Best Travel Insurance for Stok Kangri Trek
Written by Antonio Cala
Table of Contents
For those planning to hike the Stok Kangri Trek in India, whether you’re a seasoned trekker, a nature enthusiast, or simply seeking an exhilarating high-altitude adventure, ensuring you have suitable insurance coverage is paramount. Renowned for its challenging terrain and breathtaking vistas, the Stok Kangri Trek offers an unparalleled experience amidst the majestic Himalayas.
Having explored numerous trails in the Indian Himalayas, this guide will specifically address insurance considerations tailored for the Stok Kangri Trek. We’ll dive into essential aspects to consider for this particular route, highlight indispensable features to seek in your insurance plan, and I’ll share my top insurance recommendations.
For a comprehensive exploration of insurance options designed specifically for hikers and mountaineering, be sure to explore both the insurance guide for hiking trips and the insurance guide for mountaineering trips and high altitude trekking.
Finally, for a complete overview of insurance options for adventure travelers, make sure to check out the Ultimate Guide to Adventure Travel Insurance.
Quick Recommendations
If you want some quick recommendations, here is our infographic to help you choose the best insurance for your trip to the Stok Kangri Trek.
Stok Kangri Trek Travel Insurance Overview
When preparing for the Stok Kangri Trek in India, getting the right travel insurance is very important due to the high-altitude conditions of the route and the trek’s remote location. Ascending through rugged terrain amidst the towering Himalayas, the Stok Kangri Trek requires meticulous planning to ensure sufficient coverage, particularly concerning altitude-related health risks.
Reaching heights of up to 20,182 feet (6,153 meters) at its summit, it’s imperative to verify that your insurance policy extends coverage to such elevations.
Conventional travel insurance plans may lack comprehensive provisions for the specific challenges encountered during high-altitude trekking in the Indian Himalayas. Hence, opting for insurance tailored to encompass trekking activities and potential medical emergencies in isolated regions is highly recommended.
Health hazards like altitude sickness, dehydration, and injuries aren’t uncommon on the Stok Kangri Trek. Therefore, prioritizing a policy inclusive of medical evacuation services is essential, given the limited accessibility to healthcare facilities amidst the trek’s remote location.
What Does It Cover?
The majority of insurance policies typically offer the same coverage as a traditional travel insurance policy but specifically extend that coverage to hiking in remote places and high altitude. The main four categories are as follows:
Medical Expenses
In the event of an unexpected injury or illness during your Stok Kangri Trek, having specialized adventure insurance is totally necessary. This specialized coverage extends to emergency medical expenses incurred within the remote and demanding terrain you’ll traverse, offering reassurance of comprehensive protection throughout your expedition.
A meticulously crafted policy with expansive coverage is adept at addressing a spectrum of medical eventualities, spanning from minor ailments to severe emergencies. Whether the situation demands immediate first aid or intricate medical intervention, a good insurance plan offers the medical coverage required to preserve your well-being amidst the challenging terrain of the Stok Kangri Trek.
Equipment Coverage
Trip Cancellation or Interruption
Emergency Evacuation
What Doesn't Cover?
Best Travel Insurance for Stok Kangri Trek
Our Pick For
Best Rescue Services + Any Nationality + Medical/Evacuation Only
Nationalities: all nationalities are covered.
Pre-existing conditions: Yes.
Seniors Over 65: People aged 65-75 are included in the Individual Plan. Extended Plan memberships are available to those age 75-84 and include all services but are contingent upon completion of a medical form and a physician’s medical verification.
Trip Duration: Short term policies (7, 14 or 30-days) and long term policies (1 to 5 years) available.
Groups: Individual, family and student plans available.
Situations covered: It covers civil unrest, natural disasters, government evacuation orders and other security emergencies (when purchasing the Security package).
Reasons To Buy
Remote locations coverage. Coverage available for 65-84. Pre-existing conditions accepted. All nationalities accepted.
