Insurance is not just a contract but also the tool that provides safety cushion to people. Trekking in Nepal is mostly beyond 3000 m above sea level. The places above this altitude are highly likely to get altitude sickness. Remember that altitude sickness can be fatal in worse case. Patients need immediate care and rescue that costs a lot. Therefore, altitude sickness and trekking insurance for Nepal journey especially in the higher elevation places is necessary. In fact, Nepal government has a strict policy of travel insurance for travelers. They must possess the insurance before embarking on a trip.
Do I need to know about altitude sickness and trekking insurance for Nepal Trekking?
Yes, you must have information about altitude sickness and trekking insurance for Nepal Trekking. It is the mandatory rule of the Nepal Government. Besides the rule of the government, you must consider buying the travel insurance place to ensure you are well saved and rescued. The cost of the insurance starts from 50 $ to more than 300 $ according to the risk factor and difficulty of the trekking route and you should clearly state the trail that you are trekking. Therefore, the cost can vary. Make sure that you clearly mention the trekking plan that includes the helicopter rescue from above 5000 m altitude. It largely depends upon which trek that you are going.
Sometimes, people become complacent and they don’t want to spend extra sum of money for the trek. To these types of people, this blogger clearly reminds them of the consequences. The medical expenses of the rescued trekkers are very high. Similarly, the cost of the medical care high up in the mountain is also high. In addition, if you are to rescue by helicopter, it costs more than 3000 $ per flight. Therefore, it is wise to get the travel insurance. The plan not only save lives but also ensure you of financial burden.
What are the things that need to be included in travel insurance plan?
You must be aware of the situation and the trekking destination that you are going. Make sure that you have all information about the trekking route that you are going. Travelers must consider things like altitude, availability of immediate medical care, trail difficulties, geographical terrain, etc. After careful understanding of the trekking trip, you must state all details to your travel insurance company. The insurance plan must be prepared by considering these factors. Please don’t buy the insurance from the small companies. Go to those companies which have issued trekking insurance for Nepal before.
Here is the list of the five things you must include in the trekking insurance for Nepal.
1. Medical Expenses
2. Emergency Rescue including Helicopter Rescue
3. Trip Cancellations & Delays
4. Accidents
5. Damage of Equipment and Gear
How does travel insurance works during trekking in Nepal?
After you have landed in Kathmandu, you must provide the copy of the insurance plan to the trekking company’s city office. During the time of the emergency, the agency will facilitate with all the documentations with the travel company and do the needful. The hospital and the helicopter company will then process the further documentation procedures.
Now, let’s talk in brief about altitude sickness. The blog is very important because it features altitude sickness and trekking insurance for Nepal. These two things are inter related. Therefore, it is relevant to know about both in one single blog.
Altitude Sickness in Nepal
Normally, altitude sickness happens in the higher elevation places beyond 2500 m above sea level. The seriousness increases beyond 3000 m to 3500 m. Some people take the matter of altitude sickness lightly which can be fatal. There is a misconception that a physically fit person may not get altitude sickness. It is completely false. Anyone can get altitude sickness and on rare case even locals can get affected. Therefore, you should always plan any kinds of activities high up in the mountain meticulously.
How risky is the altitude sickness?
In the higher elevation places, air pressure and oxygen density is low. People struggle to breathe properly and the body may not get enough oxygen. It leads to exhaustion and can damage different internal organs. There are three types of altitude sickness. It starts from mild symptoms to serious ones like HAPE and HACE. The altitude sickness is also widely referred as the Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). Mild symptoms can be overcome if a traveler stays for 1 – 2 days in the same altitude but beyond mild symptoms, they must seek medical assistance.
Mild Altitude Sickness & Symptoms
The mild altitude sickness can be normal and it can be treated lightly with some home remedies. Symptoms of mild altitude sickness are shortness of breathing, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, dizziness, loss of appetite, and difficulty in sleeping. Make sure that you are frequently hydrated while traveling to the high altitude places. Stay in the same place for 1 to 2 days and you can fully acclimatize. If the symptoms worsen and continue, you must seek the medical assistance quickly.
Hyper Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE)
The fatal case of the acute mountain sickness is the Hyper Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE). It is the state in which patient’s lungs are filled with water. Therefore, immediate rescue and descent must be done. The symptoms are similar to mild altitude sickness but on larger scale including hallucination or fainting.
(HACE) Hyper Altitude Cerebral Edema
Brain swells and it is the most fatal case of the acute mountain sickness. Hyper Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE) happens in the higher elevation places above 4000 m. Therefore, special care and attention must be taken while trekking in the higher elevation places of Nepal. For example, you must be careful beyond Dingboche Village (4400 m) during the Everest Base Camp Trek in Nepal.
How to overcome or avoid altitude sickness during the trek? Preventive Measures & Treatment
There are many ways to avoid altitude sickness during the trek. The biggest thing a trekker must not forget that they are in the low oxygen density places. People also shouldn’t overthink while traveling to these places. You should know that higher elevation places are cold and normal headache can happen to all. Sometimes, overthinking can also hinder your actual trekking journey. Having said this, you shouldn’t be complacent either.
Make sure to heed the instructions of your trekking guide throughout the journey. Furthermore, you should also carefully participate in the acclimatization activities. Do not try to walk fast and complete the high – altitude trekking trips in short and fast paced itinerary if you are not fully trained. If you are looking for safe trek to Everest Base Camp, then you can try the trekking package like the Everest Base Camp Trek with More Acclimatization. Yes, you should always allow your body to cope with the surrounding environment. Let your body get adjusted and then only trek higher.
Drinking water and eating soupy food help a lot to avoid altitude sickness. Avoid alcohol and greasy foods. Higher elevation places drain water from body. Therefore, you must drink warm water in every 20 to 25 minutes during the trek. Sleep early every day after dinner. You can also choose to use the medicine like Diamox twice every day throughout the trek starting from the lower elevation places. These medicines help you to quickly adjust and acclimatize in the higher elevation places.
Always relay your condition to your trekking leader or trekking guide. Don’t hide the actual symptoms that you are having while trekking up in the mountains. It’s not okay to push beyond your limit. Sometimes, retreating from going further up can be lifesaving act. Therefore, understand the situation and act wisely.
Here is the list of the things that you can do to prevent the altitude sickness.
1. Maintain Uniform Pace and don’t rush or go higher elevation places rapidly
2. Eat Healthy and Soupy Food
3. Strictly avoid Avoid Alcohol
4. Drink plentiful of water and Stay Hydrated throughout the journey
5. Follow Acclimatization Rule strictly and do not be complacent
6. Buy Travel Insurance from reputed travel insurance company
7. Don’t Stay late at night and try to sleep early and warm
8. Use Medication like Diamox twice a day (125 mg to 250 mg)
Golden Rule of Altitude Sickness
The golden rule of altitude sickness is “trek high and sleep low”. Yes, you should always acclimatize after gaining more than 1000 m altitude. The rule of acclimatization is that you trek to high altitude places and return back to low altitude place for overnight sleep. It is the natural acclimatization procedure which a trekker must not skip for safe trekking activity.
Trekking Insurance Fraud and Helicopter Rescue Scam in Nepal
Altitude sickness and Trekking Insurance for Nepal is important but it is being used in wrong way. There are lots of fake helicopter rescues happening in Nepal by trekkers and trekking companies. Therefore, you should be absolutely sure and certain before using the travel insurance. Moreover, insurance is for precautionary safety not for leisurely activity.
I hope that you have understood about the significance of altitude sickness and trekking insurance for Nepal. If not, you are free to email us or call directly in our whatsapp or viber.
