FAQs - General Information for Trekking, climbing expeditions in Peru

At Inkaland Journeys we take pride in organizing the type of trekking, climbing expedition in Peru that we would like to go on ourselves and you can rest assured that we have very high standards - we like to see things done properly and with the requisite amount of care.

Is there an established minimum/maximum age requirement to trek in Peru?
There is no established rule. We gladly accept children and we have had clients over the age of 70 on our adventure tours.  Regarding children, your trip should be selected according to their age.
All our trips are rated for their level of difficulty. If you have any doubts or questions respective to your physical ability to participate in our treks based on the altitude, please feel free to contact us. Generally on our treks and on most of the camp sites, we are above the 3800m and you will ascend some passes that reach 4750 where your available air will be approximately at 56% (< 44%) less than at sea level. Two (2) days of acclimation day hikes are fundamentally essential and will properly prepare you and your group for this manageable physical challenge. You may also hire a horse for the whole length of your trek. There is an additional affordable fee to have your own horse.
 
Our crew will always assist you with the horse if required.  Be assured that you will never ever be rushed and there will always be one of our guides within close proximity.  While challenging, you are joining a vacation adventure trek of a life time and not a forced march. Our guide team recognizes full well that you are not use to trekking at such altitude and they are attentively supportive of whatever pace you, the client, need to trek at.

What equipment do I need to bring for a trek?
During your trek, Inkaland Journeys provides the following equipment: personal tents, sleeping mats, a dining tent, a cooking tent, a toilet tent, tables and chairs, all meals and snacks and full cooking gear. You may elect to bring your own sleeping bag (choose a good three season bag rated down to about – 10 deg C / 14 deg F along with an extra air mattress or we can help you to arrange for the rental in Huaraz of both a sleeping bag and extra mattress at very reasonable daily rates to avoid traveling with extra gear. Appropriate trekking clothes and simply a day pack (30-35 liter capacity) is all that you need to carry your small gear items. Our burros carry both our trekking equipment as well as your personal gear not needed during the day when you are trekking. A detailed equipment list and suggested clothing to bring with you will be sent to you upon booking.

What shall I be expected to carry during the trek?
Only the items you need during the day while trekking: Gore-Tex rain jacket/pants, polar fleece or warm wool sweater, warm winter hat and gloves, a visor cap, sunglasses, sun tan lotion, a camera, a water bottle as well as energy bars. Trekking sticks are really supportive items to bring if you choose. Your day pack should be large enough to hold these items.  Lunch is prepared, carried and served by our mountain cooks.

What equipment do I need to bring for a Climbing expedition?
Inkaland Journeys provides all the necessary technical group equipment: tents, ropes, ice screws, snow stakes and quick draws. However, each participant must bring their own personal climbing gear including but not limited to: harness, double plastic climbing boots, crampons, ice axes, helmet and a headlamp. If you don’t have this equipment, you can rent it from us in Huaraz where there are located several mountaineering shops. Please contact us for more information.

What temperatures should I expect?
Be prepared for a wide range of temperatures. On a sunny and windless day, temperatures may reach 20 deg C /v 68 deg F which you may want to hike in a pair of shorts and a shirt. In the late afternoon when the sun starts to go down, the temperature drops sharply. Frequently there is frost most nights and a warm down jacket with a fleece vest, light to medium gloves and a fleece hat make it comfortable when you are served supper in the dining tent.

Do I need to carry cash with me during the trek?
You will have few opportunities for purchases out on the trail. But while passing through a Quechua village, it’s always nice to have sufficient currency on you to purchase a soda or beer. Often times visitors to Peru are fascinated and wish to purchase very reasonably priced hand crafted clothing articles as a wonderful memory to wear in Peru and bring home as colorful intriguing gifts. The best place to buy souvenirs and handicrafts is Huaraz and of course Lima, where you will readily find an extensive selection of shops selling handcrafted items. It is important for individuals to plan to have some money on packed away so that at the end of the trek, if the services are superb, you may elect to tip the arrieros, cook and guides who were attentive to your safety, comfort and personal and group needs.

