Hiking Travel Insurance
Trekking & High-Altitude Travel Insurance Coverage for Canadians
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At a glance
- World Nomads offers hiking and trekking travel insurance to help cover medical emergencies, gear loss, and trip cancellations.
- You can choose a plan and corresponding activity level based on your trek’s maximum elevation, with coverage available up to 6,000 metres.
- Our plans include emergency medical evacuation coverage if you get injured or sick while hiking in remote areas.
- If your trek is disrupted by an unforeseen illness or injuries (amongst other covered reasons), travel insurance may help cover your prepaid, non-refundable trip costs.
- Why should you consider travel insurance coverage for your next hiking and trekking adventure?
- Hiking and trekking travel insurance coverage
- What benefits are covered with hiking and trekking travel insurance?
- What may not be covered?
- Top tips for your hiking or trekking adventure
- FAQs
Whether you’re trekking to Base Camp , backpacking up Mt. Kilimanjaro or just hiking in a nearby Canadian province (there are nearly 30,000 ‘official’ trails in Canada alone!), you may want to protect your adventure with World Nomads Travel Insurance. Our travel insurance plans include a range of benefits that could help with everything from stolen bags to reimbursement for unexpected medical expenses.
Why should you consider travel insurance for your next hiking and trekking adventure?
Hiking and trekking can take you off the beaten path—and far from help if things go sideways. From twisted ankles on remote trails to gear stolen from your rental car, unexpected issues can derail even the most carefully planned journey. Travel insurance designed for hikers and trekkers may help you bounce back quickly with support for emergencies, delays, and disruptions. With coverage that is flexible to your route and altitude level, it’s a smart way to explore confidently—whether you're heading to Patagonia, peaks in Asia, or to a national park in Canada (outside of your home province).
Hiking and trekking travel insurance coverage
| Standard Plan | Explorer Plan | Epic Plan | Annual Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
|
covers hikes up to |
covers hikes up to |
covers hikes up to |
covers hikes up to |
Optional Adventure Sports Coverage Upgrade – Hiking and trekking trips covered up to 6,000 meters.
Plus, our plans offer coverage for 250+ other activities you might want to do along the way, so you can explore confidently, wherever your backpack leads you.
Nomads tip: Get a quote and choose your plan first, then the system will prompt you to add the activities you plan to do. Make sure you list them all; you won’t be able to make changes once on your trip.
We cover 250 activities you love + more
- Scuba diving
- Mountain biking
- Surfing
- Bungee jumping
- Skiing
What benefits are covered with hiking and trekking travel insurance?
World Nomads offers coverage (up to the plan maximum benefit limit) for:
- Emergency medical expenses: if you fall and get hurt while hiking or trekking, you may need medical help. Our emergency medical coverage for illness or injury may provide reimbursement for the treatment you need.
- Emergency medical evacuation and repatriation: If your injuries are severe, acute, or life-threatening our plans may cover emergency medical evacuation and transportation to a medical facility best suited for your care, subject to approval from the 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team.
- Baggage and personal effects protection: Our gear coverage may help with reimbursement of the cost to repair or replace damaged, lost or stolen items, including airline checked bags.
- Trip cancellation: if you need to cancel your trip due to a covered reason such as an unexpected illness, you may be eligible for reimbursement of your pre-paid, unused, non-refundable expenses like flights, tours and accommodations. Want ultimate flexibility for your trip plans? World Nomads now also offers a Cancel for Any Reason (“CFAR”) optional upgrade. This optional upgrade can only be purchased with our Explorer Plan and Epic Plan (up to 50% CFAR benefit. Maximum benefit limits apply), Consider adding optional ‘cancel for any reason’ coverage.
What may not be covered?
- Any alcohol related sickness, death or injury or the abuse of medication, drugs, alcohol or any other toxic substance.
- Travel within your home province
- Unattended baggage, sporting equipment or personal items.
