Bandits? Shining Path?
Bandits seem to be not a problem at all on the Ausangate Circuit.
The single much-ballyhooed incident was a 2004 robbery near the town of Upis.
Our advise is to avoid camping close to Upis & be careful not to leave anything outside the tent — not even in the vestibule. Children of herding families may help themselves to anything lying loose.
Shining Path (Sendero Luminoso) were Maoist terrorists that once hid out in remote mountain areas. In 2005 they were an historical footnote. The main campaign ended in 1992 when their leader was jailed.
But bandits sometimes claim to be associated with the Shining Path, especially when dealing with gringos. It helps justify thievery.
Do I need accident insurance?
Yes. If you are a non-Peruvian, be prepared to pay for your own medical care immediately. Insurance will likely need to repay you. Closely check the terms of your insurance policy to ensure that hiking is covered.
Who administers First Aid?
In case of injury, someone will need to take responsibility for First Aid.
In every 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 travelling to South America to hike.
Who rescues me in case of emergency?
You are on your own.
If this worries you, perhaps the Inca Trail is the better option. Rescue & evacuation are organized by your tour company on that hike.
On Ausangate, the injured hiker should first try to get back to Tinqui on their own two feet.
If the injured hiker cannot move, they should remain in a safe place. Don't leave them alone. Send other hikers to find help. Try to hire someone to ride out an injured hiker by horse to the road at Tinqui. Know that it may be impossible to find a horse or even a burro on the back side of the massif.
Obviously, it is better not to hike Ausangate alone.
Even day hiking alone you need carry an emergency whistle in case you fall out of sight and need to alert other hikers. The international emergency signal is 6 blasts on the whistle, a pause, & then 6 more blasts. Use your flashlight, at night, to signal emergency. Again it is 6 flashes, a pause, then 6 more flashes.
