mountain climbing travel insurance

Everything you need to know about mountaineering insurance

If you're planning an overseas mountaineering trip, it's crucial to be aware of potential risks. For example, flight delays, lost luggage, health emergencies, and the need for evacuation. These risks underline the importance of securing reliable travel insurance.

This article delves into the essentials of travel insurance for mountaineering. We'll talk about features like trip cancellation benefits and emergency medical evacuation. Being well-prepared for any unexpected events on your journey is essential. Continue reading to learn everything you need to know about travel insurance.

If you don't have time to read the whole article, here is our quick recommendation. For those in search of dependable mountaineering insurance, we highly recommend Global Rescue. During our decade in the mountaineering industry running Kilimanjaro group climbs and private adventures, we’ve found their service unparalleled. Especially in their response to emergencies. Though it may not be the cheapest, the peace of mind and security it offers are invaluable. Global Rescue is the industry leader trusted by over one million members worldwide. Ready to embark on your next trekking adventure? Secure your Global Rescue membership through the link below.

Additionally, Global Rescue's partner, IMG, offers a great Travel Insurance that provides Trip Cancellation/Lost Luggage/Medical Expense Benefit. It works on a trip-by-trip basis and protects you from non-refundable trip costs. You can purchase your IMG's Signature Travel Insurance here .

Who needs mountaineering hiking insurance?

Trips to high-altitude mountain peaks require comprehensive and specialized mountaineering insurance. The famous 7 Summits are good examples of such destinations:

• Mount Everest - Asia
• Aconcagua - South America
• Denali - North America
• Mount Kilimanjaro - Africa
• Mount Elbrus - Europe
• Puncak Jaya - Australia and Oceania
• Mount Vinson - Antarctica*

*Global Rescue membership will cover you on all those destinations, excluding Antarctica.

The best insurance for Mount Kilimanjaro climbing

Altezza is the largest operator on Kilimanjaro with hundreds of successful trips. We have plenty of experience with many mountain insurance companies. Global Rescue is simply the best in terms of their policy and service. That is why we have chosen to partner with them, and wholeheartedly recommend their insurance memberships for all mountaineers.

Common risks to consider on climbing trips

Travel insurance provides essential protection against various risks associated with mountaineering trips. It covers illnesses, injuries necessitating emergency medical evacuation, much more. In addition, other risks can be included in the package. These include unexpected trip interruptions, baggage loss, cancellations by tour operators, natural disasters, and death. Such coverage ensures you're prepared for a wide range of potential challenges during your adventure.

Helicopter evacuation and when can you use it

Helicopter rescue is important in rare cases of severe injury or other life-threatening conditions. This is true for Kilimanjaro and other high-altitude peaks.

When is helicopter evacuation necessary? Helicopter evacuation during mountain treks is reserved for life-threatening conditions. For instance, severe mountain sickness, fractures, heart attacks, asthma attacks, and similar emergencies. Helicopter rescue can't be provided in case of relatively mild issues like fatigue. In such cases, evacuation is typically carried out by the local team of your ground operator. This often involves descending on foot or on stretchers. For example, don't expect a helicopter evacuation for knee pain. The ground team will assist you with other evacuation methods. Helicopter rescues are strictly for critical cases when fast medical help is necessary and other forms of descent are not viable.

What can travel insurance protect you against?

Considering these risks, having robust travel insurance coverage becomes essential. Good mountaineering insurance acts as a safety net for all kinds of emergencies.

Medical expenses and repatriation benefits

A major advantage of travel insurance is its coverage for medical expenses. This includes emergency treatments and/or evacuation to a hospital. In more critical health emergencies, repatriation coverage is a useful benefit. It ensures that you are financially protected for a safe return home, complete with the required medical support.

Trip interruption

Additionally, a comprehensive travel insurance policy can be helpful in cases of trip interruption. Imagine you're halfway through a long-awaited African tour. Suddenly, an emergency back home requires your immediate return. Without travel insurance, you'd have to rebook flights and accommodations, often paying hefty fees. Insurance can effectively protect you against this.

Baggage loss

Luggage loss can significantly disrupt travel plans. Imagine arriving at your destination only to find your climbing gear missing. A situation that's more than just inconvenient. In these scenarios, travel insurance proves to be invaluable. It will compensate you for lost items. Moreover, it can cover the cost of renting necessary equipment from local operators.

Altezza Travel also offers a unique solution for such predicaments. If you lose your luggage en route, we will lend you all the required gear at no additional cost.

Trip cancellation

Travel insurance cover often includes a valuable feature: trip cancellation coverage. This becomes crucial when a tour operator cancels a trip and won't refund your payment. In these situations, the travel insurance coverage intervenes to reimburse you for the trip cost.

Please note: at Altezza Travel, we never cancel trips from our end. Once you receive your booking confirmation, your spot in the expedition is secured, and you don't need to worry about potential cancellations.

Many plans offer the flexibility to cancel your trip for any reason. This is particularly beneficial in some cases. Tour operators often have strict cancellation policies and are reluctant to issue refunds. Travel insurance with trip cancellation coverage provides a safety net for such scenarios.

Is regular travel insurance enough for a mountaineering trip?

It's crucial to understand that an ordinary travel insurance package won’t work for a mountaineering trip. Mountain climbing is typically among the exclusions of standard insurance coverage. This is mainly due to the high-risk nature of such trips. Other expeditions or extreme sports also generally require specialized insurance packages.

Considering challenging mountains like Mount Kilimanjaro, Aconcagua, or any of the Himalayan peaks? Getting appropriate mountaineering insurance coverage is essential. Such coverage is designed to address the unique risks of ahigh-altitude mountaineering trek.

When purchasing insurance for mountain climbing or hiking, it’s crucial to note the maximum altitude covered by the policy. For instance, if you sustain an injury at 15,000 feet, but your policy covers only up to 14,000 feet, your claim could be rejected. This is particularly important for treks like Kilimanjaro. Here insurance that covers trekking at altitudes below 6,000 meters (20,000 feet) is essential. Always double-check that the altitude coverage of your travel insurance matches or exceeds the elevation of your mountaineering destination.

When choosing your insurance for Kilimanjaro, ensure it covers mountaineering at altitudes below 6000 meters. For other peaks, it should exceed their maximum elevation. In addition, the insurance package must include emergency medical services post-climb, and helicopter evacuation, often the only viable option in remote or high-altitude expeditions.

Standard health insurance doesn't cover mountain climbing

Typically, standard U.S. health insurance plans like Medicaid, Medicare, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and UnitedHealthcare don't cover international travel. Even when these policies apply overseas, they usually exclude high-risk activities such as mountaineering. Therefore, if you're planning a mountain trek abroad, it's crucial to obtain travel insurance specifically designed for adventure activities.

How do you purchase mountain climbing insurance?

Purchasing insurance packages today is largely a simple, online process. The key information needed includes your passport details, travel dates, and destination specifics. If you're uncertain about the suitability of a plan, consult with your tour operator for advice. At Altezza Travel, we have identified the best insurance options for Kilimanjaro treks and routinely recommend these to our clients.

How much does a good insurance cost?

Travel insurance costs depend on various factors such as the traveler's skill level, age, residency, and destination. At this time, Global Rescue is our top insurance recommendation. For endeavors like a Kilimanjaro climb, the cost of Global Rescue coverage begins at around $530. It is not the cheapest option available on the market, and there are cheaper alternatives. However, we've experienced varying degrees of reliability when it comes to claims and compensations across different companies. As it's impossible for us to predict the situation at the time of your arrival, the only recommendation we can make is Global Rescue that have consistently proven to be trustworthy and reliable. It's important to remember that prices may be higher for older mountaineers due to the increased risk and more comprehensive coverage.

Recommended insurance for a mountaineering trek

For your next mountain expedition, we at Altezza Travel recommend Global Rescue. Distinct from typical insurance providers, Global Rescue functions primarily as an emergency response service. In addition, IMG's Signature Travel Insurance offers extensive assistance for various travel risk factors and unforeseen events. This includes financial coverage and facilitating communication with local operators.

Unique to Global Rescue is their coverage of helicopter evacuations on Mount Kilimanjaro. Elite Exped, renowned for its Himalayan climbs including Everest, also recommends Global Rescue to their clients for robust support during mountain expeditions worldwide.

Click on the link below to get a price estimate for your Global Rescue membership.

Opting for Global Rescue offers more than just standard medical evacuation services. Their coverage extends to situations like natural disasters, civil unrest, and more. This level of support provides an added layer of security and peace of mind. A dedicated team is always on standby to assist you 24/7/365.

IGM Signature Travel Insurance can be purchased in addition to Global Recue's classic membership. It will cover a range of unexpected costs, including:

• TRIP INTERRUPTION OR TRIP CANCELLATION
• LOST OR DAMAGED LUGGAGE
• TRAVEL MEDICAL EXPENSES
• MISSED CONNECTIONS OR CHANGE FEES
• CANCEL FOR ANY REASON (CFAR)

What to do if you need insurance support on the trek?

Your first step should be to contact your insurance provider for guidance and support. However, reaching out during a trek can be challenging due to factors like limited mobile coverage, acute mountain sickness, or adverse weather conditions. In such situations, your mountain guides will be there to help.

Your Kilimanjaro guides will communicate the situation to their base office, which then will contact your insurance provider. This chain of communication ensures you receive assistance even if you're unable to contact them directly. At Altezza Travel, we know how crucial this step is for tough hikes like Kilimanjaro. We collect insurance details from our clients before the hike. This lets us quickly reach your insurance team in emergencies, ensuring fast help and action.

Is insurance included in the standard Kilimanjaro climbing package?

Your climbing package covers certain types of evacuation: by walking / stretchers / rescue car. These are provided by our crew and the rescue service of Kilimanjaro National Park, and your climbing package includes the associated rescue fee.

Additional evacuation-related expenses, such as medical treatment and tests, accommodation and transportation, should be fully covered by your insurance in case of helicopter evacuation. If evacuation is conducted by land (walking / stretchers / rescue car), ONE night in Altezza's properties Aishi Machame Hotel or Brubru Lodge will be provided complimentary. If Altezza's properties are not available, extra accommodations will need to be booked at the property's rate.

How Altezza cooperates with insurance companies

At Altezza Travel, we work closely with medical insurance providers to ensure our clients receive quick assistance in emergencies on the mountain. When our guides initiate an emergency evacuation, we promptly inform the client's insurance company.

Insurance companies typically operate on a reimbursement basis. This means travelers initially cover medical and evacuation costs and later claim these expenses from their insurance provider for a refund. Immediate helicopter evacuations on Kilimanjaro, without upfront payment, are uncommon. They generally require a guarantee letter from the insurance company, which can take over 24 hours to obtain. In emergencies, this delay makes reimbursement a more practical approach. As of 2023, the cost of a helicopter evacuation on Kilimanjaro is around $5,000, inclusive of all required documentation to back up the insurance claim. This sum is initially paid by the traveler but refundable through their insurance post-trek.

However, Global Rescue has a unique advantage: in an emergency, they will cover all your transport arrangements costs (medical up to $500,000, security up to $100,000), without the need to pay upfront.

Why Altezza recommends Global Rescue

We at Altezza Travel have guided thousands of clients to the top of Mt Kilimanjaro and are intimately familiar with the risk of high-altitude trekking. Such experience allowed us to gain a solid understanding of the workings of various insurance companies. And it is no accident that we chose to partner up with the best in the industry — Global Rescue. Let's recap their key membership services:

• WORLDWIDE FIELD RESCUE . Evacuation from the site of illness or injury to the closest, most suitable medical facility.
• MEDICAL EVACUATION AND ADVISORY . Transport or repatriation to the member's preferred hospital at home for those in need of hospitalization.
• 24/7/365 TRAVELER ASSISTANCE . Immediate assistance with local healthcare systems, visa and passport challenges, translation, and more.
• DESTINATION REPORTS AND EVENT ALERTS . Updated travel advisories and comprehensive reports for 215 countries and principalities.

Purchase a Global Rescue membership and IMG's Signature Travel Insurance for your next trekking or climbing adventure to ensure safety and peace of mind.

Disclaimer: This article provides a general overview of benefits and services for informational purposes and should not be considered comprehensive. It doesn't encompass all possible scenarios, coverages, or exclusions of any insurance plan. Note that insurance plan benefits and services are subject to change. The content here is not a substitute for your actual policy/certificate of insurance. In case of discrepancies between this article and your policy/certificate wording, the terms of your policy/certificate will take precedence. If you choose the Global Rescue insurance plan, please refer to their website and plan documents for detailed information.

Marvin Derichs, a Germany-based travel consultant for Altezza Travel, spent seven years living in Tanzania before returning to snowy Schleswig. Drawing from his rich experience, he now advises prospective travelers on exciting adventures in Tanzania. Marvin possesses extensive knowledge about Tanzania's mountains and popular safari parks and shares his insights with our readers.

AAC Member Insurance Benefits

As a climber, finding a quality, affordable insurance package can be nearly impossible. Because we all deserve insurance for ourselves and our families, the AAC has partnered with the following companies to provide insurance packages designed specifically for climbers. The following offerings and discounts are exclusively available for AAC members.

Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance

The AAC has partnered with Buddy to offer AD&D insurance designed specifically for AAC members. That means all active members have the option to buy up to $500,000 in AD&D coverage.

Purchasing AD&D coverage takes a matter of minutes and in addition to climbing, this AD&D insurance covers many of your favorite outdoor pursuits. You can also purchase coverage for your spouse and children, even if they're not active members!

Note: 10% of your purchase will be donated to the Climbing Grief Fund. Not only are you adding protection for you and your family by getting covered, but you're also making a donation that helps support those navigating the loss of a loved one to a climbing-related accident.

Redpoint Travel Protection

Ripcord travel protection.

Redpoint’s Ripcord Rescue Travel Protection program is the most comprehensive coverage plan available. For climbers and non-climbers alike, Ripcord’s dedicated team provides a full suite of travel protection services from travel assistance, to rescue and evacuation services, to comprehensive travel insurance, and more.

AAC Members receive a 10% discount on their evacuation membership when they purchase further Ripcord travel programs—including comprehensive travel insurance for trip interruption/cancellation, baggage loss, search services, security evacuations, polar travel upgrades, and more.

Visit Redpoint Travel Protection to access your 10% discount on Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

*The AD&D insurance offered by Buddy is underwritten by Starr Indemnity & Liability Company, a Texas domiciled corporation (NAIC Company Code: 38318: TX license number: 93542) with its principal place of business at 399 Park Avenue, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10022. Starr Indemnity & Liability Company is currently authorized to do business in all U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and its territories. Not all accidental death coverage may be available in all jurisdictions. This website contains only a brief description of the coverages available under the policy and its certificate. The policy will contain reductions, limitations, exclusions, and termination provisions. This accidental death coverage provides insurance during a covered activity. 

Policy AH 40001 and its certificate AH 40001C are administered by Buddy (FL license number: L102546. California license number: 0L82866. https://buddyinsurance.com/), with its principal place of business at 1717 E Cary St, Suite 2120, Richmond, VA 23223. If you have any questions about the American Alpine Club plan offered on this website, you may contact the Buddy Support Team at 833.462.8339 or via email at [email protected] .

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Travel Insurance for Mountaineering: What are the limits?

Last Updated: June 4, 2019 November 17, 2023

Adventure travel is at an all-time high, and is one of the most common reasons travelers buy travel insurance – for medical coverage during the length of their trip. Many adventurous travelers with planned mountain climbing excursions turn to travel insurance as an extra precaution, however depending on the specifics of the climb, there may not be coverage.

Many travel insurance policies cover hiking and exclude mountain climbing, but the difference between the two isn’t always clear to travelers.

How Are You Climbing?

Travel insurance policies typically differentiate hiking from mountain climbing or mountaineering by the use of equipment. If ropes or guides are used, for example, the activity usually meets the definition of mountain climbing. Travelers planning excursions that fall within this category should look for a policy with Sports & Activities coverage.

How High Are You Climbing?

Travel insurance for mountaineering typically restricts coverage to a certain height. While most policies limit coverage to 15,000 feet, some only extend coverage to 11,500 feet. Any injuries sustained above the listed height will not be covered under the policy, so it is important for travelers to always compare their coverage with their climbing itineraries to make sure their excursion is covered.

How Are You Getting Down?

While some standard policies can provide coverage for mountain climbing, they may not cover other adventure activities travelers plan to participate in while they are on the mountain or on their way back down. Travel insurance policies with Sports & Activities benefits can cover a wide array of mountain-related activities that are often excluded from standard policies, such as mountain biking, ice climbing, and skiing.

To search for travel insurance for mountaineering, travelers can use Squaremouth’s Adventure Travel Insurance activity selection matrix.

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Advice for Planning a Mountain Climbing Expedition

Preparing for a mountaineering trip.

Related: How to Plan an International Trip

Mountain Climbing – Group or Solo?

Going solo sounds great if you’re prepared to be your own company and stretching yourself to the limits. You will certainly know a lot more about yourself when you come back down again. Remember that you are also reducing the safety factor that having a partner (or partners) brings. If you’re going with a single partner, you obviously need to be sure it is someone you’ll get along with and whom you can trust completely. Your partner can make or break your trip. On expeditions with more challenging objectives, a group of 3 or more can work better as you can share the workload. For climbing trips, this means you’ll always have company at those long belay stances where dark thoughts about what’s coming up can develop. A final alternative is a larger team. If this is made up of friends, it can work very well and will be a very sociable as well as challenging experience. If you don’t know all the team members, I suggest making lots of effort to get together before departure. This protects against the group breaking up into cliques and allows you to build a team based on the strengths of the individuals.

Research your Mountaineering Trek

After you’ve done your reading and your training, do some online research for the most up-to-date information. Learn about the best times to climb mountains in different regions of the world. If you’re able to and interested in traveling to mountains beyond your own country, this can open up more opportunities with differing alpine seasons around the world. For example, the best climbing in Europe is from June through September, in New Zealand, it’s December to March; and in Alaska, it’s June and July. Within these generalized climbing seasons, there are marked variations of suitability dependent on the number of people climbing, the weather variations that cannot be predicted until they occur and the reality that some seasons are good and some are bad. We are so lucky today – Google is a wonderful guide to all kinds of groups. You can chat with people who have been there and found out what’s best to pack for where you want to go. And that’s where you’ll find out about who your best guides or agents are because you will need someone inside the country to manage the inevitable red tape if not accompany you on the climb. You will need a climbing permit in any case.

Travel Insurance for Mountain Climbing and Mountaineering

Make sure that you are covered for medical emergencies. Purchase a travel medical policy that covers mountaineering. The Atlas Plan is considered the best for mountaineering and covers climbs up to 4,500 meters. For climbs above 4,500 meters contact an agent for specialized coverage. Depending on where you’re going, shots will be required. Check with your doctor a few months ahead to make sure that your immunizations are up-to-date for your destination. Some may require a series of shots, so checking in early is smart. Your doctor or their assistants may also help you plan your medications for the trip. Some doctors are more than willing to send you off with some good general antibiotics for your kit – just in case. And it really won’t hurt to check with your dentist too – there is nothing like a nagging toothache to spoil a climb.

• Emergency medical, evacuation, repatriation benefits
• Choose between the basic and more extensive coverage
• Meets Schengen visa insurance requirements
• 24/7 worldwide travel and emergency medical assistance

Beyond the Basics of Mountaineering

While you’re waiting for the next in that series of immunizations, it’s a good idea to go over your gear and make sure it’s all on hand and in tip-top shape. Your equipment should include:

• Ice ax, ice hammer
• Harness, belay break
• Backpack (lightweight, strong, with hooks for the ice ax and crampons to hang through)
• Ropes and carabiners (The strong ones you need are expensive and usually kept behind counters)
• Tape for abseil loops
• Ice screws, nuts, slings, etc. (these items are dependent on the type of mountain being climbed)
• First aid kit (small)
• Sunscreen and lip salve, sunglasses, goggles
• Tent (this must be one that can withstand high wind and snow; these types of tents tend to be highly specialized and the most expensive; or a bivouac
• Sleeping bag – mountain quality
• Cooking supplies (be sure to get a cooking appliance that is lightweight and will light under dreadful conditions of cold and wind) and lightweight utensils and mug, plate
• Food – high energy food is a must. Read up on the types of food supplies, usually high in fat (chocolate, nuts, sweets, cookies, condensed milk, cheese, dried fruit, sugar lumps, olive oil, energy bars, etc.)
• Water, reconstituted fruit drink (powder)
• Straw to allow you to suck trickles of water from rocks or pools along the way as additional hydration
• Pocket knife (small)
• All-purpose biodegradable soap
• Feces and urine removal kit & toilet paper
• Climbing permit
• Compass, GPS perhaps
• Camera (optional but there are good lightweight ones available now) – be aware that cold batteries don’t work. You may need to keep batteries warm in a pocket and then fumble them into the camera when needed
• Passport and visas, plus photocopies of the same
• A few pens and lots of pencils with a couple of sharpeners. Pens are great, but pencils never freeze.
• A notebook. There’ll be loads of stuff to write down plus you’ll be able to while away the hours in your tent writing an article like this.

