Trekking & Climbing Resources: How to Prepare for Your Adventure

This page as some useful resources for preparing for your adventure. Once you’ve signed up for your adventure, the next step is making sure you’re fully prepared. Whether you’re joining us for a high-altitude trek, mountain climb, hiking adventure, or expedition, good preparation can make a huge difference to your experience.

We’ve brought together our most useful trekking and adventure travel resources in one place, giving you quick access to the information you may need before departure. Below, you’ll find helpful links and guides covering topics such as training and physical preparation, packing and equipment, altitude, travel insurance, visas, vaccinations, flights, tipping, and other important pre-trip information.

If in Doubt Contact our Office Team

We recommend taking some time to review the resources relevant to your chosen trip well before departure. Being prepared will help you arrive with the right equipment, realistic expectations, and the confidence to get the most from your adventure.

Can’t find the information you need? Contact the Ian Taylor Trekking team directly. We’re happy to answer your questions, offer personalized advice, and help you through every stage of preparing for your trip.

Trekking Advice, Training Tips & Adventure Stories

Looking for more detailed advice as you prepare for your trip? Explore the Ian Taylor Trekking blog, where our team shares expert guidance based on years of trekking, climbing, and leading adventures around the world.

You’ll find practical articles covering trekking training and fitness, packing and equipment, altitude and acclimatization, nutrition, trip preparation, and destination-specific advice. We also share stories and insights from the mountains to help you better understand what to expect before you travel.

Our goal is to give you the knowledge and confidence to arrive fit, prepared, and ready for your adventure. The more you understand about your destination, equipment, training, and the challenges ahead, the more you can focus on enjoying the experience when you get there.

And remember, you’re not preparing alone. Our team is available five days a week when we’re not on the mountain to answer questions and provide personalized advice. Whether you need help with your training plan, trekking gear, altitude preparation, or trip logistics, we’re here to help you prepare for a safe and successful adventure.

Travel Insurance & Helicopter Rescue Cover for Trekking

Having the right travel insurance and emergency rescue cover is an essential part of preparing for your trekking or climbing adventure. Standard travel insurance may not automatically cover trekking at high altitude, mountaineering activities, search and rescue, or helicopter evacuation, so it is extremely important to understand exactly what your policy covers before you travel.

What is the Difference Between Travel Insurance and Helicopter Rescue Cover?

Travel insurance is generally designed to protect you against a range of unexpected events before and during your trip. Depending on the policy, this may include trip cancellation or interruption, emergency medical treatment, delayed or lost baggage, missed connections, and other travel-related expenses. We recommend having insurance that covers you for cancellation for any reason.

Helicopter rescue or emergency evacuation cover relates specifically to getting you out of a remote location when you become seriously ill or injured and cannot safely continue. On many of our trekking routes, particularly in remote mountain regions, reaching appropriate medical care may require a helicopter evacuation or other specialist rescue. Note that some policies are more upfront payment and others have an excess if you need a helicopter rescue.

The important point is that having travel insurance does not automatically mean you have adequate helicopter rescue cover.

Policies can have restrictions on altitude, trekking, mountaineering, the use of ropes or specialist equipment, search and rescue costs, and the circumstances under which an evacuation will be authorized. Before purchasing a policy, make sure the provider knows exactly where you are going, the maximum altitude you will reach, and the activities included in your itinerary.

What Should Your Policy Cover?

Before your trip, check that your insurance or rescue membership provides appropriate protection for your specific itinerary. In particular, we recommend confirming:

• The maximum trekking or climbing altitude covered by the policy
• Emergency medical treatment overseas
• Search and rescue and helicopter evacuation
• Medical evacuation to an appropriate medical facility
• Repatriation where applicable
• The trekking, climbing or mountaineering activities included in your itinerary
• Trip cancellation and interruption
• Lost, delayed or damaged baggage and trekking equipment
• Any exclusions relating to pre-existing medical conditions

Do not assume that a standard policy or the travel insurance offered when purchasing your flights will provide sufficient cover for a high-altitude trekking adventure.

Travel Insurance and Rescue Providers to Consider

There is no single policy that is right for every traveler, nationality, destination or adventure. Coverage and availability can also vary depending on where you live. We therefore recommend comparing your options carefully and reading the full policy wording before purchasing.

Four companies/resources we recommend checking include:

1. Global Rescue
Global Rescue is particularly worth considering for emergency rescue, medical evacuation and high-altitude adventures. It is important to understand that Global Rescue’s core service is a membership rather than traditional travel insurance. High-altitude travelers should also check whether the appropriate high-altitude package is required for their itinerary. CLICK HERE and get a quote.

