While only the very few ever get to scale the mighty 8,848m peak of Everest, the next best thing for the seasoned adventurer is the classic route to Everest Base Camp. A tough but rewarding challenging, this trek reaches the dizzying heights of 5,545 metres, so even with the solid assistance of some ever-reliable Sherpa guides, you need to be extra fit, an experienced hiker, and with all the right gear, clothing and footwear.
Most tackle the route from the Nepalese side of Everest, known as the South Base Camp. But if you want to tackle the North Base Camp in China you’ll need a Tibet Entry Permit and Aliens’ Travel Permit from the Chinese government. Accommodation is in local family-run teahouses which are simple but comfortable lodges with basic facilities.
The classic Everest South Base Camp trek spans around 14 days of travel to the base and back again. The trek is not as remote as you might imagine as the trail is dotted with teahouses, tiny villages and monasteries as well as other trekkers sharing this popular expedition. It usually begins with a scenic flight from Kathmandu and a thrilling landing on the remote mountain airstrip of Lukla. The route begins gently, following the Kosi River, passing through Himalayan villages and well tended fields before a long steep climb to Namche Bazaar, a colourful market town clinging to the side of a hill, to spend a couple of days exploring the locality while acclimatising to the 3,440m altitude. From Namche Bazaar, the route ascends through rhododendron forests to Tengboche and then on to Dingboche, the highest permanent Sherpa village in the region for another day of acclimatisation. From there, the route passes through the Pheriche Valley and along the Khumbu glacier with its superb views of the nearby Himalayan peaks to reach Lobuche. Finally the routes crosses the Changri Glacier to Gorakshep to arrive at Everest Base Camp.
When to go
Everest Base Camp is best visited from April to June, and September to December, the dry season in Tibet when Everest is more likely to be viewed in clear weather. High season for tourism is July to August but this is also the rainy season so the mountain can be shrouded in cloud and mist.
The importance of Everest Base Camp Insurance
Travel insurance is essential for any journey, but is particularly important when undertaking potentially hazardous activities such as trekking in remote regions where medical facilities or assistance may not be close at hand. You’ll enjoy your adventure better with the peace of mind that comes from knowing you have the right insurance cover in place should a mishap occur. This can be anything from lost or stolen luggage to a full helicopter rescue off a mountain.
For trekking you need to ensure that your travel insurance covers you for altitude. Most standard policies provide cover for walking up to a maximum of 2,500 metres.
The Nepal Trekking Activity Pack add-on extends cover to include trekking between 4,600m and up to 7,000m within Nepal and also includes all activities in the Extreme Activity and Activity packs.
Where do you live
All persons to be insured must reside at a permanent address within the EEC ( Excluding Switzerland, Russia, Belarus, Montenegro and the Ukraine) to be eligible for cover.
Can I take out this insurance if I am already travelling?
When cover is purchased after an Insured Person has departed their home to commence their journey, there is a fixed period of 48 hours prior to cover commencing. Any illness arising during this initial 48 hour period will be an excluded Pre-existing Medical Condition. In the event of serious injury in connection with an accident, you will be covered from the date you take out cover subject to the accident being independently witnessed and also verified by a Medical Practitioner.
IMPORTANT
There is no 14 Day Cooling off Period and no premium refund will be made if the insured Person has already travelled.
family
family family
Definition of a couple
A couple is defined as 2 adults who have been permanently living together at the same address for more than six months, who intend to travel together.
If you do not qualify as a couple, please select individual(s)
Annual Multi-Trip Durations
Annual Multi Trip policies are designed for multiple short holidays leaving from and returning to your home country.
Annual Multi Trip trip limits:
Standard policy - 30 days
Premier policy - 70 days
If you need continuous cover for a year (home visits allowed on policies over 4 months long) select Single Trip or One Way. You can travel around as much as you like, to as many different countries as you like, with a Single Trip or One Way policy.
One Way Trip
Please note a Single Trip policy can cover travels with no return ticket booked, a One Way policy is intended for:
Emigrating to new country where you intend to permanently live
Or
Returning to your home country permanently
All cover ceases upon arrival at final destination
Trip Type
Select the type of policy most suitable for your needs.
Single Trip: A flexible policy with no limits on how many countries you visit or how long you’re away for. Suitable for all types of travel whether it be short term/long stay or backpacking. No return ticket required and unlimited home visitsoffered on policies over 4 months long.
One Way Trip: Means you are Emigrating to a new country where you intend to live permanently or, returning to your home country permanently. Cover will end upon arrival at your final destination. Please note: There is no cover for emergency return travel expenses if you do not have an original return ticket.
Annual Multi-Trip: This policy covers an unlimited number of trips throughout the 12 month Period of Insurance. Each trip has a maximum stay validity depending on the type of policy chosen. For example, for Standard Policies, the maximum duration of any trip shall not exceed 30 days and for Premier policies, the maximum duration of any trip must not exceed 70 days.
If you are already travelling it is not possible to purchase the annual multi-trip policy.
Geographical Areas
Europe: Europe means the continent of Europe West of the Ural Mountains, and includes the Isle of Man, the Channel Islands, Iceland, Jordan, Madeira, the Canary Islands, the Azores and Mediterranean Islands as well as all countries bordering the Mediterranean.
Australia & New Zealand: a) For any period of cover purchased, a 48 hour stop-over anywhere in the World for both outward and return travel will be included. b) If the period of cover purchased is two months or more, a stop-over of 7 days/nights anywhere in the World will be included.
Worldwide excluding North America & Mexico: (North America means the USA, Canada & Mexico.) a) For any period of cover purchased, a 48 hour stop-over anywhere in the World for both outward and return travel will be included. b) If the period of cover purchased is two months or more, a stop-over of 7 days/nights anywhere in the World will be included.