- Wear and tear from everyday use of sporting equipment. Gear that is in use is not covered.
- Hiking or trekking over 6,000 metres.
Nomads tip: World Nomads Travel Insurance can also cover your travels within Canada! Your Government Health Plan provides little, if any emergency medical coverage once you leave your province. Your travel insurance plan can protect your domestic travels outside of your home province, too.
Top tips for your hiking or trekking adventure
To make the most of your time on the trail, keep the following tips in mind:
- Be prepared: we recommend that you check the weather, check your equipment, and if you’re going guided, confirm that you’re using an accredited tour operator.
- Stay healthy: hiking requires a certain amount of strength and stamina, and in some cases (like the Inca Trail or trekking in Nepal), the ability to handle altitude. It’s best to be sure you are physically capable of it. Consider asking a doctor before you leave about altitude medication or other helpful prescriptions you can take with you.
- Keep your receipts and paperwork: any claim you make will need supporting documentation such as receipts of your purchases and a loss or theft report. Keep these with you in printed or digital form if you need to make a claim.
FAQ
Here are our most frequently asked questions about cover for hiking. You can also find the answers to other questions in our Help Center or you can ask the customer service team.
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What is the difference between hiking, trekking and mountaineering for travel insurance purposes?
Hiking and trekking are often thought of as the same thing, however hiking is generally considered short, easier walks, whereas trekking involves longer, more challenging journeys. Under World Nomads travel insurance plans, hiking and trekking activities are offered under the same adventure activity level. Mountaineering, on the other hand, often includes technical climbing or high-altitude ascents that may require ropes or specialized gear. Each activity carries different risks, so you may need to purchase an optional upgrade for travel insurance plans like those from World Nomads to have coverage for these activities, which may vary depending on the elevation, difficulty, and whether technical skills or equipment are involved. World Nomads offers four travel insurance plans with different coverage limits. Check out our (lengthy) list of covered adventure activities to help you determine the plan right for you.
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Why should I consider travel insurance coverage for hiking and trekking?
If you suffer an injury during your trekking or hiking adventure, you may need emergency medical assistance. Hiking and trekking adventures vary in intensity—and elevation. That’s why World Nomads offers four different plans, each with the opportunity to add optional adventure activity coverage for higher risk activities. With elevation-based options, you can choose a plan that fits your route, your style, and your ambition.
Adventure Sports Coverage for World Nomads Standard, Explorer, Epic and Annual Multi-Trip Plans:
- Hiking or trekking up to 3,000 metres – Level 1
- Hiking or trekking up to 6,000 metres – Level 3
- Hiking or trekking over 6,000 metres – No coverage
Activities listed as Level 2 or Level 3 require an extra premium to be paid for coverage to apply.
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When should I purchase travel insurance if I’m planning an adventure?
Many travellers choose to buy travel insurance soon after booking to protect their trip investment with a plan that includes pre-trip benefits like Trip Cancellation coverage. Trip Cancellation coverage may reimburse your prepaid, non-refundable trip costs if you cancel for a covered reason (like unexpected sickness or injury). World Nomads also now offers a Cancel for Any Reason (“CFAR”) optional upgrade. This optional upgrade can only be purchased with our Explorer Plan and Epic Plan (up to 50% CFAR benefit. Maximum benefit limits apply). If you purchase your Explorer or Epic plan within 15 days of making your initial trip payment or trip deposit (like booking a nonrefundable hotel or buying a plane ticket), you also can add optional ‘cancel for any reason’ coverage. After 15 days, you will not be able to. Simply put, planning ahead means more protection. However, if you’re already on your trip, you can still purchase a World Nomads travel insurance plan (certain waiting periods may apply).
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Would hiking gear and equipment be covered?