Hit the Trail

In the end, before you pack the cat off to the neighbors, pack your troubles in a separate box, and leave them at home. Time to make memories to last a lifetime. Also Read:

• Advice for Buying Travel Insurance
• 12 Top Safety Tips for the International Traveler
• Ten Essentials of Mountaineering Safety
• Tips for Mountaineering
• Winter Sports Insurance

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Our Mountaineering Insurance policy options

Put simply, we offer three different policy options…

1. Travel Insurance

Our Sports Travel Insurance policy is designed to protect those travelling abroad to take part in activities such as mountaineering. We provide cover for a range of mountaineering disciplines including climbing and trekking.

2. Travel Insurance Bolt-On

If you have an existing travel insurance policy in place with another provider such as your bank but it does not include cover for mountaineering, we can provide a bolt-on style of protection for your trip.

3. Sports Accident Insurance

For those mountaineering in the UK, you may find our Sports Accident Insurance best suited. The policy provides a range of benefits including personal liability and income protection.

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Why choose us

30 years experience.

We have been providing tailored Sports Insurance policies for over 30 years, and today protect more than 57,000 customers a year.

Professional Claims Handling

We work with leading claims handlers to make sure our customers experience a prompt and professional service when making a claim.

Underwritten by Experts

We’re pleased to offer tailored cover from AXA XL, a leading provider of insurance in the sports and leisure industry.

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Our highly experienced Sales team are available to help support you with any questions that you might have.

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Thousands of happy customers have awarded us a 5-star customer service score on the independent feedback platform, Feefo.

500+ Sports Covered

Being a specialist in Sports Insurance, we provide cover for over 500 different sports & activities, far more than other providers.

What is mountaineering insurance?

Mountaineering Insurance is designed to protect you against the financial implications should you get injured whilst mountaineering. 

We provide several policy options to keep you protected including our Sports Travel Insurance. This policy is built for people who are travelling abroad to go mountaineering. It includes a long list of benefits such as protection against medical and repatriation costs, trip cancellation and curtailment, equipment cover and more. 

We also provide a policy for people mountaineering in the UK called Sports Accident Insurance. It includes personal accident cover as standard, as well as personal liability protection.

What types of mountaineering activities do you cover? 

We provide cover for over 500 different sports and adventure activities, making it one of the most comprehensive policies by a UK insurance provider. Here are just some of the many mountaineering activities that we can cover:

• Rock climbing
• Ice climbing
• Trekking up to 7,000m
• Glacier walking
• Gorge walking
• Mountain walking
• Multi-pitch rock climbing

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, our Mountaineering Travel Insurance can generally be taken out even if you have a medical condition. We can almost always offer cover at no extra cost, but occasionally our underwriters may apply special terms if you subsequently needed to make a claim relating to your condition.

We provide cover for bouldering, rock climbing, via ferrata, trad climbing, multi-pitch climbing, ice climbing, and sea cliff climbing. You will be covered for your selected sport and any other listed in the same or lower sports groups. You can search for your specific activity in our sports travel group list .

If you are climbing a mountain and planning to use any climbing equipment such as ropes, guides or crampons, we would class this as mountaineering. We can only cover technical ascents up to 4000m.

* 10% online discount applies to our Sports Travel Insurance and Activity TopUp policies only. 

** Data relates to Sports Travel Insurance claims from Jan 2023 to Dec 2023 inclusive.

*** Feefo rating relates to Sports Travel Insurance claims review score from Jan 2023 to Dec 2023 inclusive. 

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Trekking Insurance – Better Prepared Than Sorry!

News and Views , Resources

In this article we provide detailed information on travel and trekking insurance .

If you plan to trek at high altitude (up to 6,000 meters) then this article will provide accurate information on key hiking insurance considerations.

Anyone looking to undertake mountaineering activities (i.e. climbing with ropes, crampons or ice axes) should seek specialist insurance like that offered by the British Mountaineering Club . Please remember to read the small print on all policies before purchasing.

Disclaimer : We are not trekking insurance experts. The information provided below is based on our personal experience as well as from recommendations from other trekkers. Please seek professional insurance advice if you are uncertain of any policy wording or limitations.

Hiking Travel Insurance

Key considerations.

Below we have highlighted the five main trekking insurance considerations.

You can get a quote from World Nomads or SafetyWing .

1: High Altitude

Trekking in mountainous regions usually involves going to high altitudes. For example, if you plan to do an Everest Base Camp trek  or reach the summit of Kilimanjaro you will trek to an altitude above 5,500 meters. Many other popular treks get up to 4,500 – 5,000 meters.

At these altitudes, traditional travel insurance just doesn’t cut it. Some insurance providers will cover you up to 3,000 meters, which is great for the alps, but not the Himalayas , Kilimanjaro or Aconcagua .

Why do standard insurance packages not cover high altitude trekking?

The answer is simple: the risk of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), and its severe forms of cerebral and pulmonary edema, increase dramatically above 2,800 meters, as do the costs of emergency medical services and evacuation.

This means that you have to specifically select a trekking insurance package that will cover you at high altitudes. For places such as Nepal, Alps, Andes (e.g. Inca Trail treks ) or Africa (e.g. Kilimanjaro), we recommend you get cover up to 6,000 meters .

2: Hiking Accidents

It’s not nice to think about, but accidents do happen regularly on trekking expeditions. Mountains, even when not being climbed, can be dangerous. Falls, rock slides and health complications (e.g. a pre-existing heart condition) can result in serious injury or death.

Even basic injuries like a twisted ankle, can create complications in terms of evacuation at high altitude.

You should ensure that your travel and trekking insurance covers the cost of emergency evacuation or medical assistance should you need one or both on a mountain trek, as well as hospitalisation in whichever country you are hiking in.

3: Off Mountain Accidents and Illnesses

Off mountain accidents and illnesses are of course a risk – the most common being illness associated with gastro issues (hygiene standards are not great in many countries).

Your travel and trekking insurance should cover any accidents and illnesses that can occur whilst abroad.

4: Stolen, Delayed, Damaged or Lost Baggage

There is nothing worse than arriving in a new country only to discover that your baggage has been lost, delayed or damaged. This can be a particularly costly and irritating issue if you are carrying loads of expensive and much needed trekking equipment .

Thankfully, travel insurance policies now cover stolen, damage, delayed and lost baggage as standard. All you need to be aware of is the limit of cover should you be carrying very expensive items like specialist cameras and gear.

It is worth noting that if you are carrying very expensive items that the standard limit can be raised at a small additional cost.

5: General Travel Insurance Cover

Another major point when considering hiking insurance relates to the smooth running of your travel / tour. If for example your flight is delayed or cancelled, or worse, your tour is cancelled due to financial default of your tour operator, then you want to make sure your policy covers these issues.

Like lost, stolen, damaged and delayed baggage, it is pretty standard nowadays for a travel insurance policy to provide cover for flight delays, interruptions or cancellations, as well as curtailment, financial tour operator default and in some cases public liability, should you be involved in an accident and a claim is made against you (this often doesn’t include third party cover).

If you have any further questions or queries regarding trekking insurance, then please don’t hesitate to contact us. We will respond as soon as possible.

Tags : Trekking Insurance, Nepal Insurance, Kilimanjaro insurance, Trekking Insurance Nepal, Travel Insurance Nepal, Nepal Travel Insurance, Travel Insurance Trekking Nepal, high altitude trekking insurance, Machu Picchu trekking insurance, altitude trek insurance

See more hiking resources .

About the author 

Mark Whitman

Mark has trekked extensively in Asia, Europe, South America and Africa. He founded Mountain IQ in 2014 with the sole aim to be the best online information portal to some of the most popular mountain destinations around the world. When not writing for Mountain IQ, Mark is out exploring the outdoors with his wife!

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I am looking for trekking ins above 6000m and for a quote but would like to read policy coverage/excursions before purchasing and can’t figure out how to do so.

Hi Ashley, we are not an insurance provider. The article above is for information purposes only. For insurance coverage over 6000m I recommend contacting your national mountaineering society. For example, in the UK you would contact the British Mountaineering Association (BMA). They will be able to help direct you to a specialist insurance provider for high altitude mountaineering.

on 22.2.2019 I have my friend evacuated from Dengboche, due to HAPE – however, the insurance company decline to provide coverage due to my friend Diabetic Medical History.

My friend and 8 other members from Brunei were on their way to EBC – leaving lukla on the 16.2.2019. on the day of the evacuation, I coordinate the medivac. However, could not provide medical report to support for medivac by insurance preferred company or agencey – but, accept for alternative to use other helicopter services as suggested by Trekking Agent.

Today, we received a letter from the insurance company that they will not cover the medivac due to his Diabetic medical history and current treatment received at CIWEC referring to several clauses in the insurance policy.

Anyone familiar with insurance claim in High Altitude Medical Evacuation in association with current patient’s prevailing conditions. Your advice will be very much appreciated.

The evac was not due to a diabetic condition. So they can deny the claim if any pre-existing conditions exist? I have read a lot of reviews that World Nomads is a scam. I am heading to Annapurna Circuit in a few day and am also a diabetic but pretty healthy. Thanks for the tips. I will review the coverage/terms before buying a travel insurance.

Hi Alan, World Nomads is definitely not a scam. They are one of the largest travel insurance companies in the world. Nepal is a challenging insurance market due to the combination of high risks associated with high altitude hiking, and rampant corruption on the part of some dubious guides and helicopter companies. Effectively, some guides work in partnership with helicopter companies to arrange emergency evacs in situations that don’t warrant an emergency evac. The average evac cost is around $5000. The guide gets a kick back from the helicopter company for every evac they arrange. The issue has really effected genuine emergency evacuation situations as insurance companies are now constantly concerned that they are getting scammed. The lomng and short is that premiums have been driven up across the board and in some cases travel insurance companies have pulled out of Nepal completely.

We work with local guides to offer great value adventures at unbeatable prices

• Travel Insurance FAQ
• Expert Tips
• Travel Styles

What Travel Insurance Do You Need for Mountain Climbing?

When it comes to travel, we all have different styles . Some like to use their vacation time to relax, others to tour new places, others to explore the world with their families, or some combination of them all. For some people, traveling is all about adventure–spending time in the great outdoors doing activities like hiking, cycling, and extreme sports.

Most general travel insurance policies do not cover medical expenses associated with mountain climbing (with technical gear) or other extreme sports.

Adventure travel is an exciting way to see the world, but there is definitely a greater potential for risks when you’re doing these kinds of activities, which means that you’ll want to make sure that your travel insurance covers you should anything happen. To give you an idea of what we mean, we’ll use mountain climbing as an example of “extreme sports” that require a different kind of adventure travel insurance.

Though the precise definition may vary from provider to provider, generally mountain climbing, or mountaineering , refers to “the sport, hobby or profession of walking, hiking and climbing up mountains either: 1) utilizing harnesses, ropes, crampons, or ice axes; or 2) ascending 4,500 meters [14,500 feet] or above.” Under most travel insurance policies, any activity that falls under this definition is not covered. This means that if you go mountaineering (or participate in a variety of other “extreme sports”, which we’ll get to later) and end up getting injured, your medical coverage won’t extend to any hospital bills that you incur as a result of those injuries.

The good news is, all you have to do to make sure you are covered if you’re planning on mountain climbing is to opt for Hazardous Sports Coverage, or what we in the biz refer to as a “sports rider” when you’re selecting your travel insurance plan. Here’s what you’ll get when you do:

Medical Expenses

Our fingers are crossed that this doesn’t happen, but if you sustain an injury while mountain climbing, you’ll want to make sure you have medical coverage so you can get the care you need no matter where you are. Most general travel insurance policies do not cover medical expenses associated with mountain climbing (with technical gear) or other extreme sports. With the added sports rider, though, your coverage will extend to mountain climbing (and skydiving and parachuting and scuba diving…you get the picture). This way, if you do happen to get hurt while you’re on your climbing expedition, you can focus on getting medical care and not your finances.

Trip Interruption

If you end up getting hurt while mountain climbing and your injury is minor, you may be able to head to a hospital, get patched up, and head back to the trails. If your injury ends up being a little more serious, though, you may want or have to head home after you get immediate care. If this happens, you don’t want to pay an arm and a leg (on top of what might have already been an expensive trip) just to get home early. With the addition of a sports rider, you’ll be covered for trip interruption if you end up needing to cut the trip short. In most cases, this means that you’ll be reimbursed for many of the prepaid expenses that you won’t use and covered to switch your plane ticket home, among other things.

Evacuation Expenses

If at any point during your adventure, you need to leave the country because of extreme weather or political unrest, you’ll want to make sure you have evacuation coverage. The very last thing you want to be worrying about in an emergency situation is the bill you’ll have to foot to get out of it, right? This one doesn’t exclusively apply to extreme sports, but it’s an important piece of additional coverage to have, especially when you’re going on a trip that will be spent mostly outdoors. No matter how well you plan and how much research you do, the weather can change at any minute and you’ll want to make sure you’re safe if it takes a turn for the worse.

Mountain climbing isn’t the only extreme sport that requires a little extra travel insurance in order to make sure you’re fully covered. Here are some of the other activities that typically fall under the same category:

• Parachuting
• Hang gliding
• Bungee jumping
• Scuba diving

So if your itinerary includes (or even might include!) one of these activities, we highly recommend that you add Hazardous Sports Coverage to your travel insurance package. You can get started by checking out this information for Adventure travel and then get a free quote here .

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Travel Insurance For Extreme and Adventure Sports

Get the Right Travel Insurance Policy By Asking These Questions

Best Trekking Insurance: High Altitude Trekking Travel Insurance

• April 3, 2023

Trekking, hiking, and mountain climbing can be one of the most exhilarating activities for nature lovers. Climbing to new heights, taking in the mountains that tower above us, and feeling a sense of peace and freedom as we trek into the unknown. However, it is important to know what trekking insurance is , to make sure you are protected from any risks associated with it. If you already know the basics, then read on, and find out about the 5 best trekking insurance options to protect yourself in case of an emergency. 

In this article, we are going to provide information on the five best trekking and travel insurance and review the best policy providers for trekking, climbing, and mountaineering insurance!

Quick Answer: Best Trekking Insurance

Editors Choice

World Nomads Insurance

• Coverage for Trekkers
• Coverage until 22,965 feet (7,000 meters)
• Up to $500,000 in coverage

2nd Best Choice

Travelex Trekking Insurance

• Coverage until 20,000 feet (6,000 meters)
• Up to $1 million in coverage

3rd Best Choice

WorldTrips’ Insurance

• Coverage until 15,000 feet (4,500 meters)

Best Trekking and Hiking Insurance Providers

The information below highlights our top five choices for trekking insurance. We must insist that you look through the policies and what they cover before you purchase any hiking insurance. Whereas, it is important that you know 100% that the insurance will cover your climbing trip and all other activities you plan on engaging in before you purchase the insurance.

Our top five choices for trekking insurance are:

1. World Nomads Trekking Insurance

As an entity, World Nomads has been recommended by well known companies in the travel industry such as Lonely Planet and National Geographic — add with the thousands of customer reviews from  Trust Pilot  that they have garnished over the years, it is easy to see the great reputation that World Nomads has.

They are also backed by secure, trusted, and specialist underwriters who provide travelers with great cover, 24-hour emergency assistance, and the highest levels of support and claims management!

Let’s first start with who World Nomads is. You can also read my full World Nomads Insurance Review to take a deep dive into the insurance provider.

Who are World Nomads?

Since 2002, World Nomads have been protecting, connecting and inspiring independent travelers.

They offer simple and flexible travel insurance and safety advice to help you travel.

Because they believe in giving back to the places we travel to, World Nomads also enables you to make a difference with a micro-donation when you buy a policy.

And they’ll help you plan your trip with free downloadable guides, travel tips, responsible travel insights and recommendations from their global community.

World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers in over 100 countries. As an affiliate, we receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using this link. We do not represent World Nomads. This is information only and not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.

7 things to know about World Nomads trekking insurance

Below are seven things that you should know about World Nomads trekking insurance while considering to purchase a policy.

1. Internationally recognized underwriters: World Nomads is backed by a suite of specialist travel insurers that provide 24/7 emergency assistance, customer service and claims support.

2. 24/7 emergency assistance: If you need medical assistance or emergency medical evacuation, World Nomads’ multi-lingual team is available 24/7 to connect you with medical treatment and transportation during your trip.

3. Buy and claim on the road: Had a change of plans? You can extend your period of cover or claim online at any point in your journey. You can even buy a policy if you’re already travelling.

4. Adventure activity coverage: Designed by travelers, for travelers, World Nomads covers over 150 adventure sports and activities so you can explore your boundaries.

5. Travel safety tips and alerts: World Nomads provides useful and up-to-date travel insurance information and global travel safety advice to help you plan for your journey and navigate the risks.

6. Donate and make a difference: When you buy travel insurance with World Nomads, you can make a micro-donation to a community development project to help change lives in the destinations that need it most.

7. Travel content to help inspire, educate and plan: Plan your trip with free destination guides, develop your travel storytelling skills and learn how you can be a more responsible traveler with World Nomads as your travel companion.

Main Features:

• Standard Plan until 19,685 feet (6,000 meters)
• $500,000 in coverage
• Trip cancellation insurance
• Standard Plan until 22,965 feet (7,000 meters)
• Emergency medical evacuation

Pros and Cons of World Nomads Insurance:

The following are a list of pros and cons, things that we love and hate about the insurance policy:

• Covers a Lot of Countries Worldwide
• High Coverage for Medical Expenses
• Flexible Prices
• Buy or Extend Anytime, Anywhere
• Perfect for adventure-loving travelers
• 24/7 customer service with online claims option
• Limited age coverage for seniors
• Coverage can differ depending on location and nationality
• Limited COVID coverage

Some of the adventure sports and other activities that World Nomad’s trekking insurance covers include:

World Nomads’ Trekking Insurance Covers the Following Adventure Activities:

• Backpacking
• Bungee jumping
• Cage fighting
• Caving and spelunking
• Cliff diving
• Dog sledding
• Free diving (up to 197 feet)
• Hang gliding
• Kiteboarding
• Mixed martial arts
• Mountaineering/Trekking (up to 22,965 feet)
• Paddle boarding
• Rappelling (up to 22,965 feet)
• Rock climbing
• Running of the bulls
• Safari tours
• Salsa dancing
• Scuba diving (up to 165 feet with a commercial instructor or guide)
• Shark cage diving
• Skateboarding
• Skiing or snowboarding by helicopter or snowcat
• Swimming with whales
• Trampolining
• Tree climbing (up to 33 feet)
• Ultimate Frisbee

World Nomads’ Hiking Insurance Does Not Cover the Following:

Additionally, it is important to know about what the climbing insurance does not cover. It is best to talk directly to World Nomads to understand the exclusions and limitations you may face while using this insurance. World Nomads’ insurance for trekking does not cover the following:

• Pre-existing conditions
• Non-emergency medical treatment or surgery
• Routine physical exams
• Traveling for the purpose of medical treatment
• Pregnancy or childbirth (except for complications of pregnancy)
• Participation as an athlete in professional sports
• Participation in extreme sports
• Pregnancy or childbirth costs
• Intentionally harming yourself
• Piloting or learning to pilot an aircraft
• Suicide or attempted suicide
• Cancellations due to war, civil war, acts of foreign enemies, or civil unrest

World Nomads’ Standard Plan vs. Explorer Plan

Below is a comparison table of World Nomads’ Standard plan and Explorer plan and how much coverage travelers can get.

The amount that you will have to pay for your trekking and mountaineering insurance varies depending on your trekking destination, age, country of residence, overall trip cost as well as other factors.

2. Travelex Trekking Insurance:

Our second choice of mountaineering insurance is Travelex insurance. It is a great budget-friendly travel insurance provider that offers affordable rates and coverage for families. Moreover, they offer plan extensions that will allow you to be insured while trekking at high elevations. They provide coverage on individual bases and will allow you to get trekking insurance up to 20,000 feet (6,000 meters) above sea level. This makes it great for climbers looking to hike up to Everest Base Camp trek in Nepal or other places around the world like the Alps, the Andes or Kilimanjaro! 

Another great aspect that we like about the Travelex’s service, is that they have an app that you can download which will provide important information about the country you are traveling to. It will help keep you safe by providing real-time security alerts, information about food and water safety, as well as ATM locations! 

If you are looking for a budget travel insurance plan that will cover the adventure sports aspect of your vacation, Travelex climbing insurance will be a great fit for you! You can get a free quote from hen Travelex climbing insurance . You can also read our full Travelex Insurance review , to learn more about how they are one of the best trekking insurance providers!

