THE ULTIMATE
PERU PACKING LIST
PERU PACKING LIST
Use our ultimate Peru Packing List as a guide for what to bring along while you’re hiking to Machu Picchu! We’ve packed this Peru Packing List with our trail tested favorites and recommendations, plus lots of useful info on the best gear for adventuring in all of Peru’s conditions.
Our biggest piece of advice is to pack light and smart, and bring durable, multi use items that you can layer as temperatures and weather changes (because they will)! Test and break in all your gear beforehand and use common sense and your own best judgement and discretion when choosing exactly what you pack. After all, no one knows you better than you! If you tend to run cold, pack an extra layer or two. If you have a finicky stomach, bring extras of your go-to snacks.
We’re firm believers that there’s no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate gear! Stocking up on quality gear from brands who are doing it right will make all the difference for enjoying all your adventures in the great outdoors!
THE ULTIMATE
PERU PACKING LIST
PERU PACKING LIST
UP TOP
2 HATS
Bring something light with a brim for sunny days, and a warm beanie that will cover your ears for colder nights. Both are great for covering dirty hair too!
2 PAIRS OF GLOVES or Mittens
Bring a pair of lightweight liner gloves, and one more serious thermal, waterproof and insulated outer pair for the colder nights. If your hands tend to get cold, you might want to opt for mittens which will keep your hands warmer.
3-4 MOISTURE WICKING TOPS
Bring a few lightweight tops, so you can layer and re-wear them. Pack a mixture of tanks, short, and long sleeve options. Make sure one of these shirts is a sun shirt with UPF protection to help prevent sunburn. Pro tip: look for wool and/or synthetic garments that, unlike cotton, wick away moisture.
2-3 MEDIUM LAYERS
These will provide insulation, and include, but are not limited to, fleeces, down jackets, and vests that you can easily stuff in your daypack and layer on and off as your temperature and the conditions change.
Insulated Jacket
This will keep you warm as you reach higher elevations when the temperature drops and will be especially important on the first 2 days of the trek. When layering, this jacket will go over your medium layers but under your outer layer jacket. An insulated jacket will give you an extra layer of warmth when you need it most. If you tend to get cold fast you might want a thicker insulated jacket. You know your body best, but we can't emphasize enough how cold it can get!
OUTER LAYER JACKET
A warm, breathable, water and wind proof jacket with a hood that you can wear comfortably over all your layers. This is a must-have at higher altitudes and to layer on in the case of rain. We love this one from Outdoor Research!
DOWN LOW
1 PAIR OF CAMP SHOES
Comfy, closed-toed, easy-to-slip-on shoes are great to have for camp, and going to the bathroom at night. Trust us, the last thing you want to do is put your boots back on after a long day of hiking! We love our Crocs for this - they’re lightweight and durable.
2-3 PAIRS OF HIKING bottoms
You’ll want a few pairs of pants or leggings to last you the entire trek. Bring at least one pair of shorts or capris for the hotter days in the rainforest, and a few pairs of long pants or leggings to layer on as it gets colder. Check out these fleece tights from The North Face (and our Move Mountains ones too)!
WIND + WATERPROOF PANT
A non-insulated, outer layer pant is a must-have to layer on over your base layers when it’s rainy or windy. REI makes an affordable and high quality pair.
ALL ABOUT THAT BASE
1 THERMAL BASE LAYERs
A thin, snug fitting top and bottom set that you can wear underneath everything at higher altitudes. These will regulate your body temperature by wicking sweat away from your skin. We recommend a sport synthetic fabric like polyester or merino wool. We love KORA!
3-4 PAIRS WARM HIKING SOCKS
Bring durable wool socks in a few different weights - lighter for the hotter days, and serious heavy ones the nights and colder days. A couple pairs of liner socks are great to help prevent blisters too! We love Darn Tough’s Hiker Boot Sock in Full Cushion.
2-3 SPORTS BRAS
Bring bras that provide support, feel comfortable against your skin, dry quickly and don't bind, smoosh or chafe.
UNDERWEAR
Bring as many pairs as you know you’ll want! Check out REI’s Merino Hipster Undies which are comfy and great for adventuring!
SWIMSUIT
Make sure to pack this in your duffel for the trek. You never know when there might be an opportunity for a dip!
GET YOUR ARSE IN GEAR
DAYPACK
You’ll need a lightweight hiking backpack to wear everyday to carry your water, extra layers, snacks, etc. Something between 28-32 L is perfect. We recommend getting one that is compatible with a water bladder and hose, and has a built-in rain cover. Brands we love: Deuter, Osprey, Gregory. Pro Tip: Bring a fanny pack to keep snacks, your phone, and sunscreen in for easy access.
