From low-level hiking to high-altitude treks like Kilimanjaro and Everest Base Camp.
Where do you live
All persons to be insured must reside at a permanent address in the United Kingdom.
Can I take out this insurance if I am already travelling?
If you purchase cover after leaving the United Kingdom having started your trip, a 48-hour waiting period applies before your policy becomes active. For cover to be valid, the “Already Travelling” extension must be shown on your Booking Invoice or Validation Certificate. Illness that develops during this 48-hour period will not be covered, as it will be treated as a pre-existing medical condition. However, if you suffer a serious accident during this time, you’ll be covered straight away, provided it is independently witnessed and confirmed by a medical professional.
IMPORTANT
Please be aware that once you’ve started travelling, the 14-day cooling-off period no longer applies and premiums are non-refundable.
Please confirm that you have read and fully understand this condition.
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 - 35 days
Premier policy - 90 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.
Important Notice
Important Information
By selecting the "one-way" travel option or traveling without a pre-booked return ticket to your home country, note the following exclusion:
Curtailment, Section D: Return travel expenses to your home country will not be covered in the event of a curtailment claim if you do not have a valid return ticket to your home country.
Please confirm that you have read and fully understand this condition.
Trip Type
Select the type of policy most suitable for your needs.
Single Trip:
A flexible policy designed for travellers going abroad on a continuous trip, whether short-term or long-term. Suitable for backpacking, long stays and multi-country travel. There is no requirement to hold a return ticket at the time of purchase. Where a policy is longer than four months, temporary return visits to your home country are permitted in line with the policy terms.
Single Trip (IEC Canada):
This option is for travellers going to Canada on an International Experience Canada (IEC) visa (Working Holiday, Young Professionals or International Co-op). It is designed to meet IEC insurance requirements and should only be selected if you are travelling on an IEC visa. IEC visas are available to applicants aged 18–35, so this option is intended for travellers within that age range. If you are travelling to Canada but do not meet the IEC age criteria, please select the standard Single Trip option instead.
One Way Trip:
This option is suitable if you are emigrating to a new country where you intend to live permanently, or if you are returning to your home country on a permanent basis. Cover will end upon arrival at your final destination. Please note that there is no cover for emergency return travel expenses if you do not already hold an original return ticket.
Annual Multi-Trip:
This policy covers an unlimited number of trips within a 12-month period of insurance. Each individual trip has a maximum duration depending on the level of cover selected. For Standard policies, the maximum length of any single trip is 35 days, and for Premier policies the maximum length of any single trip is 90 days.
If you are already travelling, it is not possible to purchase an 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
Policy Duration Error
The maximum allowable policy duration is 731 days. Please adjust your travel dates to proceed.
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 United Kingdom. Can I take out this Insurance if I’m already abroad? If you are normally a resident of the UK Country 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.
Age Restriction Error
We are unable to quote, Please ring our Offices on 0333 0033 161 for further assistance.
Trekking up to 2,500m
Trekking travel insurance for routes up to 2,500 metres, suitable for lower altitude hikes, walking holidays and non-technical mountain trails.
Trekking 2,501m–4,600m
Select the Activity Pack for trekking above 2,500 metres and up to 4,600 metres, including the Inca Trail and the higher-altitude sections of the Pacific Crest Trail.
Trekking over 4,600m
Select the Extreme Activity Pack for high altitude trekking routes above 4,600 metres, including treks to Mount Kilimanjaro, Aconcagua and other remote mountain regions.
Nepal Trekking Cover
Specialist trekking travel insurance for Nepal, with a dedicated Nepal Trekking Activity Pack covering high-altitude routes up to 7,000 metres, including Everest Base Camp and other treks in Nepal.
Get Cover If Already Travelling
Already abroad? You can still arrange trekking travel insurance while travelling, provided you remain a UK resident and meet the policy terms.
Medical & Repatriation
Medical Cover is the most important part of your travel insurance. Our Premier policy covers up to £10m for hospitalisation, medical and repatriation expenses, up to £5m for our standard and up to £2m for our budget policies.
Cover for varying altitudes
Up to £10m medical cover
Emergency evacuation
Cover while already travelling
Trekking Travel Insurance
Trekking travel insurance designed for high-altitude hikes, multi-day treks and remote routes. Whether you're heading to Everest Base Camp, Mount Kilimanjaro or the Inca Trail, having the right cover in place is essential.
Our trekking travel insurance UK is built for real-world trips — with options to extend altitude limits, include emergency evacuation and cover you for longer stays abroad.
Trekking often takes you into remote environments where conditions can change quickly and access to medical assistance may be limited. Whether you're travelling solo, with friends or as part of a group, having the right cover in place ensures you're protected if something goes wrong.
What could be a relatively minor injury in normal circumstances, such as a sprained ankle or fracture, could require emergency evacuation if it occurs in mountainous or isolated terrain. The cost of helicopter rescue, hospital treatment or repatriation can be significant, making it essential to have suitable insurance in place. Choose from Budget, Standard or Premier levels of cover, each including emergency medical expenses, repatriation and medically necessary helicopter rescue, subject to the £500 Nepal helicopter evacuation excess detailed in the policy wording.
