Insurance

We very strongly recommend that every client take out travel insurance, covering personal accidents, medical expenses and repatriation. Automatic cover 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, ensure that there are no exclusion clauses limiting protection for adventure activities. If you do not wish to take out insurance, Aventures Andines will ask you to sign a personal liability waiver.

Client’s responsabilities

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

Risks and hazards

Each participant understands that owing to the nature of our trips, the hazards of mountainous terrain, and other factors such as travelling in remote areas and in a third world country, risks can occur. Clients travel entirely at their own risk and will not hold Aventures Andines, or its employees, responsible for any accidents that may occur.

 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 the client cancels his trip, deposits will be 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, Aventures Andines reserves the right to alter its itineraries.

Last minute price adjustments may be necessary for reasons beyond our control (e.g. rise in National Park entrance fees, transportation costs, oil prices, inflation, currency fluctuations, etc.).

General information on tourism in Peru

Is there a minimum age requirement to travel with Aventures Andines in Peru ?

No. There is no pre-established rule. We have already had clients over the age of 70 on our circuits. As for children, we gladly accept them. However, the trip should be chosen according to their age.

All our trips are rated for their level of difficulty. But if you have any doubts on your physical ability to participate in a trek or an ascent, please feel free to contact us.

You may also hire a horse for the whole length of your trek (Please consult us for the supplement fee.)

What equipment do I need to bring for a trek ?

During your trek, Aventures Andines provides the following equipment : two-person tents, sleeping mats, a dining tent and a cooking tent, tables and chairs, full cooking gear.

You must bring a sleeping bag (choose a good three season bag rated down to about – 10° C), appropriate sports clothes, a day pack (30-35 litre capacity). And don’t forget to bring a small personal medical kit. A detailed equipment and clothing list will be sent to you upon booking.

What equipment do I need to bring for a mountain expedition ?

Aventures Andines provides all the necessary technical group equipment : ropes, ice screws, snow stakes, quickdraws… However, each participant must bring his personal climbing gear : harness, double plastic climbing boots, crampons, ice axe, helmet, headlamp…

If you don’t have this equipment, you can rent it from us in Huaraz. Please contact us for more information.

What shall I be expected to carry during the trek ?

Only the items you need during the day : Gore-Tex jacket, polar fleece or warm wool sweater, water bottle, sunglasses, camera, as well as a snack. Your day pack should be large enough to hold these items. Lunch is prepared, carried and served by our cook.

What temperatures should I expect ?

Be prepared for a wide range of temperatures. On a sunny and windless day, temperatures may reach 20° C and if you’re not the cold-blooded type, a pair of shorts and a shirt will do. However, in the late afternoon, as soon as the sun disappears, the temperature drops sharply. Frost is frequent at night and you won’t regret your fluffy down jacket, when you sit down for 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 village, you might be tempted by a beer or a soda. Or perhaps a poncho or another colourful handwoven item…

The best place to buy souvenirs and handicrafts is Huaraz and of course Lima, where you will find a large selection of shops. However, plan to have some money on hand at the end of the trek to tip the muleteers.

Can I request single hotel accomodation and a tent just for myself ?

Of course, provided you pay a small supplement fee. (Please consult us.)

Who will my guide be ? And what about the rest of the staff ?

Our trekking and climbing trips are led by certified UIAGM / IFMGA mountain guides. (English-speaking guides available on request.) The rest of the staff includes a cook, muleteers, as well as porters for high mountain expeditions. All of these people are highly-experienced and are used to working together. They are extremely friendly and eager to interact with foreigners.

What kind of food will be served during the trek ?

Food quality is one of our major concerns. Before each trip, we stock up on plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables at the market in Huaraz. While in the mountains, it is sometimes possible to buy home-grown produce from the local people. This will give you a chance to sample tasty varieties of potatoes and other ancient Andean tubers, which are not found on the local markets.

And, of course, we do our best to guarantee the best possible food hygiene during the whole length of your trip. As we go along, you’ll enjoy a large variety of nutritious and well-balanced meals, providing plenty of energy after a day of hiking.

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 given fresh fruit, nuts 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. Once camp has been set up in the afternoon, you’ll be treated to a snack, such as guacamole, ‘home-made’ pizza or delicious wholemeal cookies, served with tea or coffee. Dinner consists of a hot soup, a main dish (meat or fish, served with vegetables, rice, potatoes or corn), followed by a dessert.

Local cuisine is but another way of discovering a country. During the trek, you will watch our cooks prepare a pachamanka (pacha meaning ‘earth’ and manka ‘cooking pot’ in Quechua). In this traditional Andean meal, the different ingredients (meat, beans, potatoes and vegetables) are seasoned and cooked on the ground, amidst a heap of burning hot stones. You will also try pisco sour, a Peruvian cocktail made from brandy.

If you are a vegetarian or have any specific dietary requirements, please let us know in advance: our cooks will do their best to cater to your needs.