Reasons To Avoid
The price is a bit higher than other insurance policies. However, no other company provides the same coverage as Global Rescue. It doesn’t cover trip cancellations or delays. It doesn’t cover equipment.
Worldwide field rescue (up to $500,000) in remote or dangerous environments. Global Rescue’s deployable teams are standing by to rescue their members from the point of illness or injury for any serious medical emergency.
Medical Evacuation. Global Rescue’s fully deployable medical teams have unparalleled capabilities to transport our members back to their home hospital of choice from anywhere in the world. This includes global COVID-19 transport.
Medical & Security Advisory Services. Global Rescue’s operations centers are staffed by experienced nurses, paramedics and military special operations veterans. Global Rescue also has partnerships with the Johns Hopkins Emergency Medicine Division of Special Operations, Elite Medical Group and Partners HealthCare, the Harvard Medical School affiliate.
Security Membership. Global Rescue’s teams of military special operations veterans are available to provide advisory, consultation and evacuation services for events like natural disasters, terror attacks and civil unrest when you are in danger.
Destination Reports & Event Alerts. Destination reports for 215 countries and principalities worldwide include entry requirements, COVID-19 travel status and restrictions, detailed health and security assessments and required immunizations. Keep up to date on health and security events worldwide.
My Global Rescue Mobile App. Access Global Rescue services in one location. Browse destination reports and alerts, activate emergency assistance, real-time virtual health visits and keep track of the people you care about with GPS tracking and messaging.
Security Package. Physical extraction when you are in danger of bodily harm. It includes civil unrest, natural disasters, government evacuation orders and other security emergencies.
High Altitude Evacuation.. This is for individuals traveling above 15,000 ft (4,600 m) during any part of their trip (excluding airplane travel). It also includes emergency physical transport due to injury or illness.
Global Rescue is the most comprehensive travel protection available worldwide. It has the least restrictions and biggest coverage than any other medical insurance.
It’s a medical-only protection designed for adventure travelers planning to go remote in an independent or organized adventure trip. All nationalities are covered and options for people over 75 are available.
For high altitude treks in remote locations like the Stok Kangri Trek in India, there’s no other company with the same rescue capabilities and medical network like Global Rescue.
Global Rescue is our absolute preferred option for anyone planning to do the Stok Kangri route.
Our Pick For
Americans + High Medical Coverage + Trip Protection
Nationalities: Only US citizens and residents are eligible.
Pre-existing conditions: Pre-existing conditions can be covered for Trip Cancellations and Interruptions, as long as you purchase your plan within 14 days of your initial trip deposit, and are medically able to travel when you purchase your plan.
Seniors Over 65: There is no maximum age limit.
Trip Duration: All plans cover trips up to 180 days.
Groups: Insurance policies for solo travelers, couples and families are available.
Reasons To Buy
The prices are very competitive.
Plans are very customizable with plenty of extras available and the option of removing items you don’t need.
Pre-existing medical conditions accepted.
24/7 chat available with the Faye Mobile App
Reasons To Avoid
Only available to American residents.
Emergency Medical Expenses: Up to $250,000. If you experience sudden illness or injury in-trip, including COVID-19. We can cover prescription drugs, hospitalization and physician costs.
Emergency Evacuation: Up to $500,000. Coverage of transportation in the case of illness or injury that is acute, severe or life threatening when adequate medical treatment is not available in the immediate area.
Trip Cancellation: Up to 100%. If you need to cancel your trip for covered reasons, including if you get sick, contract COVID-19, or a travel provider goes bankrupt. We can cover flights, hotel bookings, tickets & activities, and quarantine accommodation.
Trip Interruption: Up to 150%. When you must unexpectedly cut your trip short or extend it for covered reasons, including if you contract COVID-19.
Trip Delay: Up to $4,500. Up to $300/day, for delays of more than 6 hours. When you’re stranded in transit due to reasons outside of your control such as flight delay or theft of passport.