• Coverage up to 20,000 feet (6,000 meters) above sea level
• Free coverage for children under 17
• Can apply for pre-existing medical condition waivers
• Travel delay coverage of $2,000

Pros and Cons of Travelex Trekking Insurance:

• The travel insurance will include free coverage for children under the age of 17 if they are with an adult that is covered by the insurance policy
• Offers an adventure sports upgrade, including for high elevation trekking
• You can upgrade the plan to get a “cancel for any reason”
• Medical expense coverage is primary, compared to some competitors’ secondary coverage.
• Provides great travel delay coverage. Providing USD $2,000 per person after an initial five-hour delay.
• “Cancel for any reason” coverage provides 50% reimbursement of the non-refundable deposits – which is lower than most travel insurance providers, who usually provide 75%
• The emergency medical expense coverage for the Travel Select plan is $50,000, compared to higher levels from top competitors.
• Baggage delay benefits only apply after an initial 12-hour wait – longer than most companies

Some of the adventure sports and other activities that Travelex’s trekking insurance covers include:

Travelex’s Trekking Insurance Covers the Following Adventure Activities:

• Travel medical insurance
• Travel delay insurance
• Travel interruption insurance
• Baggage and personal effects
• Car rental collision coverage of $35,000 (upgradable)
• Flight accident or death (upgradable)
• Medical expenses and emergency evacuation (upgradable).
• Coverage for adventure sports activities (upgradable)

Travelex’s Trekking Insurance Does Not Cover the Following:

Additionally, it is important to know about what their climbing insurance does not cover. It is best to talk directly to Travelex to understand the exclusions and limitations you may face while using this insurance. Travelex’s insurance for trekking does not cover the following:

• Intentionally self-inflicted injury
• Normal pregnancy or childbirth
• Mental, nervous or psychological disorders
• Experimental medical treatments
• Injuries due to intoxication or drug abuse
• Routine physical examinations

Travelex Trekking insurance Pricing:

Here are a few examples of trips and costs associated with them, so you can get an idea of what you may have to pay for your trekking insurance with a Travelex Select Plan:

3. WorldTrips’ Trekking Insurance:

For our third choice, we suggest WorldTrips travel insurance plan, as it is a flexible plan that allows travelers to pick and choose which add-on coverage they need. WorldTrips, flexible plans include coverage for pets, adventure sports like high altitude climbing and hiking, destination weddings, and even hunting and fishing equipment.

For travelers looking to take part in various adventure activities, WorldTrips high altitude travel insurance is going to be best for you. However, the elevation coverage is less than the other two plans mentioned above. Whereas, WorldTrips’ only provides trekking travel insurance under 15,000 feet (4,500 meters) above sea level.

Therefore, if you plan on hiking to extreme elevations, you will have to choose a different trekking insurance provider. If the elevation issue is not a problem for your vacation, then WorldTrips is a great hiking travel insurance provider because of the options and upgrades it gives travelers.

• Coverage up to 15,000 feet (4,500 meters) above sea level
• Up to $150,000 in coverage
• Upgrade to “cancel for any reason”
• Flexible plans – travelers can pick and choose coverages

Pros and Cons of WorldTrips Hiking Insurance:

• You can get a “cancel for any reason” upgrade
• You can add an upgrade to your policy to get “interruption for any reason” coverage
• Includes excellent missed connection coverage of $2,000 per person after a three-hour delay.
• Provides travel delay benefits of $2,000 per person.
• WorldTrips offers coverage for travel inconveniences
• The elevation coverage they offer, up to 15,000 feet (4,500 meters) above sea level, is significantly lower than other trekking insurance providers.
• Emergency medical expense coverage of $150,000 is quite low when compared to other policy providers
• You have to wait 12 hours to get baggage delay benefits

Some of the adventure sports and other activities that WorldTrips’ hiking insurance covers include:

WorldTrips’ Trekking Insurance Covers the Following Adventure Activities:

• Indoor and outdoor rock climbing
• Mountain biking
• Mountaineering (at elevations under 4,500 meters)
• Rock scrambling
• Snowboarding (recreational downhill and/or cross country)
• Snow skiing (recreational downhill and/or cross country)
• Zip trekking
• Bodyboarding
• Scuba diving 
• Wakeboarding

WorldTrips’ Trekking Insurance Does Not Cover the Following:

Additionally, it is important to know about what the climbing insurance does not cover. It is best to talk directly to WorldTrips to understand the exclusions and limitations you may face while using their trekking insurance plan. WorldTrips’ insurance for trekking does not cover the following:

• Mental, nervous or psychological disorders (unless hospitalized for more than 72 hours)
• Intoxication
• Participating in organized or contact sports
• Traveling against the advice of a physician
• Elective treatment and procedures
• Medical tourism
• Self-inflicted injury

WorldTrips’ Trekking insurance Pricing:

WorldTrips’ pricing for trekking insurance is broken down by age, and is charged per day. Moreover, depending on the plan you choose, and the amount of medical maximum you are looking for, will also change the overall policy price.

The table below shows the breakdown of costs for traveling outside of the United States. The table is pulled directly from WorldTrips website

4. Global Rescue Insurance:

Global Rescue Trekking Insurance is a well-known provider of rescue memberships in high-altitude and trekking circles. This plan is highly recommended by many of Nepal’s travel and expedition companies.

The most significant advantage for trekkers with Global Rescue’s rescue and evacuation insurance is no elevation limit. Meaning that this policy covers you even when you decide to go to the summit of Everest!

You can get a membership on long term or even short-term basis (7, 14, or 30 days), making the plan extremely flexible and affordable! However, it is important to note that the Global Rescue membership is different than a traditional travel insurance plan. Their altitude travel insurance does not cover travel cancellations, delays, baggage, or medical and dental expenses.

They do offer add-on travel insurance policy with IMG (IMG Signature Travel Insurance), which provides coverage for all these items in addition to your high-altitude and rescue/evacuation coverage.

Make sure to check out my Global Rescue Insurance review blog, it will go into depth about what the medical Helicopter evacuation coverage offers!

• No limitation on altitude for coverage
• Emergency medical coverage — up to $100,000
• Trip cancellation — up to $100,000
• Lost luggage/baggage delay — up to $2,500
• Up to 150% of trip cost insured for trip interruption

Pros and Cons of WorldTrips Hiking Travel Insurance:

The following are a list of pros and cons, things that we love and hate about the hiking insurance policy:

• Secure the value of your entire trip
• Industry’s most complete travel insurance products
• Field Rescue services from the point of injury or illness
• Face-to-face video consultations and advice about your diagnosis
• Prescriptions, lab work, diagnostic imaging
• Help determining the best possible treatment options
• Can be expensive depending on the trekkers usage of the plan
• Have to buy annual membership
• Emergency medical expense coverage of $100,000 is quite low when compared to other altitude insurance policies

Global Rescue Trekking Insurance Membership Covers the Following:

• Worldwide Field Rescue: teams on standby to rescue members in dangerous or remote locations.
• Medical Evacuation: teams capable of transporting members back to their home country hospitals from anywhere in the world.
• Medical & Security Advisory: on-call paramedics, nurses, and military special operations veterans to provide virtual medical assistance and security advice in emergencies.
• Other Travel Assistance Services: include visa and passport support, hospital referrals when needed, translation services, and even logistics management.

Global Rescue Insurance Policy Pricing

Below are the prices you can expect to pay depending on the length of your trekking trip:

*Additional memberships are available. For members adventuring to higher altitudes, the High-Altitude Evacuation Package provides medical transport services to members who travel above 15,000 feet or 4,600 meters at any point during their trip (excluding airplane travel) and who require emergency transport due to injury or illness.

5. SafetyWing

SafetyWing is a well-known travel insurance provider that offers policies designed specifically for digital nomads and long-term travelers. While they offer coverage for some adventure activities like hiking, trekking, and mountaineering, it is important to carefully review their policy to ensure that it covers the specific activities you plan to undertake.

Unfortunately, they will not cover you while trekking above 4,500 meters. This is still pretty high, and depending on the elevation of your trek, it might be just enough for you to get by with!

Their policies generally provide medical coverage, emergency medical evacuation, trip interruption, and travel delay coverage. However, they may not offer as comprehensive adventure activity coverage as other travel insurance providers. It’s essential to carefully read the policy’s terms and conditions, including any exclusions or limitations.

Ultimately, whether or not SafetyWing is a good insurance provider for trekking depends on your individual needs and the level of coverage you require. If you plan to undertake high-risk activities or travel to remote areas, you may want to consider a policy from a provider specializing in adventure travel insurance.

You can read my entire SafetyWing Insurance review for more information about if their travel and trekking insurance are right for you!

• Up to $250,000 for intense care unit
• Up to $5,000 for trip interruption
• Up to $100 a day for Travel delay after a 12-hour delay
• Up to $100,000 for emergency medical evacuation

Pros and Cons of SafetyWing Hiking Insurance:

• Website is easy to navigate and understand
• Can sign up while abroad and be covered immediately
• Young children included – 2 children under 10 per family (1 per adult)
• Trip interruption – Up to $5,000. No deductible
• Easiest and fastest insurance to sign up for
• Visits to home country are covered – After 90 days abroad, you’re covered for brief visits back home for up to 30 days (15 days for US residents).
• Limitations on the adventure activities you will be covered for
• The maximum altitude trekkers are covered is relatively lower than other providers
• Maximum is lower than other providers and is cumulative amongst the family or group the trekker is traveling with

SafetyWing Insurance Covers the Following:

Here are only some of the things that are covered:

• Emergency medical treatment
• Lost luggage
• Travel delay
• Evacuation in the event of terrorism, political disruption, or medical emergencies
• Accommodation in the event of natural disasters
• Transportation of a family member from your home country to you in case you have to stay in the hospital for an extended duration
• Personal liability for losses or injuries to third-parties

SafetyWing Insurance Does Not Cover the Following:

• Trip cancellation and
• Most adventure sports

SafetyWing insurance Pricing:

Below is a breakdown of how much you can expect to pay for insurance with SafetyWing per month. Please note that the price does not include traveling in the USA.

Best travel insurance for trekking up to 6000m

The best trekking insurance up to 6000 meters, are World Nomads, Travelex or Global Rescue insurance policies.

Global Rescue’s coverage does not have an altitude cap. However, World Nomads and Travelex will void your insurance if you go above 6000 meters. Here are a couple of popular trekking routes below 6000 meters that these plans will cover:

• Everest Base Camp Trek (5,364 m): This iconic trek takes you to the base camp of Mount Everest, offering breathtaking views of the Himalayas, Sherpa culture, and stunning landscapes.
• Annapurna Circuit Trek (5,416 m): Known for its diverse scenery, the Annapurna Circuit is a classic trek that takes you through lush valleys, high mountain passes, and traditional villages in the Annapurna region.
• Inca Trail (4,215 m): The Inca Trail is a historic route that leads to the magnificent ruins of Machu Picchu. This trek combines beautiful Andean landscapes, ancient Inca sites, and rich cultural experiences.
• Kilimanjaro Machame Route (5,895m): Mount Kilimanjaro’s Machame Route is a challenging trek that takes you through diverse ecosystems, including rainforests, moorlands, and alpine deserts, culminating in a summit attempt to the highest peak in Africa.

Best Trekking Insurance for Everest Base Camp in Nepal?

While there is no specific travel insurance exclusively for the Everest Base Camp trek , either of my previous three suggestions will provide coverage for this trek. The highest elevation typically reached on the trek is Kala Patthar at 5,644 meters (18,519 feet).

Key Things To Consider When Looking for High Altitude Trekking Insurance:

Having conducted extensive research on travel insurance for my own high-altitude expeditions and treks, and having personally dealt with making insurance claims during my five years of travel, my top recommendation is to thoroughly review the product disclosure statement (PDS).

Here are three things to look for when purchasing trekking insurance:

• Altitude Limits: Check for hidden altitude limit clauses and special conditions regarding the use of ropes or ice axes in trekking insurance.
• Medical Coverage: Consider if medical expenses, overseas hospitalization, and emergency care are included in the insurance policy. Non-traditional rescue memberships may not cover in-country medical treatment.
• Pre-Existing Medical Conditions: Review insurers’ requirements for pre-existing conditions, as complications from altitude-related illnesses may affect coverage for existing heart, brain, or lung issues.

FAQs: High altitude trekking travel insurance

Below are some of the most frequently asked questions when it comes to high altitude trekking travel insurance in Nepal!

The four best trekking insurance for Nepal are: – World Nomads – Travelex – WorldTrips – Global Rescue Membership – SafetyWing

Yes and no. Travel insurance is not mandatory to visit Nepal. However trekking insurance is mandatory to get a TIMS pass and go trekking in most of the routes in the Himalayas.

Yes you can get travel insurance for Nepal. Many companies offer some form of coverage for tourists visiting Nepal. However, if you are going to engage in adventure activities like trekking, you will need a specialize insurance for high altitude treks.

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Why Get Adventure Sports Travel Insurance?

Travel insurance often excludes high-risk sports, credit card travel insurance often excludes high-risk activities, travel insurance for high-risk sports, how to get travel insurance for high-risk sports, what sports travel insurance costs, how to choose travel insurance for high-risk sports, the best sports travel insurance plans, final thoughts.

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Planning an adventurous trip? Your travel insurance might not cover everything you want to do — particularly if you plan on adventure activities or winter or extreme sports. 

Whether diving the ocean’s depths or ziplining through a forest, sports travel insurance can help you go confidently on adventures knowing you’re covered if anything goes wrong. Whether you need emergency assistance and evacuation or a reimbursement for a trip cut short by injury, travel insurance with sports coverage can help.

While standard travel insurance typically offers medical coverage, most policies exclude certain activities, particularly risky sports. But you can purchase a travel insurance policy that provides coverage for all your adventures , either as a stand-alone policy or an add-on to a comprehensive travel insurance package.

Let’s explore everything you need to know about travel insurance for sports and adventure activities and how to get that coverage for any high-risk activities you may plan for your travels.

Adventure sports travel insurance covers activities such as mountain climbing or deep-sea scuba diving (i.e. any activity that has a higher risk level than a “regular” travel activity).

While accidents can happen anywhere, you’re particularly vulnerable when away from home. Medical expenses and evacuation can be costly , especially if traveling to remote areas or a foreign country where you’re unsure about quality medical care. Sports travel insurance covers emergency medical expenses, ambulance services, and evacuation.

Some travel insurance companies offer emergency assistance services , which can help you get the medical care you need in a remote location or challenging environment. The travel insurance company can provide access to medical professionals, coordinate your care, and arrange an emergency evacuation if needed.

For example, if you’re climbing a mountain and break a leg, adventure sports travel insurance can help get you off the mountain and connected with medical care.

Adventure sports travel insurance can also help if a sports-related injury requires you to cancel or interrupt your trip or if you experience equipment loss or damage. That can save you money on non-refundable expenses and help you replace sports equipment.

While getting travel insurance is wise, you should understand that standard travel insurance policies may not include coverage for certain sports activities . Some travel insurance plans offer coverage for sports-related injuries and accidents, but others may have exclusions or limitations for high-risk or extreme sports.

When you purchase a travel insurance policy, review the terms and conditions to know which sports and activities are covered and any exclusions or limitations you may need to work with. Usually, travel insurance medical coverage encompasses unexpected accidents or injuries, which can include some sports like hiking or snorkeling, for example. But extreme or high-risk sports such as white water rafting or skydiving may not be included.

Exclusions depend on the insurance policy, but here are some examples of sports and activities that your standard travel insurance policy may not cover:

• Base jumping
• Bungee jumping
• Martial arts and combat sports
• Motor racing and motorsports
• Mountaineering and rock climbing
• Off-piste skiing and snowboarding
• Paragliding and hang gliding
• Scuba diving and deep-sea diving

If you find your travel policy lacking in coverage for the activities you’ve planned, you should consider getting additional coverage, such as a specialized sports travel insurance policy or add-on coverage.

Don’t expect your credit card travel insurance to cover extreme sports. 

While you should read the terms and conditions of the policy, most credit card travel insurance policies exclude risky activities , which extends to sports considered extreme. 

Credit card travel insurance often covers basic medical expenses, trip cancellation or interruption, lost baggage, and travel accidents. For example, the Chase Sapphire Reserve ® has premium travel insurance, offering up to $1 million in travel accident insurance, along with emergency evacuation and transportation insurance, emergency medical and dental benefits, and other travel insurance benefits.

If you plan to do high-risk activities and use credit card travel insurance, check your coverage and consider upgrading your travel insurance to include your desired activities.

Credit card travel insurance is helpful but sometimes limited, especially compared to adventure sports travel insurance policies. You may need to pay for travel insurance if you’re planning extreme sports or activities.

As you plan an adventurous trip, consider which travel insurance coverage may be most appropriate for your plans. Some travel insurance policies are comprehensive and cover multiple types of high-risk sports, while others are more specialized. 

Because there’s a wide variety of what’s covered (or not) on each policy, using a travel insurance comparison service such as Squaremouth can be helpful. You can search for travel insurance policies that cover the activities you’re looking for and compare costs and coverage.

Consider these types of adventure travel insurance policies or add-ons:

• Adventure Sports: On an adventure sports travel insurance policy, look for covered activities such as hiking, mountaineering, or rafting. The policy may encompass injuries, medical expenses, trip cancellations or interruptions, and equipment loss or damage.
• Extreme Sports: Travel insurance for extreme sports typically covers skydiving, bungee jumping, or rock climbing, providing coverage for accidents, injuries, medical expenses, and emergency evacuation.
• Sports Equipment: Some travel insurance offers coverage for sports equipment, which can reimburse you for loss, theft, or damage to your gear.
• Team Sports: A travel insurance policy may cover team-related expenses, such as tournament cancellations or travel delays if you travel for competitive events.
• Water Sports: Water sports travel insurance policies may cover surfing, diving, snorkeling, or water skiing. For diving coverage, you should verify that the policy covers the depths you’re planning and whether you need certifications for coverage.
• Winter Sports: Winter sports travel insurance policies are designed for winter sports enthusiasts, offering coverage for skiing or snowboarding-related injuries and emergency medical expenses or equipment loss or damage. Some also cover ski resort closures.

While you can get travel insurance for sports, including high-risk sports, most travel insurance companies have personal liability requirements . Generally, you’re required to act responsibly to use your coverage. That includes not going against local authority warnings, like entering restricted spaces, working close to dangerous animals, or not using proper safety equipment.

Do some pre-trip planning on your chosen activities to learn about the risks and requirements for everything you want to do. You may need to complete certifications or training to participate safely.

Generally, if you want travel insurance for adventurous activities, you should get quotes for a comprehensive travel insurance plan and add a hazardous sports rider. Or specialized insurance providers may offer comprehensive plans for high-risk sports and activities.

Looking for insurance companies specializing in adventure sports is often a good idea to get comprehensive coverage for all your planned activities. 

With any travel insurance policy, you should review the terms and conditions to verify your planned activities are covered. Read your policy documents for exclusions, limitations, or requirements for your chosen activities. You should also verify your coverage limits. 

If you have a health or life insurance policy, check with your insurance carrier about coverage for high-risk sports during travel. While these are likely not covered, you may be able to add a special endorsement to your policy.

Travel insurance that can evacuate you off a mountain sounds like it would be costly, but it might be more affordable than you’d think. It’s certainly less expensive than calling for your own rescue helicopter.

You should expect to pay around 5% to 10% of your total trip cost for sports travel insurance. Your actual adventure sports travel insurance costs will vary depending on your age, trip cost and duration, location, planned activities, and other factors. 

To give you an idea of what you should expect, we got a quote from IMG for an iTravelInsured Travel Sport policy. For a 29-year-old traveler on a $1,500 5-day skiing trip in the U.S., coverage costs $119.65 . 

This policy includes $1 million in medical evacuation coverage and $50,000 in search and rescue coverage. You’re covered for up to $50,000 for medical expenses due to adventure or organized sports, though hazardous and extreme sports are limited to $5,000.

Consider these factors as you compare high-risk sports travel insurance coverage:

• Claims Process and Customer Support: Get the details on what happens if you need emergency assistance or want to file a claim. For example, find out how to get medical attention if injured in a remote area and whether you’re expected to pay upfront and file for reimbursement.
• Cost: Expect adventure travel insurance to cost more than standard travel insurance. Cheaper policies tend to offer less comprehensive coverage, so consider your needs as you balance cost and coverage.
• Duration: Some sports travel insurance policies limit the length of coverage for certain activities, so make sure you have coverage for your whole trip.
• Emergency Assistance and Evacuation: You may engage in high-risk activities in remote locations or challenging environments where medical attention is unavailable immediately. A travel insurance policy can offer emergency assistance or evacuation for medical care.
• Exclusions, Limitations, and Deductibles: Every policy has limits — even extreme policies. Find out what’s excluded, the limits of what you can claim, and if you’re expected to pay a deductible before getting reimbursed. Also, understand the terms and conditions, such as duration and geographical coverage.
• Medical Coverage: With a greater risk of injuries from extreme sports, you should ensure that the insurance policy has adequate coverage for medical emergencies, including hospitalization, ambulance services, and, if needed, medical evacuation.
• Requirements: You may need to meet age limits and disclose any preexisting medical conditions to get appropriate sports travel insurance coverage.
• Reviews: Consider customer reviews and ratings, which can give insight into a travel insurance provider’s coverage quality, customer service, and claims handling.
• Sports Coverage: Find out which sports and activities are covered so you can verify yours are covered.
• Sports Equipment Coverage: If you’re traveling with costly sports equipment such as scuba gear or snowboarding equipment, compare coverage for loss, theft, or damage to your equipment.
• Trip Cancellation and Interruption: A travel insurance policy should cover trip cancellation or interruption due to sports-related injuries.

