Inca Trail Travel Insurance for Machu Picchu (Best Options)

Inca Trail travel insurance for Machu Picchu is a must. In fact, most tour operators will require you to have ‘adequate’ cover.

But what does adequate mean?

What it doesn’t mean is standard travel insurance, as these policies don’t cut it at ‘high altitude’. So, do not waste your time looking at them as they will be useless if an accident happens while you are on the Inca Trail, or indeed any of the alternative trails.

In this detailed article, I will explain the main clauses that should outline what your Inca Trail travel insurance policy covers.

Inca Trail Travel Insurance - Trekking Insurance for High Altitudes

The main consideration for your Inca Trail travel insurance is that it covers you for trekking over 4,000 meters (13,123 feet). Most, if not all standard travel policies, will not cover you up to this altitude.

When it comes to Inca Trail travel insurance, the highest altitude you will reach is Dead Women’s Pass (an ominous name, but it’s not that scary) situated at 4,200 meters (13,780 feet). Alternative Machu Picchu trails like the Salkantay, Lares and Vilcabamba go even higher than this. 

Here is a quick breakdown of the various altitudes of alternative Inca Trail treks: 

• On the Salkantay Trail, you will traverse the Salkantay Pass at a maximum altitude of 4,600 meters (15,092 feet).
• On the Lares, you will trek across the Hualcacassa Pass (4,425 meters / 14,518 feet), Qolqecasa (4,200 meters / 13,780 feet) and Auroracassa Pass (4,600 meters / 15,092 feet).
• On the Vilcabamba Trail, you will cover the Abra Malaga Pass (4,315 meters / 14,157 feet), Yanococha Pass (4,420 meters / 14,501 feet) and the Tulla Tacanca Pass (4,500 meters / 14,764 feet).
• On the Huchuy Qosqo Trail, the lowest of the alternative trails, goes beyond 4,000 meters (13,123 feet).

I recommend using Inca Trail travel insurance from Worldnomads.com which includes cover for trekking over 4,000 meters (13,123 feet).

Accidents, Evacuations and Medical Treatment

Accidents on a Machu Picchu trek are rare, but do occasionally occur. If you are unfortunate and experience bad altitude sickness symptoms, a serious or even minor fall (like a twisted ankle), or indeed any other number of issues that can go wrong when trekking on a remote mountain and exerting your body at high altitudes, then you will want good evacuation and medical treatment cover. The routes to Machu Picchu are remote and getting stuck in a small village with even the most innocuous ailment can spell disaster and be very costly.

The key thing to look for is that your Inca Trail travel insurance policy covers the cost of evacuation and proper medical treatment in the country you are trekking through.

I recommend writing down your policy number and any emergency numbers and keeping this information on your person whilst trekking. Also, don't forget to inform your trekking partners or guide where this information is kept, and give the information to your tour operator so that they can act on your behalf if you are incapacitated.

Lost, Stolen, Damaged and Delayed Baggage

There are always a number of trekkers who suffer the irritation and unnecessary cost of lost, stolen, damaged or delayed baggage issues, either in Lima, or more often, in Cusco. If this unfortunate event happens to you, it can result in delaying your trek. More importantly, it will cost you quite a lot of money, as you will need to rent or buy trekking equipment in Cusco. Most travel insurance policies include this cover as a standard.

If you are carrying expensive equipment like a camera, make sure that your policy limit exceeds this value. What’s the point of trekking to Machu Picchu without the means to capture the experience on your camera?

Flight or Tour Cancellations, Interruptions and Delays

Flight and tour cancellations are rare, but flight interruptions (particularly delays) are actually quite common in Cusco. If you are on a tight schedule with connecting flights, then proper travel insurance that covers you for flight or tour cancellations, interruptions and delays is important.

Most importantly, you should check that your tour operator is registered with ABTA, ATOL, or an equivalent agency.