Machu Picchu Packing List
Machu Picchu, often referred to as “the Lost City of the
Incas”, is an ancient Incan city in Peru located 2,430 metres high in the
Andes. It is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, attracting people to
visit Peru just to see it. If you’re a regular adventurer, you may feel well
equipped for one of our Machu Picchu treks however for some, this may be your
very first big adventure trip.
Below you’ll find a complete Inca Trail packing list including
everything you need to embark on this bucket list adventure based upon our
personal experience of trekking in Peru. Whether you’re setting out on the Inca
Trail, Lares Trek, Salkantay Trek, Vilcabamba Trek or Choquequirao Trek,
this Inca Trail packing list can be used for all Machu Picchu routes.
Everything in this Inca Trail packing list has either been
tested by us or recommended to us by experienced trekkers. Where possible we
have included links to gear that we personally recommend.
Machu Picchu Weather
Weather should be the first thing you think about when you
decide when to trek one of the
routes
to Machu Picchu.
Whilst the weather around Machu Picchu has two dominant
seasons - the dry (May - September) and the wet (October - April), weather
throughout the year is relatively consistent with most days being in the mid-20
degrees Celsius. However, at night temperatures can get quite low, particularly
in winter when it often gets below freezing. For this reason, packing layers
and considering the climate carefully when packing for Peru is essential.
The famous Inca Trail is closed throughout February for
essential maintenance, but Machu Picchu remains open all year round. The best
time to visit is in the winter months from May to September as this is the
driest and warmest season. October is also generally dry and cool, but pack
waterproofs whatever time of year you travel as the weather is never
predictable in the Andes.
A little rain is fairly common in the region, even in the
dry season when most people generally prefer to trek to Machu Picchu. This
packing list is based upon the assumption that you will be trekking in the dry
season and may experience the occasional shower. You can also read about the best
time to visit Machu Picchu for more detailed information on weather in
the Machu Picchu region.
Machu Picchu Clothing
When trekking anywhere with variances in temperature,
layering becomes very important. This is particularly the case when trekking the
Inca Trail, and any of the Machu Picchu trekking routes, where the temperature
drops quite rapidly as the evening draws in. Not only this, but each layer must
consist of a wickable fabric. Unlike other fabrics such as cotton, wickable
fabric allows moisture to pass from one layer to the next which is paramount to
staying warm, dry and ensuring a comfortable trek.
Upper Body
Thermal base layer (x2)
This layer is often called your 'skin' layer or 'base'
layer. Clinging to your skin, the base layer traps in your body heat and
reduces airflow out. However, thanks to the high wicking material, moisture is
able to escape whilst retaining heat. This layer is used for the higher
sections of your trek or at night when the temperature is coolest.
For any Machu Picchu trek you will need a lightweight
thermal base layer ideally merino wool, not cotton, as merino base layers help
to regulate your core temperature and are highly moisture wicking fabrics. Two
pairs of top and bottom base layers should be enough for any treks under a
week, however, for any trek over 7 days we would recommend at least 3 pairs.
We recommend base layers by Icebreaker and Smartwool.
Long sleeved shirt (x2)
When packing clothing for Machu Picchu, long sleeve shirts
are an essential item to include in your gear. These shirts serve as a
versatile layer that goes over your thermal base layers, providing extra
warmth. Long sleeved trekking shirts should be lightweight, fast drying,
breathable and most importantly – comfortable.
We recommend trekking shirts by Icebreaker, Patagonia, Craghoppers and Columbia.
Fleece or soft-shell jacket (x1)
For the colder sections of the trek, a mid-weight fleece
jacket or soft-shell jacket is ideal. Polartec is the best material and comes
in 100s, 200s and 300s (weight). We recommend the middle weight (200) as it is
neither too light nor too heavy which is ideal when packing for Peru.
We recommend fleece and soft-shell jackets by Helly
Hansen and The North Face.
Hard shell outer jacket (x1)
In addition to your fleece jacket, you will also need a
water-resistant and wind-proof jacket or 'shell layer' to protect you from the
elements. This is not a winter jacket and should be fairly light whilst still
being warm. This is your rain jacket, and the quality should be good, otherwise
you run the risk of getting very wet! Gore-Tex material is best.