Small Packable Backpack
Large daypacks are not allowed at Machu Picchu, so also bring a small packable backpack or hip pack in your duffle to carry with you while exploring Machu Picchu.
WATER BLADDER
Staying hydrated is so important while hiking at high altitudes! We highly recommend getting a 3 L water bladder. It’s the easiest way to carry and drink water while trekking.
WATER BOTTLE
Bring a 1 L wide mouth Nalgene water bottle.
TREKKING POLES
These are MANDATORY, and a life (and knee) saver on tricky terrain. Make sure they are collapsible, for easy stashing, and simple to adjust for up and downhill. Check out our favs at Leki.
BONUS: You get 15% off Leki poles for being a part of the WHOA family! Just use this special link to see our fav poles and save!
RAIN PONCHO
Sometimes, like in the rain forest, it’s too hot and uncomfortable to wear a waterproof jacket, so a poncho is perfect to throw on to protect you and daypack from getting wet. Not to mention, if it's raining a lot, using only a rain jacket and pack cover will leave too much exposed and your straps will get soaked. Please only bring a durable, reusable poncho - single use plastic ponchos are not allowed!
FOUR SEASON SLEEPING BAG
We recommend a zero degree Fahrenheit bag like the Mountain Hardwear Bishop Pass. Sleeping mats are provided free of charge to everyone on our treks!
SLEEPING BAG LINER
This will add an extra layer of warmth at night. We recommend this one from SeaToSummit!
BUFF OR BANDANA
An all around great item to always have with you. You can use it as a neck gaiter, head band, sweat rag, etc. Plus, there are so many different fun designs to choose from!
HEADLAMP + EXTRA BATTERIES
This is important for after the sun sets at camp. Be sure to start the trek with fresh batteries, and bring a spare set just in case. We love Black Diamond for headlamps.
POLARIZED SUNGLASSES
You have to protect your eyes from the fierce equatorial sun! Make sure they are UV-blocking and polarized. Goodr makes ones that are great (and cute) for hiking.
CAMERA + EXTRA BATTERIES
There are so many amazing photo ops! We highly recommend bringing a camera that is compact and durable. These days most smartphones have great cameras, and we’ve found DSLRs can be cumbersome while trekking, so think twice before bringing anything too fancy. Remember to always pack your electronics in waterproof bags or cases.
portable battery charger
Whatever electronics you choose to bring, make sure you have a way to recharge your batteries. We always have a portable battery charger on hand so our camera is charged and ready to catch any spontaneous dance parties that may break out!
ALL THE SMALL THINGS
MEDS
Consult with your physician on any prescription medication you might need for this adventure, especially Diamox, a common medication taken for preventing altitude sickness. Other common medications you might want to bring along include, pain relievers, anti-histamines, antidiarrheals, etc.
PASSPORT
Make sure it’s valid for 6 months after your adventure dates. Bring a waterproof bag to keep it dry when it’s on the mountain with you, and it’s always a good idea to travel with an extra photocopy of it.
Travel Insurance
Travel doesn't always go as planned! That's part of the adventure, and it's also the reason we require all of our adventurers to have a travel insurance plan that includes medical coverage and emergency medical evacuation. We HIGHLY recommend purchasing a travel insurance plan ASAP to cover you financially with any costs that can come up like trip interruption or cancellation due to unforeseen circumstances. The IMG LX plan is one option that offers excellent medical and evacuation coverage, has no altitude restrictions, and offers cancel for any reason but do your research before purchasing a plan to make sure it works for you and your situation!
reusable shopping bag
While you’re traveling, you’ll have quite a few chances to go shopping for souvenirs and snacks, so bring a small reusable shopping bag to eliminate the need to use a single use plastic bag. They’re also handy to have in case you need another bag to take on the plane. Just another way to make Mother Earth proud!
FIRST AID
We’ll have all this stuff on hand, but make sure you have a compact kit with Neosporin, bug spray, band-aids, moleskin, duct tape, anti-septic, etc. We like this one because it’s lightweight, waterproof, and has everything you might need.
Toilet Kit
Sometimes nature calls when we’re not near a bathroom, so having a toilet kit is necessary! This includes a Kula cloth, a small amount of toilet paper, and compostable dog poop bags to pack out your toilet paper. You should keep this all in your daypack inside a small dry bag.
SUNSCREEN + LIPSCREEN
This is a must have for being in the strong mountain sun all day! Bring a new, full tube with an SPF rating of 30+. We love Raw Elements Natural Sunscreen because it works great, is reef friendly, and plastic free!
BUG REPELLENT
Choose a serious one with DEET or a DEET alternative like Picaridin. We really like this Picaridin from Sawyer Products!
