Clear information, comprehensive cover and an easy purchasing process.
Inca Trail Travel Insurance
Travel insurance for guided Inca Trail treks to Machu Picchu, with eligible trekking cover, emergency medical expenses, approved evacuation and 24/7 emergency assistance.
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The insurance and payment process was smooth, straightforward and efficient.
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I received all the information I needed to select the right policy, and the response was quick.
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Clear terms, competitive pricing and suitable cover for a trekking trip in Nepal.
Finding suitable insurance for our high-altitude hikes in Peru was clear and easy.
Up to 6,500m
Trekking cover
Helicopter
Approved evacuation
24/7
Emergency assistance
Is this cover right for my Inca Trail trek?
Yes, Rise & Shield cover is suitable if you’re following a recognised guided Inca Trail itinerary, remaining within your plan's height limits and not taking part in excluded technical mountaineering or unsupported, off-route activity.
For the classic high-altitude Inca Trail routes, add Adventure Plus and check that it appears in your policy summary before buying.
Classic Inca Trail
Salkantay Trek
Lares Trek
Short Inca Trail
Huchuy Qosqo Trek
Choquequirao Trek
This is not a complete list. Cover depends on your exact route, maximum altitude, guide arrangements and planned activities. Adventure Plus covers eligible trekking up to 4,600m; routes exceeding this altitude may require a different cover level. Terms, limits, conditions, exclusions and excesses apply.
Inca Trail insurance, explained
See what the policy can cover, how approved helicopter evacuation works and which add-on you need when buying.
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What can our Inca Trail trekking insurance cover?
Depending on your chosen plan, Rise & Shield can provide cover for some of the most important risks surrounding trekking the Inca Trail.
Why choose Rise & Shield for trekking insurance?
Trekking can take you far beyond the risks of an ordinary holiday, from remote routes and changing weather to altitude and emergency evacuation.
Rise & Shield specialises in insurance for adventurous travel, with 24/7 emergency assistance, trusted relationships across the adventure travel industry, and the reassurance of an FCA-regulated insurance provider whose programme is reinsured at Lloydâs of London.
Rise & Shield is trusted by reputable tour operators and adventure companies
Does Rise & Shield cover the Inca Trail?
Yes. Eligible trekking on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu can be covered when you select the correct trekking level and meet the applicable route, guide and activity conditions.
For the Classic Inca Trail, select Adventure Plus when you buy and check that it appears in your policy summary before you travel.
What altitude cover do I need for the Inca Trail?
The Classic Inca Trail climbs above the 3,000m limit included with standard trekking cover, so you will need Adventure Plus, which covers eligible trekking up to 4,600m.
If you are taking an alternative route to Machu Picchu, check the highest point on your exact itinerary. Your required cover level is based on the maximum altitude you will reach.
Important: Make sure the required add-on appears in your policy summary before starting your trek.
Does Inca Trail travel insurance cover altitude sickness?
Eligible emergency medical treatment for altitude illness may be covered when you have selected the correct trekking cover for your route.
Cover remains subject to the policy terms, medical provisions, benefit limits and exclusions, so it is important to follow your guide’s advice and allow time to acclimatise before trekking.
Is helicopter evacuation covered on the Inca Trail?
An eligible helicopter evacuation may be covered when it is medically necessary and pre-approved by the 24/7 Emergency Assistance Centre.
The assistance team will determine the appropriate evacuation method based on your circumstances. A separate helicopter evacuation excess applies.
What if my Inca Trail trip is cancelled or delayed?
Your selected plan may help with eligible, unrecoverable costs if an insured event forces you to cancel your trip or return home earlier than planned.
Cover may also apply to certain travel delays or missed departures affecting your journey to or from Peru, subject to the relevant waiting periods, benefit limits and policy conditions.
Do I need a guide for the Inca Trail?
Yes. For trekking covered under Adventure Plus, you must be with a professional, qualified and licensed guide or operator and follow their safety instructions.
Your trek must also follow a recognised route or trail. Unsupported, exploratory or unrecognised routes fall outside the trekking conditions.
Are Salkantay, Lares and other Machu Picchu routes covered?
Eligible recognised trekking routes such as the Classic Inca Trail, Lares and qualifying Salkantay itineraries may be covered, provided your exact route stays within the altitude limit shown on your policy and meets the applicable guide conditions.
Alternative itineraries can vary in altitude and activities, so always check your complete route before buying. Technical mountaineering or routes requiring specialist climbing equipment are not treated as ordinary trekking.
How can I buy Inca Trail insurance online?
Getting covered with Rise & Shield is easy. Follow these simple steps to secure your trip:
01
Get a Quote: Start by entering your trip details to receive a personalised quote.
02
Customise Your Plan: Tailor the coverage options to meet your specific needs.
03
Receive Instant Confirmation: Purchase and instantly receive your policy details via email.
Inca Trail travel insurance FAQs
Does travel insurance cover the Inca Trail?
Yes. Rise & Shield can cover eligible trekking on the Inca Trail when you select the appropriate trekking cover and meet the relevant route, altitude and guide conditions.
For the Classic Inca Trail, you will normally need Adventure Plus, which extends eligible trekking cover up to 4,600m.
What travel insurance do I need for the Inca Trail?
