standard travel insurance policies rarely cover the altitudes most serious trekkers reach. The moment you cross 4,500 metres on Kilimanjaro, the Everest Base Camp trek, or any Himalayan circuit, most policies void without explicit altitude cover. This calculator surfaces the trekking travel insurance options we've personally researched or used for our own treks, across the Karakoram, Nepal, Patagonia, and the Andes.
Treat it as a starting point rather than a recommendation. Insurance policies and pricing change constantly, and what works for our trips may not match your specific itinerary, gear, or pre-existing conditions. Use this to orient yourself, then read the full trekking insurance guide and the provider's Product Disclosure Statement before you book.
What this calculator considers
Altitude is the single biggest factor in whether your policy will actually pay out. Each provider has a hard altitude ceiling above which cover voids entirely. Technical gear, using ropes, crampons, or an ice axe, shifts you from "trekker" to "mountaineer" in most policy wordings, which can void cover even at lower altitudes. Cover type matters too: rescue memberships (like Global Rescue) handle field rescue and helicopter evacuation but don't cover medical or trip cancellation; traditional travel insurance (like World Nomads) does both but caps out lower. For serious high-altitude trips, many trekkers stack both.
Frequently asked questions
What altitude does standard travel insurance cover?
Most standard travel insurance policies cap altitude cover at 3,000–4,500 metres. Once you cross that limit on a trek like Everest Base Camp (5,364m) or Kilimanjaro (5,895m), cover typically voids unless you've purchased an explicit high-altitude add-on or a dedicated rescue membership.
Do I need special insurance for trekking in Nepal?
Yes. Standard travel insurance rarely covers Himalayan treks above 4,500m. For Nepal trekking we use a combination of a rescue membership for high-altitude evacuation plus a traditional travel insurance policy for medical, cancellation and baggage cover on the journey to and from the trailhead.
What's the difference between travel insurance and a rescue membership?
Travel insurance covers medical bills, trip cancellation, baggage, delays and emergency evacuation up to a policy cap. A rescue membership (like Global Rescue) is specifically a field-rescue service with their own evacuation teams and helicopter capability, and it doesn't cover hospital bills or trip cancellation unless you bundle an add-on.
Is Global Rescue worth it for high altitude treks?
Global Rescue is the rescue membership we've personally used most often across Nepal and the Karakoram. The High Altitude Evacuation upgrade roughly doubles the base price but unlocks cover above 4,600m, which is essential for peaks like Mera Peak or Island Peak. Always confirm current pricing and altitude limits in the policy disclosure statement before booking.
Does World Nomads cover trekking above 6,000m?
No. The World Nomads Explorer plan caps altitude cover at 6,000 metres. Above that the policy voids. For treks like Mera Peak (6,476m), Island Peak (6,189m) or any 6,000m+ peak you'll need a dedicated rescue membership with high-altitude cover.