Do I need accident insurance?

Yes.

Foreign hikers need check the terms of your insurance policy to ensure hiking is covered. Include also emergency evacuation service so you can catch the next flight home, if necessary.

In the mountains of Peru, be prepared to pay for your own medical care immediately. Insurance will likely need to repay you later.

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Who administers First Aid?

In your hiking group, someone should be assigned the role of First Aider. This person must be confident, competent & certified in First Aid, preferably in the speciality of Wilderness First Aid. It's worth having someone in your group take a course before your hike.

Do not count on help from Peruvians you hire as guides.

If this is a problem, consider signing on with an expensive international tour company which should have trained, experienced first aiders. Check to be sure.

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Who rescues me in case of emergency?

You are on your own.

The injured hiker should first try to reach a village linked by some kind of road:

• Cholin (Hualcayan)
  
• Pomabamba
• Cashapampa

It is a long, remote trail between Cholin & Pomabamba.

Though you pay a high trekking fee to hike here, do not expect to see any park rangers. There closest authority to contact is likely at the Parque Nacional Huascaran office in the Llanganuco valley, 17km from Yungay.

Are you concerned by this risk?

Our best advice is that you hire at least 2 pack horses. Your arriero & the hurt hiker can ride out.

For example, someone stricken with altitude sickness could ride down to a lower elevation.

If the injured hiker cannot move, they should remain in a safe place. Don't leave them alone. Send other hikers to try to find help.