Travel Insurance for Nepal
Essential travel advice for Canadians heading to Nepal
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At a glance
- World Nomads offers four travel insurance plans for your trip to Nepal. Plans range from standard to higher-limit protections.
- Coverage may apply to popular activities in Nepal like trekking, kayaking and whitewater rafting.
- Policies for Canadians include protection for medical evacuations, trip cancellations and lost luggage.
Nepal draws an ever-growing number of Canadians to the Himalayas but there’s plenty more to see and do beyond the peaks – it’s a welcoming country that blends adventure with rich cultural experiences. In Kathmandu, temples, market squares and ancient stupas set the tone, while in Pokhara, lakeside views and mountain backdrops offer a slower pace. Head south to Chitwan National Park for jungle safaris and wildlife encounters with rhinos, crocodiles and, if you’re lucky, elephants and Bengal tigers.
Plan Comparisons
Choosing the right travel insurance coverage depends on your trip type and planned activities. Each of our four plans – Standard, Explorer, Epic and Annual – offers different coverages and benefit maximums.
| Standard Plan | Explorer Plan | Epic Plan | Annual Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
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Ideal for: Coverage Includes:
Covering the basics for your Trip to Nepal. Get a quote |
Ideal for: Coverage Includes:
Optional 'Cancel for Any Reason' available. Get a quote |
Ideal for: Coverage Includes:
Optional 'Cancel for Any Reason' available. Get a quote |
Ideal for: Coverage Includes:
Get a quote |
Travel insurance for adventure activities in Nepal
Some of the world’s most iconic trekking routes run through the Himalayas, and you don’t have to climb Mt Everest to have an exhilarating time. Multi-day hikes to Everest Base Camp or in the Annapurna region are epic, while shorter treks and viewpoints offer access to the same dramatic landscapes without the altitude. Nepal has some of the best rivers for kayaking and whitewater rafting in the world, while in Pokhara, paragliding or hot air ballooning will have you floating high above Phewa Lake with the Annapurna range as a backdrop. Mountain biking, bungee jumping and zip-flying offer faster-paced ways to explore.
Coverage for 250 activities you love + more
Common insurance considerations for Nepal
Accidents and emergencies
No one likes imagining the worst, but if you do get seriously sick or have an accident that sends you to hospital, you’ll be thankful you purchased travel insurance before you left home. Hit by a motorcycle crossing the street? Tripped over on your trek to Base Camp and need stitches? Ate a dodgy momo and came down with a nasty bout of food poisoning? Emergency assistance is a phone call away.
Emergency evacuation
If you get seriously sick or injured but you’re far from appropriate medical facilities, emergency evacuation and repatriation insurance can help get you the care you need. It may cover, up to the policy limits, the cost to get you to the closest appropriate medical facility or to your home province for further treatment. Under your World Nomads plan, emergency evacuation may be covered if it’s recommended by the attending physician and pre-approved by our 24/7 Emergency Assistance team. This benefit could include transportation costs and any related medical services or supplies. If you’re in hospital for three days or more, it may also include the transportation of a family member or companion to your bedside or the return of a dependent child back to your home.
Trip Cancellation
The best trips are often the ones you’ve planned months in advance, but you can’t predict the future and unexpected situations can sometimes happen before you even set off. Trip cancellation coverage is included in all single-trip and annual travel insurance plans offered by World Nomads and gives you the opportunity to cancel your trip before you depart – but only for covered reasons. Optional Cancel For Any Reason coverage allows you to cancel for any reason that’s not otherwise covered by your plan. Broke up with your partner? You can cancel your trip. Sick dog? You can stay home to care for your fur baby. Change your mind about travelling? There’s no judgment here. Just make sure you purchase Cancel For Any Reason insurance cover within 15 days of making your first trip payment (like booking a hotel or flight).
Natural disasters
When a natural disaster strikes, even the most carefully planned trip can be thrown off course, but travel insurance can offer some much-needed weatherproofing. With protection for trip interruption, medical emergencies, and even evacuation, you can head into the unknown feeling prepared for whatever comes your way. Do your research before you go though, because if you buy a policy after an event is known and the natural disaster impacts your trip, you won’t be covered for any expenses.
Tips for travelling to Nepal
- Allow time to acclimatise – altitude sickness is a real risk on treks, so build in rest days and ascend gradually.
- Stick to bottled or purified water and eat freshly cooked food to avoid illness.
- Pack for changing conditions – temperatures can vary widely depending on altitude and conditions, so layers are essential.
- Stay aware of your surroundings – Nepal is generally safe, but petty theft can occur in busy areas like Kathmandu and on trekking routes. Beware of scammers posing as guides.
FAQ
Here are our most frequently asked questions about cover for Nepal. 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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Do I need travel insurance for Nepal?
