Travel Insurance and Rescue

Be prepared for the worst and hope for the best – travel insurance and rescue planning in case of emergencies is essential on the GHT.

None of the rural health posts in Nepal can provide the sort of emergency care that tourists take for granted back home. If an emergency occurs you must evacuate the patient by either land, or at times of a life-threatening emergency, by rescue helicopter, see below for more information. Some tourists are wealthy enough to pay for non-medical evacuations, and if you choose this option, you must explain that it is a not life-threatening situation.

It is essential that you confirm emergency contact details with your Local Operator before you start your trek. It is also wise to have a clear idea of the costs of a rescue before you start your trek, as you may also need to organise a method of payment in Kathmandu and obtain permission from the relevant insurance company prior to rescue.

Remote rescue is often challenging and always stressful

Be Prepared for the Worst Case

Be prepared for the worst case and hope for the best.

All outdoor and adventure activities are inherently risky, especially the Great Himalaya Trail. Therefore, we believe that travel insurance is a mandatory condition for all travellers booking a trip with our endorsed Local Operators, who require that adequate medical, cancellation, and emergency repatriation/evacuation coverage must be in place before departure.

We are not an insurance agent or broker, and we are not authorised to provide advice on insurance products. We do, however, endorse third-party providers who specialise in adventure travel. You are under no obligation to use these providers and should research the product that best meets your individual needs

Rescue Coverage Endorsement

Depending on your route and travel insurance options, you might find restrictions that do not cover your GHT trek, especially for roped activities in remote locations, so we specifically endorse the professional rescue and evacuation services provided by Global Rescue. Their service provides field rescue to the nearest appropriate medical facility. This is a membership-based service and is distinct from the financial compensation provided by travel insurance.

For more information see the Global Rescue website

IMPORTANT! Please review the terms and conditions directly with the provider to ensure coverage meets your needs.

PROTOCOL FOR HELICOPTER RESCUE

It is a good idea to carry a copy of this protocol with you while you are trekking. When you make an emergency call you must relay the following to your trekking company and the pilot of the helicopter:

• Degree of urgency: Most Immediate means death within 24 hours; As Soon As Possible is used in all other cases.
• The patient’s present location or, if the patient is going to be moved, where to and how quickly. You should provide a latitude, longitude and altitude if possible, alternatively a map reference with publisher’s name and title, and give as many local details as possible.
• Name, age, sex, nationality, passport number, visa and permit details, trekking agency name and contact details, and any other relevant contact details (family, embassy, etc).
• Medical information, including sickness or injury details, and any special requirements for the rescue, eg is supplementary oxygen or neck brace required?
• Is a doctor present or does one need to come in the helicopter to administer treatment prior to and during the flight?
• The names, ages, nationalities and sex of all the people who need to be evacuated.
• The name and organisation of the person who is going to pay, and the method of payment. Most helicopter charter companies will only fly once a payment guarantee has been provided in writing or paid in cash in Kathmandu.

Rescues Can Take Time

A rescue may take a number of days to organise, especially if the weather is bad. Wait until 10 or 11am each day before moving the patient to give the helicopter a chance of arriving when the weather is normally clearest. In each cleared landing location mark your location with a large emergency orange ‘X’ – you may need to light a large smoky fire if it’s hard to spot your location from above.

Signalling Helicopters

Try to make a windsock and a signal mirror, which should be used with great care. If you are signalling to a helicopter stand at the end of the landing site with your back to the wind and wear brightly coloured clothing. As the helicopter prepares to land remove the ‘X’ marker. Do not signal a helicopter if you cannot direct it to the victim or you are not directly involved in a rescue. Do not approach the helicopter until indicated to do so, and only approach from the front.

Worst Case Scenarios

If the worst should happen and a porter or trekker dies you will probably have to charter a helicopter to transport the body; domestic airlines will refuse transport. It is best to organise a cremation, and have it witnessed by at least one senior local, perhaps a village chairman, policeman or teacher; they should not be associated with anyone in your group. Record all personal possessions and details if known and have at least one witness sign to the effects.There are many logistical issues facing the transport of bodies to Kathmandu and then out of Nepal; if you need to do this, contact your embassy.

Travel Insurance

Most travel insurance policies will cover you while you are trekking (often referred to as ‘hiking’ in insurance policies) and will include emergency medical evacuation costs. However, you should read the policy carefully and check for any exclusions. For example, using a rope (even as a handline) or itineraries that go higher than a stipulated maximum altitude during your trek could void your policy.

It is also vital that you establish some contacts in Kathmandu that could help you should an accident occur.

With multiple insurance scams over the last decade in Nepal, some insurance companies have upped their premiums for high altitude areas. Do check that trekking (hiking) in Nepal is covered up to the altitude you intend to trek, for example for the high passes you will need coverage to 7000m, and that your cover includes evacuation.

Household insurers or your medical insurer (especially if you live in the USA or Canada) can offer you an appropriate policy and they are often cheaper than a travel agent. A popular option is the Austrian Climbing Association Insurance but note you will have to join the association.

Travel Insurance companies

We consider these the five best travel insurance companies for trekking in Nepal as they have an agent office in Kathmandu. They are also aware of fake insurance claims and scam operations that used to be common in Nepal, but now less so. However, you should expect many questions about your medical condition and the reason for rescue.
It is also vital that you establish some contacts in Kathmandu that could help you should an accident occur.

• Europ Assistance (For Europeans)
• World Nomads (For Canada, America and Asia)
• Insure and Go (For British)
• Travel Insurance Consultants (For South Africans)
• 1Cover Travel Insurance (Australia and New Zealand)