Lost or damaged Belongings: Up to $2,000. Reimbursement for lost, stolen, or damaged luggage, including clothing, personal items and professional equipment like a phone or laptop.
Cancel for Any Reason: Up to 75% of Trip Cost. The ability to nix your trip for reasons other than those covered in your plan’s trip cancellation coverage, including fear of contracting COVID-19, as long as you purchase this coverage within 14 days of your initial trip deposit and cancel at least 48 hours in advance of your scheduled departure date.
Pet Care: Up to $2,500 in veterinary expenses & $250 for kenneling. Coverage of veterinary expenses if you take your furry friend along (including pet sickness or injury), or kenneling costs if you arrive back home later than expected.
Adventure & Extreme Sports: Up to $250K (international trips) or $50K (domestic trips) for accidental & sickness expenses. Medical and transportation coverage if you become injured while participating in an adventure or extreme sport, like skydiving, bungee jumping, motocross or free diving.
Faye insurance provides American residents one of the biggest medical coverages on the market at a very competitive price.
We recommend Faye for Americans who want to have the trip cancellation/interruption & baggage cover for their Stok Kangri Trek, that Global Rescue doesn’t provide.
Our Pick For
Non Americans + Budget
Nationalities: Most nationalities can purchase insurance from World Nomads, including residents of the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, India, Australia, or New Zealand. However, as of the current writing, most European residents are unable to buy a World Nomads policy.
Pre-existing conditions: Not covered.
Seniors Over 65: Travelers aged 70 and over are not covered.
Trip Duration: All plans cover trips up to 365 days.
Groups: Insurance policies for solo travelers, couples and families are available.
Reasons To Buy
The price is competitive.
Reasons To Avoid
Prices and coverage vary greatly by the country of residence.
Some European nationalities are not covered.
Pre-existing medical conditions not covered
Max age is 70 years old.
Emergency Accident & Sickness Medical Expense: Up to $100,000. Coverage is for medical expenses for emergency treatment of an accidental injury that occurs during the trip. Emergency treatment must be medically necessary and performed during the trip. Refer to the certificate / policy for complete details.
Emergency dental treatment: Up to $750. Coverage is for emergency dental treatment for accidental injury to sound, natural teeth. The injury and treatment must occur during the trip.
Emergency Evacuation: Up to $500,000. Coverage is for an accidental injury or sickness occurring during the trip that results in your necessary emergency evacuation. An emergency evacuation must be ordered by a physician who certifies that the severity of your accidental injury or sickness warrants your emergency evacuation. Refer to the certificate / policy for complete details.
Trip Cancellation: Up to $10,000. Reimburses for prepaid, non-refundable cancellation charges if you must cancel your trip (after the effective date) due to covered sickness, accidental injury, or death of you, a family member or traveling companion; inclement weather, unforeseen natural disaster at home or at your destination, strike or other covered reasons. Refer to the certificate / policy for complete details.
Trip Interruption: Up to $10,000. Reimburses for prepaid, non-refundable, unused expenses if you must interrupt your trip (after departure) due to a covered sickness, accidental injury, or death of you, a family member or traveling companion; inclement weather, unforeseen natural disaster at home or at your destination, strike, or other covered reasons. Refer to the certificate / policy for complete details.
Trip Delay: Up to $3,000. Coverage is for unused portion of pre-paid accommodation or additional expenses, on a one-time basis, if you are delayed en route to or from the trip for 6 or more hours due to a defined hazard as explained in the certificate / policy.
Baggage & Personal Effects: Up to $3,000. Reimbursement is for loss, theft or damage during the trip to baggage and personal effects (including sporting equipment) owned by you, provided you have taken all reasonable measures to protect, save and recover the property. Per article limit of $500.
Activities covered based on 4 groups. You pay more for higher group. The Explorer plan includes more activities than the Standard Plan. Extreme activities not covered (cave diving, free soloing, etc)
The World Nomads Explorer Plan is a great option if you’re looking for an affordable travel insurance with good medical coverage and some equipment coverage (up to $3,000) under the same policy.
