Terms and conditions

All services are operated by:

Wander Free Peru E.I.R.L.
RUC: 20612831361
Registered address: Jiron Cipreces 375, Pillco Marca, Huanuco, Peru

Operating under the commercial brand: Andes Treks

All contracts are legally entered into with Wander Free Peru E.I.R.L., regardless of branding.

2. Acceptance of terms and binding agreement

2.1. All participants must accept these Terms & Conditions prior to the start of the trek.

2.2. Acceptance is valid only through:

  • WeTravel checkbox acceptance
  • Digital signature

2.3. Individual acceptance. A person booking for others must provide each participant with these Terms before travel. Each participant must personally accept the Terms and Liability Waiver through the booking process or at the pre-trek briefing before participating. A group booking alone does not establish that every participant has accepted them. The person making the booking remains responsible for the payments they agree to make for the group. If a participant does not complete the required acceptance, participation may be refused; any refund will be determined under Section 11 and applicable law.

2.4. Participation in the trek is not permitted without acceptance of:

  • Terms & Conditions
  • Liability Waiver

2.5. The company reserves the right to deny participation without refund if required documents are not completed. Digital acceptance records, booking confirmations, and waiver signatures may be used as evidence of agreement.

2.6 Participants acknowledge they have not relied on any statements outside of these Terms, the itinerary, and written confirmations provided by Andes Treks.

3. Mandatory briefing

3.1. Attendance at the pre-trek briefing is mandatory.

3.2. Failure to attend the briefing may result in denial of participation without refund.

3.3. The briefing includes safety instructions, operational procedures, and final confirmations. It is the participant’s responsibility to attend and understand this information.

3.4. Andes Treks reserves the right to refuse participation before the start of the trek, without refund, if a participant:

  • Appears physically unfit or insufficiently acclimatized
  • Shows signs of illness, intoxication, or unsafe condition
  • Has not completed required documentation
  • Is inadequately prepared or poses a risk to themselves or the group

4. Acclimatization requirement

4.1. Participants are strongly required to acclimatize before the trek.

Recommended:

  • Huayhuash Trek: minimum 4 days in Huaraz region at 3000m+
  • Santa Cruz Trek: minimum 3 days at 3000m+

4.2. Failure to properly acclimatize is at the participant’s own risk.

4.3. No refunds, compensation, or rescheduling will be granted due to altitude-related issues. This includes, but is not limited to, lack of acclimatization, improper preparation, or individual physical response to altitude.

5. Health & medical disclosure

5.1. Participants must disclose any relevant medical conditions prior to the trek, including but not limited to:

  • Heart conditions
  • Respiratory issues (e.g. asthma)
  • Neurological conditions (e.g. epilepsy)
  • Diabetes
  • Severe allergies
  • Recent surgeries
  • Psychiatric conditions
  • Relevant medication use

5.2. Participants are fully responsible for carrying and managing their own medication.

5.3. Food contamination cannot be fully prevented in remote environments. Participants with allergies accept this risk.

5.4. Failure to disclose relevant medical information may result in:

  • Immediate exclusion from the trek without refund
  • Release of Andes Treks from any related liability to the fullest extent permitted by law

5.5. Participants are solely responsible for ensuring they are adequately prepared for the trek, including physical condition, gear, acclimatization, and personal planning.

5a. Nature of the activity & risk acknowledgment

Participation in high-altitude trekking involves significant inherent risks, including but not limited to:

  • Altitudes up to approximately 5,200 meters
  • Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), HAPE, HACE
  • Cold exposure, hypothermia, snow, hail, and extreme weather
  • Rockfall, landslides, uneven terrain, and difficult trails
  • Limited access to medical care and delayed evacuation
  • Remote environments with limited communication

Participants acknowledge that:

  • These risks exist even with proper planning and guidance
  • Safety equipment and guides reduce but do not eliminate risk
  • Injury, illness, or death may occur

Participants acknowledge the inherent risks described above.

