Reading the Fine Print for Your Expedition
Your standard credit card insurance likely won't cover Everest Base Camp. You need a specialist policy. Here is what you must check before leaving for your Mount Everest expedition.
This is the big one. Ensure coverage goes up to 6,000m. Many policies stop at 3,000m. If you get sick at Gorakshep (5,164m) without this, you pay the $5,000 rescue bill.
The policy must explicitly state 'Search and Rescue' via helicopter. In the Everest region, ambulances are helicopters. Confirm they pay the provider directly.
Check if 'trekking' is covered. If you plan to climb Island Peak, you need 'mountaineering' coverage with ropes and crampons included. Don't void your policy by climbing a trekking peak.
Hopefully, you never use it. But having the right insurance allows you to enjoy the views of the Everest summit without worry.
