Trekking Insurance up to 4,600m

How does our trekking insurance work?

Getting covered with Rise & Shield's trekking insurance is simple.

Follow these straightforward steps to secure your hiking adventure:

Hiking insurance FAQs

Does travel insurance cover trekking up to 4,600m?

Yes, provided your policy specifically includes trekking at that altitude. Rise & Shield’s Adventure Plus add-on covers eligible hiking and trekking above 3,000m and up to 4,600m, subject to the applicable guide, route and policy conditions.

What travel insurance do I need for trekking above 3,000m?

Rise & Shield includes eligible trekking up to 3,000m with its standard activity cover. If your route climbs above 3,000m but remains within 4,600m, you need Adventure Plus.

For eligible trekking above 4,600m, Adventure Extreme extends the maximum altitude to 6,500m.

Do I need Adventure Plus for trekking at 4,000m or 4,500m?

Yes. Both 4,000m and 4,500m are above Rise & Shield’s standard 3,000m trekking limit, so eligible trekking at those elevations requires Adventure Plus.

What is the maximum trekking altitude with Adventure Plus?

The normal Adventure Plus limit for hiking, trekking, rambling, bushwalking and fell walking is 4,600m.

Your required cover level should be based on the highest point reached anywhere on your itinerary, not simply the altitude of your accommodation or final destination.

Is the Salkantay Trek covered by Adventure Plus?

Yes. Rise & Shield treats the recognised Salkantay Trek as a specific exception to the normal 4,600m limit, allowing qualifying itineraries that reach approximately 4,650m to use Adventure Plus.

The normal guide, recognised-route and policy conditions still apply. This exception is specific to Salkantay and does not increase the general Adventure Plus altitude limit for other treks.

Does Adventure Plus cover the Inca Trail?

Yes. Eligible guided Inca Trail itineraries that remain within the applicable Adventure Plus conditions can be covered.

Rise & Shield specifically positions Adventure Plus as the cover level for qualifying Inca Trail trekking.

Is Annapurna Base Camp covered with Adventure Plus?

Eligible Annapurna Base Camp itineraries may be covered with Adventure Plus where the complete route remains within the permitted altitude and meets the applicable guide and recognised-route conditions.

Always check the highest point on your exact itinerary rather than relying only on the trek name.

Does Adventure Plus cover Mount Toubkal?

Eligible non-technical trekking routes on Mount Toubkal may be covered with Adventure Plus where they remain within the 4,600m trekking limit and meet the guide and recognised-route conditions.

If your itinerary involves specialist climbing equipment, it may instead fall under the separate mountaineering classification.

What other popular treks may be suitable for Adventure Plus?

Depending on the exact itinerary, popular routes that may fit within Adventure Plus include the Classic Inca Trail, Salkantay Trek, Annapurna Base Camp, Mount Toubkal, Mount Meru, Mount Kinabalu, Mount Fuji, Mount Rinjani, Mardi Himal, Druk Path and Ghorepani/Poon Hill.

Cover always depends on the exact route, maximum altitude and activities involved.

Does trekking insurance up to 4,600m cover altitude sickness?

Eligible emergency treatment for a sudden and unforeseen illness, including qualifying altitude illness, may be covered where your trek meets the activity conditions and Adventure Plus has been selected.

Medical benefits remain subject to your chosen plan’s limits, exclusions and excesses.

Is helicopter rescue covered while trekking?

An eligible helicopter evacuation may be covered when it is medically necessary and pre-approved by the 24/7 Emergency Assistance Centre.

The assistance team determines the appropriate evacuation method and provider. The current policy also applies a separate helicopter evacuation excess.

Can I arrange my own helicopter rescue and claim it back?

You should not independently arrange a helicopter evacuation where prior contact with the Emergency Assistance Centre is possible.

The current policy requires helicopter evacuations to be pre-approved and leaves the decision about medical necessity and evacuation arrangements to the assistance team.

Do I need a guide for trekking up to 4,600m?

Yes. Adventure Plus trekking requires you to be with a professional, qualified and licensed guide, instructor or operator.

You must also remain on recognised routes or trails.

Can I trek above 3,000m on my own?

