Her Andes - Frequently Asked Questions
Planning a women-only trekking adventure in Peru? Here you will find answers to some of the most common questions about HER ANDES, including solo travel, female guides, private groups, trekking experience, altitude, preparation and booking.
If you have a question that is not answered here, our team will be happy to help you plan your journey.
ABOUT HER ANDES
Are HER ANDES trips exclusively for women?
Yes. HER ANDES scheduled group departures are designed exclusively for women travelers.
Our goal is to create a welcoming environment where women can share the experience of exploring the Peruvian Andes together.
Do I need to travel with a friend?
No. Solo travelers are very welcome.
Many women join our scheduled departures independently and meet their trekking companions along the way.
HER ANDES is an opportunity to travel on your own while still being part of a group.
Can I join if I am traveling alone?
Absolutely.
Solo women are welcome on our scheduled HER ANDES departures. You do not need to organize a group in advance to take part.
Can I travel with my friends?
Yes.
You can join one of our scheduled departures with your friends, or you can request a private women-only trek exclusively for your own group.
GUIDES & TREKKING TEAM
Will my guide always be a woman?
We aim to assign female mountain guides whenever possible and when confirmed for the selected departure.
If a female guide is not available, the departure may be led by another qualified professional guide from the Inkaland Treks team.
Can I request a female mountain guide?
Yes.
If having a female guide is important to you, please let us know when making your inquiry.
We will check availability and do our best to assign one of our experienced female guides to your journey.
Will the entire expedition team be women?
Not necessarily.
HER ANDES scheduled departures are women-only for travelers, while the professional support team may include both women and men depending on availability and the operational requirements of each trek.
Our priority is always to provide a professional, safe and well-organized mountain experience.
TREKKING EXPERIENCE & PREPARATION
Do I need previous trekking experience?
It depends on the program.
Each trek has its own difficulty level, duration, elevation and physical requirements. Some programs are suitable for travelers with limited multi-day trekking experience, while others require stronger physical preparation and previous experience at high altitude.
Before booking, our team can help you choose a trek that matches your experience, physical preparation and available time.
How should I prepare for high-altitude trekking?
Proper acclimatization is an essential part of preparing for any multi-day high-altitude trek in Peru.
Whether you are joining a 4-day, 5-day, 8-day or 10-day expedition, we strongly recommend arriving in Huaraz before your trekking start date and allowing enough time for your body to progressively adapt to the altitude.
As a general recommendation, we suggest planning at least 2 to 3 days of acclimatization before starting a multi-day trek, with the appropriate activities depending on your previous experience, physical condition and the altitude of the selected program.
Plan your arrival carefully
Your trekking start date should not be the same day you arrive in Huaraz.
When planning your trip, make sure you allow sufficient time between your arrival and the beginning of your expedition to complete an appropriate acclimatization program.
Our team can help you organize this according to your itinerary, experience and travel plans.
If you are traveling to Huaraz after spending time at altitude in Cusco, the Sacred Valley or Lake Titicaca, this may contribute to your acclimatization. However, previous travel at altitude does not automatically mean that you are fully acclimatized for a demanding multi-day trek.
Likewise, day tours and trekking experiences are not necessarily equivalent to being prepared for a multi-day high-altitude expedition. The physical demands, duration and cumulative altitude exposure can be very different.
For this reason, we recommend planning your acclimatization specifically around the trek you are going to undertake.
Can I acclimatize in Huaraz before my trek?
Yes.
Huaraz is an excellent base for preparing for high-altitude trekking in the Cordillera Blanca and Huayhuash.
Depending on your experience, physical condition and trekking itinerary, our team can recommend a progressive acclimatization plan that may include day hikes at different elevations before you begin your multi-day expedition.
The goal is to give your body time to adapt progressively rather than going directly from arrival to a demanding high-altitude trail.
Can Inkaland Treks organize my acclimatization?
Yes.
We can support you at different levels depending on how you prefer to organize your trip.
What if I am already acclimatized?
If you are arriving in Huaraz after spending several days at altitude and have recently completed appropriate trekking or acclimatization activities, our team can review your itinerary and help determine whether additional acclimatization days are advisable.
For example, travelers arriving from Cusco, the Sacred Valley or Lake Titicaca may already have some recent exposure to altitude.
However, each traveler responds differently to altitude, and previous time at altitude does not guarantee that you will be ready for every trekking program.
If you have recently completed a high-altitude trek, such as the Salkantay Trek, this can be relevant when assessing your preparation. Nevertheless, our team will consider your complete itinerary, recent altitude exposure and the difficulty of your selected trek.
If you are unsure, please contact us before confirming your trekking dates.
Why is acclimatization so important?
High-altitude trekking is different from a normal hiking or sightseeing experience.
Many of our programs reach elevations of 4,000 meters and above, and some routes involve consecutive days of walking at high altitude.
Arriving early and allowing time for appropriate acclimatization can help you approach your trek better prepared for the altitude and the physical demands of the journey.
Your trek begins before you reach the trailhead.
Is HER ANDES suitable for women of all ages?
HER ANDES is designed for adult women of different ages.
Suitability depends less on age itself and more on your physical condition, trekking experience, preparation, acclimatization and the requirements of the selected trek.
If you are unsure whether a particular trek is right for you, contact our team before booking.
PRIVATE WOMEN-ONLY TREKS
Can I organize a private women-only trek?
Yes.
We can organize private women-only trekking experiences in the Cordillera Blanca or Cordillera Huayhuash for groups of women.
You can choose your preferred dates, group size and route, and our team will create a personalized proposal based on your needs.
What if I don’t see my preferred date?
Contact us.
We may be able to recommend another scheduled HER ANDES departure or organize a private women-only trek around your preferred dates.
Availability will depend on the season, route, guides and logistics required for your trip.
BOOKING & RESERVATIONS
How do I book a HER ANDES trek?
Choose your preferred program and departure date, then contact our team.
We will confirm availability, answer any questions you may have and guide you through the reservation and payment process.
Before making any payment, we ask you to review our Booking Terms & Cancellation Policy carefully.
Your reservation is confirmed with a 40% deposit of the total trip cost.
You can make the deposit through a secure online payment link using a credit or debit card, subject to a 5% payment processing fee, or by bank transfer. For international bank transfers, a US$50 international transfer fee applies.
READ OUR BOOKING TERMS & CANCELLATION POLICY →
By proceeding with your reservation, you confirm that you have read, understood and accepted these conditions.
When should I book?
We recommend booking as early as possible, especially for popular trekking seasons and scheduled HER ANDES departures.
Early booking gives us more flexibility to secure guides, transportation, accommodation and other logistics for your journey.
If you already know your preferred dates, we recommend contacting us before making any payment so that we can first confirm availability and the exact program details.
STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?
Every traveler is different, and sometimes the best answer is simply to talk to our team.
Whether you are traveling alone, planning a trip with friends or considering your first high-altitude trek in Peru, we are here to help you understand your options and choose the right experience for you.
HAVE MORE QUESTIONS?
Talk to the HER ANDES team.