Your high-risk sports travel insurance may require you to participate responsibly. For example, terms of coverage may require you to choose reputable operators, obtain proper training or certifications, follow local regulations, and use appropriate safety gear.

Not all travel insurance providers offer sports travel insurance, but you have options. Compare these leading travel insurance policies for sports:

• battleface : battleface’s adventure sports coverage includes cycling, mountain climbing, scuba diving, canoeing, snowboarding, and more, but it has limitations, including how deep you can dive or how high you can climb.
• Cat 70 : Cat 70’s Travel Plan covers some adventure sports, including snowboarding, but excludes bodily contact sports, skydiving, scuba diving, and more.
• HTH Worldwide : The HTH Worldwide Trip Protector Preferred plan offers coverage for adventure sports, including certified divers up to 60 feet and water rafting grades 1 to 3.
• IMG : IMG’s iTravelInsured Travel Sport plan has a wide range of covered activities, including adventure, extreme, hazardous, and organized sports. However, there are exclusions for races, endurance competitions, and piloting or learning to pilot.
• John Hancock : You’re covered for some — but not all — adventure sports with a John Hancock Gold travel insurance plan. Some exclusions include diving deeper than 100 feet, participating in sports competitions, or contact sports.
• Nationwide : With a Prime plan, you can get covered for adventure sports such as cycling, fishing, rafting, and zip lining, but exclusions apply, such as extreme sports, mountaineering, and organized sports.
• Travelex : The Travelex Adventure Sports upgrade covers professional athletic events, mountain climbing, skydiving, and more. Travelex’s Travel Basic and Travel Select plans provide basic coverage for some activities, including skiing, snorkeling, and scuba diving up to 60 feet.
• World Nomads : With the World Nomads Explorer plan, you can get covered for more than 200 activities, including scuba diving, bungee jumping, and mountain biking.

The right travel insurance coverage is essential when embarking on an adventurous trip with high-risk sports or activities. Adventure sports travel insurance can coordinate medical care, offer evacuation, and save you thousands if you’re injured on a trip. Whether bungee jumping or scuba diving, sports travel insurance can provide peace of mind while you’re chasing thrills.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are adventure sports covered by travel insurance.

Adventure sports can be covered by travel insurance, but extreme sports are usually excluded from standard travel insurance coverage. Review your policy’s terms and conditions to determine whether your desired activities are covered. If not, you may want to purchase additional coverage appropriate for the activities you’re planning for your travel.

Does travel insurance cover water sports?

Travel insurance coverage for water sports varies depending on the policy and provider. For example, your standard policy may cover snorkeling, shallow diving, and surfing but could exclude deep-sea diving or white water rafting.

Does travel insurance cover sports injuries?

Travel insurance often covers sports injuries, but it depends on the sport. If you’re injured doing a sport not covered by your policy — such as ziplining or skydiving — medical care for your sports injury will not be covered. 

What travel insurance includes cover for sports equipment?

Sports travel insurance typically offers coverage for sports equipment, which can reimburse you for loss, theft, or damage of your sports equipment while traveling.

What travel insurance company covers me for extreme sports?

Several travel insurance companies cover extreme sports, including battleface, Cat 70, HTH Worldwide, IMG, John Hancock, Nationwide , Travelex, and World Nomads.

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About Jessica Merritt

A long-time points and miles student, Jessica is the former Personal Finance Managing Editor at U.S. News and World Report and is passionate about helping consumers fund their travels for as little cash as possible.

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Kilimanjaro Travel Insurance – Do I Need it?

Yes, it’s mandatory to have travel insurance that covers you for high altitude trekking up to 6,000 meters if you plan to climb Kilimanjaro.

Due to the high altitude, remote location, and demanding conditions of a Kilimanjaro trek , travel insurance is compulsory for all participants. Anyone taking part in a Kilimanjaro climb will be required to show proof of insurance before the start of the trek.

A trip to Africa is a significant investment and having the right insurance policy can

help mitigate the risk you face should something go wrong.

Travel insurance may cover you in case of:

• unexpected trip cancellation
• trip interruption
• missed flight connections
• travel delays
• lost baggage
• other unforeseen circumstances, such as injury or family illness or emergency medical evacuation

When you take part in adventure activities, you may need specialized insurance.

Your travel insurance will need to cover medical expenses that could arise while traveling abroad. In the case of a Kilimanjaro climb, you’ll need to make sure that it covers you for medical evacuation too.

Unexpected injuries and doctor visits need to be covered, and emergency evacuation expenses should you need to be airlifted off the mountain. Those situations are rare, but they do occur and you need the proper insurance.

When purchasing travel insurance it is important you understand exactly what it does, and doesn’t cover. Most basic plans will offer basic protection for trip cancellation, lost bags, and delayed flights.

However, if you need coverage beyond that (medical expenses, evacuation, etc.) then you’ll likely have to purchase a higher-tier policy.

It’s important that whatever policy you choose also covers high altitude activities. That isn’t the case with every insurance plan, so be sure to ask for it specifically.

For climbing Kilimanjaro, explain to your insurance company that you are not taking part in technical mountaineering, but that you are high altitude trekking up to 6,000m.

We suggest you look at Global Rescue and see if their policies are right for you.

Disclaimer: we are not insurance experts. We do not give insurance advice, please consider your own situation carefully when you purchase insurance.

Kilimanjaro Medical Evacuation Coverage

To ensure you are covered for medical evacuation to your home country, you might consider a stand-alone medical evacuation plan.

This is in addition to your standard travel policy, that covers you for high altitude trekking.

Companies such as Global Rescue or Ripcord specialize in disaster recovery in the case of a medical emergency if you needed an airlift evacuation home.

Supplemental medical evacuation coverage is not mandatory, and you should consider what’s right for your unique circumstances, and what’s covered in your travel policy.

Does Health Insurance cover me for Kilimanjaro?

Most standard health insurance policies do not cover you for adventure activities abroad. It certainly w

on’t cover you for lost baggage or abandonment of your trip or cancellations.

Read the small print!

Take some time to read through exactly what your policy covers, and where you might have liability. Don’t wait until you need to make a claim, make sure you’re clear about what’s covered – and what’s excluded.

Make sure you disclose any pre-existing medical conditions, or it may void your policy.

Global Rescue for Kilimanjaro Travel Insurance

A lot of our clients use Global Rescue travel insurance. You can buy and claim online, even after you’ve left home.

Available to people from 140 countries, it’s designed for adventurous travelers with cover for overseas medical, evacuation, baggage and a range of adventure sports and activities.

9 things you should know about travel insurance from Global Rescue

[source: Global Rescue ]

GLOBAL RESCUE TRAVEL INSURANCE FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. does global rescue have any restrictions.

Global Rescue offers one of the most comprehensive travel protection memberships on the market.

Membership benefits are not restricted by any activity, country of residence, or mileage-from-home limits. Our services go with you anywhere you travel except U.S. State Department war zones and Polar Region travel above the 80th Parallel North or below the 60th Parallel South.

For those adventuring to higher altitudes, our High-Altitude Evacuation Package provides medical transport services to members who travel above 15,000 feet or 4,600 meters at any point during their trip (excluding airplane travel) and who require emergency transport due to injury or illness.

2. What is field rescue, and do I need it?

When you are unable to get help on your own, emergency field rescue is assistance from the point of illness or injury to the nearest medical facility. Anyone venturing into the backcountry should have this critical service. Worldwide field rescue was pioneered by Global Rescue .

3. How do I contact Global Rescue in an emergency?

No matter your situation – emergency or not – you call just one number and one number only: +1 617-459-4200. This is the number you should program into your cell or satellite phone, but you can also contact us through the messaging feature on the My Global Rescue app.

4. If I need to be rescued, should I arrange my own evacuation?

No. Please call Global Rescue at the time of an incident and we will provide the necessary services from start to finish (if you are incapacitated, you can have a member of your team contact us). When Global Rescue organizes and/or performs the rescue and the Member Services Agreement criteria are met, there is no cost to the member up to $500,000. If you arrange for your own rescue, we are unable to reimburse members.

5. Will Global Rescue get me home if I’m hurt or injured?

Global Rescue membership services include medical transport to your home hospital of choice if you’re hospitalized as an in-patient 100+ miles from home and require additional hospital care.

6. What if my insurance offers medical evacuation services?

With a typical insurance company, you are burdened with arranging your own medical transport and submitting the bill later for reimbursement. As a member of Global Rescue , you simply need to contact our team of medical and security professionals, and, if an evacuation is needed, all transport arrangements and costs would be covered by us (medical up to $500,000, security up to $100,000).

7. Do Global Rescue’s services include COVID-19?

Yes. If members have questions related to COVID-19 or contract the virus while traveling, our services apply. We treat COVID like any other disease.

8. Is Global Rescue only for emergencies?

No. While Global Rescue provides a wide variety of emergency services, we also provide services for non-emergency situations such as: 24/7/365 medical advisory services, visa and passport issues, translation, legal locators, real-time event alerts and telehealth.

Disclaimer: Climbing Kilimanjaro staff are not insurance experts. We do not give insurance advice, please consider your own situation carefully when you purchase insurance.

Mount Elbrus Ascent

Culture, Climbing and a Seven Summit — Da!

Climb­ing Mount Elbrus, the high­est peak in Europe and one of the Sev­en Sum­mits, per­fect­ly immers­es you into expe­di­tion climb­ing and gain­ing expe­ri­ence with the acclima­ti­za­tion process. The gen­tle slopes of Mount Elbrus beck­on climbers in a range rem­i­nis­cent of the Alps. Jagged peaks with glac­i­ers that flow into moun­tain val­leys dot­ted with pine forests, alpine mead­ows, and remote vil­lages wel­come vis­i­tors trav­el­ing into this moun­tain paradise. 

Time spent explor­ing the extra­or­di­nary city Moscow also offers inter­est­ing glimpses into Rus­si­a’s rich cul­ture and his­to­ry. And if you want to see how the Russ­ian czars real­ly lived and explore one of the world’s most com­pelling cities, check out the St. Peters­burg exten­sion . If you’re look­ing for some seri­ous cul­ture, a Sev­en Sum­mit, and for Kil­i­man­jaro climbers and oth­ers look­ing for an intro­duc­to­ry glac­i­er climb, there’s no bet­ter objec­tive for those with no expe­ri­ence — our guides show you the ropes dur­ing the trip. They may even lead you astray for some caviar and vod­ka at the end of the trip.

The ulti­mate com­bo —  Elbrus/​Kilimanjaro , two Sev­en Sum­mits in less than three weeks!

Ski lifts take you to a hut on the moun­tain, mean­ing no heavy packs — and from there sno-cats whisk you up the moun­tain leav­ing a rea­son­able sum­mit climb and a high chance of suc­cess! And then there is the danc­ing at the Plea­sure Dome after the climb- you’ll have to find out what that is for yourself….

Description

A vol­canic mas­sif locat­ed north of the Cau­ca­sus main ridge, 18,510-foot / 5642 m Mount Elbrus ris­es almost 3,000 feet / 914 meters high­er than sur­round­ing peaks. The sum­mit offers breath­tak­ing views of the Cau­ca­sus Moun­tains and the impres­sive trib­u­tary val­ley sys­tems feed­ing the rag­ing waters of the Bak­san Riv­er. The Bak­san Val­ley offers trekking through fields of wild­flow­ers, amongst poplar and pine forests.

After acclima­ti­za­tion hikes in the Bak­san Val­ley and a day spent review­ing skills, we take a cable car up the moun­tain to the shel­ters at Kharabashi. Here we spend sev­er­al nights before our sum­mit attempt. The climb offers great intro­duc­to­ry lev­el glac­i­er climb­ing that includes the use of cram­pons, ice axe, and roped travel.

Also, con­tribut­ing to your suc­cess are decades of expe­ri­ence in the Cau­ca­sus. Our roots on Elbrus go way back, from Scott Fis­cher’s first guid­ed trip there in the 80’s to Moun­tain Mad­ness’ cur­rent own­er Mark Gun­log­son and his first trip to the region in 1990, short­ly after the col­lapse of the Sovi­et Union. Since a time when the coun­try expe­ri­enced food short­ages to now, our pro­gram has been care­ful­ly craft­ed to take in the best of Russ­ian cul­ture, food, accom­mo­da­tions, and peo­ple. Along with an expe­ri­enced guide from the U.S. or Ecuador, you will be trav­el­ing with Russ­ian guides that know the area as their home. All this com­bines for the per­fect expe­ri­ence in an area that remains as intrigu­ing as ever.

Short on time? Join us on our 11-day Mount Elbrus Express climbing trip — an express experience to this 7‑Summits peak that gives you an opportunity to hone your expedition climbing skills. Or double down and climb Kilimanjaro and bag two of the 7 Summits on our 19-day Mt. Elbrus and Kilimanjaro Combo trip. 

La times article.

Ice Queen Demands Respect at Each Step; For the locals in south­ern Rus­sia, Europe’s high­est peak rep­re­sents their indomitable spir­it. For one climber, Mt. Elbrus is a bru­tal challenge.

The Los Ange­les Times; Los Ange­les, Calif.; MAU­RA REYNOLDS

Mt. Elbrus is the high­est moun­tain in the Cau­ca­sus, whose dom­i­nant range stretch­es 750 miles between the Black and Caspi­an seas– rough­ly the size of the Alps and twice the length of the Sier­ra Neva­da. Includ­ing Elbrus, the Cau­ca­sus boasts eight peaks high­er than France’s Mont Blanc, the high­est of the Alps, whose 15,771-foot sum­mit lies more than half a mile clos­er to sea lev­el than [Elbrus]. (The high­est moun­tain in the con­tigu­ous Unit­ed States, Cal­i­for­ni­a’s Mt. Whit­ney, is low­er still, at 14,494 feet.)

The writer takes in the snowy sum­mit of Mt. Elbrus. The 18,510-foot Elbrus, in the Russ­ian repub­lic of Kabardi­no- Balka­ria, is the high­est moun­tain in Europe and sacred to the Balka­r­i­an people

Link to full arti­cle here: Full Text

(Copy­right, The Times Mir­ror Com­pa­ny; Los Ange­les Times 2001 all rights reserved)

One must approach Europe’s high­est moun­tain as a sup­pli­cant, the locals warn. Slow­ly. with respect. She is a haughty queen, they say. Beau­ti­ful and placid on the sur­face, wear­ing her 18,510 feet of icy glac­i­ers like ermine robes. her twin con­i­cal sum­mits are as gen­tly round­ed as a wom­an’s breasts. But geo­log­i­cal­ly and tem­pera­men­tal­ly, she is a vol­cano. When angry, she fumes foul gas­es and stirs fierce storms, which cause climbers to become dizzy and lose their way.

Per­haps she is petu­lant because so many don’t take her seri­ous­ly. Euro­peans, enam­ored of their ele­gant Alps, resist includ­ing this down­trod­den cor­ner of Rus­sia on the map of Europe. Moun­taineers, enam­ored of more treach­er­ous peaks, con­sid­er her lit­tle more than a high-alti­tude slog. Per­haps it is only the Balka­r­i­an people,who tend their sheep on her flanks, who love her uncon­di­tion­al­ly. ​ “ She’s our sacred moun­tain,” says Iskhak Tilov, a Balkar who runs a high-alti­tude base for moun­tain climbers and skiers. ​ “ Every­thing we have comes from her – our life, the water for our fields, for our flocks. The ice has been here for thou­sands of years. And so have we.”

Mt. Elbrus is the high­est moun­tain in the Cau­ca­sus, whose dom­i­nant range stretch­es 750 miles between the Black and Caspi­an seas– rough­ly the size of the Alps and twice the length of the Sier­ra Neva­da. Includ­ing Elbrus, the Cau­ca­sus boasts eight peaks high­er than France’s Mont Blanc, the high­est of the Alps, whose 15,771-foot sum­mit lies more than half a mile clos­er to sea lev­el than Elbrus. (The high­est moun­tain in the con­tigu­ous Unit­ed States, Cal­i­for­ni­a’s Mt. Whit­ney, is low­er still, at 14,494 feet.) ​ “ You have to argue with some peo­ple about it,” says Mike Cole­man, a 30-year-old virol­o­gist and climber from Lon­don. ​ “ Peo­ple at home all want to think that Rus­sia is in Asia and Mont Blanc is the high­est in Europe.”

But geo­g­ra­phers agree that two moun­tain ranges form the bor­der between Asia and Europe – the Urals, which divide Euro­pean Rus­sia from Siberia, and the Cau­ca­sus, which bor­ders Rus­sia to the south. Elbrus’ sum­mits in the repub­lic of Kabardi­no-Balka­ria are eight miles north of the range’s ridge line – close but com­plete­ly on the Euro­pean side. The pro­pa­gan­da val­ue of being the high­est point in Europe was not lost on either of the 20 th cen­tu­ry’s most noto­ri­ous dic­ta­tors. In the 1930s, waves of Sovi­et work­ers were sent up Elbrus, installing a long- since-gone bust of Josef Stal­in on top. In 1942, Adolf Hitler sent in a crack team of alpine troops to seize the mountain.

But for the most part, con­sid­er­ing its stature, Elbrus has been neglect­ed. Most peo­ple, even inside Rus­sia, have nev­er heard of it. It may be big­ger than any­thing else in Europe, but that’s not enough to earn it the world’s atten­tion or respect. ​ “ Elbrus is like Rus­sia – diky no veliky,” says Soltan Kochkarov, 28, a moun­tain res­cue team mem­ber and climb­ing guide. ​ “ Wild, unciv­i­lized. But mighty.”

4:30 a.m. A moun­tain this big is climbed 6 inch­es at a time. That’s about the dis­tance from one mid­step to the next as I set out before dawn with a pho­tog­ra­ph­er and our Balka­r­i­an guide, Soltan. Con­stel­la­tions drape the night sky as bright­ly as Christ­mas lights. Soltan sets a slow pace as the fir­ma­ment cracks open slow­ly in the east. I start doing the math. Each step gains me per­haps 3 inch­es of ver­ti­cal height. That’s four steps per foot of ele­va­tion. We have a lit­tle more than 6,000 feet between here and the sum­mit. That’s 24,000 steps. I’m tak­ing two steps per breath in the rar­efied air. That’s at least 12,000 breaths.

I decide not to count. I remem­ber the advice Iskhak’s wife, Khal­i­mat, offered the day before: There is only one way to reach the top of Elbrus, she said. You must be hum­ble. You must walk as if you will nev­er get there.

Accord­ing to leg­end, the Balka­r­i­an peo­ple descend­ed to Earth from a con­stel­la­tion known as the She-Bear. They were sent to live in com­mu­nion with the moun­tain ​ “ Min­gi-Tau” and the gods who ruled from her and through her. ​ “ Min­gi-Tau means ​ ‘ a thou­sand moun­tains’ in our lan­guage,” Khal­i­mat Tilo­va explains. ​ “ It is our Mt. Olympus.”

Tra­di­tion­al­ly, it was for­bid­den to try to climb the moun­tain, she says. Those who braved Elbrus’ slopes often returned to the val­ley with headaches, hal­lu­ci­na­tions and oth­er ills now gen­er­al­ly accept­ed as symp­toms of alti­tude sick­ness. Sul­phuric gas­es ema­nat­ing from the moun­tain’s active fumaroles also may have played a role. But at the time, it seemed evi­dence of the wrath of the gods. The ancient Greeks knew of Elbrus – in fact, it appears sev­er­al times in Greek mythol­o­gy, and some believe that it is the moun­tain to which Prometheus was eter­nal­ly chained. The ancient Ira­ni­ans gave it the name ​ “ Elbrus” in about the 2 nd cen­tu­ry BC, nam­ing it for a myth­i­cal chain of sacred mountains.

Two men are cred­it­ed with being the first to reach its sum­mit. The first is Kil­lar Khashirov, a native of the flat­lands below the Balkars’ moun­tain val­leys. He reached the slight­ly low­er, east­ern sum­mit as a mem­ber of a Russ­ian sci­en­tif­ic expe­di­tion in 1829. The high­er, west­ern sum­mit was climbed half a cen­tu­ry lat­er, in 1874, by a British expe­di­tion guid­ed by a Balkar, Akhiya Sot­tayev. Sot­tayev is a nation­al hero; accord­ing to Balka­r­i­an tra­di­tion, that means his name should not be spo­ken aloud. That makes things a lit­tle dif­fi­cult for his 42-year-old great-grand­son, deputy direc­tor of an alpine climb­ing camp, who car­ries his name.

“ It’s a big hon­or,” says the cur­rent Akhiya Sot­tayev, ​ “ but peo­ple are still afraid to pro­nounce it.”

6 a.m. Con­ver­sa­tion is point­less; I am wrapped in a wall of sound. The wind blows against my Gore-Tex hood. The air rush­ing to my lungs seems to blow through my ears. Cram­pons and poles scratch unpleas­ant­ly into the ice and snow, as if on a chalk­board. I am locked into a kind of two-step with the moun­tain. Left foot, right pole. Right foot, left pole. Inhale. Exhale. It would be hyp­not­ic if it did­n’t take so much concentration.