Be aware that World Nomads only covers up to 6,000 meters, so you won’t be covered on Summit day. You can easily purchase a one-day policy from any mountaineering-specific insurance or go with Global Rescue instead.
We recommend World Nomads Explorers plan for the Stok Kangri Trek if you want the trip & baggage protection that Global Rescue doesn’t provide, do not live in the United States, and get a separate one-day policy for the Summit day.
Comparison Table
Company |
Plan |
Medical Expenses |
Emmergency Evacuation |
Trip Cancellation |
Trip Delays |
Equipment Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Travel |
$100,000 |
$500,000 |
None |
None |
None |
|
|
Adv Sports |
$250,000 |
$500,000 |
100% |
150% |
$2,000 |
|
|
Explorer |
$100,000 |
$500,000 |
$10,000 |
$3,000 |
$3,000 |
Conclusion
When seeking insurance for the Stok Kangri Trek, it’s crucial to verify that the coverage aligns with the demands of trekking through the rugged, high-altitude terrain and remote regions of the Indian Himalayas.
For top-tier rescue services, Global Rescue stands out, delivering exceptional medical evacuation and comprehensive global coverage, which proves invaluable in the isolated and challenging conditions of the Stok Kangri Trek.
For travelers residing in the US seeking trip cancellation/interruption and baggage coverage, Faye presents a robust solution. It boasts extensive medical coverage, accommodates pre-existing conditions, and incorporates adventure sports protection, essential for a high-altitude trek like the Stok Kangri Trek.
For adventurers hailing from outside the US, the Explorer Plan from World Nomads emerges as a reliable option, offering broad medical coverage ideally suited for remote hiking expeditions. Additionally, it provides cost-effective policies that encompass trip protection and baggage coverage.
Other Hiking Trails
If you would like to read more about insurance options for some of the most popular hiking routes from around the world, you can check out the other trails we’ve written about below:
Himalayas Region
Other Travel Insurance Reviews
If you would like to read more about insurance options for other type of adventure trips, you can check out our other reviews below:
- Skiing & Snowboarding
- Hiking Trips
- Mountaineering & High Altitude Trekking
- Mountain Biking, Bike-touring & Bike-packing
- Rock Climbing, Ice Climbing & Bouldering
- Kayaking, White Water Rafting & Paddle Boarding
- Fishing & Spearfishing
- Diving Liveaboards & Freediving
- Sailing, Kite Surfing & Surfing
- Adventure Cruises
- Adventure Motorcycling
Stok Kangri Trek Insurance Reviews Online
During your research, you might want to consider checking out articles from various publications that provide insights into insurance options for those who want to do the Stok Kangri Trek in India.
Below are a few articles that I thought were interesting.
Stok Kangri expedition in photos & top tips – theordinaryadventurer.com
Climb Stok Kangri – Complete Guide to Stok Kangri Trek – Mountain IQ
About the Author
Antonio was born and raised in Southern Spain, and quit his job in 2013 to travel the world full-time with his wife Amanda for 10 years straight. Their passion for adventure took them to visit 150+ countries.
They cycled 25,000km + from California to Patagonia, sailed over 10,000NM around the Caribbean & Sea of Cortez, rode their motorbikes 30,000 kms+ across West Africa (Spain to South Africa) and visited Antarctica, among many other adventure expeditions. Today, they’re still traveling, currently around the USA with an RV.
Traveling to so many places, remote destinations and by different means taught them a lot about travel insurance, which policies to hold depending on the area and the type of adventure they were doing. Antonio now publishes regular content to help other travelers choose the best travel insurance for adventure trips.
Together, they also run the travel community Summit, the RV site Hitched Up, the boutique accommodation blog Unique Places and the popular newsletter Adventure Fix, where they share their knowledge about the places they’ve visited and the ones still remaining on their list.
Antonio Cala
Co-Founder of Adventure Fix