Hiker crossing high mountain terrain protected by activity top-up insurance for trekking.

Introduction

Planning a high altitude trek such as Everest Base Camp, Annapurna Circuit, or Mt Kilimanjaro? You may already have a standard travel insurance policy in place, but most policies won’t cover you for trekking at altitudes greater than 3,000–4,000m. Many also exclude helicopter evacuation and trekking as the main purpose of your trip. That’s where activity top-up insurance comes in.

Offered by a limited number of specialist providers, these policies extend your existing cover for extreme activities such as high altitude trekking. In this guide, we’ll explain how activity top-up insurance works, what it includes, and how to make sure you’re properly protected for high altitude trekking.

Activity top-up insurance is an additional policy that works alongside your existing travel insurance. Rather than replacing your main policy, it extends it to include sports or adventure activities not already covered, such as trekking at altitude. It is designed for travellers who already hold a standard or annual travel policy e.g. through their bank or credit card but need extra protection for a specific activity.

A small number of providers such as SportsCover Direct offer single-trip top-up policies for high altitude trekking, allowing you to select the appropriate activity level and altitude for your trek. Top-up cover for other extreme activities can also be added.

Most mainstream travel insurance policies are written for leisure travel, not for multi-day treks at altitude. Typical exclusions include:

  • Trekking or hiking above 3,000–4,000 metres.
  • No cover for helicopter rescue or evacuation from remote regions.
  • Only covering trekking as an incidental activity rather than as the main purpose of a trip.
  • No personal accident or personal liability cover when trekking above a stated elevation. Personal liability cover protects you if you are liable to pay damages due to accidentally injuring someone or causing loss or damage to their property.

That means popular routes such as Everest Base Camp (5,364m), Annapurna Circuit (5,416m), Mount Kilimanjaro (5,895m) and the Inca Trail (4,215m) usually fall outside the scope of standard travel cover.

Without suitable high altitude trekking insurance, you could be responsible for medical treatment or rescue costs that can reach several thousand pounds.

Hikers crossing high mountain terrain protected by activity top-up insurance for trekking.

Activity Top-Up Insurance typically covers the following in relation to the sport/activity:

  • Emergency Medical and Repatriation Expenses – Emergency medical treatment abroad, including altitude-related illness, and the cost of repatriation to the UK if medically necessary.
  • Search and Rescue – Authorised search and rescue operations, including the use of helicopters or specialist rescue teams where required.
  • Personal Liability – Protects you if you accidentally injure another person or damage property during your trek.
  • Cancellation and Curtailment – Covers the costs relating to your activity of cancelling your trip before departure, or cutting it short due to illness, injury, or another insured reason.

Even with top-up cover, exclusions still apply. Common ones include:

  • Trekking above the maximum altitude specified in your policy.
  • Attempting technical climbs that require ropes, picks, or other specialist equipment (unless your policy specifically includes them).
  • Claims resulting from reckless or intentional acts.
  • Pre-existing medical conditions not declared and accepted by the insurer.

Always check the policy conditions and make sure they align with your itinerary and operator requirements.

Activity Top-Up Insurance is designed to complement and not replace your main travel policy. Your base travel policy covers standard travel risks such as flight delays, cancellations, and lost luggage, while the top-up policy extends protection to cover activities such as high altitude trekking which are excluded under the existing cover. You will usually need to give the name of your existing travel insurance provider when purchasing.

If you need to make a claim, the Activity Top-Up insurer handles any trekking-related incidents, while your base insurer continues to cover non-trekking travel issues.

SportsCover Direct offers activity top up insurance for a wide range of activities such as trekking up to 7,000m including and excluding Nepal. This is bolt-on protection to cover your sport on a specific day(s) during your trip. As at October 2025, 14 days cover for trekking up to 7000m worldwide (excluding Canada & USA) cost £201 excluding Nepal and £276 including Nepal for an adult under 65 travelling in November 2025.

Yes. You can buy activity top-up insurance separately, as long as you hold a standard travel insurance policy. Some providers allow you to purchase top-up insurance during as well as before your trip.

No. Those are covered under your main travel insurance. The top-up policy applies only to trekking-related events such as altitude sickness, evacuation or injury whilst trekking.

If you frequently trek or climb at altitude, a comprehensive adventure travel insurance policy may be simpler and offer broader protection. However, for a single trip, a top-up policy can be a practical alternative.

Yes. Licensed trekking companies usually request proof of insurance before departure, including emergency contact details, to help coordinate medical assistance if needed.

For high altitude treks, activity top-up insurance offers a flexible way to extend existing travel cover. It bridges the gap between standard travel insurance and specialist cover, ensuring protection for medical emergencies, rescue, and repatriation.

✅ See our curated list of travel insurance for trekking policies

✅ Read our Complete Guide to High Altitude Trekking Travel Insurance