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Travel Insurance for Hiking & Trekking Adventures

Simple and flexible travel insurance for New Zealanders trekking around the world. Buy anytime, anywhere.

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Consider travel insurance when going hiking?

Are you ready to explore the world’s most breathtaking trails such as the Kesugi Ridge Trail through the Alaskan wilderness or scaling the peaks of Patagonia? Don’t take a step until you consider World Nomads travel insurance.

As a New Zealander, your adventures in hiking and trekking deserve travel protection. From emergency medical expenses to trip cancellation, our Standard and Explorer plans offer a range of benefits that will allow you to focus on the journey ahead and not on potential mishaps.

Join fellow adventurers who have trusted World Nomads for over 20 years. Your next great adventure awaits.


Hiking
A group of people hiking on a mountain ridge. Photo credit: Getty Images / Kevin Schafer

Choose a plan to suit your hiking and trekking needs

Both our Standard Plan and Explorer Plan may offer many of the same benefits including coverage for hiking or trekking up to 6,000 meters, you just need to select the maximum elevation you’ll be hiking to at the time of getting your quote.

An upgrade for certain sports and activities may be required. Check out our FAQ article on covered sports and activities, which can help answer any questions you have around cover and selecting any optional upgrades for the activities you have planned when you buy your policy. Remember, you can’t add any sports or activities after your travel insurance has been purchased.

Hiking and similar activities level of cover guide:

  • Bushwalking: Level 1 cover required
  • Hiking over 6,000 metres in elevation: not covered
  • Hiking up to 2,000 metres in elevation: Level 1 cover required
  • Hiking up to 6,000 metres in elevation: level 3 cover required
  • Mountaineering: not covered
  • Free soloing: not covered
  • Climbing: not covered

Terms, conditions, limits, exclusions apply, please read your Policy Document carefully and contact us if you have any questions.

What else do we cover?

World Nomads travel insurance is designed for adventurous souls like you who plan to hike and trek across stunning landscapes. Here are some of the many benefits offered by World Nomads:

  1. Sports and activities cover: World Nomads provides coverage for a wide range of activities, including hiking and trekking, scuba diving, rock climbing, surfing, camping and many more.
  1. Overseas medical assistance: If you find yourself injured on a remote trail in Torres del Paine National Park in Chile, emergency medical assistance can be lifesaving. We offer emergency medical coverage so you can get the treatment you need.
  1. Evacuation cover: your hiking adventure may be far away from medical facilities. With our cover, you could get transported to the medical facility best for your care, subject to approval from our 24/7 Emergency Assistance team. If your injuries are worse than first thought, you could be repatriated back to New Zealand.
  1. Cover for gear loss and theft: Hiking often involves expensive equipment. Should your backpack or super expensive hiking boots go missing or be stolen, World Nomads may help compensate you for any lost or stolen gear.
  1. Cancellations and delays: Unexpected last minute cancellations or flight delays can derail plans. If your trek on Mount Kilimanjaro needs to be postponed due to unforeseen circumstances, you may be covered.
  1. Worldwide emergency support: The 24/7 Emergency Assistance team is ready to help travellers around the globe, you’ll never feel alone during your adventures.
  1. The freedom to explore: Your passion for adventure shouldn’t come with constant worry. Knowing that you're insured allows you to fully immerse yourself in incredible hikes like those found along Norway's fjords without fear.

hiking
A group of people with backpacks walking in the mountains at sunset. Photo credit: Getty Images / Alexandr Dubynin

World Nomads love hiking & trekking

As passionate hikers ourselves, we’ve designed our plans to cover hiking from the most intrepid trek to lazy weekend hike. Here are just a few of the most epic hikes and treks to explore worldwide:

  • Inca Trail, Peru
  • Anapurna Sanctuary Trek, Nepal
  • Gotemba Trail, Japan
  • Torres Del Paine, Chile
  • Whale Trail, South Africa
  • Paria River Canyon, USA
  • Laugavegur Trail, Iceland

*All plans are different. Depending on the altitude you're hiking to, you may need upgrade your policy at the time of purchase. Conditions and exclusions apply. Read the Policy Document carefully to choose the right plan and/or adventure sport option for your trip.

With World Nomads you can get a quote, make a claim, or extend your policy instantly online, anytime, from anywhere.

