Check some life-saving tips before trekking on the Everest base camp trail. What about risk insurance for the trip? You can see safety advice about the Everest base camp trek here in this article.
It is good to know about travel insurance for the base camp trek. The trekking trail in the Everest region is one of Nepal's most remote regions. It could not always be safe while trekking in the high Himalayan area. There are several difficulties that trekkers will face on the Everest trek. So, travel insurance with emergency evacuation coverage saves the life from any uncertain accidents and altitude sickness.
Do people need travel insurance for the base camp trek? Yes, You need it. Travel insurance is one of the most important things for the mountain trip. I recommend this for the Everest base camp trip if you are planning to visit. Why do you need to be insured?
Altitude Sickness
Altitude sickness is a real problem on the Everest base camp hike. You will fly direct to Lukla (2,840m) direct from Kathmandu (1,350m). It is already high enough for the first-time trekker. After landing at this height, you will descend 200m to Phakding. So, the first day of the trek should not be much problem with elevation.
High atmospheric pressure in the high Himalayan lands and low-level oxygen caused altitude sickness to the trekkers. You can feel the altitude effect after Namche Bazaar. Altitude sickness can go to severe and can be very difficult or impossible to move. If it happens, you might need an emergency evacuation flight by helicopter to Kathmandu for admission to the hospital as soon as possible.
Being well insured is meaningful if you have any accidental coverage policy with an emergency evacuation service. Please don't forget to add emergency service with other minor medical services cover when you buy the security policy.
Unexpected Accidents
Trekking to the mountain region or trails is not easy all the time and everywhere. The base camp trekking trail is pretty much safe but, you should not blindly trust it. Even small stones or shaken rocks while walking may cause falling.
You will encounter lots of local porters, mules, Yak and Jopke (hybrid Yak and cow) during the trek. They will be carrying big loads and accidentally may push if you don't be careful.
If you meet them on narrow surfaces, you should be on the safe side. They don't want to push you, and you can be careful, sometimes you might not see them coming from the next corner.
You will walk through Sagarmatha national park. It is a natural world heritage site of UNESCO in Nepal. There are lots of wild animals hanging close to walking trails. Also, domestic Yak will be picking grass around the trekking route in the higher area. They may fall on the rocks if they are above you while walking. It is good to be careful while taking their pictures by not standing straight below them. If you have any accidental cases caused by these problems, the travel security coverage is needy for the Everest base camp trek.
Lukla Flight Cancellation
Lukla weather is unpredictable even sometimes during the main trekking seasons. It is mostly clear from October to December and March to April. Mid-September and late May might have some rainy days. If the weather would be bad on your trekking date, you may be stuck in Lukla for a week or more.
If you could not get out of Lukla, you might miss your international flight. Insurance could be helpful in this case if you mentioned this problem when you buy the policy.
Expect these your safety insurance policies you can add the plan for your valuables. If you have secured your valuables and in case you lost them, you can claim them when you go back to the country. But, for the valuable, you need to have a police report to claim.
Recommended Travel Insurance Companies
Travel Guard, World Nomads, Travelex, Tugo and Atlas Insurance companies are for the American and Canadian trekkers.
Cover-More, Allianz, World Nomads, Bupa, I-trek Travel Insurance and 1Cover for Australian travellers.
World Nomads, British Mountaineering Council, Direct Insurance and some other companies are for the British tourist. Europe Assistance for European countries and South African visitors. Likewise, World Nomad and Travel Guard insurance companies are for Asian and other countries trekkers to take their policy for the Everest base camp.
Hopefully, these basic tips about a journey mountain help you to plan your adventure Himalayan tour in Nepal. doing careless might bring any small and big accidental circumstances, so be a smart visitor following the safety advice.
About Me
It's me Rajesh Thapaliya, working in the Nepalese tourism industry for more than a decade and a half as a tour leader and currently operating trekking/tour in Nepal. He has visited most of the Nepalese Himalayan base camps and historical heritage sites. He writes Nepal travel information and loves photography. I have visited more than 100 times at the Everest bases camp while guiding and collecting lots of field information, that I am sharing with you.