PS. Now I have to book another trekking vacation somewhere rainy to put my nice columbia REI weather and water proof hiking small size clothes and my merrell shoes to good use ;-).. and no it will not be with LATAM
I've had delayed/lost luggage with multiple airlines throughout the years and all handle luggage delays pretty much identically.
NOT Flying LATAM is NOT what you should do.
What you should do is:
- Give yourself a day or two before the hike starts in case your baggage gets delayed (happens all the time) so you can get the bag on time before the hike OR you have time to buy locally replacements to your nice REI stuff, insurance (that you should also have) will reimburse you for all the expenses.
(BTW, you could have bought or rented any hiking gear in Cuzco, not sure why you had to stick to your flip flops).
-OR if you are starting your hike immediately after you land, put your stuff in your carry-on.