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.
Many travellers visiting Everest Base Camp are also travelling through Nepal or Asia for an extended period. If your trek forms part of a longer journey, you may wish to consider our Backpacker Travel Insurance, which can cover trips of up to two years and allows trekking activities to be included during your travels.
Which Activity Pack do I need?
Choose your cover according to the highest altitude reached anywhere on your planned route.
Maximum point on the route
Cover Required
Up to 2,500
Standard trekking cover included in all policies
2,501m–4,600m
Activity Pack
Above 4,600m outside Nepal
Extreme Activity Pack
Trekking in Nepal up to 7,000m
Nepal trekking Activity Pack
Key benefits of our Trekking Insurance include:
Emergency Medical and Repatriation Expenses up to £10 million.
Helicopter emergency rescue
Emergency Dental Cover.
Baggage Cover
Gadgets & Valuable Cover
No altitude limits with the exception of Nepal (Limited to 7000 meters)
No return ticket requirement.
Free Home visits.
156+ Sports and Activities.
Winter Sports Cover.
Loss of Passport & Visa replacement costs.
Facility to arrange or extend Insurance when already travelling.
Trekking Travel Insurance
Yes, travel insurance can cover trekking, but the level of cover depends on the altitude, location and type of trek you are undertaking.
With Big Cat Travel Insurance, trekking up to 2,500 metres is covered as standard. If your trek exceeds 2,500 metres, you will need to add the appropriate Activity Pack or Extreme Activity Pack, depending on the maximum altitude reached and the activities involved.
Cover can include emergency medical expenses, emergency evacuation, repatriation and cancellation cover, subject to the policy terms, conditions and exclusions. Treks in certain regions, such as high-altitude trekking in Nepal, may require a specific trekking add-on.
Always check the maximum altitude of your planned trek and ensure you have selected the correct level of cover before you travel.
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Trekking travel insurance is typically based on altitude limits. Policies may cover routes up to 2,500m, 4,600m or higher depending on the level selected. You should choose a policy that matches the highest point of your trek.
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In many cases, no. Standard travel insurance often excludes high altitude trekking or limits cover to lower elevations. Specialist trekking travel insurance or an activity pack is usually required.
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Yes. If your trip involves high altitude, remote locations or multi-day trekking, standard travel insurance may not provide adequate cover. Trekking travel insurance is designed to include risks such as emergency evacuation and mountain rescue.
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Yes. Trekking travel insurance can include emergency evacuation and helicopter rescue when it is medically necessary, for example if you are injured or become seriously ill and need urgent transport to appropriate medical care and is subject to a £500 excess to a helicopter evacuation in Nepal.
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Yes. If you have a Big Cat policy with the Nepal Trekking Activity Pack, you are covered for trekking to Everest Base Camp.
The pack covers trekking in Nepal up to 7,000 metres, including emergency medical expenses, repatriation and medically necessary helicopter rescue. A £500 Nepal evacuation excess applies.
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Yes. You can arrange trekking travel insurance while already abroad, although cover may not start immediately and specific conditions will apply. You can get more details by visiting our Already Travelling Insurance page.
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Yes. You can add optional Natural Disaster Cover to your Big Cat Travel Insurance policy for additional protection if certain unforeseen events, such as earthquakes, floods, wildfires, hurricanes or volcanic eruptions, disrupt your trip. Cover limits depend on your chosen policy level, and the event must not have been known or foreseeable when the cover was purchased. Please refer to the policy wording for full terms and exclusions.
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If you go above the maximum altitude stated in your policy, you may not be covered for any claims related to your trek. It’s important to select the correct level of cover before travelling.
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The Nepal helicopter evacuation excess helps reduce fraudulent rescue claims that have become a significant issue in the trekking industry. Investigations by the Nepalese government and insurers uncovered cases where trekkers were pressured into unnecessary helicopter evacuations, and in some instances were even made ill deliberately. These rescues often resulted in excessive medical bills charged to insurers, with commissions allegedly shared between trekking companies, helicopter operators and hospitals. It is estimated that around one-third of helicopter evacuations were unnecessary, costing insurers millions of pounds. As a result, the Nepalese government introduced stricter controls over rescue operations, while many insurers introduced a £500 helicopter evacuation excess to discourage unnecessary evacuations and help keep travel insurance premiums affordable for genuine trekkers who require emergency medical assistance.
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Some popular Trails:
Everest Base Camp
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.
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 Read more...
Inca Trail
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 . Read more...
Mount Kilimanjaro
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. Read more..
Mount Aconcagua
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. More...
Pacific Crest Trail
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, more....
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Your age is outside the age restrictions for this policy plan. Please choose an alternative plan or ring our Offices on 0333 003 3161 for further assistance.
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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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Your Big Cat travel insurance quote will remain open here. Once you’ve completed your medical screening, return to this tab to finish purchasing your Big Cat policy.
Medical screening is separate from your Big Cat policy and does not complete your travel insurance purchase.