The first rays of direct sun strike so hard I feel knocked off bal­ance. I look behind. The pointy peaks of the Cau­ca­sus cast baby- blue shad­ows against the baby-pink dawn. I won­der if I’ve ever seen any­thing more beau­ti­ful. If his­to­ry had been dif­fer­ent, the Cau­ca­sus might have become Switzer­land. Like the Alpine coun­tries, the Cau­ca­sus is inhab­it­ed by hardy moun­tain peo­ples, fierce­ly inde­pen­dent, who sur­vive large­ly by herd­ing cows and sheep.

The moun­tains are eas­i­ly as impres­sive. One of the first West­ern explor­ers to pen­e­trate the region, a mem­ber of the 1874 British expe­di­tion, wrote that ​ “ in appear­ance of inac­ces­si­bil­i­ty and in bold­ness of form they are beyond the Alps, and prob­a­bly, when they are bet­ter known, they will be thought grander and more majes­tic than the Alps.” But his­to­ry has not been kind. Unlike the Swiss, the moun­tain peo­ples of the Cau­ca­sus were over­run by one empire after anoth­er– the Huns, the Mon­gols, the Turks, the Rus­sians. In the 19 th cen­tu­ry, Rus­sia assert­ed its claim over the Cau­ca­sus and sent in armies that loot­ed hun­dreds of vil­lages, com­mit­ting mas­sacres along the way. After the 1917 Bol­she­vik Rev­o­lu­tion, the Balkars were forced to leave their vil­lages, pre­vi­ous­ly orga­nized by clan, and join col­lec­tive farms.

“ See that stream,” Soltan says, point­ing to a brook trip­ping down a hill­side so steep the cows appear ready to top­ple off. ​ “ My fam­i­ly’s lands used to begin there. But once the Rev­o­lu­tion came – poof.” He flaps his hands in an ​ “ all-gone” ges­ture. Soltan says his grand­fa­ther lived to be 120. Once upon a time, he says, Balkars rou­tine­ly lived longer than 100 years. Not any­more. Not after all that his­to­ry. ​ “ Now we die as fast as every­one else,” he says.

8 a.m. We reach a jum­ble of boul­ders known as the Pas­tukhov rocks- ‑at 15,700 feet, about the same alti­tude as Mont Blanc. On the map, we have climbed about halfway from where we start­ed. But the tough­est sec­tions, and the thinnest air, are still ahead. It’s hard not to anthro­po­mor­phize this moun­tain. As we set off high­er, I imag­ine her as a malev­o­lent god­dess. When my poles snag in the crusty snow, I imag­ine it’s the moun­tain try­ing to trip me up. The wind blow­ing down from above is her breath, try­ing to blast me off her flanks like an unwant­ed pest.

Sovi­et moun­taineer­ing got its start in the mid-1930s when Stal­in hired a group of Aus­tri­ans to jump-start a pro­gram in ​ “ mass alpin­ism.” They approached the task with mil­i­tary fer­vor. Peaks were clas­si­fied by degree of dif­fi­cul­ty. Climbers were to attempt var­i­ous ascents accord­ing to a pre­or­dained order of dif­fi­cul­ty. A hotel, Priyut-11, was built high up on Elbrus’ slopes to host the large groups of climbers.

Rus­sians still tend to climb in orga­nized clubs, a sharp con­trast to the indi­vid­u­al­ized West­ern cul­ture of moun­taineer­ing and adven­tur­ing. Elbrus is rel­a­tive­ly unpop­u­lar with Russ­ian climbers. For one thing, it’s not tech­ni­cal­ly dif­fi­cult – it ranks a rel­a­tive­ly low 2A on the Russ­ian scale from 1A to 6B. Russ­ian climbers use Elbrus most­ly for alti­tude acclima­ti­za­tion before leav­ing for big­ger moun­tains – Tajik­istan’s Pamirs, Kyr­gyzs­tan’s Tian Shan, or the mighty Himalayas. ​ “ Elbrus,” says Yuri Khokhlov, vice pres­i­dent of the Moscow chap­ter of the Russ­ian Moun­taineer­ing Fed­er­a­tion, ​ “ is a train­ing mountain.”

But many climbers have died nonethe­less. Trade unions and col­lec­tive farms, in Stal­in­ist stunts of col­lec­tive ath­leti­cism, sent many ama­teurs up Elbrus in the 1930s with inad­e­quate train­ing. Entire par­ties were wiped out. If the weath­er is bad, Elbrus’ slopes become sheets of ice and one slip can lead to death. But if the weath­er is good and a climber knows how to steer clear of the moun­tain’s cliffs and hid­den crevass­es, Elbrus’ sum­mit can be reached with lit­tle more than spiky cram­pons for trac­tion and an ice ax or trekking poles for balance.

These days, most climbers take trans­porta­tion more than halfway up the moun­tain; two cable cars and a chair­lift reach 12,500 feet. From that point, snow lasts year-round, and some wealthy for­eign­ers even hire a Snow­Cat trac­tor to bring them to the Pas­tukhov rocks – giv­ing them a sum­mit climb of just 2,810 feet. Even so, many don’t make the sum­mit. Near the top of Elbrus, there is half the oxy­gen as at sea lev­el. On oth­er high peaks, moun­taineers spend weeks at high alti­tude to give their bod­ies time to adjust to the scarci­ty of oxygen.

But the climbers who come to Elbrus are gen­er­al­ly novices on a tight sched­ule. For the most part, they spend three or four days hik­ing above 12,000 feet, and then make a one-day dash for the sum­mit from the top of the chair­lift – more often than not, brav­ing headaches, dis­ori­en­ta­tion and nausea.

11:30 a.m. I nev­er thought my lungs could work so hard and accom­plish so lit­tle. I am tak­ing three or four breaths per step. I try to find a rhythm but can’t. I keep stop­ping. Just to breathe. Just to feel the heav­ing in my chest sub­side a lit­tle. We reach the sad­dle between the two sum­mits – 17,500 feet. Soltan says we are going to attempt the east­ern sum­mit, which Rus­sians pre­fer. Like most West­ern­ers, I want to climb the ​ “ real” sum­mit, the west­ern sum­mit, 69 feet high­er. But Soltan says ice con­di­tions on the west­ern sum­mit are too treach­er­ous. It would take an extra two hours. We are exhaust­ed already. I nod agreement.

The east­ern sum­mit is still about 1,000 feet above us. Soltan offers a deal: We will take just 10 steps at a time, then stop to rest. We start to move our feet, and I won­der whether I’ll make the 10 steps. I do, and stop grate­ful­ly. A few feet ahead, Soltan is dou­bled over his ice ax, gasp­ing as hard as I am. It dawns on me: This is the hard­est thing I have done in my life.

The worst moment of 71-year-old Khazhar Tem­moye­va’s life – and the lives of most Balkars of her gen­er­a­tion – came a few min­utes after dawn March 8, 1944. Sovi­et sol­diers pulled up out­side the house where she lived with her fam­i­ly in a vil­lage where Elbrus’ glacial streams reach the val­ley. They drove shiny new Stude­bak­er trucks. She was 14. ​ “ The sol­diers gave us a half-hour and told us to get in the trucks.” The mem­o­ry is 57 years old, but Tem­moye­va’s voice still fal­ters. To steady her­self, she fuss­es with her black head scarf, which swathes her head like a nun’s habit. ​ “ They drove us to the train sta­tion in Nalchik. Then we rode the train to Kaza­khstan. We lived there for 14 years.”

Angry at the Nazis’ inva­sion of south­ern Rus­sia and six-month occu­pa­tion of Elbrus, Stal­in ordered the entire Balka­r­i­an peo­ple deport­ed to set­tle­ment camps in Cen­tral Asia. Most of the depor­tees were women, chil­dren and old men – the healthy men were most­ly on the front line. ​ “ I remem­ber every­thing,” she says. ​ “ I remem­ber the war. I remem­ber how the Ger­mans came and killed my father and left us orphans. And then [the Rus­sians] sent us away. No oth­er nation has suf­fered as we have suffered.”

Khadzhimu­rat Bichekuyev, now 78, was one of the men on the front line dur­ing the depor­ta­tion. He sent mon­ey home through­out the war, but it start­ed com­ing back ​ “ unde­liv­er­able.” He was nev­er told why. When he made his way home, his fam­i­ly and neigh­bors were nowhere to be found. He was a dec­o­rat­ed artillery offi­cer who had fought in Odessa and Stal­in­grad, then chased the Nazis back to Ger­many, meet­ing Amer­i­can allies at the Elbe. But now he was only a mem­ber of a sus­pect eth­nic group. ​ “ The Ger­mans shot my father. My broth­er was in the army. I was in the army. It was­n’t fair to pun­ish us all,” Bichekuyev says.

Only about half the pre­war pop­u­la­tion returned to the val­leys after Stal­in’s death; the rest died on the jour­ney or in the deserts, or lost heart and remained in Cen­tral Asia. When Tem­moye­va made it back from Kaza­khstan, she took up back­break­ing labor on a state farm, which pays her about $5 a month. These days, in the vil­lage where she was born, she stoops over soft lay­ers of sheep wool, comb­ing it with her fin­gers and dous­ing it with boil­ing water to make tra­di­tion­al felt hats, capes and car­pets. The state farm buys what she makes in an effort to keep the old crafts from dying out. ​ “ Our tra­di­tions were ruined,” she says. ​ “ Our way of life isn’t the same.”

Bichekuyev was luck­i­er. After the war, the Sovi­ets set up a research cen­ter in the vil­lage of Ter­skol, and he found work as a lab­o­ra­to­ry assis­tant. He would climb around Elbrus with the sci­en­tists to take sam­ples from the moun­tain’s 54 glac­i­ers. In the course of his work, he reached the sum­mit 10 times – eight on the east­ern sum­mit, twice on the west­ern. ​ “ But my hero is my father-in-law,” Bichekuyev says, pick­ing up a fad­ed pho­to of a man wear­ing a lamb­skin hat and clunky black eye­glass­es. ​ “ He climbed the moun­tain 209 times. And died at 116 years old.”

1:15 p.m. I try not to look up. There’s some­thing about the thin­ness of the air and the bright­ness of the snow that make dis­tances deceiv­ing. I have no idea how far we’ve come. I have no idea how much is left.

I stop to catch my breath. I don’t know if I’ve been stand­ing for a minute or five min­utes when I hear a voice up ahead: Just 50 more feet. For a sec­ond, I won­der if it’s worth it. Then I begin to move my feet. Sud­den­ly, the ground is no longer slop­ing up. My cram­pons crunch on vol­canic grav­el and wind-packed snow. I look up. The oth­er sum­mit stretch­es out to the west like a com­pan­ion on a beach; noth­ing is high­er, not even clouds. Below, the mighty peaks of the Cau­ca­sus have shriv­eled. They are spread out as far as the eye can see, gray and white like a dusty expanse of day-old meringue. All I feel is relief.

Iskhak Tilov was born in exile in the deserts of Kaza­khstan. In 1957, four years after Stal­in’s death, he saw the moun­tains of his home­land for the first time. He was 6. ​ “ I nev­er imag­ined moun­tains could be so high,” he remembers.

As Balkars trick­led back, the Sovi­et Union launched a build­ing boom in the Elbrus region, con­struct­ing six health resorts and eight alpine train­ing camps. A ski school opened, and Iskhak was one of the first stu­dents. In 1967, he became the Sovi­et Union’s junior down­hill cham­pi­on – one of the first Balkars to achieve nation­al stature in alpine sports. In 1969, he placed sec­ond in the Euro­pean Junior cham­pi­onship. And soon, young Balkars began to real­ize that the moun­tains weren’t just a place to raise sheep. With enough luck and train­ing, sports could pro­vide not just for­tune but also fame.

In the 1980s, Iskhak received per­mis­sion from the Sovi­et Sports Com­mit­tee to build a high-alti­tude train­ing base for skiers on Elbrus, and soon the nation­al team was train­ing on snow year-round. But then the Sovi­et Union col­lapsed, tak­ing with it mon­ey for train­ing, trav­el and equip­ment. Then, war began in Chech­nya and tourists shunned the region, which is only 130 miles from the war zone. Balkars lost their jobs at the camps and tourist cen­ters. Iskhak’s ski base fell into dis­re­pair. ​ “ Every­thing was hard for our coun­try,” Iskhak says. ​ “ It was like a 10-year gap in our lives.”

2:30 p.m. The snow­storm hits quick­ly. A new sound is added – the tin­kle of snow pel­lets hit­ting Gore-Tex. I see Soltan fad­ing into the white fog ahead of me. My knees whine in pain as my cram­pons sink deep­er into the snow on the down­ward slope. I remem­ber the sto­ries I’ve heard about climbers on Elbrus who have died in storms– dis­ap­peared over cliffs, slid into crevass­es, died of expo­sure. On the way up, boul­ders are speck­led with memo­r­i­al plaques. I feel nau­se­at­ed. I’m not sure if it’s the snow swirling dizzi­ly in front of my eyes, the ener­gy bar I choked down, the lack of oxy­gen or the moun­tain’s nox­ious gas­es. I just know that if I walk any faster, I will get sick and my knees will give out. I am remind­ed: Climb­ing a moun­tain does­n’t end at the sum­mit. You also have to get down.

The sun shines. Iskhak’s base bus­tles. Shirt­less snow­board­ers bask in the warm sun­shine between trips off a jump ramp, impress­ing each oth­er with half-pipes, full pecs and the lat­est in board gear. Behind them, a sim­ple rope tow car­ries ski school stu­dents up the slope. Every so often, a cram­pon-shod climber stum­bles past.

Iskhak wafts through it all, radio in hand, base­ball cap on head. Like many Balkars, he has strange­ly pale eyes, in his case light brown. He shields them behind an over­sized pair of sun­glass­es. He keeps an eye on the snow­board­ers, whom he does­n’t ful­ly trust. ​ “ Skiers and climbers are seri­ous, hard-work­ing,” he says. ​ “ These kids are young. They just like to have a good time.”

The last three years have seen a kind of revival in the Elbrus region, fueled by three new breeds of thrill seek­ers who come despite the Chechen war: snow­board­ers drawn to its near­ly year-round snows; ​ “ extreme” skiers and ​ “ free rid­ers” seek­ing dan­ger and pris­tine ter­rain; and a cer­tain kind of ama­teur moun­tain climber eager for boast­ing rights to a ​ “ high­est” sum­mit. Elbrus is one of the so-called sev­en sum­mits, the high­est peak on each con­ti­nent. (The oth­ers are Asi­a’s Ever­est (29,028 feet); South Amer­i­ca’s Aconcagua (22,834 feet); North Amer­i­ca’s Denali/​McKinley (20,320 feet); Africa’s Kil­i­man­jaro (19,340 feet); Antarc­ti­ca’s Vin­son Mas­sif (16,067 feet); and Aus­trali­a’s Kosciusko (7,310 feet).)

Since 1983, when a pair of mid­dle-age exec­u­tives set out to climb all sev­en – Frank Wells, then of Warn­er Bros., and Dick Bass, a Texas busi­ness­man – the idea has caught on among a cer­tain kind of ambi­tious, mon­eyed adven­tur­er. These days, Iskhak leas­es the base from the gov­ern­ment and charges climbers about $5 a night to stay in one of the 10 red-and-white school-bus-sized bar­rels he has out­fit­ted with bunks. Since the high- alti­tude hotel Priyut-11 burned down in 1998, he knows that all aspir­ing ​ “ sev­en sum­miters” will come through his camp, that they are his tick­et to the future. ​ “ With­out Elbrus, they can’t do it.” He smiles broadly.

Still, Elbrus is a long way from becom­ing a major tourist attrac­tion. Poor­ly devel­oped by West­ern stan­dards even in its hey­day, the moun­tain has suf­fered severe­ly from post-Sovi­et decay. There are no ameni­ties – no warm­ing huts, no snack bars, no place to buy sun­screen or water or beer. Instead of a café, climbers fend for them­selves in a prim­i­tive com­mu­nal kitchen with food they bring up them­selves. There is no plumb­ing or run­ning water; snow must be melt­ed to be drunk.

Things are prim­i­tive in the val­ley as well. There are few hotels, and for the most part they have no maids, infre­quent hot water and crude cafe­te­rias. There is no trans­porta­tion sys­tem between the hotels and the slopes. The chair­lift runs when the oper­a­tor feels like it. Those who seek extreme sports here must have not an aver­sion to extreme dis­com­fort. ​ “ This is anoth­er degree beyond adven­ture trav­el,” says Mort Ger­son, a 67-year-old retired lawyer from San­ta Mon­i­ca who hopes to sum­mit Elbrus and ski down. ​ “ The peo­ple I know would­n’t want to come here.” A num­ber of adven­ture tour com­pa­nies that offered Elbrus climbs in the ear­ly 1990s have since pulled out, in part because of the Chechen con­flict and because con­di­tions for trav­el­ers are too unpredictable.

“ It takes a cer­tain kind of per­son to enjoy this place,” says Tom Milne, a guide with Moun­tain Mad­ness, a Seat­tle-based alpine tour com­pa­ny that still brings sev­er­al groups to Elbrus each sum­mer. What kind of per­son is that? ​ “ Flex­i­ble,” he says euphemistically.

6:30 p.m. The storm has lift­ed. Below, a row of red bar­rels comes slow­ly into focus. I can’t believe that it has tak­en so long to get down. My knees no longer whine; they howl.

I stum­ble past snow­board­ers with bleached locks and mir­rored shades. I must appear like a prophet descend­ing from the heights– shag­gy, unsteady and more than a lit­tle disreputable.

Iskhak stands out­side his trail­er. He breaks into a big smile. ​ “ Con­grat­u­la­tions. The moun­tain was kind to you.” Then he adds: ​ “ But you must come back, you know. After all, there’s still anoth­er summit.”

Frequently asked Elbrus questions

What kind of food is eat­en? Can you accom­mo­date a veg­e­tar­i­an diet or oth­er dietary restrictions?

All of the meals served on Moun­tain Mad­ness trips are a com­bi­na­tion of the best local and region­al fares along with some spe­cial­ty items brought from the U.S. Your guide or your per­son­al cooks are expe­ri­enced in work­ing with veg­e­tar­i­an diets and dietary restric­tions due to food aller­gies or intolerances.

Can I arrive ear­li­er or depart lat­er than the trip dates? 

Moun­tain Mad­ness is hap­py to help you arrange accom­mo­da­tions before and after your trip. Our area direc­tors can rec­om­mend side excur­sions and restau­rants for the extra time.

How do I get from the air­port to the hotel when I arrive?

A Moun­tain Mad­ness guide or rep­re­sen­ta­tive will pick you up at the Moscow air­port on the sched­uled arrival date and time. For easy iden­ti­fi­ca­tion con­sid­er wear­ing your Moun­tain Mad­ness T‑shirt!

Can I leave lug­gage in Moscow?

Yes, there is a secure place to store your valu­ables in Moscow while you are away on the climb. There is a nom­i­nal charge of about $5 to $10 per day for this service.

Should I get insurance?

Moun­tain Mad­ness high­ly rec­om­mends the pur­chase of trip can­cel­la­tion, trav­el and med­ical evac­u­a­tion poli­cies. Once we have received your appli­ca­tion and have con­firmed your spot on the expe­di­tion we will send you infor­ma­tion about the var­i­ous types of insur­ance and the com­pa­nies we recommend.

How heavy will my pack be?

On Elbrus we stay in huts so there are no camps to sup­ply and no heavy back­packs to car­ry. On the acclima­ti­za­tion hikes and the sum­mit climb you will need to car­ry your own snacks, cam­era, water and some extra cloth­ing which should be less than 20 pounds. Not too bad, huh?

Can I rent my gear through Moun­tain Mad­ness? Will the guide check my gear before we leave for the moun­tain?

Yes, some items will be avail­able- call our office for details. We will check your gear in Moscow. Our equip­ment list is very com­plete and we ask that you bring all the items list­ed. Rus­sia is a very dif­fi­cult place to pur­chase gear and as such it is unlike­ly that we could find the prop­er items. We will be hap­py to help you solve any gear issues pri­or to departure!

What if some­one on my rope team gets sick? Will I have to descend and lose my sum­mit opportunity? 

Safe­ty is the pri­ma­ry con­sid­er­a­tion on all Moun­tain Mad­ness trips. For all of our trips par­tic­i­pants must remem­ber that they are part of a team and that the safe­ty and secu­ri­ty of every­one on the team is more impor­tant than any one indi­vid­ual reach­ing the sum­mit. If the entire group is required to get a team mem­ber down, they will be called to assist the guides and staff. How­ev­er, we have a very high suc­cess rate in part because we often hire skilled local guides to assist on sum­mit days, decreas­ing the client-to-guide ratio. This offers addi­tion­al safe­ty and increas­es everyone’s chance for suc­cess. Addi­tion­al­ly, our sched­ule has an extra sum­mit day built in which gives us all a sec­ond oppor­tu­ni­ty if weath­er or oth­er prob­lems cause us to miss the first opportunity.