Not under the Adventure Plus trekking conditions. Trekking up to 4,600m carries both the professional-guide condition and the recognised-route requirement.

Are off-route or exploratory treks covered?

No. Adventure Plus trekking is limited to recognised routes or trails.

An unsupported, exploratory or deliberately off-route itinerary should not be assumed to be covered.

What happens if my trek goes above 4,600m?

Except for the specific Salkantay exception, Adventure Plus does not cover trekking above 4,600m.

For qualifying trekking above 4,600m and up to 6,500m, you would need Adventure Extreme instead.

Does a short section above 4,600m still require Adventure Extreme?

Yes. The relevant altitude is the highest point reached on your complete route, even if you only spend a short time there.

The Salkantay exception should not be treated as a general tolerance above the 4,600m limit.

What is the difference between trekking and mountaineering?

Rise & Shield treats trekking as hiking or walking on recognised routes without specialist climbing equipment.

If the activity requires ropes, picks or other specialist climbing equipment, the trekking classification no longer applies and you need to check the policy’s separate mountaineering activity.

Does Adventure Plus cover mountaineering?

Adventure Plus trekking itself explicitly excludes mountaineering.

The policy separately lists certain mountaineering activity up to 3,000m under Adventure Plus, while higher eligible mountaineering is treated under Adventure Extreme and carries additional technical conditions.

Is glacier walking covered with Adventure Plus?

Yes. Glacier walking and ice walking are separately listed as Adventure Plus activities, subject to the professional-guide and recognised-route conditions.

Can I camp while trekking with Adventure Plus?

Yes, but camping has its own altitude limit. The current policy lists camping up to 4,500m under Adventure Plus.

It must be on an established campsite, and participants must carry a satellite communication device or file an itinerary with local park authorities or wardens. An altitude acclimatisation schedule is also required.

Can I camp at 4,600m with Adventure Plus?

Do not assume so. Although Adventure Plus trekking extends to 4,600m, the separate Adventure Plus camping activity is currently limited to 4,500m.

If your itinerary includes sleeping or camping above 4,500m, check the exact arrangements with Rise & Shield before buying.

Does Adventure Plus cover trip cancellation?

Your underlying Rise & Shield plan may provide cancellation and curtailment benefits for qualifying insured events.

Adventure Plus changes the activities you can undertake while insured; cancellation limits and insured events still depend on the Essentials, Classic or Elite base plan you select. The policy specifically preserves cancellation consideration for qualifying multi-day guided treks booked before departure.

What if my journey to the trek is delayed?

Your selected base plan may provide benefits for qualifying outward delays, missed departures or missed connections.

The policy includes certain pre-booked internal flights forming part of your trip, subject to the relevant waiting periods, evidence requirements and benefit limits.

Is my trekking equipment covered?

Eligible personal baggage may be covered under the baggage section of your selected plan, subject to total limits, single-item limits, security requirements and applicable excesses.

Damage to sports equipment while it is being used is excluded, so specialist trekking equipment should not simply be assumed to have unlimited or all-risks protection.

Is rented trekking equipment covered?

No. The current policy excludes items that are loaned, hired or entrusted to you from the personal luggage benefit.

That is worth remembering if you plan to rent trekking poles, sleeping bags, jackets or other equipment at your destination.

Can one policy cover my trek and the rest of my holiday?

Yes. Your Rise & Shield policy can cover the wider insured journey as well as qualifying Adventure Plus trekking, provided your full trip dates and destinations are insured and the required add-on is included.

You do not normally need a separate policy just for the trekking portion.

When should I buy trekking insurance?

It is generally sensible to arrange your policy once your trip is booked so that any eligible pre-departure cancellation benefits can begin.

Before purchasing, check your maximum altitude, route, guide arrangements and any additional activities, then make sure Adventure Plus appears in your policy summary.

How do I know whether Adventure Plus is enough for my trek?

Check the highest altitude anywhere on your complete itinerary and whether the route requires specialist climbing equipment.

If the trek remains within the Adventure Plus altitude rules—including the specific Salkantay exception—and meets the guide and recognised-route conditions, Adventure Plus may be appropriate. If it exceeds the limit or becomes mountaineering, a different activity level may be required.