Most people never need a rescue flight, but when one is required it is expensive, and the paperwork can be confusing. Understanding how it works before you leave saves stress later.
What it can cost
A helicopter evacuation from the Everest region has been quoted at around USD 4,500 in recent seasons, although actual prices vary with the location, the aircraft and the season. Do not rely on that figure. Check the cost with your operator and insurer.
What your policy must say
- It covers trekking as an activity.
- It covers evacuation up to the highest altitude you will reach, with a margin above Kala Patthar or Base Camp.
- It covers emergency treatment in Nepal.
Questions to ask before buying
- Do I pay the helicopter bill first and claim later, or does the insurer pay directly?
- Is there an excess or deductible on evacuation?
- Does the insurer require approval before the flight, and how is it obtained?
How a rescue is arranged
Your guide contacts the operator's office in Kathmandu, which coordinates with the helicopter company and the insurer. Many insurers require pre-approval, and some want their own doctor to speak to the patient by phone before they confirm. Weather can delay flights, and a patient may need to be moved lower on foot first.
After the flight
Altitude problems account for most evacuations, and patients often feel better once they are lower. Even so, insurers usually need a medical report from a hospital in Kathmandu before they approve the claim, so go to the hospital even if you feel fine.
Keep with you
- Policy number and the insurer's emergency phone number.
- A copy of the policy and your passport.
- Your operator's emergency contact.
We can help you with documents for insurance claims.
Who decides when to fly
The decision to arrange an evacuation is usually made by the guide, in consultation with the operator, the insurance assistance company and sometimes a doctor at a clinic. The aim is to move the patient early, before conditions worsen or the weather changes. Be prepared to accept this decision, even if you feel better by the time the helicopter is called, because conditions at altitude can change rapidly.
What to do while waiting
While the helicopter is being arranged, your guide will keep the patient warm, hydrated if able to drink and in the best position for breathing. Oxygen or a portable hyperbaric bag may be used where available. Stay with the patient, collect their documents and medications and be ready to give the crew a clear summary of what has happened. Remain calm, since the weather window can be short.
After the rescue
The patient is usually taken to a hospital in Kathmandu for assessment, and the insurer may take over communication. Keep every receipt, medical report and invoice. If the rest of the group continues the trek, make sure they know the plan and have the contact details of the office. If you are the patient, do not hurry to rejoin the trek until a doctor confirms that it is safe.
Checklist before you go
- Save the insurer's emergency number and your policy number in your phone and on paper.
- Ask whether the insurer pays the helicopter company directly.
- Give your operator a copy of the policy and next-of-kin contact.
- Ask what happens if the helicopter cannot fly because of weather.
What our guests say
Excerpts from guest reviews of Himalayan Wonders, our parent company, on Tripadvisor.
“I had an incredible experience with Himalayan Wonders on my Everest Base Camp trek.”