Yes, your hiking gear and equipment may be covered under the baggage and personal effects coverage included in our plans if it's lost, stolen, or accidentally damaged during your trip. Maximum benefit limits vary by plan, so be sure to review which plan is best for your needs —especially if you're carrying high-value items like trekking poles, boots, or GPS devices. Note: coverage does not include wear and tear or gear damaged during use. Additional terms and conditions apply.
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Does my plan include emergency evacuation coverage?
Yes, World Nomads travel insurance plans include emergency medical evacuation coverage if you’re seriously injured or become unexpectedly ill while hiking or trekking. If you're injured in a remote area and need transport to the nearest adequate medical facility, the Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation of Remains coverage may help cover the cost—which can easily run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Medical evacuation must be deemed medically necessary by the attending physician and approved by the 24/7 Emergency Assistance team. Always check your plan’s elevation limits and covered activities to make sure you're protected for your specific adventure.
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Is there a maximum altitude limit for hiking or trekking trips under World Nomads travel insurance plans?
Yes, there are two different altitude maximums.
Elevation coverage under our Standard, Explorer, Epic and Annual Multi-Trip Plans:
- Adventure activity coverage – Level 1 - hiking or trekking up to 3,000 metres
- Adventure activity coverage – Level 3 - hiking or trekking up to 6,000 metres
- There is no coverage for hiking or trekking over 6,000 metres
An additional adventure activity coverage upgrade is required for all level 2 and level 3 activities.
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Do I need to cover the full duration for multi-day hiking trips?
Yes, you must purchase your travel insurance plan to cover the full duration of your trip outside of your home province.
Need destination inspiration?
Not sure where your next hiking or trekking adventure should take you? Check out some of our favorite trails around the world and get destination-specific travel insurance tips to help you plan with confidence.
This article is for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical, legal, insurance, or travel advice and provides only a general summary of certain features that may be available under applicable travel insurance policies. Coverage is subject to the specific terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions, and pre-existing condition provisions of the applicable insurance policy. In the event of any inconsistency between this article and the wording of any insurance policy, the policy wording shall govern and take precedence. It is important that you read and understand your policy before travelling. If you have questions about your coverage or are unsure how your policy applies to your circumstances, please contact us for clarification.Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you
Trip Cancellation
Protect your hard earned vacation from unexpected cancellation.
- Explorer Plan: $5,000
- Standard Plan: $2,500
Trip Protection
- Work emergency?
- Weather delay?
- Travel companion sick?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Medical Insurance
Take the pain out of medical or dental costs.
- Explorer Plan: $10 million
- Standard Plan: $5 million
Emergency Medical Insurance
- Accidentally injured?
- Suddenly sick?
- Need a hospital?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation
We’ll get you to hospital or home quickly.
- Explorer Plan: $500,000
- Standard Plan: $500,000
Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation
- Ambulance transfers
- Medevac flights
- Medical escort services
Help starts here.
Protect your gear
Covers the theft, damage or delay of your bags, tech and sports gear.
- Explorer Plan: $3,000
- Standard Plan: $1,000
Protect your gear
- Stolen I.D.s
- Checked-in sports equipment
- Damaged luggage
Help starts here.
- Emergency Medical Expenses
- Emergency Dental for Injury or Sickness
- Bedside Companion Travel and Subsistence
- Emergency Professional Services
- Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation
- Return of Travel Companion/Dependent Children
- Return to Your Trip Destination
- Return of Remains
- Travel Accident
- Flight Accident
- Trip Cancellation
- Trip Interruption
- Trip Delay
- Baggage and Personal Effects Theft or Damage
- Baggage and Sporting Equipment Delay
- Travel Documents Theft or Damage
- Sporting Equipment Theft or Loss by a Common Carrier
- Covered Adventure Sports listed in Policy
Assistance Services Included
- LiveTravelTM Emergency Assistance
- Worldwide Travel Assistance
- Adventure Travel Hotline
- 24/7 Security
- Travel Medical Assistance
- Bag Trak
Before your trip, check the latest government advice for any travel alerts for your destination.