Next stop, Nepal!

TRAVEL INSURANCE FOR NEPAL

From monsoonal jungles to snow-covered peaks, Nepal is a country of breathtaking natural landscapes and diverse and distinctive cultures. Scroll on down for our handy guide on visas, getting around and the must-see spots in this awe-inspiring destination. Zoom's Nepal travel insurance has you covered for any unexpected holiday hurdles. Cover includes medical expenses should you fall sick or become injured, as well as cover for trip cancellation, lost luggage, family emergencies and more! We do not cover for trekking or hiking over 3,000 metres.

WHY BUY WITH ZOOM

Medical cover

medical cover

Relax knowing that your hospital expenses are covered with Zoom's unlimited medical coverage. Zoom to top notch cover!

travel delays

Travel delays

Setbacks on your sojourn are never much fun. Cover your Nepal travel disruptions in a flash with Zoom travel cover. We keep things zippy!

luggage cover

LUGGAGE COVER

Your stuff is precious and we get that. Take off on your Himalayan adventure knowing your luggage is protected with Zoom.

Family emergencies

Family emergencies

Had to rush home or cancel your trip due to a family emergency? We'll cover your non-refundable deposits so you can focus on the rest.

kids go free

kids go free

Family holiday to Nepal? Save your rupees with all dependants under 19 included under your policy at no additional cost.

Car Hire Excess

rental car excess

Planning a self-driving holiday in Nepal? Our rental vehicle excess add-on is a must for roadtripping travellers.

easy claims

easy claims

We've done away with lengthy forms and have kept our claims process simple. We guarantee to assess fully documented claims in a flash.

peace of mind

Peace Of Mind

Zoom to Zen. You can sit back and relax on your holiday knowing that you’re covered by award winning travel insurance.

NEPAL QUICK GUIDE

Locked between Tibet and India, Nepal lays claim to eight of the world's ten highest peaks. While often imaged as a nation of snowcapped mountains, much of the country is low-lying and even subtropical, so there is no 'one way' to experience this must-see destination.

Go on, zoom to Nepal and find out for yourself!

No matter which kind of Nepali experience you're planning, Zoom can cover your trip with a range of plans.  You can minimise your costs with Medical Only cover, or choose to buy Comprehensive Travel Insurance for extra protection to cover things like travel delays and cancellation. Compare Zoom's Travel Insurance plans online today.

 

VISAS FOR NEPAL

Australians and Kiwis require visas to enter and exit Nepal. A single-entry visa is valid for 15, 30 or 90 days and costs $25, $40 or $100USD respectively. These can be purchased at Kathmandu's Tibhuvan Airport in major currencies, or at land borders in US dollars only. You may apply to Nepal's Department of Immigration for a maximum 150-day tourist visa.

These rules can change quickly. Contact your nearest Nepalese Embassy or Consulate before you travel for the most up to date information.

ON ARRIVAL

The sole international airport is Kathmandu's Tibhuvan Airport. A pre-paid taxi service is available to the right of the arrival gates to get you the 5.6km into the city. There are two currency exchanges in the arrival lounge - be sure to keep your receipts, which must be produced to exchange back if you have left over money.

GETTING AROUND

Getting around can be tricky in Nepal - while the distances are shorter than other countries, the roads are very poor, and buses can take three to four times longer than you may have experienced elsewhere. Tourist buses and express buses are generally more comfortable and are in better condition, making for a safer ride, while local buses are cheap, cramped and sometimes dangerous. 

Domestic flights are popular with tourists trekking to base camp, with a flight around $100 saving a day on a bus. Be aware that delays and cancellations are common for weather or operational reasons, and the safety record is poor thanks to low government regulation.

Rental cars tend to come with a local driver. This is good for the company, as their driver protects their vehicle, but it's also good for you - the combination of bad roads and unique road etiquette make local knowledge of immense value. Self-driving holidays are possible, but not recommended. 

BEST TIME TO VISIT

There is no bad time to go to Nepal, thanks to its friendly locals, picturesque scenery and numerous Hindu and Buddhist festivals. The high season is around September through to November, with good weather and two of the biggest Hindu festivals, Dashain and Tihaar. December to February is very cool and clear - ideal for treks at low elevations. March through May is spring, when bright rhododendrons - the national flower - adorn the countryside. June to August is monsoon season, which means there are no tourists to compete with, but rain almost every day.