2. Travelex
Travelex offers comprehensive travel protection options that can include medical expenses, evacuation, trip cancellation, interruption and baggage benefits. For our high-altitude trekking and climbing trips, make sure you select a plan and any necessary adventure activity upgrade that covers the activities and elevations on your itinerary. CLICK HERE and get a quote.

3. Rise & Shield
Rise & Shield offers adventure travel insurance options, including enhanced cover designed for higher-risk adventure activities. Check the relevant adventure or high-altitude upgrade and make sure the maximum elevation covered is higher than the highest point on your itinerary. CLICK HERE and get a quote.

4. Redpoint / Ripcord
Ripcord by Redpoint offers travel protection designed for adventure travelers, including options for emergency medical evacuation and rescue services. It can be worth considering for remote and high-altitude trips, but always confirm that your specific activity, maximum altitude, and helicopter rescue requirements are covered. CLICK HERE and get a quote.

High-Altitude Trekking: Check the Fine Print

This is particularly important if you are trekking to destinations such as Everest Base Camp, Kilimanjaro, the Annapurna region, Aconcagua, Mera Peak, Lobuche Peak or other high-altitude destinations.

A policy that covers hiking at lower elevations may not cover you at 4,000m, 5,000m or 6,000m. Likewise, a policy mentioning “medical evacuation” does not necessarily mean that every search, rescue or helicopter evacuation scenario is covered.

Always tell your insurer the maximum altitude and exact activities involved in your trip and ask them to confirm that you are covered.

If you are unsure about the requirements for your particular Ian Taylor Trekking adventure, contact our team before purchasing your policy. We can explain the activities and maximum elevations involved so you can provide your insurer with the correct information and choose appropriate coverage.

Trekking & Climbing Preparation Resources

Preparing properly for a trek or climb can make a huge difference to your safety, enjoyment, and chances of success. From building the right level of fitness and choosing your equipment to understanding altitude, insurance, travel logistics, and life on the trail, there is a lot to consider before departure.

We’ve brought together our most useful trekking and climbing preparation resources to help you find the information you need quickly. Use the sections below to prepare for your adventure, and remember that our experienced team is always available if you need advice specific to your trip.

1. Training & Fitness

Good physical preparation is one of the most important things you can do before a trekking or climbing adventure. Your training should reflect the demands of your specific itinerary, including the daily walking distances, elevation gain and loss, terrain, altitude, and number of consecutive trekking days.

We recommend combining regular hiking with cardiovascular training, strength work, and gradually increasing time on your feet. Whenever possible, train outdoors on hills while carrying the daypack and wearing the boots you plan to use on your trip.

2. Gear & Packing Lists

Having the right trekking and climbing gear is essential, but bringing more equipment doesn’t necessarily mean being better prepared. The goal is to have the right equipment for your destination, altitude, temperatures, and conditions.

Pay particular attention to your trekking boots, layering system, waterproof clothing, insulation, daypack, sleeping equipment, and personal accessories. Your boots should be properly broken in during training, and you should test your clothing and equipment before departure.

Also check the duffel bag and luggage weight limits for your specific trip. On many adventures, luggage is transported by porters, animals, or small aircraft and strict weight restrictions apply.

Refer to the detailed packing list provided for your chosen adventure before purchasing or packing equipment.

3. Altitude & Acclimatization

Many of our adventures travel to high altitude, where the reduced availability of oxygen places additional stress on the body. Understanding altitude and allowing sufficient time to acclimatize are extremely important.

Good acclimatization involves ascending gradually, maintaining an appropriate pace, staying hydrated, eating properly, resting, and listening to your body. Fitness alone does not protect you from altitude sickness, and even very fit people can experience symptoms.

Learn to recognize the early signs of altitude illness and always communicate symptoms to your guide.

Learn more about altitude sickness and acclimatization.

Understand how to train for high-altitude and low-oxygen environments.

Read our guide to understanding altitude.

4. Travel Insurance & Helicopter Rescue

Appropriate travel insurance and emergency rescue coverage is essential for trekking and climbing adventures, particularly when traveling at altitude or in remote mountain environments.

Travel insurance and helicopter rescue coverage are not always the same thing. A standard travel insurance policy may cover medical treatment, trip cancellation, baggage, and other travel-related issues while placing restrictions on high-altitude trekking, mountaineering, search and rescue, or helicopter evacuation.

Before purchasing insurance, tell the provider exactly where you are traveling, the activities you will be undertaking, and the maximum altitude of your itinerary. Ask them to confirm that your specific adventure is covered.

Depending on your country of residence and chosen trip, providers and services worth investigating include Global Rescue, Travelex, Rise & Shield, and Ripcord by Redpoint. Coverage varies considerably, so always review the current policy wording and exclusions yourself before purchasing.