6.1. Andes Treks and its guides have full authority to make decisions for safety, including:

  • Route changes
  • Itinerary changes
  • Shortening or stopping the trek
  • Adding rest days
  • Evacuating participants
  • Arranging medical treatment

6.2. Participants authorize Andes Treks to arrange:

  • Evacuation by horse, mule, stretcher, vehicle, or other means
  • Transport to clinics, hospitals, or medical facilities
  • Assistance from local authorities or communities

6.3. Emergency costs. Unless expressly included in the booking confirmation, rescue, evacuation, medical care, emergency transport, additional accommodation and related costs are outside the tour price. The participant is responsible for costs properly incurred for their care or evacuation, subject to any responsibility Andes Treks has under applicable law.

6.4. Evacuation arranged by Andes Treks. When Andes Treks arranges or advances payment for an evacuation, it will communicate the provider, destination, available price information and material conditions as soon as reasonably practicable. Immediate safety needs may require action before a firm price is available. The participant must reimburse properly evidenced amounts advanced on their behalf. Andes Treks will provide a breakdown of amounts it paid and the supporting information reasonably available to it.

6.5. Transport contracted directly by the participant. A participant may choose to contract directly with a local community member, driver, horse owner or other provider for an early exit or evacuation, for example from a community to Huaraz. This is a separate transaction only where the participant, rather than Andes Treks, chooses and engages the provider and pays that provider directly. In that case, the provider sets the fare, route, availability, payment conditions and documentation. Andes Treks does not set or collect that fare and does not guarantee the provider’s price or performance. This does not exclude any duty Andes Treks has under applicable law.

6.6. Confirm the local provider’s terms. Before accepting a directly contracted service, the participant should confirm the total price and currency directly with the provider; whether the charge is per person, animal or vehicle; the destination; any waiting, night-time or extra-distance charges; when and how payment is due; and what receipt or other proof of payment will be supplied. A price passed on by a guide is an estimate unless the provider confirms it. Where an emergency makes advance confirmation impracticable, these details should be confirmed as soon as reasonably possible without delaying necessary care.

6.7. Documentation of evacuation payments. A participant paying a local provider directly should request the receipt or other document the provider is legally required to issue and keep proof of payment. Andes Treks cannot issue a receipt on behalf of a separate provider for money Andes Treks did not receive. For any amount paid to Andes Treks, Andes Treks will provide the applicable payment documentation and a breakdown of what it collected. If an independent provider does not supply documentation, Andes Treks can share provider identity and transaction details it actually has, but cannot guarantee an insurer will accept them.

7. Minors

7.1. Minors may participate only under full responsibility of a parent or legal guardian.

7.2. The parent/guardian:

  • Accepts all risks on behalf of the minor
  • Is fully responsible for supervision at all times
  • Confirms legal authority to consent

7.3. Guides do not provide childcare or individual supervision.

7.4. Andes Treks has full authority to stop a minor’s participation for safety reasons, including against the parent’s decision.

8. Animals, campsites and local control

8.1. Trek operations may involve horses, donkeys, and mules, which can behave unpredictably.

8.2. Andes Treks is not liable for animal-related incidents except where required by law.

8.3. Campsites and routes are influenced by local communities and authorities.

8.4. Andes Treks may change:

  • Campsites
  • Routes
  • Access points

without liability.

8.5. The published itinerary is indicative only and does not constitute a guarantee that any specific route, pass, campsite, viewpoint, or trekking distance will be completed.

9. Duffel bag and equipment responsibility

9.1. Maximum duffel weight limits apply:

Standard / Backpacker:

  • 1–8 days: 5 kg
  • 9+ days: 7 kg

Premium treks:

  • 1–5 days: 6 kg
  • 6–8 days: 8 kg
  • 9+ days: 10 kg

9.2. Excess weight may be refused or charged if possible.

9.3. Luggage is transported under rough conditions and may be exposed to:

  • Rain
  • Dust
  • Animal handling
  • Trail conditions
  • Vehicle transport

9.4. Participants must protect valuables with waterproof protection.

9.5. Participants should protect valuables and belongings against rain, dust and rough transport. Andes Treks is not responsible for any damage caused on the trek to personal items.