TOILETRIES
Don’t forget the travel essentials like travel sized deodorant, sun screen, lotion, hair ties, hair brush, face wipes, tampons, contact solution, toothbrush, toothpaste, hand sanitizer, masks, and ear plugs etc. Remember our pledge to keep single use plastics out of the places we love, so pack reusable bottles, bar soaps and biodegradable products! Pack it all in this Sherpani toiletry bag made from 100% recycled polyester to make Mother Nature extra proud!
QUICK DRY TOWEL + WET WIPES
Who needs running water and a shower?! Don't forget about the environment and make sure your wet wipes are biodegradable. This camp towel from Cocoon is great.
2 LUGGAGE LOCKs
Always lock your things! Have one for your duffel on the mountain, and have one to lock your suitcase that will stay at the hotel while you’re trekking.
REUSABLE + Biodegradable BAGS
Let’s do our part to reduce plastic pollution around the world! When packing, please only utilize reusable bags like dry bags, silicone bags (we love Stasher), and dry pouches for waterproofing your phone/passport/money. We recommend bringing along lots of different shapes and sizes to help organize and separate all your gear, dirty clothing, and toiletries. Also, having a stash of brown paper lunch bags, sanitary bags, or biodegradable poop bags is a must have for collecting and carrying out trash on the trails.
SNACKS
There’s plenty of hearty food provided at meal time, but be sure to bring plenty of extra snacks! The days can be long, you need to keep your energy up, and nothing beats comfort food when you're on the trails! Some of our favorite morale boosters are Cheez-Its, gummy worms, and Pringles.
Packing extra snacks is especially important for those with dietary restrictions. While we can accommodate all dietary restrictions, due to the remote nature of our adventures, there might not be as much variety as you’d find at home, so packing the snacks you know you love is definitely advised. If you have questions about what to expect on your adventure when it comes to food, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team.
IMPORTANT THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND WHILE YOU'RE PACKING FOR THE TREK
A large water poof duffel will be provided to hold all your gear and will be carried from camp to camp by mules. This duffel has a strict 16 lb weight limit including your sleeping bag (just another reason you'll want to pack light and smart)! Every day you will carry your personal necessities (rain layers, sunscreen, etc.) in your daypack. You’ll be able to leave the rest of your luggage at the hotel in Cusco where it will be locked up safe and sound while you’re hiking. You should carry all your valuables (like your passport and wallet) with you at all times on the trail.
The Salkantay trek to Machu Picchu can be taken year round, but rainy season is typically December-February so we highly recommend the drier months of March-November. April-May and October-November are the sweet spot when you'll avoid the rain and the bigger summer crowds at Machu Picchu. Temps throughout the year follow a fairly consistent pattern: days are warm (highs are in the 70s F/20s C on average) and chilly at night through the early morning (lows are in the 20s to 40s F/-6s to 4s C on average). As you'd expect, the temperatures get cooler as you ascend, and warmer and more humid at the lower altitudes in the Andean rainforest.
PACKING TIPS FOR OFF THE MOUNTAIN
Cusco is a fairly big city with nice restaurants and a fun nightlife, so, while it’s casual, when you’re out you’ll probably want to dress differently than you did on the trek. It’s very walkable, and strolling around the narrow streets is a great way to spend the day, so bring comfortable shoes. The temperature is usually around 50 F/10 C and but it can cool down dramatically at night, so bring a jacket or wool sweater. The handicrafts and shopping are amazing, so save room in your suitcase! There are also lots of outdoor gear stores in Cusco, so if you forget something, you can most likely find it in a store before we start our trek.
When it comes to sustainability at WHOA, we're working hard to eliminate plastic waste and one of the best ways to do that is by using a water filter. We recommend getting a water filter from Epic Water Filters for off-mountain hydration (water filters freeze when it gets cold)! If you already have a Nalgene bottle, you can purchase the Nalgene filter attachment and use the bottle you already have. All Outdoor Epic Water Filters have been performance-tested, and can be used on both tap and outdoor water sources to remove common waterborne pathogens, like giardia. Plus, all their filters can be recycled and replaced, so your bottle gets used over and over!
Peru is a safe place for travelers, but you need to be smart and aware because petty theft and pick pocketing happens. Don’t wear expensive-looking jewelry or have other valuables on show while you’re out. In fact, it's best to just leave it all at home. When you’re walking around town, use a money belt to carry your cash and have it secured in a position that you can access discreetly. If you are carrying a bag, wear it over your shoulder and never put it down (not even for a second). Consider getting an anti-theft bag as an extra safety measure. Most of this is common sense and travelers here have a trouble-free stay full of fun and adventure!