Common injuries and safety tips

Hiking and trekking can be tough on the body, so it’s smart to prepare for some of the common injuries that can arise:

  • Sprained ankles and knee Injuries: Uneven terrain can strain joints. Invest in sturdy footwear with good ankle support and take breaks to prevent fatigue.
  • Dehydration and heat stroke: Staying hydrated is essential, especially in hot climates. Carry plenty of water and drink fluids regularly.
  • Altitude sickness: If you’re trekking at high altitudes, ascend gradually and allow your body time to adjust. Symptoms include headache, nausea, and dizziness.

If you find yourself injured and unable to continue your trek, get in touch with the Emergency Assistance team as soon as possible, seek out local medical help, and save any documentation for your claim.

What’s not covered?

While there are several things we can offer coverage for, there are also things we just won’t cover. These include, but are not limited to:

  • If you travel against medical advice or neglect to adhere to the New Zealand government’s ‘Do Not Travel’ warnings issued prior to departure. For more information check out the SafeTravel website.
  • Any pre-existing medical condition unless otherwise expressly stated in your Policy Document.
  • Participation in a sport or activity not listed as covered in the Policy Document or agreed by World Nomads or where you haven’t paid the required additional premium.
  • Extreme climbing and mountaineering: Ensure that the trek or hike your planning is covered in the first place. Some high-risk activities like may be excluded or require a certain level of cover. Be sure to check the Policy Document so that your chosen activity is covered.
  • Ignoring safety guidelines: Insurance might not cover injuries resulting from not following safety advice, trekking without a guide in high-risk areas, or venturing into restricted zones.
  • Expenses you incur after you return to New Zealand.
  • Unattended baggage or personal items.
  • Working or participating professionally in any activity or sport.

Get a quote from anywhere 24/7

With World Nomads travel insurance, you can buy your plan before you go or when you're already travellinng, anytime, anywhere, 24-hours a day. When you're ready, head to our website to get a quote, and reach out if you have any questions.

This is only a summary of coverage and does not include the full terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions of the policy. You should read your Policy Document in full so you understand what is and isn’t covered. That way there won’t be any surprises if you need to use it. If you have any questions, please get in touch.

The information provided is of a general nature and is provided for information purposes only. It does not constitute financial advice in any form and should not be relied on as a substitute for obtaining professional advice that is specific to your circumstances. You should seek advice from a financial advice provider if you would like further information about whether a particular product is appropriate for you and your circumstances.

Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you

Trip Cancellation

Protect your trip from unexpected cancellation.

  • Explorer Plan: Unlimited
  • Standard Plan: $5,000
Trip Protection
  • Unexpectedly hospitalized?
  • Travel buddy unfit to travel?
  • Close relative suddenly died?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Medical Overseas

Take the pain out of medical costs.

  • Explorer Plan: Unlimited
  • Standard Plan: $5,000,000
Emergency Medical Insurance
  • Rolled your ankle?
  • Bedridden after a local delicacy?
  • Struggling with altitude?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Medical Transport

We'll get you to hospital in a flash

  • Explorer Plan: Unlimited
  • Standard Plan: $500,000
Evacuation and Repatriation
  • Road or air ambulance?
  • Flight assistance?
  • Medivac needed home?

Help starts here.

Protect your gear

Cover your stolen or damaged gear and tech.

  • Explorer Plan: $10,000
  • Standard Plan: $2,000
Protect your gear
  • GoPro stolen?
  • Gear damaged in transit?
  • Bags delayed?

Help starts here.

  • Overseas Medical Expenses
  • Emergency dental treatment
  • 24 hour assistance
  • Emergency medical transport & repatriation
  • Cancellation costs
  • Trip interruption costs
  • Compassionate emergency visit home
  • Resumption of trip
  • Theft or accidental damage to baggage and personal items
  • Baggage delay over 12 hours
  • Funeral expenses overseas or repatriation of remains
  • Personal liability
This is a general summary for New Zealand residents only. Restrictions, exclusions and limitations will apply. Benefit limits may vary depending on the plan chosen. Check the policy documents for full details.

24/7 emergency assistance

If you need medical assistance or emergency medical evacuation our team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year before and during your trip.

Are you in need of emergency assistance right now?

From New Zealand & Overseas:
+61 2 8263 0470 or
+61 2 8292 1470
(reverse charges via an operator from anywhere in the world)

Within Australia (Free call): 1800 611 210

FAQ

Here are our most frequently asked questions about buying travel insurance for hiking and trekking. You can also find the answers to other questions in our Helpdesk or you can ask the customer service team.