10. Conduct, safety and removal

10.1. Immediate removal without refund may occur in case of:

  • Drug use (strictly prohibited)
  • Dangerous behavior
  • Harassment or violence
  • Disrespect toward staff or communities
  • Repeated refusal to follow instructions
  • Behavior affecting safety or operations

10.2. Alcohol consumption is permitted entirely at the participant’s own risk. Any behavior that compromises safety may result in immediate removal without refund.

10.3. The following are strictly prohibited:

  • Smoking inside tents
  • Open flame or candles in tents
  • Unauthorized use of stoves or fire

11. Cancellations & refund policy

11.1. Departure status. A forming departure has not yet met all operating conditions. A confirmed departure no longer depends on reaching a minimum group size. Confirmation does not prevent changes or cancellation made necessary by safety, legal restrictions or exceptional events beyond reasonable control.

11.2. Forming departure decision. Andes Treks will notify booked participants in writing whether a forming departure is confirmed no later than 72 hours before its scheduled start time in Peru. If it is not confirmed by then, Andes Treks will cancel it. The participant may accept another available date, but is not required to do so. If the participant does not accept another date, Andes Treks will refund 100% of all amounts paid to Andes Treks for the canceled trek and any linked Huayllapa–Barranca transfer that cannot take place, including the deposit and balance. Andes Treks will initiate the refund within 10 business days; the payment provider may take additional time to post it.

11.3. Cancellation by Andes Treks before the trek starts. If Andes Treks cancels a departure before it starts, including a previously confirmed departure, the participant may accept an alternative date or receive a full refund of all amounts paid to Andes Treks for the canceled trek and any linked Huayllapa–Barranca transfer that cannot take place. An alternative date or tour applies only with the participant’s agreement.

11.4. Cancellation by the participant. If the participant cancels before Andes Treks cancels the departure, the following refund percentages apply to amounts paid for the trek booking: more than 30 days before departure, 90%; 15 through 30 days before departure, 50%; fewer than 15 days before departure, 0%. A no-show is treated as a cancellation on the departure day. These rules do not remove rights the participant has under applicable law.

11.5. Changes or interruption after the trek starts. Weather, terrain, road conditions, community decisions, illness, emergencies or government action may require a reasonable change to the route, campsites, transport or schedule, or may require the trek to stop. Andes Treks will explain material changes and seek a reasonable alternative where practicable. Refunds for services not provided will be assessed under applicable law and the services actually delivered. A participant who voluntarily leaves is responsible for the costs of their separate departure and receives no refund for services already provided.

Client cancellation

  • More than 30 days: 90% refund
  • 15–30 days: 50% refund
  • 0–14 days: No refund
  • No-show: No refund

During the trek

No refunds in case of:

  • Illness or injury
  • Lack of acclimatization
  • Voluntary withdrawal
  • Rule violations

Any partial refund granted due to early termination of a trek:

  • Applies only to unused core land services
  • Excludes all incurred costs including:
    • Staff
    • Transport
    • Muleteers
    • Campsites
    • Food
    • Permits
    • Logistics
  • Is calculated reasonably by Andes Treks

No refunds apply if a participant leaves the trek early for any reason.

Partial refunds

May apply only if:

  • The trek is stopped by the guide for safety reasons

Refund applies only to unused days, at the company’s discretion.

Full refunds

Only if the tour cannot start due to:

  • Government restrictions
  • Severe force majeure events

Alternative tours

If a trek cannot operate:

  • Andes Treks may offer an alternative tour
  • If declined, a refund will be issued

12. Complaints and claims

12.1. Participants must report any issues immediately during the trek to allow resolution.

12.2. Participants should report concerns as soon as practicable so Andes Treks can investigate and respond. They may also use the Libro de Reclamaciones and any other remedy available by law. No contractual reporting deadline removes those rights. Andes Treks will respond to a Libro de Reclamaciones claim within the period required by law.