You need travel insurance that specifically allows trekking at the highest altitude reached on your itinerary.
Rise & Shield includes eligible trekking up to 3,000m as standard. Adventure Plus extends eligible trekking cover up to 4,600m, making it suitable for qualifying Inca Trail itineraries that exceed the standard altitude limit.
Do I need Adventure Plus for the Inca Trail?
For the Classic Inca Trail, yes. The route climbs above 3,000m, so the standard trekking limit is not sufficient.
Select Adventure Plus when you buy and make sure the add-on appears in your policy summary before travelling.
What altitude does the Inca Trail reach?
The exact maximum altitude depends on your route. The Classic Inca Trail reaches its highest point at Dead Woman’s Pass, at around 4,200m.
Alternative routes to Machu Picchu can reach different altitudes, so always check the highest point on your complete itinerary before choosing your trekking cover.
Does Inca Trail insurance cover altitude sickness?
Eligible emergency medical treatment for altitude illness may be covered when you have selected the correct trekking cover for your route.
Cover remains subject to the policy’s medical provisions, benefit limits and exclusions. Travellers should still acclimatise properly and follow the advice of their guide or operator.
Is emergency evacuation covered on the Inca Trail?
An eligible emergency evacuation may be covered when it is medically necessary and approved by the 24/7 Emergency Assistance Centre.
The most appropriate evacuation method will depend on your location and circumstances and may involve ground or air transport. A separate excess applies to helicopter evacuation.
Do I need a guide for the Inca Trail to be covered?
Yes. Trekking under Adventure Plus must take place on a recognised route with a professional, qualified and licensed guide, instructor or operator.
You should also follow your guide’s safety instructions throughout the trek.
Does Rise & Shield cover the Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu?
Qualifying Salkantay itineraries may be covered, provided your exact route remains within the altitude limit shown on your policy and meets the applicable trekking and guide conditions.
Salkantay routes can vary, so check the highest altitude and full itinerary rather than relying only on the trek name.
Are the Lares Trek and other alternative routes to Machu Picchu covered?
Eligible recognised trekking routes such as the Lares Trek and other non-technical routes to Machu Picchu may be covered with the appropriate trekking level.
Cover depends on your exact route, maximum altitude, guide arrangements and planned activities.
Is the Short Inca Trail covered?
Eligible Short Inca Trail itineraries may be covered. Your required cover level depends on the highest altitude reached anywhere on your itinerary and the activities included.
Check your complete route before buying and make sure any required trekking add-on is shown in your policy summary.
Is the Inca Jungle Trek covered?
The Inca Jungle itinerary can include activities such as mountain biking, rafting or ziplining in addition to trekking.
Those activities may have different insurance requirements, so check each planned activity separately rather than assuming the trekking cover alone protects the complete itinerary.
Does Inca Trail travel insurance cover technical climbing or mountaineering?
Ordinary trekking cover is intended for recognised trekking routes without technical climbing.
Activities involving ropes, crampons, ice axes, climbing grades or other specialist mountaineering equipment may fall under a different activity classification and have separate conditions or exclusions.
What happens if I cannot complete the Inca Trail because I am ill or injured?
If illness or injury requires emergency medical treatment, eligible medical expenses may be covered under your policy.
Where medically necessary, the 24/7 Emergency Assistance Centre may also approve and arrange evacuation to appropriate medical care. Policy terms, limits and excesses apply.
What if my Inca Trail trip is cancelled?
Eligible, unrecoverable costs may be covered if an insured event forces you to cancel your trip before departure.
Cancellation cover does not apply simply because you change your mind or decide not to trek. The reason for cancellation must meet the policy conditions.
What if my trip to Peru is delayed or I miss a departure?
Your selected plan may provide benefits for qualifying travel delays or missed departures affecting your journey.
Waiting periods, insured-event requirements, benefit limits and other policy conditions apply.
Is my trekking equipment covered on the Inca Trail?
Eligible loss, theft or accidental damage affecting your baggage and personal trekking equipment may be covered.
Overall benefit limits, individual-item limits, security requirements and an applicable excess may apply.
Can one travel insurance policy cover the Inca Trail and the rest of my Peru holiday?
Yes. Your Rise & Shield policy can cover your wider trip as well as eligible trekking, provided your policy dates cover the complete journey and all planned activities fall within the policy or the add-ons you select.
That means you do not need a separate policy just for the days you spend trekking.
Can I get Inca Trail insurance if I do not live in the UK?
Rise & Shield can provide travel insurance to eligible travellers from a wide range of countries, subject to the policy’s eligibility and destination requirements.
Your policy should cover the country or region where you normally reside as well as the destinations included in your journey where required by the policy terms.
When should I buy travel insurance for the Inca Trail?
It is generally best to arrange your travel insurance once your trip is booked so that eligible cancellation protection can begin before you travel.
Make sure you select the correct trekking add-on and check your policy summary before beginning the Inca Trail.
Does my Inca Trail insurance also cover Machu Picchu?
Yes. Your policy covers the wider insured journey rather than stopping when the trekking section ends, provided your trip dates, destinations and activities meet the policy conditions.
Visiting Machu Picchu as part of your insured Peru trip does not require a separate Machu Picchu insurance policy.
Other useful Inca Trail resources
High-Altitude Travel & Altitude Illness
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