Worldwide including North America & Mexico: Worldwide means anywhere in the World including the USA, Canada & Mexico.
To
Automatic Trip Extension If the Insured Person is prevented from completing their travel before the expiration of this Insurance as stated under the Period of Insurance on the Booking Invoice or Validation Certificate (as applicable) for reasons which are beyond their control, including ill health or failure of public transport, this Insurance will remain in force until completion but not exceeding a further 31 days on a day by day basis, without additional premium. In the event of an Insured Person being hijacked, cover shall continue whilst the Insured Person is subject to the control of the person(s) or their associates making the hijack during the Period of Insurance of a period not exceeding twelve months from the date of the hijack.
Please ensure you arrange cover for the entire duration of your travel
Where you normally reside
Where do you normally reside? Where do you normally reside? Please use the drop down box to choose your country of residence. Note we can only insure residents of the UK & EEA Countries. Can I take out this Insurance if I’m already abroad? If you are normally a resident of the UK or EEA Countries and your insurance has run out, you may take out cover online with us. This is on the understanding that nothing has occurred at the time of taking out the cover which has led to a claim or may lead to a potential claim. Note you cannot take out our Multi-Trip Insurance if you are already abroad. Do you have minimum residency requirements? No. If you are, for example, a British Passport holder and have right of abode in the UK, we are not concerned as to how many months in the past year you have been in the UK provided at the time of arranging this insurance you have a UK residential address.
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We are unable to quote, Please ring our Offices on 0333 0033 161 for further assistance.
Trekking and Hiking
For many people a holiday means a week or two relaxing on a beach or beside a pool. But why idle all day on a sun lounger when you can be strolling through an alpine meadow, breathing in pure air, exploring glaciers, passing behind waterfalls or hopping over mountain streams?
The Annapurna Circuit, a 15 to 20 day trek within the Annapurna mountain range of central Nepal, is prized as one of the best treks in the world. The route encompasses a rich mix of terrain from jungle to paddy fields, waterfalls to canyons, as well as a cultural variety from Hindu villages
Trekking to the lost Inca city of Machu Picchu, with its spectacular mountain-top location in the Andes, is one of the world’s most iconic hikes. Machu Picchu was named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007 and is classed a UNESCO World Heritage Site .
Mount Kilimanjaro, at 5,895 metres (19,341 ft) above sea level, is the highest mountain on the African continent. It is one of the Seven Summits – the highest mountain peaks of each of the seven continents – that requires no technical climbing skills since all of its trekking routes are pure hiking paths.
Aconcagua, at 6,961 metres, is the highest mountain in the Southern Hemisphere. It is located in Argentina within the Andes mountain range, close to the border with Chile. It is one of the Seven Summits – the highest mountains of each of the seven continents – and the second highest peak in the world outside of the Himalayas.
The Pacific Crest Trail is a spectacularly scenic long-distance hiking trail stretching from Mexico via the USA to Canada through California, Oregon, and Washington. It follows the highest section of the Sierra Nevada and Cascade mountain ranges and, along the way,
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List of automatically covered
medical conditions that do not
need to be declared
Acne, ADHD, Allergic reaction (Anaphylaxis) provided that you have not needed hospital treatment for this in the last 2 years, Allergic rhinitis,
Arthritis (the affected person must be able to walk independently at home without using mobility aids), Asthma (the diagnosis must have been
made when the affected person was under the age of 50, and the asthma be controlled by no more than 2 inhalers and no other medication),
Blindness or partial sightedness, Carpal tunnel syndrome, Cataracts, Chicken pox - if completely resolved, Common cold or flu, Cuts and abrasions
that are not self-inflicted and require no further treatment, Cystitis - provided there is no on-going treatment, Deafness, Diabetes (which is
controlled by diet or tablets only), Diarrhoea and vomiting - if completely resolved, Eczema, Enlarged prostate - benign only, Essential tremor,
Glaucoma, Gout, Haemorrhoids, Hay fever, Ligament or tendon injury - provided you are not currently being treated, Macular degeneration,
Menopause, Migraine - provided there are no on-going investigations, Nasal polyps, PMT, RSI, Sinusitis - provided there is no on-going treatment,
Skin or wound infections that have completely resolved with no current treatment, Tinnitus, Underactive Thyroid (Hypothyroidism), Urticaria,
Varicose veins in the legs.
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Important information
If you have a medical condition in addition to any of the automatically
covered medical conditions, all conditions will be excluded from cover
unless declared to the medical screening helpline.
What is classed as a medical condition?
a Any respiratory condition (relating to the lungs or breathing), heart
condition, stroke, Crohn’s disease, epilepsy, allergy, or cancer for
which you have ever received treatment (including surgery, tests or
investigations by your doctor or a consultant/ specialist or prescribed
medication).
b Any psychiatric or psychological condition (including anxiety, stress
and depression) for which you have suffered which you have received
medical advice or treatment or been prescribed medication for in the
last five years.
c Any medical condition for which you have received surgery, in-patient
treatment or investigations in a hospital or clinic within the last
12 months, or for which you are prescribed medication.
Any premium for medical screening quoted can be paid directly. This can
be done either before or after taking out a policy with us. The policy
and medical extension connect automatically, no reference numbers need
to be exchanged.
Choosing not to declare a medical condition will not invalidate cover,
but any costs incurred in relation to an undeclared condition will not
be covered.
If making a declaration all medical conditions must be declared, you
can't choose to only declare certain conditions.
Medical conditions can only be declared for up to 12 months at a time. A
second declaration will have to be made after 12 months if necessary.
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