Travel insurance isn’t mandatory, but it’s strongly recommended. Cover for accidents, medical emergencies, cancellations, delays and lost luggage can help protect you against unexpected costs. Whether you’re in a major city or off adventuring in a more remote location, it’s reassuring to know you can get the help you need – especially when it comes to an accident or sudden illness.
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Do Canadians need a visa to visit Nepal?
Yes. Canadians need a visa to enter Nepal, which can be obtained on arrival at the airport. You can reduce your time in airport queues by applying for an ETA in advance. Requirements can change, so check official advice before you travel.
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Is Nepal safe for tourists?
Nepal is generally safe for travellers, including trekkers, but a high degree of caution is advised. Petty theft can occur in busy areas like Kathmandu, and trekking in remote regions carries risks, particularly if you’re trekking solo, so it’s important to take sensible precautions – and travel with a guide if you can.
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How do I make a travel insurance claim?
You can make a claim online 24/7. Have your documents and receipts handy to upload, and get started. If you get stuck, you can call us collect on +1 416 646 3723 or send an email to worldnomads@travelguard.com and we will assist you with your claim.
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What do I do if I need emergency assistance?
No matter where you are in the world, our 24/7 Emergency Assistance partners at Travel Guard are ready to help – 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Whether it’s a medical emergency, stolen gear, missing bags, or a natural disaster, they’re the first call to make. Need a translator? They can help with that too.
When you call, you’ll be asked if you are experiencing a travel emergency. If you are having a medical emergency, you’ll be connected with Emergency Assistance right away. If your situation is not urgent and you are calling outside of normal business hours, you’ll be able to leave a message and be called back.
The contact information for medical emergency assistance is:
Phone: +1 866 878 0192 (toll-free from Canada and the Continental U.S.); or
Phone: +1 416 646 3723 (collect from anywhere else in the world)
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What is the best time to visit Nepal?
The best time to visit is during the dry seasons – October to November and March to April – when conditions are ideal for trekking and sightseeing. The monsoon season (June to September) can bring heavy rain and disruptions.
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Do I need permits for trekking in Nepal?
Yes. Most trekking regions require permits, such as TIMS cards and national park or conservation area permits. Requirements vary depending on the route.
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Is altitude sickness a risk in Nepal?
Yes. Altitude sickness is a serious risk on treks exceeding altitudes higher than 2,500 metres. It’s important to acclimatise properly, ascend gradually and recognise the symptoms.
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Can I drink tap water in Nepal?
No. It’s best to avoid tap water. Stick to bottled or purified water and take care with ice and raw foods.
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What currency is used in Nepal and can I use credit cards?
Nepal uses the Nepalese rupee (NPR). Credit cards are accepted in larger hotels and restaurants, but cash is essential in smaller towns and trekking areas.
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Do I need a guide for trekking in Nepal?
For many popular trekking routes, hiring a licensed guide is now required or strongly recommended. Guides improve safety, help with navigation and logistics, and enhance the overall experience, especially in remote or high-altitude areas.
Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you
Trip Cancellation
Insurance protection for your hard earned vacation in the event of unexpected cancellation.
- Standard Plan: $2,500
- Explorer Plan: $10,000
- Epic Plan: $15,000
- AMT Plan: $10,000
Trip Protection
- Unexpectedly hospitalized?
- Travel buddy unfit to travel?
- Close relative suddenly dies?
We’ve got your back.
Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation
We’ll get you to hospital or home quickly.
- Standard Plan: $250,000
- Explorer Plan: $500,000
- Epic Plan: $750,000
- Annual Plan: $500,000
Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation
- Banged up abroad?
- Need a hospital urgently?
- Medevac home?
Help starts here.
Gear & Baggage Protection
Coverage for the theft, damage or delay of your bags, tech and sports gear.
- Standard Plan: $1,000
- Explorer Plan: $2,000
- Epic Plan: $5,000
- Annual Plan: $2,000
Protect your gear
- Passport or tech stolen?
- Airline lost your gear?
- Bags delayed?
Help starts here.
Protect your health
- Emergency Medical & Dental Expenses
- Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation
- Bedside Companion Travel and Subsistence
- Emergency Professional Services
- Return of Remains
- Return of Travel Companion/Dependent Children
Protect your trip
- Trip Cancellation
- Trip Interruption
- Trip Delay
- Optional Cancel for Any Reason (Explorer or Epic)
- Trip Exchange (Explorer, Epic or AMT)
- Rental Vehicle Damage (Explorer, Epic or AMT)
Protect your stuff
- 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
- 24/7 Worldwide Emergency Medical Assistance
- Worldwide Travel Assistance
- Personal Security Assistance
- Adventure Traveller’s Hotline
- Bag Trak
Before your trip, check the latest government advice for any travel alerts for your destination.