Recommended brands include The North Face, Arc'teryx,
Mountain Hardwear and Berghaus.
Insulated jacket – down or primaloft (x1)
Insulated jackets essentially come in two categories – down
or synthetic. Whilst down jackets are generally lighter and warmer, they are
far more expensive and, depending on price, more susceptible to moisture. There
is no right or wrong here, it comes down to personal preference, budget and
versatility but a good quality and warm down or primaloft jacket is required
for the cold evenings.
Recommended brands include Rab, Arc'Teryx, Mountain Hardwear
and The
North Face.
Lower Body
Leggings – thermal or fleece base layer (x2)
A 'lightweight' or 'silk weight' base layer for your legs is
an important component of your packing list for Machu Picchu. Merino wool is
preferable as the moisture wicking and odour-resistant properties of this
material ensure you stay fresh and dry, no matter how long your adventure.
We recommend Icebreaker.
Walking trousers – light or medium weight (x2)
When packing your Machu Picchu trek clothing, we recommend
bringing 1-2 pairs of convertible hiking trousers. Investing in a pair of
zip-off trousers means that you can stay protected in all types of weather,
letting you quickly turn your walking trousers into hiking shorts if the
weather gets too hot. Similarly, if it’s a little colder than anticipated, you
can simply zip the bottom of your convertible trousers back on and you can
carry on walking without worrying about being cold. One pair is enough for a 3-4
day treks, however, an additional pair is perfect for treks longer than 4 days.
Recommended brands include Columbia and Craghoppers.
Hard shell trousers (x1)
To protect yourself from the elements you need a good pair
of water-resistant and windproof hardshell trousers in your Inca Trail packing
list. These trousers are designed to provide a protective outer layer that is
both waterproof and windproof, keeping you comfortable and dry while trekking.
Look for lightweight and breathable options that allow for ease of movement, as
well as features like adjustable waistbands and zippered pockets for added
convenience.
Recommended brands for outer
trousers include Patagonia, The North Face and Arc'teryx.
Hands
Gloves – lightweight quick drying fabric (x1 pair)
On the Inca Trail, or any of the popular Machu Picchu
trekking routes, you are very unlikely to encounter severely cold weather that
requires thick insulated gloves. However, nights will also get cold and you may
want a nice lightweight breathable pair of gloves for sitting around the camp. For
daily use we recommend lightweight, fleece or quick drying fabric gloves.
We recommend Berghaus and The North Face for good lightweight gloves.
Footwear
Training shoe or similar (x1 pair)
Taking your boots off after a long day hike is a great
feeling, however, you will still need to get around camp. A pair of trekking
sandals is a great option for this as they're lightweight and let your feet
breath. Alternatively you could bring your trainers but these won't be as breathable.
We recommend Keen trekking sandals.
Trekking boots (x1 pair)
Walking is what you'll be doing most on your trek to Machu
Picchu, therefore, your footwear is one of the most important items on
your Inca Trail gear list. When purchasing the best hiking boots for Machu
Picchu you need to look for three things - fit, quality and use.
Getting the fit right is crucial as no one wants to get
blisters on their trek. A good guide to getting the right fit is to press your
toes against the front of the shoe and see how much room there is behind your
heel. If there is a finger width, then that is usually about right. Quality is
also very important as holes and tears in your boot will make your trek very
uncomfortable.
Make sure to purchase a boot with good ankle support, but
keep in mind that the boot will be heavier the higher it is. Look for a boot
with a high rubber content sole that has nice deep groves for better grip. The
boot should be waterproof with a D-string lacing system for good support.
Please remember that you will need to wear your boots
in before taking a long trek. Do not attempt the Inca Trail in new boots!
We recommend trekking boots from brands such as Asolo, Salomon and Hi-Tec.
Mid-weight trekking socks (x4 pairs)
Breathable, high-wicking liner socks (x3 pairs)
Thermal trekking socks (x1 pair)
Just like shoes, socks are very important items of clothing
for Machu Picchu. We recommend bringing 4 pairs of trekking socks. Purchase
light-to-mid weight trekking socks that are made from a high wicking material.