Is this climb ade­quate prepa­ra­tion for Aconcagua?

Yes, if you are able to reach the sum­mit and feel that your per­for­mance on the climb was strong. Aconcagua is how­ev­er a full-blown expe­di­tion and has mul­ti­ple days about the sum­mit ele­va­tion of Mount Elbrus. So, it can be a good indi­ca­tor that you will do well on Aconcagua, but on the oth­er hand you may find out that you don’t do well at ele­va­tions above 20,000 feet or 6,000 meters. For that rea­son would ide­al­ly sug­gest that you have an addi­tion­al expe­di­tion expe­ri­ence above the ele­va­tion of Elbrus.

Have a Question? Contact Us!

• (800) 328-5925
• [email protected]

Mount Elbrus

$5,700 – 14 Days / Includes trav­el time

*Due to the ongoing conflict, we will not be leading any trips to Mount Elbrus in 2024

Sin­gle Supplement – $350

Price Includes

• Assis­tance with obtain­ing visa vouch­ers for visa appli­ca­tions (extra fees may apply for non-US citizens)
• Domes­tic flight from Moscow to/​from Min­er­al­nye Vody
• Moscow city tour
• Sched­uled restau­rant meals in Moscow
• Three sched­uled hotel nights in Moscow (dou­ble or triple occupancy)
• Four sched­uled hotel nights in Cheget (dou­ble or triple occupancy)
• All food dur­ing the climb
• All team climb­ing gear and cook­ing gear
• All expe­di­tion sup­port staff 
• Lift fees on Mt. Elbrus
• 1 Sno-Cat ride
• Air­port trans­fers at the begin­ning of trip

Price Does Not Include

• Inter­na­tion­al airfare
• Rus­sia entry visa and air­port fees
• St. Peters­burg extension
• Excess bag­gage fees on flight to Min­er­al­nye Vody from Moscow
• Air­port trans­fer at end of trip
• Per­son­al climb­ing gear and clothing
• Per­son­al expens­es (phone calls, laun­dry, room ser­vice, extra meals, etc.)
• Trav­el insur­ance with trip can­cel­la­tion, med­ical and evac­u­a­tion policy
• All expens­es asso­ci­at­ed with non-sched­uled departure
• Break­fast and lunch Day 2
• Lunch and din­ner Day 14
• Alco­holic and bot­tled beverages
• Guide/​Staff gratuities

Payment Schedule

• $700 deposit at time of reg­is­tra­tion, which includes a $300 non-refund­able reg­is­tra­tion fee
• Bal­ance due 120 days pri­or to departure
• The bal­ance may be paid by check, wire trans­fer, ACH or cred­it card with a 3% con­ve­nience fee

Add St. Petersburg Extension

Mount elbrus 2024 — cancelled, mount elbrus 2025 — tbd, cancellation / refund policy.

• MMI strong­ly rec­om­mends trip cancellation/​interruption and evac­u­a­tion insur­ance for all trips. Our insur­ance part­ner, Rip­cord , offers com­pre­hen­sive trav­el insur­ance includ­ing trip can­cel­la­tion, as well as rescue/​evacuation poli­cies and can assist in answer­ing any ques­tions. In addi­tion, Par­tic­i­pant is expect­ed to have suf­fi­cient med­ical insur­ance as pre­scribed by their coun­try of ori­gin. Par­tic­i­pant under­stands that MMI does not include any type of insur­ance with the cost of the trip.
• If you decide to can­cel your trip or change your itin­er­ary, MMI must be noti­fied in writ­ing. Your trip will be can­celled from the date writ­ten notice is received. If prop­er writ­ten can­cel­la­tion notice is not received, amounts paid and reser­va­tions made will be forfeited. 
• Non-refund­able fees may apply for cer­tain trips in order to secure per­mits and oth­er ser­vices. MMI must strict­ly adhere to can­cel­la­tion poli­cies out­side MMI’s control. 
• Due to the per­son­al­ized ser­vice we offer on our trips, MMI reserves the right to waive any fees. We will attempt to accom­mo­date changes and can­cel­la­tions, waiv­ing cer­tain fees when feasible.
• Cir­cum­stances out­side the con­trol of MMI and its part­ners, may require amend­ed cancellation/​refund poli­cies. Such cir­cum­stances may include, but are not lim­it­ed to COVID-19, nat­ur­al dis­as­ters, wild­fires, ter­ror­ism and so forth.

Inter­na­tion­al Trips/​Courses:

• Full refund, less the non-refund­able reg­is­tra­tion fee, will be pro­vid­ed 121 days or more before the depar­ture date
• No refunds will be pro­vid­ed 120 days or less before the depar­ture date

Trip Insurance

We strong­ly rec­om­mend the pur­chase of trav­el can­cel­la­tion insur­ance to pro­tect you from the unex­pect­ed. You aren’t like­ly to think of it now, but peo­ple do get ill, break a bone, have a fam­i­ly emer­gency or get assigned to a last-minute busi­ness trip. If you are in remote areas, please note that emer­gency res­cue & evac­u­a­tion can be very expen­sive.

We also strong­ly urge you to con­sid­er res­cue and evac­u­a­tion insur­ance if your own pol­i­cy does not pro­vide the cov­er­age need­ed. Ser­vices avail­able may include, but are not lim­it­ed to, heli­copter evac­u­a­tion, med­ical care, etc.

If you choose not to pur­chase insur­ance, you assume full respon­si­bil­i­ty for any expens­es incurred in the event of a med­ical emer­gency and/​or evac­u­a­tion, as well as for trip can­cel­la­tion, inter­rup­tion, lost lug­gage, etc. We are not the experts and there­fore ask that you please con­sult our trav­el insur­ance part­ner direct­ly with any spe­cif­ic questions.

To pro­tect against loss­es due to ill­ness, acci­dent, or oth­er unfore­seen cir­cum­stances, Moun­tain Mad­ness strong­ly rec­om­mends the pur­chase of trav­el insur­ance as soon as pos­si­ble after mak­ing a deposit. Moun­tain Mad­ness has part­nered with Red­point Res­o­lu­tions as our pre­ferred trav­el insur­ance provider. Redpoint’s Rip­cord Res­cue Trav­el Insur­ance™ is designed for adventurers. 

For a quote, or to pur­chase trav­el insur­ance, please click this link Rip­cord Res­cue Trav­el Insur­ance™ or call +1 – 415-481‑0600. Pric­ing varies based on age, trip cost, trip length, and lev­el of coverage.

Crit­i­cal ben­e­fits of Rip­cord Res­cue Trav­el Insur­ance include:

• A com­plete­ly inte­grat­ed pro­gram with a sin­gle point of con­tact for emer­gency ser­vices, trav­el assis­tance, and insur­ance claims
• Evac­u­a­tion and res­cue ser­vices from your point of injury or ill­ness to your hos­pi­tal of choice
• Com­pre­hen­sive trav­el insur­ance for trip cancellation/​interruption, pri­ma­ry med­ical expense cov­er­age, bag­gage loss or delay, emer­gency acci­dent and emer­gency sick­ness med­ical expense, emer­gency den­tal, acci­den­tal death and dis­mem­ber­ment, and more
• Option­al secu­ri­ty evac­u­a­tion cov­er­age in case of an unplanned nat­ur­al dis­as­ter or oth­er secu­ri­ty events
• Waiv­er for pre-exist­ing con­di­tions (must be pur­chased with­in 14 days of tour deposit)
• Option­al ​ “ Can­cel for Any Rea­son” cov­er­age (must be pur­chased with­in 14 days of tour deposit)

Flight Information

The total num­ber of days for your trip includes all trav­el to and from your des­ti­na­tion, with some excep­tions. Dates list­ed on the web­site start with a depar­ture date from the U.S. and include the day you arrive home. For this trip you will need to arrive in Moscow, Rus­sia on Day 2 any­time dur­ing the day. You will be met at the air­port by a Moun­tain Mad­ness rep­re­sen­ta­tive and trans­ferred to your hotel. 

If you are trav­el­ing from Europe it’s pos­si­ble you can elim­i­nate one day from the itin­er­ary as long as you arrive on Day 2 of the itin­er­ary. Return flight is sched­uled for Day 14 of the trip. 

Domes­tic flights to Min­er­al­nye Vody are includ­ed in the cost of your trip. If you choose to fly direct to Min­er­al­nye Vody, thus elim­i­nat­ing time in Moscow, we can care­ful­ly coor­di­nate this with you so that you meet your group at the domes­tic ter­mi­nal in Moscow or in Min­er­al­nye Vody. 

Please con­tact our office for any help need­ed with your flight schedule.

Mount Elbrus Day by Day

The first day is allo­cat­ed for those requir­ing an overnight flight to Moscow.

A Moun­tain Mad­ness rep­re­sen­ta­tive will meet you at the air­port. You will be trans­ferred to your hotel where you will spend the night.

Tour the city of Moscow, includ­ing a vis­it to the Krem­lin Cathe­dral and Armory. Overnight at hotel. Ori­en­ta­tion meet­ing and gear check.

Min­er­al­nye Vody / Terskol

Ele­va­tion: 7,030 ft / 2143 m

Trans­fer to domes­tic air­port for the two hour flight to the city of Min­er­al­nye Vody (Min­er­al Water) or Nalchik. Con­tin­ue by bus to a hotel in the town of Ter­skol in the Bak­san Val­ley, where you spend the next sev­er­al nights.

To pre­pare for our sum­mit attempt of Elbrus, and to enjoy the mag­nif­i­cent Cau­ca­sus Range, we take a day hike in the Bak­san Riv­er Val­ley. At the end of the day you overnight in the hotel.

To fur­ther pre­pare for the climb, we ride the cable car and prac­tice cram­pon and ice climb­ing skills. Overnight at hotel.

Ele­va­tion: 12,467 ft / 3800 m

Ride the cable car up to Kharabashi, which is Balka­r­i­an for ​ “ where black rock meets glac­i­er.”. We set­tle in for a rest day in com­fort­able bar­rel shel­ters. More skills review possible. 

Acclima­ti­za­tion hike

Acclima­ti­za­tion hike to Pas­tukhov Rocks and return for anoth­er night at the barrels.

Review Skills

Fur­ther review basic moun­taineer­ing skills. Rest and pre­pare for the climb.

Sum­mit Attempt

Two days are sched­uled for our sum­mit attempt. We increase our chances for a suc­cess­ful sum­mit climb by rid­ing a snow­cat to just below our pre­vi­ous high­point near the Pas­tukhov Rocks. If weath­er allows our group to sum­mit on the first day, we descend the fol­low­ing day and have an extra day in the Bak­san Valley.

Overnight at Hotel.

Min­er­al­nye Vody / Moscow

Dri­ve to Min­er­al­nye Vody. Fly back to Moscow. Trans­fer to hotel.

Depart Moscow and fly home.

Note on Itin­er­ary: Although we do our very best to fol­low the sched­ule list­ed, this itin­er­ary is sub­ject to change due to inclement weath­er, unsafe route con­di­tions, or oth­er rea­sons beyond our con­trol and in the guide’s best judgement.

Equipment for Mount Elbrus Ascent

Carrying gear, summit pack (40-50l).

Lightweight as possible with a volume between 2,500-3,500 cubic inches (40-50 liters) serves most people’s needs well

Osprey Mutant 38, Black Diamond Speed 40

Large duffel bag (150L)

One at least 7,000 cubic inch capacity (150 liters). Must be durable and waterproof

Patagonia Black Hole

Small padlock for duffel bags

Extra security

Baggage tags

Makes identifying your bags easy at airports or hotels

Sleeping Gear

Expedition quality sleeping bag (15-20f).

One down or synthetic bag rated from 15-20°F /-9 to -7°C

Marmot Helium, Marmot Trestles, Western Mountaineering Apache, North Face Guide 20

Sleeping pad (inflatable or closed cell foam)

A foam pad will be provided but a supplemental pad is recommended. This can be an inflatable or closed cell foam pad. Make sure to purchase a pad rated for cold conditions.

Therm-a-Rest NeoAir & Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Sol

Climbing Gear

Alpine climbing harness.

Must have adjustable leg loops and fit over all clothing

Black Diamond Couloir, Petzl Altitude, Petzl Hirundos

Locking carabiners (2)

Two large, pear-shaped carabiners are best

Black Diamond Rock Lock, Petzl William, Petzl Attache

Mountaineering ice axe

under 5’7” use 60cm, 5’7”-6’2” use 60 or 65cm, over 6’2” use 70cm

Black Diamond Raven, Petzl Glacier

Crampons w/ anti-balling plate

Steel 12-pont. Must be fit to climbing boots prior to trip, new-matic/hybrid type

Black Diamond Sabretooth, Petzl Vasak

Adjustable trekking poles

Three piece poles recommended

Black Diamond Trail Back Pole

Climbing helmet

Lightweight

Black Diamond Half Dome, Petzl Elios

Head and Face

Fleece or wool hat.

It must cover the ears

Shade hat or baseball cap

A visor hat with a good brim is essential for protection from the sun

Mountain Madness trucker hat

Bandanas or neck gaiter

Various uses, i.e. cleaning glasses, sun protection when tied around the neck, etc. We have our own Mountain Madness neck gaiter available for purchase!

Mountain Madness neck gaiter

Balaclava or Buff

A thin balaclava will add significant warmth on that cold summit day

Outdoor Research, Marmot

Glacier glasses

100% UV protection with side shields and a hard-sided storage case

Ski goggles

To fit over glacier glasses in high wind. Rose or amber lenses

Smith, Oakley

Liner gloves

Two pairs thin fleece or synthetic

Warm gloves

One pair fleece or wool with water resistant shell

Outdoor Research Arete

Expedition mitts

One pair Gore-Tex or equivalent, with textured palms and taped seams. Synthetic or down filled. Warm, heavy duty for cold temperatures

Outdoor Research Altimitt

Thin socks (2 pair)

Two pairs of synthetic or wool socks to wear under heavy wool socks to help prevent blisters and keep feet dry

Smartwool or Cool Max

Thick socks (3 pair)

Three pairs of synthetic or wool socks, medium to heavyweight. Check boot fit with thin and thick socks on

Smartwool or Thorlo

One pair of gaiters made of breathable material; keeps dirt and snow out of boots. Make sure they fit over your boots

Outdoor Research Verglas or Crocodiles

Plastic mountaineering boots

Depending on your future mountaineering endeavors, a boot such as the La Sportiva Spantik is a good investment for those who are pursuing other high-altitude climbs (such as Aconcagua or Denali), whereas the Koflach Degre would be the choice for those looking for a warm boot in moderate conditions. If you are looking at hybrid leather/plastic boots, make sure it is rated for 6,000-meter peak climbs or winter mountaineering

Light hiking boots or trail shoes

For acclimatization hikes

Salomon X-Ultra 3 Mid, Merrell Moab, La Sportiva Boulder Ex

Synthetic t-shirts

Two synthetic or merino wool t-shirts. No cotton!

Long-sleeved Base Layer

Two lightweight to mediumweight, pull-over is best

Patagonia Capilene

Sports bras

Two, synthetic, no cotton!

Softshell Jacket w/ hood

This is what you will be wearing while hiking at higher altitudes or while kicking around camps at lower altitude. This jacket should be full-zip

Outdoor Research Ferrosi

Hardshell jacket w/ hood

A good jacket made of Gore-Tex (recommended) or waterproof nylon, roomy enough to fit over multiple layers

Outdoor Research Foray, Patagonia Triolet

Down or synthetic jacket w/hood

This is your most important piece of warm gear and will mean the difference between an enjoyable climb or a miserable one. A warm, full zip jacket with hood is ideal.

Helly Hansen Vanir, Feathered Friends Volant, Marmot Guide’s Down Hoody, Outdoor Research Virtuoso Hoody

This piece with a high SPF rating and lightweight fabric offers protection from high altitude sun

Outdoor Research

Undergarments

Adequate supply for the entire trip

Bathing suit (optional)

lightweight and packable

Hiking shorts

One pair of quick-drying shorts. Good for hiking at lower elevations on the mountain

Long base layer

Two pairs light or mediumweight

Softshell pants

Softshell pants are water resistant, yet highly breathable and durable. Great for colder conditions over a pair of long underwear or tights higher on the mountain or summit day

Outdoor Research Voodoo, Mountain Hardwear Touren, Patagonia Guide

Hardshell pants

waterproof and breathable with side zips (minimum of ¾ zips recommended) Gore-Tex or equivalent

Outdoor Research Furio, Arcteryx Beta AR

Miscellaneous

Stuff sacks/ditty bags/plastic bags.

To organize gear in your duffle and pack. All clothing should be kept dry using waterproof stuff sacks or large heavyweight plastic bags (trash compactor bags work great)

Toothbrush and paste, comb, tampons, biodegradable soap (small amount), etc. Bring enough for the entire trip

Toilet paper

1 – 2 rolls stored in a plastic bag

Must have SPF rating of 20 or more. Bring two just in case!

Bring plenty of sun block with SPF of 40 or more. It's easy to underestimate the amount necessary for your trip!

To block out snoring and other noise to ensure a good night's sleep

Water bottles with insulators

Two one-liter wide-mouthed plastic bottles

Small stainless-steel thermos (optional)

For hot beverages on summit day

Water purification

Steri Pen, Potable Aqua, Polar Pure crystal iodine. Purifies drinking water while on the trip.

Water flavoring

Powdered additives like Gatorade or NUUN are a nice change of pace to water and help replenish much needed electrolytes.

Bring extra batteries!

Pocket knife or multitool

Simple Swiss Army type with scissors. Make sure you transport in checked bag, not carry-on!

Personal first aid and drug kit

small personal first aid kit with ample bandaids and moleskin

Nausea medications

Pepto Bismol tablets; Maalox, Gelusil M or Mylanta antacid tablets. Donnatal for stomach cramps. Probiotic capsules taken daily may help keep your gastro-intestinal system working smoothly

For wash up in camp

Handi-Wipes

A small pack or two anti-bacterial are great for general hygiene

Spare contacts and glasses

Contacts can be a problem in dusty conditions, so make sure you have your back-up glasses with you. Glasses wearers should have a spare set

Snacks (general)

Bring your favorite snacks and power/energy bars or if there is something else you particularly like to eat while hiking and climbing

Spare bottle for a pee bottle, and a pee funnel (Lady J or Freshette) for women

It can be a cold walk to the toilet at night

Insect repellent

Personal electronics.

Phone with camera, and/or separate camera. Bring extra batteries and memory!

Electronics charging

If you want to charge your electronics along the way, a small, lightweight solar panel to charge batteries or portable charging device may be a good addition

Travel power adapter

Most come in kits with all the plugs you need. Double-check to make sure you’re taking the correct adapter/plugs

Travel clothing

Comfortable clothing for travel before and after the expedition

14 Days / Includes trav­el time

18,510 ft / 5642 m

Client to Guide Ratio

St. petersburg option.

Spend two full days tak­ing in the sights of this UNESCO gem.

Advanced Beginner

Climbers should have basic snow and ice-climbing skills and should be comfortable with glacier travel, which includes moving in a rope team, self arrest, and basic crevasse rescue. Basic knowledge and experience would be required for objectives with some rock climbing.

Extend Your Trip

Warm-up before elbrus.

North America Washington

Mount Baker Coleman Deming Glacier

• 3 Days / Includes Transportation, Tents and Food

Difficulty Beginner

Climbing the Seven Summits Africa Tanzania

Kilimanjaro Seven Summit Ascent & Safari

Difficulty Advanced Beginner

Introduction to Mountaineering

• 2 Days / Includes Transportation, Tents and Food

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Mexico Volcanoes Expedition

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Elbrus, Europe's highest peak, is a giant dormant volcano that separates Europe from Asia. The straightforward yet spectacular climb is contrasted by the cultural wonders of enigmatic Russia.

With short 12 or 14 day options, the Elbrus Expedition is an ideal objective as your first or second of the Seven Summits.

Summit celebrations - Mike Roberts

Historic St Petersburg - Mike Roberts

The incredible architecture of St Basil's Cathedral, Moscow - Mike Roberts

Enjoy a hearty lunch at Islam Hut - Mike Roberts

Acclimatising on the lower slopes of Mt Elbrus - Mike Roberts

Scenic hikes help acclimatisation prior to the summit climb - Mike Roberts

• Get a taste of high-mountain adventure on one of the Seven Summits
• Also one of the Volcanic Seven Summits, comprised of the highest volcanoes on each of the seven continents
• Opportunity to discover the wonders of St Petersburg or Moscow
• Experience non-technical moderate-altitude mountaineering
• Options to Add-On climbs of Kilimanjaro or Peak Lenin

Adventure Consultants offers two options for climbing Elbrus. For those who wish to explore some of Russia's most beautiful cultural cities, Trip 1 is 14 days in duration and starts in St Petersburg and finishes in Moscow. Our shorter Trip 2 is 12 days long and starts and finishes in Moscow.

