Hiking Insurance from iTrek
As all keen hikers know, there are some fantastic destinations around the world that are best explored on foot. Whether just a day trek through a rainforest or around Uluru, or a ten-day expedition, hiking is something that any traveller can enjoy. By choosing to trek while we travel rather than ride in busses and visit only cities, we can open ourselves to stunning scenery and different perspectives, experiences and understandings of the countries we visit.
Preparing for a hiking holiday is completely different to preparing for your normal backpacking or travelling adventure. On top of the to-do list that you have for any normal holiday, there are a lot more things to consider, and neglecting these can be the biggest mistake you ever make.
One of the first things you must give serious thought to is your health and physical condition. Depending on the hiking that you plan to do on your holiday, you will need a certain level of fitness and understanding of your health situation. For example, if you have recently been ill, or are suffering from heart problems, then a week-long hike over difficult terrain may not be the best option for you.
Reaching an adequate level of fitness is important, and can be done through regular exercise. It may be a good idea to go for some practice walks or hikes with a packed backpack, so that you can prepare yourself for what to expect on the day in terms of the weight you'll be carrying.
This brings me to the next point to consider, which is the backpack itself. If you have not previously owned a backpack, then it may seem like a daunting and expensive thing to buy. You can escape this by borrowing a friend's, or buying one second-hand. When looking for a backpack make sure you buy one that is comfortable and can be adjusted properly to fit your back.
You will also need a sturdy pair of shoes, and comfortable hiking clothing. The best thing to do is to shop around at adventure or outdoor stores, and always ask shop assistants for their advice. This is the same when it comes to a tent, sleeping bag and other hiking equipment.
The most important step that you can take in preparing for your hiking holiday is purchasing adequate hiking insurance. As you can see, hiking involves serious risks with your health. If you have an accident during your hike, you will most probably be far away from any medical facilities, or decent roads. Even an injury that is not life threatening can end up costing hundreds of thousands of dollars, when you consider the cost of the helicopter rescue, hospital transfers and medical expenses involved.
The small cost of sports travel insurance is nothing compared to the potential expenses you could end up forking out in the event of an accident, so do yourself a favour and buy travel insurance straight away.