Most importantly, never assume that because a policy includes “medical evacuation” it automatically covers every type of mountain rescue or helicopter evacuation.

5. Health, Vaccinations & Medications

Your health preparation should begin well before departure. Depending on your destination, you may need to consider recommended vaccinations, destination-specific health risks, personal medications, altitude, and access to medical facilities.

We recommend speaking with an appropriate doctor or travel-health professional well in advance of your trip. Tell them exactly where you are traveling, the maximum altitude you will reach, how long you will be away, and the nature of the activities you will undertake.

If you take prescription medication, bring an adequate supply for your entire trip, keep essential medication in your hand luggage, and check whether there are restrictions on bringing particular medicines into your destination.

Our team can explain the itinerary and conditions you should expect, but personal medical advice should always come from an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.

6. Flights, Visas & Arrival Information

International adventure travel often involves more logistics than a regular vacation. Check your passport, visa requirements, international and domestic flights, arrival instructions, airport transfers, and entry requirements well before departure.

Make sure your passport has sufficient validity for your destination and check whether blank passport pages, visas, permits, proof of onward travel, vaccinations, or other documentation are required.

Where possible, we also recommend allowing some flexibility in your international flight schedule. Mountain weather, internal flights, and road conditions can occasionally affect travel plans.

Keep copies of important documents—including your passport, insurance information, emergency contacts, and flight details—both digitally and separately from the originals.

7. Money, Tipping & Additional Costs

Understanding what is and isn’t included in your trip will help you budget properly and avoid surprises.

Depending on your destination, you may need additional money for meals, drinks, Wi-Fi, charging devices, showers, snacks, souvenirs, optional activities, additional baggage, tips, and other personal expenses.

Access to ATMs and card payments can become increasingly limited as you travel into remote areas, so you may need to carry appropriate local currency or cash.

Tipping customs also vary considerably between destinations. Check the information provided for your specific adventure so you understand the recommended tipping arrangements for guides, porters, drivers, cooks, and other support staff.

8. Life on the Trek

Knowing what daily life will actually be like can make your first few days in the mountains much easier.

Accommodation may range from hotels and lodges to mountain huts, teahouses, or tents. Food can become simpler and choices more limited as you travel into remote areas, while showers, toilets, electricity, Wi-Fi, and mobile coverage may not always meet the standards you are accustomed to at home.

Charging devices may carry an additional cost or be unavailable on certain parts of an itinerary, so a suitable power bank can be useful. Wi-Fi and mobile connections should never be relied upon in remote mountain regions.

Come prepared to embrace a simpler way of living. It is all part of the adventure and often becomes one of the most memorable aspects of spending time in the mountains.

9. Destination-Specific Trekking & Climbing Advice

No two adventures are exactly the same. Training for Kilimanjaro is different from preparing for Everest Base Camp, while a climb such as Island Peak or Aconcagua introduces additional physical, technical, equipment, and altitude considerations.

Our destination-specific resources draw on our team’s first-hand experience and cover important topics such as routes, acclimatization schedules, training, weather, equipment, daily distances, elevation gains, accommodation, and what to expect on the mountain.

Start with some of our most popular resources:

Everything you need to know about trekking to Everest Base Camp.

Everything you need to know about climbing Kilimanjaro.

Before departure, make sure you have also read the information and trip dossier provided for your specific adventure.

10. Trekking & Climbing Blog

For even more detailed advice, explore the Ian Taylor Trekking blog, where we share practical information and first-hand experience from trekking and climbing adventures around the world.

You’ll find articles covering trekking training, fitness, gear, altitude and acclimatization, nutrition, trip preparation, climbing skills, and destination-specific advice, along with stories and insights from the mountains.

Our aim is to help you understand not only what you need to do to prepare, but why that preparation matters. The more you know about your destination, equipment, training, and the challenges ahead, the more you can focus on enjoying the experience when you arrive.

Still Have Questions? Talk to Our Team

Every person and every adventure is different. If you’re unsure about training, fitness, equipment, altitude, insurance, flights, visas, health preparation, luggage, or what to expect on your trip, please ask us.

When you book an adventure with Ian Taylor Trekking, you’ll receive a detailed trip dossier covering the important information for your specific trek or climb. You’ll also have access to a team with extensive first-hand experience in the mountains.

Ian Taylor has summited Mount Everest, climbed six of the Seven Summits, completed more than 40 Kilimanjaro climbs, led more than 50 treks to Everest Base Camp, and climbed Aconcagua 11 times. Our wider team brings extensive trekking, climbing, and guiding experience from destinations around the world.

We want to use that experience to help you arrive fit, informed, properly equipped, and ready for your adventure.