Being relatively high, Elbrus demands respect and we approach this by climbing higher each day during our acclimatisation phase whilst sleeping at lower elevations at night. A cable car takes us up to accommodation at the base of the climb where we learn basic snow and ice techniques from the guides prior to the ascent. The summit day entails climbing long snow slopes with views over the wooded valleys to the surrounding peaks.

Dates & Prices

Not operating in 2024

Payment Conditions

• Inclusions & Exclusions - Trip 1
• Inclusions & Exclusions - Trip 2
• Payment Details

The price of your trip includes the following:

• Adventure Consultants mountain guides
• All expedition organisational requirements
• Hotel in St Petersburg and Moscow, two nights each city, twin share

Breakfasts in St Petersburg and Moscow

• City tours in St Petersburg and Moscow
• All lodging and food while on the expedition after departing St Petersburg until arriving Moscow, according to the itinerary
• Group climbing equipment, food and fuel when on Mount Elbrus
• Transfers from hotel to airport for Mineralnye Vody flight and return
• Flights from St Petersburg to Mineralnye Vody to Moscow

Transport Mineralnye Vody to Elbrus region

• Chairlift transport and snowcat lift up fees

The price of your trip does not include:

• Airport transfer from international airport to hotel and return
• Lunch and dinner while in St Petersburg and Moscow
• Personal clothing and equipment
• Entry visa for Russia
• Climbing/travel/trip cancellation insurance or rescue costs
• International round-trip travel costs into St Petersburg and out from Moscow, Russia
• Excess baggage charges over 20kg allowance on domestic flights
• Spending on personal items such as gifts, alcohol/bottled drinks, laundry etc.
• Snowcat or skidoo lift down fees (if you choose not to walk down)
• Hotel costs and meals in the Baksan Valley if you descend early from the mountain
• Gratuity to guides
• Hotel in Moscow, one night at either end of the trip
• Breakfasts in Moscow
• All hotels, lodging and food while on the expedition after departing Moscow until arriving back in Moscow, according to the itinerary
• Group climbing equipment, food and fuel in Elbrus region
• Flight from Moscow to Mineralnye Vody to Moscow
• Return transport Mineralnye Vody to Elbrus region
• Snowcat lift up and chairlift transport fees
• Lunch and dinner while in Moscow
• International travel costs into/out of Moscow, Russia
• Spending on personal items such as gifts, alcohol/bottled drinks and laundry, etc.
• Gratuities for guides

Account Information

All payments should be made by bank transfer to the following bank and account:

Bank of New Zealand Offshore Branch 42 Willis Street Spark Central Wellington New Zealand

for the account of Adventure Consultants Limited

Account Number: 1000-594771-0002 Account Type: Euros Swift Address: BKNZNZ22

We can also accept your deposit and balance payments by credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Amex) plus a 3% credit card transaction fee.

A non-refundable deposit of € 500 is payable to secure a place on the expedition.

The balance of funds is payable 90 days prior to trip start date.

Cancellation & Refund Policy

Once you have paid your deposit your trip is confirmed, subject to payment of the balance of fees owing 90 days prior to your trip commencement date. An expedition member may then cancel his/her participation on the following basis:

• Cancellations outside of 90 days will result in the loss of the trip deposit.
• For cancellations made within 90 days of the trip commencement date, we reserve the right to retain 50% of the balance payment fee.
• For cancellations within 60 days of the departure date, a cancellation fee of 100% of the full fee applies.

Trip Cancellation Insurance

We strongly recommend you take out trip cancellation insurance via your travel agent if you wish to be covered against cancellation due to medical or personal reasons.

Health & Fitness

The Expedition Trip Notes provide detailed information and background for Adventure Consultants' Elbrus Expeditions.

You can view the trip notes online by clicking the images or download a pdf by clicking the following links: Elbrus Trip 1 Trip Notes 2023

Elbrus Trip 2 Trip Notes 2023

Team Membership

The team will have a minimum size of 6 members and 2 guides and a maximum size of 12 members and 3 guides.

The expedition leader will be scheduled approximately six months out from the trip start. All of our expedition leaders have extensive experience at high altitude and a proven record of safety, success and compatibility.

Great staff, great trip and I can’t wait to join you guys for the next adventure. Elbrus 2017

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We use our experience to provide our students with an easy study abroad guide and assistance, at the beginning and all through the process. All our services are very straightforward prioritizing our student’s needs every step of the way, our platform is well equipped with all the right information and accessible anywhere in the world. RocApply has extensive experience in all things regarding your studies in Russia, and we are glad to help.

Eligibility Requirements;

After finding what program you can apply for, the next step is to check if you qualify for admission at MIPT, although the application procedure is simplified thanks to RocApply’s easy-to-use application platform, all our applicants must have;

• High school leaving certificate (for bachelor admissions)
• A bachelor’s degree or diploma (for master’s admissions)
• A master’s degree (for Ph.D. admissions)
• Language requirements: applicants applying to Russian-taught programs must take language exams in Russian and English-taught programs require that applicants must show proficiency with results from approved exams like IELTS or TOEFL.

Qualification Requirements

Recently, MIPT demands that some students enrolling in specific programs must take part in certain qualifying events and interviews known as ‘Procturing’. These events are conducted online in collaboration with RocApply, beginning in June towards a September or October resumption date. Subjects written include English, Mathematics or Physics.

For graduate programs, there are also certain qualifying events which are either as an interview or a test depending on the program. Tests or interviews are conducted online via RocApply beginning in June.

Document requirements

Undergraduate

• Online application form via RocApply
• Copy of international passport or identification document
• High school leaving certificate
• Curriculum Vitae (detailing other achievements, qualifications, or awards)
• IELTS/TOEFL results
• Applicants who wish to take their courses in Russian must first enroll in MIPT’s language prep school.
• Copy of bachelor’s degree or diploma
• Copy of masters degree (for Ph.D. programs)
• Personal statement
• 2 recommendation letters from professors or previous employer
• CV or Resume
• *All documents must be notarized and translated.

MIPT provides a tuition fee waiver for applicants who score 85% and above in the qualifying exams, and also scholarships for graduates of the preparatory course, undergraduates and graduate students of MIPT, and transfer students continuing their education at MIPT. Participants of short term internships and summer and winter MIPT schools also receive tuition waivers from the university.

Select your Degree

Application requirements for bachelors:, select your field of study for bachelors, select your bachelor program, application requirements for masters:, select your field of study for masters, select your master program.

Master's in Advanced Combinatorics (MSc)

(2 years) 4 Semesters

3000€ / Semester

Master's in Neural Networks & Neural Computers (MSc)

Master's in Blockchain (MSc)

Master's in Cyber Security (MSc)

Master's in Aerodynamics (MSc)

Master's in Beam-Plasma Systems and Technologies (MSc)

Master's in Industrial Bioinformatics (MSc)

Master's in Digital Transformation (MSc)

Master's in International Business, Entrepreneurship

Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT) in Rankings

Ranked 20th in the whole of russia, ranked 400th in the world., tuition and scholarships at moscow institute of physics and technology (mipt).

The university provides funding to international students through several schemes designed to reduce the cost of tuition or to cover the student’s expenses while studying there, funding at the university are both internal and external and happen and all foreign students at the university are eligible to receive some sort of financial assistance during the course of their program at MIPT.

MIPT Scholarship: The university awards a special scholarship to foreign understudies who show dynamic academic qualities, or students who have strong academic backgrounds and can replicate this while studying at MIPT. This scholarship is highly coveted and is awarded competitively.

Russian Government Scholarship: The Russian government reserves special funding for international students studying at MIPT. The funding scheme covers all academic costs for the entire duration of the program in bachelor's, masters, and Ph.D. levels. Interested students must apply as early as possible after being accepted.

MIPT Olympiad: The MIPT Olympiad is a healthy academic competition where excellent students display their knowledge on a variety of subjects akin to their field of study. The top students compete amongst themselves and the winner is awarded a full-ride sponsorship towards their education at MIPT.

MIPT Student Financial Support: Foreign students can apply for financial support from the university towards their living expenses in Moscow. MIPT gives stipends to a large number of its international students every month, and the awardees must continue to excel academically in order to continue receiving this financial aid.

Cost of living at Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT)

About moscow institute of physics and technology (mipt).

The Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology is one of the top five universities in Russia and is well known all over the world, since its inception in 1946 as a department of Moscow State University and later as an independent organization in 1951, MIPT is has been highly regarded by scientists, engineers, and students alike.

The MIPT university-industry partnership system was introduced by its first professors, the Nobel Prize winners L.D Landau, P.L Kapitsa, and N.N Semenov. It selects talented students and provides them with a top-class education and an early entry into industrial research.

MIPT scientists perform cutting-edge research in the fields of fundamental science and push the boundaries of human understanding, creating new technologies and contributing to global development.

The university explores neural and aerospace engineering, biophysics and nuclear science, quantum optics and aeromechanics. The university research center devices mathematical models to account for all of the diversity in nature.

MIPT research labs feature international teams driven by professors with global credentials and aspirations. Nobel Laureates Andre Gain and Constantin Navoselov who won a prize in physics in 2010 are MIPT alumni.

The university is tailoring and determining the success of society and humanity through science, and introducing excellent ways to look into the future. To date, MIPT pushes the boundary of human understanding with scientific principles and learning modules that are unrivaled anywhere in the world.

Some of the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT) Achievements.

• MIPT has ranked in the top 100 spots in world university reputation ranking in the last two years by Times Higher Education (THE)
• MIPT ranks in the top 100 world universities for subjects like Physical Science and Computer Science and ranks in the top 300 world universities for Engineering, Technology, and Life Science by Times Higher Education (2020)
• MIPT is among the topmost reputable universities in Russia, presently rated as at the top 3 higher education institutions in the country.
• In Russia, MIPT stands as the most award-winning university, bagging several industries and scientific awards throughout its history. Ten professors from Phystech are Nobel Laureates winning prizes in Physics, Chemistry, Peace, and Astrophysics. Also, many of MIPT’s research specialists and doctors have been awarded Dirac medals, BBVA Foundation awards, and prizes in Fundamental Physics both in Russia and internationally.

Student Life at MIPT

Academics: MIPT is a leading research center with about 79 well-equipped laboratories for experiments and research. The major fields are biomaterials and microelectronics, energetics and specialized machine engineering, universal and specialized quantum computers, quantum cryptography, mechanisms of aging, genomic engineering, optogenetics, biomedical cell products, artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotics, expert systems, cybersecurity, technical vision, space technology.

Phystech Start-Up: MIPT designed a project to support and develop student ideas and projects, students join mentoring educational programs to receive knowledge, advice, and recommendation on the development of projects from successful entrepreneurs, graduates of MIPT, and experts of tech companies.

Internships: In MIPT students have the possibility to secure internships at the best Russian and international companies. The experience gained contributes largely to the success of many of its student's careers after they graduate.

Campus Life at MIPT

MIPT has a very conducive and up-to-date campus that is very comfortable for life and study at the university. Present on campus are more than 15 buildings comprising of administrative buildings, academic buildings, medical centers, dormitories, cafeterias, and the other facilities, the university campus also has 24/hours security and surveillance. Phystech’s campus is located 20 minutes from Moscow, the heart of Russia.

Social Activities at MIPT

There are more than 50 student activities and clubs that cater to several student interests, MIPT students can participate actively in any of these clubs or societies and can even carve out their own in their own area of interest with approval from the university.

Student clubs are a brilliant way to interact, socialize and build social skills that resonate with the outside world. Examples of such clubs at MIPT include;

• History Club
• Intellectual Games Club
• Painting Club
• Literature Club
• Robotics Technology Club
• Artic Projects Club and many more

MIPT has strong partnerships with many leading universities, organizations and industrial companies both locally and internationally. Many global centers of research are also affiliated with the university, with remote research units on MIPT’s campus enabling student exchange and work and study opportunities on a global platform.

Similarly, a long list of industry companies and corporate organizations have ties with Phystech, fostering internship and job opportunities for MIPT students. Some of MIPT’S partner institutions include;

• Berkely University of California
• Carnegie Mellon University
• Ecole Polytechnique
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• McGill University

Some of MIPT’S partner research centers and companies include;

• Schlumberger Research & Development
• Hitachi and GE

In MIPT, there is a unique educational ecosystem based on a 70-year history of development. MIPT’s system of instruction called the ‘Phystech System’ was proposed by its founders. The key principles were outlined from the beginning, which entails;

• First students are trained by researchers of leading scientific and technological institutions with modern technical equipment.
• Secondly, students have individual works with the university,
• Thirdly each student begins their research from their second or third year of education and
• Lastly, upon graduation, the students have great knowledge of the modern methods of theoretical and experimental research and necessary engineering knowledge to solve technical problems.

The strong teaching of fundamental knowledge and extensive practical work in partner research institutions allow MIPT graduates to build a career in any field of professional activity.

The link between study and practice means students learn to apply their theoretical knowledge in the real world.

A Forbes 2019 rating on university graduates shows that MIPT is one of the top 3 universities with the most popular graduates, taking into consideration factors like average salary, presence of billionaires, membership in boards of directors of the largest Russian and international companies.

Noteworthy is that ten of Phystech alumni are amongst the top 200 entrepreneurs in Russia, and many of its graduates have gone on to found successful start-ups and tech companies.

Why Study at Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT)

Accommodation moscow institute of physics and technology (mipt), on campus accomodation at moscow institute of physics and technology (mipt).

MIPT provides student housing at both its Dolgoprudny and Zhukovsky locations, as of now there are 14 student halls of residence owned and managed by the university and housing the majority of its students.

The dormitories come in different types and different specifications but they are all adequately maintained and equipped with all the necessary facilities.

Some of them are student dormitories with one or two bedrooms, a central kitchen space, and bathroom area, while the others are apartment-style rooms with kitchen and bathroom ensuite.

Every room at every dormitory has 24/hours electricity, heating, and wireless internet, similarly, all dorms are guarded full-time. Amenities refrigerator, washing machine, and microwave are also provided to students in the dormitory.

The type of campus housing that a student will get is contingent on their department and level of study as dormitories are separated int different spectrums to create a more relatable atmosphere for its students.

Accommodation price at MIPT can cost somewhere between 1,000 RUB to 2,000 RUB.

Off Campus Accomodation at Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT)

Typically, some students opt to live in separate accommodations outside the university campus where there are many private houses and apartments that cater to various student budgets and need.

There are also several dormitories and private out-of-school lofts and pads that have different costs. The expense of leasing off-campus apartments changes from area to area in proximity to the city square and they have different conditions for rent.

Commonly, the cost of leasing a one-room condo is around 1,500 to 2,000 RUB per month and it depends on how extravagant the building is and the services they offer.

Renting an apartment out of campus usually means that utilities such as electricity, water, heating, cable tv, and internet all come separate from the rent and students would have to shoulder the bills per usage.

Sports at Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT)

The sports and recreational facilities at MIPT’s campus help develop the competing spirit of its students and staff. The university has  3 sports centers, a Phystech stadium, and an Olympic standard swimming pool. The most anticipated sporting event at the university is the 24 hours traditional football contest amongst departments of MIPT, fondly dubbed as the ‘Match of the century’.

Phystech students, staff, and alumni actively participate in this 50-year long tradition that is one of the points of pride for the institution. In recent years, the university started the same event for swimming games called ‘Swimming of the century’.

At MIPT there are over 15 sports clubs and athletic activities such as Basketball, Water Polo, Table Tennis, Alpine Skiing, Mountain Climbing, Crossfit, Athletics, Yoga, Lawn Tennis, Fitness Aerobics, Football, Chess, Dancing, and many others. MIPT prioritizes its students' fitness and physical well-being as they contribute to healthy student life.

Food at Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT)

Available on campus are several canteens and cafeteria that serve various meals to students and staff at different hours of the day. Students who take up residence in any of MIPT’s dormitories have access to the free canteen and buffet-style service for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

The university also has a break area where other external restaurant chains have taken up space serving a variety of fast food and continental meals to students. The price of feeding at the university costs about 30 RUB to 50  RUB per person depending on their food choices. 

Testimonials

About moscow.

Moscow is the capital and the largest city in Russia with a population of more than 12 million people located in the Moskva River in the west of the country. Moscow for Russians is the center of everything, and everything is centered here where all the headquarters of major Russian cooperations are located.

Moscow contributes the largest to the country’s economy both in industry and influence. Although the weather in Russia is believed to be quite severe, Moscow’s weather is milder than in other parts of the country. Moscow has the best university’s in Russia, one of which is the Moscow institute of physics and technology (MIPT).

Moscow enjoys a much higher standard of living compared to other cities and has one of the highest amounts of billionaires topping cities like London and Paris. Moscow is home to all the federal authorities of the country from federal to state levels and is heralded as a city of status.

Moscow also has the largest amount of English speakers and international residents that any other city in the country, the city is also very green with more green areas than New York or London.

The city center is a serene getaway with one of the largest parks where residents come to relax and unwind at the end of the day. The social life in Moscow is one of the best in the world, with a vast array of bars, pubs, and restaurants that serve all types of cuisine to suit most budgets. 

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Explore programs.

Browse through more than 400 programs offered in Russia and find your best fit here

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Compare and research about all Russia universities and their special fields here

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Apply easy and secure with just one mouseclick to your favourite study program for free here

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• Nationwide Travel Insurance
• AXA Assistance USA
• Seven Corners Travel Insurance
• HTH Worldwide Travel Insurance
• World Nomads Travel Insurance

Cruise Travel Insurance Tips

• Why You Should Trust Us

Best Cruise Insurance Companies of April 2024

Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate insurance products to write unbiased product reviews.

A cruise vacation can take much of the stress out of planning a vacation. With a pre-set itinerary on the high seas, you don't have to worry about how you're getting to your destination and what you're going to do there. However, an unexpected emergency can take the wind out of your sails and money out of your travel budget. So you'll want to ensure you have the best travel insurance coverage that won't leave you high and dry in an emergency.

Best Cruise Insurance Companies

• Nationwide Travel Insurance : Best Overall
• AXA Assistance USA : Best for Affordability
• Seven Corners Travel Insurance : Best for Seniors
• HTH Worldwide Travel Insurance : Best for Expensive Trips
• World Nomads Travel Insurance : Best for Exotic Locations

Compare the Top Cruise Insurance Offers

• Trip cancellation coverage of up to 100% of trip costs (for cruises) or up to $30,000 (for single-trip plans)
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Three cruise-specific plans to choose from
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Annual travel insurance plans available
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Strong trip cancellation coverage
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Cancel for any reason coverage available
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. CFAR insurance not available with every single plan
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Medical coverage is lower than what some competitors offer

Nationwide Travel Insurance offers many of the standard benefits you might see with a travel insurance policy. This can include things like trip cancellation coverage, so you can recover pre-paid costs or trip interruption in the event your vacation is interrupted by an unexpected event. There's also baggage delay coverage and medical coverage.

• Cancel for any reason coverage available

• Trip cancellation coverage of up to 100% of the trip cost
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Generous medical evacuation coverage
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Up to $1,500 per person coverage for missed connections on cruises and tours
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Covers loss of ski, sports and golf equipment
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Generous baggage delay, loss and trip delay coverage ceilings per person
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage only available for most expensive Platinum plan
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. CFAR coverage ceiling only reaches $50,000 maximum despite going up to 75%

AXA Assistance USA keeps travel insurance simple with gold, silver, and platinum plans. Emergency medical and CFAR are a couple of the options you can expect. Read on to learn more about AXA.

• Silver, Gold, and Platinum plans available
• Trip interruption coverage of up to 150% of the trip cost
• Emergency medical coverage of up to $250,000

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Diverse coverage options such as CFAR, optional sports equipment coverage, etc.
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Available in all 50 states
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Prices are higher than many competitors
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Reviews around claims processing are mixed
• Trip cancellation insurance of up to 100% of the trip cost
• Trip interruption insurance of up to 150% of the trip cost
• Cancel for any reason (CFAR) insurance available

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Three plans to choose from
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Reasonable premiums
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. CFAR coverage available with some plans
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. High medical emergency and evacuation coverage
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Special coverages for pets, sports equipment, etc not available
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Limited reviews with complaints about claims not being paid
• Trip cancellation of up to $5,000 with the Economy plan and up to $50,000 with the Preferred plan
• Cancel for any reason insurance and missed connection insurance available with the Preferred plan
• Baggage delay insurance starting after 24 or 12 hours depending on the plan

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Coverage for 200+ activities like skiing, surfing, and rock climbing
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Only two plans to choose from, making it simple to find the right option
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. You can purchase coverage even after your trip has started
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. If your trip costs more than $10,000, you may want to choose other insurance because trip protection is capped at up to $10,000 (for the Explorer plan)
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Doesn't offer coverage for travelers older than 70
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. No Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) option
• Coverage for 150+ activities and sports
• 2 plans: Standard and Explorer
• Trip protection for up to $10,000
• Emergency medical insurance of up to $100,000
• Emergency evacuation coverage for up to $500,000
• Coverage to protect your items (up to $3,000)

Cruise Insurance Reviews

Best cruise insurance overall: nationwide travel insurance.

Nationwide Travel Insurance  is a long-standing and reputable brand within the insurance marketplace that offers cruise insurance plans with solid coverage and reasonable rates.

