You have your flights to Kathmandu booked and your Thamel gear shopping list ready for the trip of a lifetime in the Khumbu. You might even have cheap backpacker insurance sorted, but as you sit in your hotel ready to fly to Lukla, you read the fine print: your policy caps at 4,500 m (14,763 ft)!
Even worse, that cap applies the moment you start a trek that plans to go higher. If your flight to Lukla leaves tomorrow, you are effectively uninsured.
This was exactly my situation the first time I landed in Nepal to embark on the journey to Everest Base Camp. I’m sure you are more organized than I was, but the insurance landscape for the Khumbu has changed drastically since then.
The good news is that while standard insurance won’t cover Everest Base Camp (5,364 m) or Kala Patthar (5,545 m), there are still reliable options. The bad news is that since the 2018 crackdown on helicopter scams, policies have become stricter and premiums have skyrocketed.
In this guide, I’ll give you the rundown on exactly what I look for in a trekking travel insurance policy for the Everest Base Camp Trek (primarily focusing on worst-case scenario of an emergency evacuation). I’ll also share the specific providers I’ve used after seven years of trekking and climbing in the Himalayas.
Note: I am a traveler, not an insurance broker. This is not financial or legal advice. Insurance terms in the Himalayas are notoriously fickle. Verify all altitude caps and evacuation procedures with your provider before you fly to Lukla.
Overview: The Reality of Trekking Insurance for the EBC
The Khumbu region is the most commercialized trekking hub in the world, which makes it a primary target for insurance "fine print" denials.
Because the trail reaches an altitude above 5,000 m on several points of the trek, and as high as 5,545 m (18,192 ft) if you climb Kala Patthar, standard "adventure" policies are technically useless here.
While the trail from Lukla to EBC is very well maintained and with plenty of infrastructure, the reality of high altitude trekking is that the worst can happen, regardless of the trekking conditions. If it does and you need to "call a heli", the rescue company will gladly fly out to get you, but don't expect any old insurer to pay later.
The truth is most companies now require a Medical Officer to authorize the rescue via satellite phone before they will guarantee the $5,000–$10,000 USD flight cost.
When it comes to picking trekking travel insurance, here is some criteria I look for in an EBC policy (not insurance advice, do your own research):
- 5,500 m+ Coverage: If your policy caps at 4,000 or 5,000 m, you aren't covered for any section of the trail, since most policies will include the wording "intend to go above X meters".
- Remote areas: Sagarmatha National Park is designated as a remote wilderness area for many insurance companies. Look for fine print that doesn't exclude regions like this.
- Trekking and adventure activities: Trekking at altitude, even with a guide, can be considered an "adventure activity". Many basic providers will exclude this by default.
- Medical expenses in Nepal: While doctor's visits are fairly affordable by western standards, it's still a good idea to be covered for hospital and emergency costs. Kathmandu doesn't have the highest standards for public hospital care but here are some excellent private hospitals.
- Lukla Flight Interruption: Weather at Lukla is notoriously unpredictable. You may want to consider policy should cover "Trip Interruption" to handle the cost of delayed flights, and extra lodges. However cheaper "insurance" would be to include at least a couple of contingency days in your trekking itinerary. Though there may not be any point in claiming for an additional night or two in a Lukla teahouse as a bed only costs around $5 - $10.
- Direct Billing: In the Khumbu, pilots often demand an $8,000 upfront deposit if they don't recognize your insurance provider. I always look for a company that pays the operator directly so you don't have to wire thousands from a tea house.
Global Rescue
Global Rescue is technically a "crisis response membership" rather than a traditional travel insurance policy. I personally maintain an annual membership because I do several treks and climbs a year in Nepal and other regions.
While most insurers are still arguing with medical teams in the US or Europe over "pre-approval," Global Rescue uses their pre-existing contracts with local Nepali operators (like Simrik Air) to dispatch a pilot the moment a field rescue is confirmed.
However, this year the price of high-altitude safety has risen significantly. Following a 2024–2025 price hike across their retail memberships, Global Rescue's High-Altitude Evacuation Package, which is mandatory for any travel above 4,600 m (15,000 ft), now costs approximately $395 as an add-on to a short-term membership. With the base membership being around $139 at the time of writing, this brings the total for a 14-day membership to roughly $535.
Yeah, that's enough to make your eyes water. But that is the reality of high altitude travel insurance right now... Unfortunately.
However, it is vital to understand that Global Rescue only pays to get you off the mountain and to the hospital. They do not cover your actual medical treatment. For this reason it's possible to pair a membership with IMG Patriot Lite (approx. $60–$100 add-on at checkout). At the time of writing this covers up to a $2,000-per-night inpatient bills at high-end Kathmandu clinics like CIWEC Hospital, which is where almost all evacuated trekkers are sent.
How Global Rescue Works in Nepal
When you (or your guide) hit the SOS on your Garmin or call the Global Rescue emergency line, you are connected to a team of specialized paramedics and former special operations veterans. They don't ask for a credit card because they already have your membership on file.
In the Khumbu, where the legacy of insurance fraud has made many helicopter pilots wary of foreign insurers, Global Rescue’s "Direct Billing" reputation is your greatest asset. The pilots know they will be paid, so they fly immediately.
This model avoids the ever so common "deposit nightmare" where trekkers or their agencies are forced to wire $5,000–$8,000 upfront while sitting in a tea house in Gorakshep. For a high-traffic, high-risk region like Everest, this speed and financial reliability are exactly why I only use Global Rescue for my high altitude treks and expeditions these days.