Who will my guide be and what about the rest of the staff?
Our trekking and climbing trips are led by UIAGM certified mountain guides. IJ has English-speaking guides available on request. The rest of the staff includes a cook, arriero, as well as porters for high mountain expeditions. All IJ team staffing are highly-experienced and are used to working together. They are client focused and fully recognize and value that they are working for your safety, comfort and enhanced adventure experience. They are extremely friendly and always eager to serve you.

What kind of food will be served during the trek?
Food quality is always our primary concern. Before each trip, we stock up on plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables at the market in Huaraz. While in the mountains, we may purchase home-grown produce from the local Quechan farmers so that you can experience sample tasting of other ancient Andean food varieties.  Clean food/cooking hygiene are an integral part of client-focused preparation process. The delicious food we serve through the entire adventure trek provides our clients with a variety of nutritious and well-balanced meals that will restore your energy after a day of hiking at altitude. At breakfast, our cooks will alternatively prepare fresh fruit salad, pancakes, omelet, French toast, bread with jam or honey, served with coffee or tea. As a mid-morning snack, you will be offered fresh fruit, nuts sandwiches and energy bars. For lunch, instead of the usual sandwich, you will eat a salad or a cooked cold dish, with fresh fruit for dessert. At the end of our trekking day as you arrive in camp, we’ll have tasty snacks with juices, tea and coffee served to you with warm wet towels for your face and hands. For dinner we serve a hot soup and a main dish consisting of meat or fish, served with, rice, potatoes or corn. When you think you are satisfied, well please save room for our delicious desserts. Clients celebrating a birthday receive a bonus surprise.
As clients you will discover intriguing Peru through our local cuisine including traditional Andean meal, consisting of ingredients such as meats, beans, potatoes and vegetables and, if you so choose, try Peru’s famous Pisco Sour, a cocktail made from brandy.
When booking with IJ you will specifically be asked if you prefer vegetarian meals or if you have any specific dietary requirements. By sharing you dietary preferences with us in advance, our cooks will be in an attentive position to cater to your needs.

What about water during trek?
IJ always provides our clients with carefully boiled then cooled water during our adventure treks and climbing expeditions. Good sense is to meticulously avoid drinking water from streams or there is certainly a strong possibility you may get debilitating stomach issues.
Insurance
We very strongly recommend that every client take out travel insurance, covering personal accidents, medical expenses and repatriation. Automatic coverage is provided by most credit card companies when paying for your flight with a card, but that will not cover you for hazardous mountain activities. When purchasing insurance, be diligently careful in ensuring that there are no exclusion clauses limiting protection for adventure activities. If you do not wish to take out insurance. IJ will require our clients to sign a personal liability waiver. Pragmatic up-front diligence on your part will avoid needless out of pocket expenses for you if any event occurs while on an Inkaland Journeys’ adventure trip.

Risks and hazards
Each Inkaland Journeys client understands that owing to the nature of adventure trips, the hazards of mountainous terrain, and other factors such as travelling in remote areas and in a third world country, that inherent risks can occur. Inkaland Journeys’ clients travel entirely at their own risk and will not hold Inkaland Journeys or its employees, responsible for any accidents that may occur.

Client’s Responsibilities
If the client does not complete a tour, for whatever the reason, no refund will be made.

Booking Conditions
Bookings will be confirmed only upon receipt of a deposit, representing 50% of the full price of the trip. Full payment will be received in Huaraz and must be made before the beginning of the trip. The deposit must be paid via bank transfer to our account in Peru. Unfortunately, at the moment, we do not accept credit cards.

Cancelation policy
If our client cancels their trip, deposits will be cheerfully refunded under the following conditions:
If cancelation occurs:
• 20 days or more before departure, 100% of the deposit will be refunded
• Between 20 and 10 days before departure, 50% of the deposit will be refunded
• 10 days or less before departure, none of the deposit will be refunded

Changes of price and itinerary
In the event of bad weather or hazardous climbing conditions, Inkaland Journeys reserves the right to alter planned itineraries for the safety and comfort of our clients.  Generally, while pricing is usually stable, non-preannounced price adjustments may be necessary for reasons beyond Inkaland Journeys’ control such as, but not limited to, an increase in Peru’s National Park entrance fees, transportation costs, oil prices, inflation, currency fluctuations, etc. As a client service company, we dislike surprising changes in costs of services beyond our immediate control, so we will advise you immediately if any such unplanned price differences occur.

 
 Contact Us: for a detailed information and prices.