It has three cruise insurance options: Universal, Choice, and Luxury. The Nationwide Choice plan, for example, offers $100,000 in emergency medical coverage and $500,000 in emergency medical evacuation coverage.

The right plan for you depends on your budget and coverage needs. But each plan offers cruise-specific coverages like ship-based mechanical breakdowns, coverage for missed prepaid excursions if your cruise itinerary changes, and covered service disruptions aboard the cruise ship.

Read our Nationwide Travel Insurance review here.

Best Cruise Insurance for Affordability: AXA Travel Insurance

AXA Assistance USA  offers three comprehensive coverage plans: Gold, Silver, and Platinum. Each of these plans offers coverage for issues like missed flights, medical emergencies, lost luggage, and more.

The highest-tier Platinum plan provides $250,000 in medical emergency coverage and $1 million in medical evacuation coverage. The baggage loss coverage is $3,000 per person, and their missed connection coverage is $1,500 per person for cruises and tours.

In addition, travelers can take advantage of AXA's concierge service, which provides an extensive network of international service providers. They'll be able to assist you with things like restaurant reservations and referrals, golf course information, and more. This service could come in handy if you're stopping at a variety of unfamiliar destinations during your cruise.

The coverage limits on AXA's policies are on the higher end compared to other providers. And you can buy coverage for a little as 4% of your trip cost depending on your age, travel destination, and state of residence.

Read our AXA Travel Insurance review here.

Best Cruise Insurance for Seniors: Seven Corners Travel Insurance

Seven Corners Travel Insurance lets cruisers enjoy traveling in their golden years with the knowledge they're covered in the event of an accident or emergency. While other providers do offer coverage to those 80+ years old, Seven Corners is known for its affordable premiums while offering above-average medical expenses and medical evacuation coverage limits — two areas of travel insurance coverage that are even more important as we get older.

Seven Corners also offers the option of a preexisting conditions waiver and CFAR insurance at an additional cost, plus "Trip Interruption for Any Reason" coverage, which you won't find on many policies.

You can choose between the Trip Protection Basic or Trip Protection Choice plans, with the higher-tier Choice plan costing more but providing more coverage.

Read our Seven Corners Travel Insurance review here. 

Best Cruise Insurance for Expensive Trips: HTH Worldwide Travel Insurance

HTH Worldwide Travel Insurance  offers three levels of trip protection: TripProtector Economy, Classic, and Preferred. The higher the tier, the more coverage you'll get for things like baggage delays, trip delays & cancellations, and medical expenses. But their premiums remain reasonable even at the highest tier of coverage.

Not only does the HTH Worldwide Trip Protector Preferred plan offer higher-than-average medical emergency and evacuation coverage limits ($500,000 and $1 million, respectively), but you'll also get a baggage loss coverage limit of $2,000 per person and coverage for trip interruption of up to 200% of the trip cost. You also have the option to add CFAR coverage for an additional cost.

Read our HTH Worldwide Travel Insurance review here.

Best Cruise Insurance for Exotic Locations: World Nomads Travel Insurance

World Nomads Travel Insurance  has been a top choice for comprehensive travel insurance for many years now. And it's a great option when it comes to cruise coverage, too.

Even the most basic Standard Plan comes with $100,000 in medical emergency coverage and $300,000 in emergency evacuation coverage. And you'll get higher coverage limits with their Premium Plan. Plus, unlike many other providers, World Nomads trip cancellation and emergency medical coverage include COVID-19-related issues.

What sets World Nomads apart from many other insurance companies is that its policies cover 200+ adventure sports. This can be important for adventurous cruisers who plan to take part in activities like jet skiing, scuba diving, or parasailing during their cruise.

Read our World Nomads Travel Insurance review here.

Introduction to Cruise Insurance

Cruise insurance may offer unique coverage like missed port of call and medical evacuation coverage. You might not need the flight protections of a regular travel insurance plan if you're catching a cruise at a port near you, but medical and cancel for any reason coverage could be critical.

Understanding the Basics of Cruise Insurance

At its core, cruise insurance is your financial lifeboat, designed to protect you from unforeseen events that could disrupt your sea voyage. Whether it's a sudden illness, adverse weather, or other unexpected occurrences, having the right insurance can make a world of difference.

Why Cruise Insurance is Important

Picture this: You're all set for your dream cruise, but a sudden family emergency means you can't set sail. Or worse, you fall ill in the middle of the ocean. Without cruise insurance, you're not just missing out on an adventure, but also facing potentially huge financial losses. That's why securing cruise insurance isn't just recommended; it's a crucial part of your cruise planning.

Types of Cruise Insurance Coverage

Cruise insurance isn't a one-size-fits-all life jacket. There are various types of coverage, each tailored to protect different aspects of your cruise experience.

Trip Cancellation and Interruption Coverage

This coverage is like your safety net, catching you financially if you need to cancel your trip last minute or cut it short due to emergencies, be it due to personal, health-related, or even certain work conflicts.

Medical Coverage

Being on a cruise shouldn't mean being adrift from medical care. Medical coverage ensures that if you fall ill or get injured, your medical expenses won't sink your finances.

Emergency Evacuation Coverage

In the rare case that you need to be evacuated from the ship due to a medical emergency or severe weather, this coverage ensures you're not left adrift in a sea of expenses.

Baggage and Personal Effects Coverage

Imagine reaching your dream destination only to find your luggage lost at sea. This coverage ensures that lost, stolen, or damaged baggage doesn't dampen your cruise experience.

Buying Cruise Insurance

Securing the best cruise insurance isn't just about finding the best price; it's about ensuring it covers all your potential needs.

When to Purchase Cruise Insurance

Timing is everything. Purchasing your insurance soon after booking your cruise can often provide additional benefits and ensure you're covered for any early surprises. As you get closer to your trip your coverage options may get more expensive, and certain providers may not be able to offer you coverage.

How to Find the Best Deals on Cruise Insurance

Keep a lookout for deals, but remember, the cheapest option isn't always the best. Balance cost with coverage, and ensure you're getting the protection you need at a price that doesn't rock your financial boat. A travel insurance comparison site like SquareMouth is a good place to compare multiple quotes from all of the major carriers at once.

How to Pick The Best Cruise Insurance for You

When buying travel insurance for a cruise, consider the additional risks that are specific to cruising. These include hurricanes and other weather-related concerns, strict cancellation terms, high pre-paid costs of a cruise, and the distance to emergency medical assistance.

To find the policy that's right for you, it's best to compare several different cruise insurance policies based on the pricing and coverage they provide. Remember too that all reputable insurance providers will offer a "free-look period." This allows you to return the policy you've purchased for any reason, within a specific time period, for a full refund.

The most important coverages to look for in cruise insurance are:

• Medical coverage — This coverage will pay for medical bills outside the US. But because treatment can be more expensive while onboard, make sure your policy offers sufficient coverage ($100,000+).
• Medical evacuation coverage — This coverage will transport you to the nearest hospital or even back home if you become sick or injured during your journey. But an evacuation from sea will be more expensive than one from land. So you'll want to make sure your coverage has sufficiently high limits ($250,000+).
• Missed connection (missed port of call) coverage — This type of coverage will help you catch up to your itinerary if you miss your port of call for a covered reason, like a delayed flight on the way to the airport.
• Coverage for hurricane warnings — With this type of coverage, you don't actually need to be affected by the hurricane. You can cancel and be reimbursed for your trip if the NOAA issues a hurricane warning. If you're cruising anywhere during (or on the tail ends) of hurricane season, this can come in handy. Just note: You can't buy travel insurance to cover a weather event once a storm or hurricane has been named.
• Cancel for any reason (CFAR) — This is the most comprehensive coverage you can get, as it allows cancellations and reimbursement for pre-paid expenses for any reason. This can be a wise add-on for cruise coverage given the often higher prepaid expenses associated with cruising. See our guide to the best CFAR travel insurance options to learn more.
• Preexisting conditions — This coverage ensures that no known health conditions are excluded from coverage. Obtaining a preexisting condition waiver usually requires purchasing your travel insurance soon after booking your trip.
• Personal possessions insurance — Because of the events and fancy dinners cruise ships hold, you might take more valuable clothing or jewelry with you on a cruise. This type of coverage will insure your belongings against loss or theft while cruising.
• Baggage loss and delay — This coverage will reimburse you up to a specified amount for essentials if your bags are delayed or if your bags get lost en route.

As a rule of thumb, you can expect to pay between 5% and 10% of your prepaid, nonrefundable trip expenses for cruise insurance coverage. The price will vary depending on factors like your age, your travel destination, and whether you require additional coverage.

If you're booking a cruise, we recommend purchasing travel insurance when you make your first trip payment. That could be for the cruise itself or an expense like airfare to get you to your cruising destination. This way, if you have to cancel your trip, you'll have the most extended coverage period possible.

You can buy your own cruise insurance that isn't offered directly through the cruise line operator. In fact, this could be a better option if you want coverage for your travel to the cruise's departure point, not just for the cruise itself.

The difference between traditional travel insurance and cruise insurance is that cruise insurance offers more specialized coverage, for situations such as missing a departure port and more coverage for medical evacuations, since it's more expensive to evacuate someone at sea than on land. 

Most cruise insurance includes coverage for missing a departure port, so you should be able to claim for a missed port. Just make sure you check the details of your policy before you file a claim, and before you travel so you know what compensation you're entitled to.

Why You Should Trust Us: How We Chose the Best Cruise Travel Insurance

When comparing cruise travel insurance providers, we evaluated them based on the following criteria to come up with our list of top picks:

Customer Satisfaction

We look at ratings from JD Power and other industry giants to see where a company ranks in customer satisfaction. We also look at customer review sites like Trustpilot and SquareMouth.

Policy Types

We look at policy types and offerings, from standard travel protections to adventure sports coverage. We look at the amount of insurance offered

Average Premiums

We compare average premiums per trip. Some companies also offer annual plans, and we compare policies accordingly.

Claims Paid

How frequently do companies pay claims easily and quickly? We check customer reviews and other resources to see which companies honor policies most effectively.

We look at the company's overall behavior. Is it operating ethically? Companies can earn additional points for such behaviors.

You can read more about how Business Insider rates insurance here.

Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews, or recommendations expressed in this article are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Read our editorial standards .

Please note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available.

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19 Unique And Fabulous Experiences In Moscow

• Destinations

Thinking of visiting Russia? When visiting such a famous city, one must, of course, visit the iconic landmarks first. Moscow has plenty of those, most of them in the center of the city, which is very well-planned for tourists. Once you’ve seen the sights that are on most travelers’ lists, it’s time to branch out and visit some of the lesser-known sites, and there are some fascinating places to see and things to do.

I know this list is long, but I just couldn’t help myself. You probably won’t have the time to see them all. But that’s okay. Just scroll through the list and choose what sounds the most interesting to you. Where possible, make sure to book in advance, as things can get crowded, especially during high season.

1. The Red Square, Kremlin, And Surroundings

Red Square (Krasnya Ploshad) is the heart and soul of Russia, and where much of the country’s history has unfolded. This is the most famous landmark in Moscow and indeed the whole country, it’s an absolute must-do! The square is always full of people and has a rather festive atmosphere!

Saint Basil’s Cathedral

This is the famous church with the rainbow-colored, onion-domed roof. The cathedral was commissioned in the 1500s by Ivan the Terrible and according to legend, the Tsar thought it was so beautiful, that he ordered that the architect’s eyes be cut out afterward, so he could never build anything more beautiful! He wasn’t called Ivan the Terrible for no reason!

Lenin’s Mausoleum

The “love-it-or-hate-it” of tourist attractions in Russia. A glass sarcophagus containing the embalmed body of Russian revolutionary, Vladimir Lenin. It may seem a bit bizarre to display the mummy of a person, but it has been there for almost half a century and the 2.5 million visitors who come each year, clearly feel the queuing and thorough body search are worth it, to be in Lenin’s presence.

Pro Tip: no photos and no loud talking are allowed inside the Mausoleum.

Eternal Flame

There is an Eternal Flame in honor of an unknown soldier on the left side of Red Square. The hourly changing of the guards is worth seeing.

The Kremlin is the official residence of the Russian president. You can see it from the outside, or you can take an excursion to one of the museums located inside. This is the biggest active fortress in Europe, and holds a week’s worth of attractions! Once behind the 7,332-feet of walls, there are five squares, four cathedrals, 20 towers, various museums, and the world’s largest bell and cannon to see. Worth a special mention is the Armory Chamber that houses a collection of the famous Faberge Eggs.

Pro Tip: You can only go inside the Kremlin if you are part of a tourist group.

2. Bolshoi Theatre

Bolshoi Theatre translates to “The Big Theatre” in Russian, and the building is home to both the Bolshoi Ballet and Bolshoi Opera — among the oldest and most famous ballet and opera companies in the world.

Pro Tip: It’s hard to get an inexpensive ticket, so if you’re reading well in advance of going to Moscow then try buying tickets on the official website . Last-minute tickets cost around $250 per person. If this is out of your budget, about an hour before a performance, you can try buying a ticket at the entrance from a reseller. Most can speak enough English to negotiate the price.

Tour the Bolshoi Theatre: You can take a group guided tour of the Bolshoi Theatre which focuses on the history and architecture of the theatre and behind the scenes. There’s an English language tour that lasts 2 hours and costs around $300 for a group of up to six.

3. Luxury Shopping At GUM And TSUM

Russia’s main department store, GUM, has a stunning interior that is home to over 100 high-end boutiques, selling a variety of brands: from luxurious Dior to the more affordable Zara. Even if shopping is not on your Moscow to-do list GUM is still worth a visit; the glass-roofed arcade faces Red Square and offers a variety of classy eateries. TSUM, one of the biggest luxury malls in town, is right behind the Bolshoi and GUM. It’s an imposing building with lots of history, and worth a visit just for its design and its glass roof.

4. Christ The Savior Cathedral

This is one of Russia’s most visited cathedrals and is a newer addition to the gorgeous array of Muscovite cathedrals, but don’t let its young age fool you. After perestroika, in the early 90s, the revived Russian Orthodox Church was given permission to build a cathedral on this site. It did the location honors and built the largest temple of the Christian Orthodox Church. The façade is as grand as you’d expect, but it’s the inside that will mesmerize you, with its domes, gold, gorgeous paintings, and decor!

The cathedral is located just a few hundred feet away from the Kremlin and was the site of the infamous Pussy Riot protest against Putin back in 2012.

Pro Tip: Bring a shawl to cover your hair as is the local custom.

5. Gorky Park

Moscow’s premier green space, Gorky Park (Park Gor’kogo) is the city’s biggest and most famous park. There is entertainment on offer here for every taste, from outdoor dancing sessions to yoga classes, volleyball, ping-pong, rollerblading, and bike and boat rental in summer. In winter, half the park turns into a huge ice skating rink. Gorky Park is also home to an open-air movie theater and the Garage Museum of Contemporary Art. There is also Muzeon Art Park, a dynamic contemporary space with a unique collection of 700 sculptures. It is located right in front of Gorky Park.

6. Sparrow Hills Park

If you take a walk from Gorky Park, along the Moscow River embankment, you’ll end up in the city’s other legendary park, Sparrow Hills. Although the park doesn’t offer as many activities as its hip neighbor, it has a great panoramic view of the city

Pro Tip: You can take a free walking tour to all of the above attractions with an English-speaking guide.

7. River Cruising

One of the best ways to experience Moscow, and see all the famous landmarks, but from a different angle, is from the Moscow River. Take a river cruise. Avoid the tourist crowds. There are little nameless old boats that do the cruise, but if you are looking for a more luxurious experience take the Radisson Blu cruise and enjoy the sights with some good food and a glass of wine.

8. Metro Hopping

Inaugurated in the 1930s, the Moscow Metro system is one of the oldest and most beautiful in the world. Started in Stalinist times, each station is a work of art in its own right. I’d recommend touring the stations between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. This way, you’ll be able to properly see it without the crowds. Ideally, I’d recommend taking a tour with a knowledgeable guide with GuruWalk, who will tell you stories of forgotten stations and how the history of the country is interconnected with the metro development. If going by yourself, then I definitely recommend checking out: Mayakovskaya, Ploschad Revolutsii, Kievskaya, Kropotkinskaya, Kurskaya, and Novoslobodskaya stations.

Visit the free Moscow Metro Museum: For real train enthusiasts, located in the southern vestibule of Sportivnaya station is a small free museum. Here you can take a peek into the driver’s cabin, see a collection of metro tokens from different cities, and see different models of a turnstile, traffic lights, escalator, and more.

9. Moscow State University View

In his effort to create a grander Moscow, Stalin had seven skyscrapers built in different parts of town; they’re called the Seven Sisters. The largest of these buildings and the one with the best view is the main building of the Moscow State University. Although this is a little outside the city center, the view is more than worth it.

10. Izmailovsky Market

Mostly known for the city’s largest flea market, the district of Izmaylovo is home to a maze of shops where you can get just about anything, from artisan crafts to traditional fur hats, handcrafted jewelry, fascinating Soviet memorabilia, and antiquities. It’s also one of Moscow’s largest green spaces. There are often no price tags, so be prepared to haggle a bit. Head to one of the market cafes for a warming mulled wine before continuing your shopping spree.

The History of Vodka Museum is found here, and the museum’s restaurant is the perfect place to sample various brands of the national drink.

Once you’ve covered the more touristy spots, Moscow still has plenty to offer, and the places below will also be full of locals! So for some local vibes, I would strongly recommend the spots below!

11. Moscow City

With a completely different vibe, Moscow City (also referred to as Moscow International Business Center) is like a mini Dubai, with lots of impressive tall glass buildings. Here is where you’ll find the best rooftops in towns, like Ruski Restaurant, the highest restaurant both in Moscow City and in Europe. Moscow City is great for crowd-free shopping and the best panoramic views of the city.

12. Tretyakov Gallery

Tretyakov Gallery started as the private collection of the Tretyakov brothers, who were 19th-century philanthropists. They gave their private collection to the government after their deaths. If there is just one museum you visit in Moscow, I recommend this one!

13. Tsaritsyno Museum-Reserve

Tsaritsyno was a residence of Catherine the Great more than two centuries ago. It became derelict during the Soviet era but has now been fully renovated. With its opulently decorated buildings, gardens, meadows, and forests, Tsaritsyno Park is the perfect place for a green respite in Moscow.

14. Kolomenskoye

A 10-minute metro ride from the city center is Kolomenskoe Museum-Reserve, where you can get an idea of what Russia looked like 200 years ago. You’ll find ancient churches (one dating back to the 16th century), the oldest garden in Moscow, and the wonderful fairytale wooden palace of Tsar Alexey Mikhailovich, father of Peter the Great.

15. Ostankino TV Tower

Built in 1967, Ostankino TV Tower was the tallest free-standing construction in the world at the time, it’s still the 8th tallest building in the world and the highest in Europe. It’s also the best observation deck, with a glass floor and 360-degree views. The speedy elevators take you 1,105 feet in next to no time.

Pro Tip: You need to book in advance; entrance is based on specific ticket times and the capacity is limited and only a certain number of tourists are allowed per day. Don’t forget your passport, you’ll need it to get through security.

16. Zaryadye Park

Zaryadye is a newly opened, landscaped urban park so new you won’t find it in a lot of tour guides. The park is near Red Square and is divided into four climatic zones: forest, steppe, tundra, and floodplains, depicting the variety of climatic zones in Russia.

These last three suggestions are a little quirky, but all are really worth checking out.

17. Museum Of Soviet Arcade Games

Release your inner child playing on 66 arcade machines from the Soviet era! What a great way to spend a couple of hours when tired of visiting museums and palaces. The staff speaks excellent English and are happy to explain how the games work.

18. Moscow Rooftop Tour

Take a 1-hour private Moscow rooftop tour with an experienced roofer. I can just about guarantee none of your friends will be able to say they’ve done it! For your comfort, I recommend wearing comfortable shoes. Take your camera, there are some amazing photo opportunities out there!

19. Sanduny Banya

This classical Russian bathhouse opened its doors in 1808 and is famous for combining traditional Russian banya services with luxurious interiors and service. If you enjoy spas and saunas, then you should experience a Russian bathhouse at least once in your life! Go with an open mind and hire a specialist to steam you as it’s meant to be done — by being beaten repeatedly with a besom (a leafy branch)! This is said to improve circulation, but is best done by a professional!

So there you have my list of things to do in Moscow. I could have gone on and on and on, but I didn’t want to try your patience! There are so many things to do in this vibrant city that you’ll definitely need to allocate several days for exploring.

Here are some other reasons to visit Moscow and Russia:

• 7 Reasons To Put Moscow On Your Travel Bucket List
• Russia 30 Years (And 30 Pounds) Ago
• Massive Mysterious Craters Appearing Again In Siberia

Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, before moving to Africa at the age of 21, Sarah Kingdom is a mountain climber and guide, traveler, yoga teacher, trail runner, and mother of two. When she is not climbing or traveling she lives on a cattle ranch in central Zambia. She guides and runs trips regularly in India, Nepal, Tibet, Russia, and Ethiopia, taking climbers up Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro numerous times a year.