WHERE TO GO

While once the stuff of legend, 35 000 people visit Everest Base Camp every year. It's a 12-14 day round trip from Kathmandu, which gives your body the time to acclimatise to the high altitude and low oxygen. While you are able to make this trek without assistance, it is strongly recommended that you hire a reputable touring company or guide to prevent mishaps. Please note, we do not cover for trekking or hiking over 3,000 metres.

Swayambhunath Stupa, sometimes known as the Monkey Temple to foreigners, is a Buddhist temple in Kathmandu Valley. It is one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites to Buddhism. 

Chitwan National Park is a World Heritage-listed site in south-central Nepal, home to 68 species of mammal, including the Bengal Tiger and One-Horned Rhinoceros, and over 500 species of birds. 

MUST KNOW TIPS

The greeting, namaste, isn't casual - it translates roughly as 'I bow to the spirit within you", not 'hey, how you doing girl?'. Being respectful is the key. Likewise, remember to take your shoes off if invited into a home, and avoid 'polluting' food by not letting utensils which have touched your mouth make contact with shared food. 

If you eat with your hands, be sure to use the right one only - the left hand is conventionally used for cleaning after going to the bathroom! It is good manners to give and receive things - especially food - with the right hand.

Nepal is a conservative country with respect to dress, so men and women should keep their shoulders covered, and trousers or skirts to at least mid-calf are expected, otherwise you may be seen as disrespectful or sexualised.

ZOOMING ELSEWHERE?

Are you planning to zoom somewhere else on your holidays? Whether you're flying to the Philippines or calling on Cambodia, we've got plenty of helpful advice on other popular travel destinations to check out. What are you waiting for? Zoom to it!
 

NEPAL TRAVEL INSURANCE FAQs

Got some curly questions in regards to your Nepal travel insurance cover?
Be in the the know before you go with answers to the most common queries below.

  • Am I covered medically while holidaying in Nepal?
  • Yes, all our policies cover for unlimited medical coverage. Zoom provides cover for your overseas medical expenses including hospital stays, surgery, doctor visits, emergency evacuation and repatriation home if required. We can provide written guarantees of payment of reasonable expenses directly with your hospital in emergency situations. We do not cover for trekking or hiking over 3,000 metres.

  • What happens if I need medical assistance in Nepal?
  • Have complete peace of mind on your Nepalese adventure. Zoom provides immediate support through our emergency assistance provider, First Assistance. Help is just a phone call away any time of day 365 days a year. This includes access to medical advisors, medical transfers and emergency evacuation if required. We also assist with passing on messages to family and returning unsupervised dependants back to Australia.

  • How do alcohol and drugs affect my cover?
  •  When it comes to alcohol we advise you to drink in moderation. One raksi too many could see you jeopardizing your cover. Please note that we may exclude any claims where excessive drugs or alcohol have been involved.

  • I have high value items; how much can I insure them for?
  • If you have an expensive item that you just can’t leave behind you can insure it separately for up to $5,000. Please note that high value item cover is only available under our comprehensive plan.

  • Am I covered for pickpocketing in Nepal?
  • Yes, you’re covered for pickpocketing and muggings, provided of course you were acting with reasonable care (i.e. did not leave your belongings unattended). If you’re the victim of a pickpocket, you’d be covered for loss, theft and damage to your luggage and personal effects. If you are robbed it’s important that you get a police report and contact us as soon as possible.

  • What age limits apply to Zoom travel insurance policies?
  • You must be under the age of 85 to buy a policy with Zoom. Those under 79 years can purchase a policy for a maximum trip duration of 365 days. Those aged between 80-85 years can purchase a policy for a maximum trip duration of 184 days only. You must also be under the age of 69 to purchase our add-on ski or adventure packs.

  • Can I reduce my excess with Zoom products?
  • Yes you can reduce the standard excess of $200 by paying a excess reduction fee within the payment process. 

  • What is a dependant?
  • This means your dependant children or grandchildren under the age of 19 at the date of policy issue who are travelling with you.