13. Independent contractors and third parties

13.1. Transfers included in the trek price. Transport to the trailhead is included where stated in the tour itinerary. Return transport from the trek is included only where the specific itinerary expressly says so. The six-day trek’s return transport is not included. Each tour listing and booking confirmation will state the included pickup point, destination and endpoint. Included transfers may be operated by separate transport providers engaged by Andes Treks. Andes Treks remains responsible for the services it sells and for its duties under applicable law, including reasonable care in selecting and coordinating providers.

13.2. Six-day trek: Huayllapa to Barranca. The included services for the six-day trek end at Huayllapa. Transport from Huayllapa to Barranca is not included in the trek price. At a participant’s request, Andes Treks may arrange this transfer with a separate transport provider for an additional charge paid to Andes Treks. Before the participant agrees to it or pays, Andes Treks will confirm the total price, currency, destination, expected departure arrangements and any material conditions in writing. The optional transfer is booked only when Andes Treks confirms it. The participant may instead arrange their own transport.

13.3. Payment and cancellation of the optional transfer. Andes Treks will document any payment it collects for the Huayllapa–Barranca transfer. The transfer’s cancellation and refund terms must be stated before the participant pays. If Andes Treks cannot provide the transfer as agreed and the participant declines a reasonable alternative, Andes Treks will refund the amount paid to it for that transfer, subject to applicable law. Any changed price must be explained and accepted before the participant incurs the additional charge.

13.4. Barranca to Lima. Andes Treks does not offer or include transport from Barranca to Lima. Participants arrange and pay for onward travel from Barranca themselves and should allow sufficient time for connections. A separate journey the participant books and pays for directly is governed by that provider’s terms. Andes Treks remains responsible for its own statements and duties under applicable law.

13.5. Disruptions. Road closures, landslides, severe weather, strikes, protests, community access decisions, official restrictions, vehicle breakdowns and similar events may affect a transfer. Andes Treks will communicate material developments it knows about and take reasonable steps to arrange a safe alternative where practicable. Refunds and other remedies are determined by what was promised, what was delivered and applicable law. This clause does not waive liability for Andes Treks’ own failure to meet its duties.

14. Media & image rights

Participants grant Andes Treks:

  • Irrevocable, worldwide, royalty-free rights
  • To use photo, video, and audio content
  • For marketing, advertising, website, and promotional purposes

This includes the right to:

  • Edit
  • Crop
  • Combine
  • Reuse indefinitely

No compensation or approval is required.

Severability

If any provision is invalid, the remaining provisions remain in full force.

Non-waiver

Failure to enforce any provision does not waive the right to enforce it later.

Survival

Clauses relating to liability, payment obligations, reimbursement of costs, indemnity, jurisdiction, and media rights remain in force after completion or cancellation of the tour.

Entire agreement

These Terms, the tour description and inclusions shown before payment, the booking confirmation, and the waiver form the agreement. A specific written promise for the booked tour takes precedence over an inconsistent general term.

Non-transferability

Bookings are personal and may not be transferred without written approval.

Assignment

Andes Treks may assign or subcontract operational elements while retaining contractual responsibility.

16. Payment terms

For a booking accepted more than 15 days before departure, a 50% deposit is due at booking and the balance is due 15 days before departure. A booking accepted within 15 days of departure requires full payment when booked. Andes Treks will send a reminder about an unpaid balance and a reasonable opportunity to pay before cancelling for non-payment. Any refund after such cancellation is determined under Section 11 and applicable law. A request to open a new departure, or for semi-private service, creates no confirmed departure or agreed extra charge until Andes Treks confirms its date, price and inclusions in writing.

17. Governing law & jurisdiction

These Terms are governed by Peruvian law.

These Terms are governed by Peruvian law, subject to any mandatory consumer rights and competent forum.