World Nomads
World Nomads remains one of the most popular "all-in-one" travel insurance choice for EBC, but the recent 2026 price hikes means you should be careful with your plan selection. If you choose the "Standard Plan," you are effectively uninsured for almost the entire trek, as it typically caps trekking at 3,000 m (9,842 ft).
For Everest Base Camp, you must select the Explorer Plan. At the time of writing this plan specifically covers you up to 6,000 m (19,685 ft), which is enough to cover both Base Camp (5,364 m) and the sunrise climb of Kala Patthar (5,545 m).
The primary drawback of World Nomads in the Khumbu is their "Pay and Claim" model. Because of the legacy of helicopter scams in this specific region, World Nomads' emergency team (nib/Generali) is notoriously strict about "pre-authorization." If you are at a tea house in Gorakshep and need a flight, the administrative delay in getting a Letter of Guarantee (GOP) can take several hours, or even a full day if there are time zone issues.
However, one thing World Nomads does better than a Global Rescue membership is handling the Lukla flight weather delays, since it is more of a traditional travel insurance policy, they tend to have options for travel delay, belongings etc (depending on the policy you choose).
How does World Nomads Work in Nepal?
In the Khumbu, your guide is the one who will facilitate the rescue. If you have World Nomads, your guide must call the 24/7 Emergency Assistance number provided on your policy. They will be asked to provide your coordinates and a medical justification for the flight.
Unlike trekking insurance for the Manaslu Circuit, where rescues are rare, the Everest region has "helicopter traffic jams." Because of this, Nepali pilots are often less patient. If World Nomads doesn't send that "Letter of Guarantee" immediately, the pilot may skip your rescue to take a "paying" passenger instead.
To avoid being stuck on the mountain, it may be an idea to have a credit card with a high limit ($8,000+). Again, there's no financial advice here, just speaking from experience.
Garmin SAR
The Garmin inReach SAR insurance used to be a clever "hack" for cheap high-altitude coverage and I used to write about it a lot on this blog. For around $40 a year, you once used to be able to add search and rescue benefits to your satellite subscription.
However, in recent years the terms have shifted significantly, making this one of the worst value travel insurance options for the Everest Base Camp trek, though remains a strong contender if you do many trips per year.
The biggest issue is the altitude cap introduced recently to both the "SAR 100" ($39.99/year) and "SAR High Risk" ($299.99/year) plans. Again, the wording of "intend to go above 5,000 m" (16,404 ft) means both of these plans are void the moment you leave your hotel in Kathmandu for the Everest Base Camp Trek.
To be covered for the Khumbu's most famous viewpoints, you are forced to buy the "SAR High Altitude" plan now. This costs $999.95 per year. Unless you are a regular mountaineer or doing many high altitude treks per year where you need coverage, the price is now hard to justify compared to Global Rescue.
Oh, and you need to have an inReach device... duh.
How it Works For the EBC
When you hit the SOS button on your inReach device, you aren't texting a rescue team in Nepal; you are messaging the Garmin Response Center in Texas. They act as a global dispatcher, identifying your GPS coordinates and contacting a local helicopter operator in Kathmandu on your behalf.
This is pretty neat, and very efficient.
HOWEVER, because Garmin’s SAR plan is an insurance reimbursement policy, it does not offer "Direct Billing." The helicopter company will see that you are using Garmin’s dispatcher, but they often won't take off without a guarantee of payment.
The result is that you, or your guide, still be required to provide a credit card hold or cash deposit of $5,000–$8,000 before the rotors start turning. You then have to submit your receipts to Garmin’s underwriter and wait for reimbursement. It'll get you out of a tight spot, and it'll meet your guide's requirement for "trekking travel insurance", but if you have to use it, it's not as ideal as Global Rescue's option.
My Experience at Everest Base Camp (A Close Call)
My first visit to Everest Base Camp was actually a detour on the longer Three Passes Trek. As you can see from the photos, the weather was a total whiteout. These are the kind of conditions where the glare reflecting off fresh snow is damn bright!
I was trekking as a "stingey backpacker" at the time, wearing fake sunglasses I’d picked up in Thamel for a few dollars. These had zero side covers and dubious UV ratings, which left my eyes completely exposed to the peripheral light.
By the time we reached the base camp, I had began to develop snow blindness that felt like someone had rubbed coarse sand under my eyelids. Because I wasn’t trekking without a guide, Haylea had to lead me by the hand for the two-hour walk back down the moraine to Gorak Shep (5,164 m).
I spent the next two days in a pitch-black tea house room before I could eventually open my eyes and continue over the Cho La Pass (5,420 m). I was indeed lucky I didn't need to make a claim, but the situation was a massive wake-up call regarding the fragility of high-altitude trekking.
If the inflammation had been more serious, I would have been stuck at 5,164 m (16,942 ft) facing a $10,000 helicopter bill I couldn't pay. Without proper high-altitude coverage, my 7 year backpacking journey around the world would have ended in the first year!
So What Insurance am I Using for the EBC?
I've visited the Khumbu on three separate occasions in the past few years, on the Mera Peak, Everest Three Passes Trek, and for my climb of Island Peak.
I used to use the Garmin policy for 2 out of 3 of those treks. HOWEVER, if I was to fly to the Khumbu to trek to EBC today, I'd pick the Global Rescue membership.
I also recommend this to most of my friends and clients as it offers the best possible situation if you actually need to get rescued. While kind of pricey, and that being compounded by the need to buy extra medical insurance, the benefit of not having to pay yearly if you're only doing one trek is a big win in my opinion.
Read on: Everest Base Camp Vs K2 Base Camp (from someone who's trekked both).