Wool is generally the best material, preferably Merino, as Merino wool promotes
breathability and is an exceptionally high wicking wool. Avoid cotton socks as
they absorb and retain moisture making for a very uncomfortable trek that may
result in blistering. We also recommend bringing 3 pairs of liner socks and 1 pair
of thick thermal socks for cold nights.
Bridgedale or Smartwool make good trekking socks.
Gaiters (optional)
Gaiters are made from a waterproof material that protects
your calf down to your boot in wet and muddy conditions. Gaiters are mainly
used to prevent elements like water, dust, mud and stones from entering your
boot. There are many different types of gaiters, but all are very similar and
you will have to decide which suits you most.
We recommend purchasing a mid-range gaiter.
Headgear
Sun hat – preferably wide-brimmed for protection
Keeping your head cool during the hotter moments of trekking
is vital, as is protecting your face from sun burn. Trekking in Peru can get
hot, particularly in the summer months. It is important to keep your body
temperature regulated and a good hat with neck and face protection will do just
that. Make sure to purchase a hat that is breathable, lightweight and can fold
down tightly.
Here are some of our recommended trekking hats.
Warm beanie style hat – knitted or fleece
On the high passes of any Machu Picchu trek temperatures
will become lower. This is where a beanie or earwarmer come in useful. Keeping
your head warm is a must, particularly when sitting still at night. Go for a
version of beanie that is either knitted or fleeced for extra warmth.
Both The North Face and Berghaus produce excellent beanies.
Neck gaiter or balaclava
It can get chilly in the evenings in Peru. We recommend bringing a neck gaiter or bandana.
The most versatile options are made by Buff or Hoo-Rag Headwear.
Sunglasses
UV intensity is fairly high in Peru in the summer months,
and you'll want a good quality pair of trekking sunglasses. We recommend
purchasing a pair of 100% UV protection sunglasses with a minimum of 80% light
reduction.
Julbo are a great mountain sunglass brand but any brand with high UV protection will
suffice.
Headlamp (plus extra batteries)
You will need a headlamp with good light output for any late-night
toilet journeys.
Petzl make market-leading and affordable headlamps.
Equipment
Waterproof duffle bag
Your bag size will vary depending upon your trekking itinerary and this is certainly true of the Inca Trail and Lares Trek where a maximum bag weight of 7kg is allowed. On other Machu Picchu treks such as the Salkantay Trek, Vilcabamba Trek and Choquequirao Trek you are allowed a maximum bag weight of 10kg. Because of this, we suggest taking a 40-50 litre duffle bag. The best bags will be waterproof and made from a durable laminate material. Your bag zippers will need to be strong and rugged to handle any rough treatment. Be sure to bring a small lock to secure your bag. Make sure your bag has easy-to-access shoulder and hand straps.
We recommend The North Face duffle bag.
Small Rucksack or Daypack
In addition to your duffle bag, a daypack is an essential
item. With porters carrying most of your gear, you'll still want to take a
light-weight daypack (30-40 litre) to carry personal items such as sunscreen,
camera, hat, wallet, passport, snacks etc. An ideal daypack will have compression
straps to reduce the weight and stress on your back. Make sure your pack has
side pockets to allow for your water bottles or an internal pocket to hold a
water bladder. The Osprey Talon 33
rucksack is a good choice.
We recommend Osprey
daypacks.
Sleeping bag
Key to a good Inca Trail packing list is a sleeping bag.
Regardless of season, a warm sleeping bag is always preferable, especially in
the cold Peruvian nights. No matter the time of year, it's always fairly cold
at night and you'll want to purchase a 4-season or -20 degree Celsius sleeping
bag and compression sack.. Alternatively there is the option to rent sleeping
bags from Kandoo Adventures. Out of the two types of sleeping bags (down and
synthetic), we recommend the warmer, more comfortable option of down. We
suggest Mountain Hardwear Lamina, Marmot Trestles or The North Face Snow
Leopard.
We recommend Mountain
Hardwear or The North Face sleeping bags.
Trekking poles
A good set of
trekking
poles are crucial on the Inca Trail trek as the terrain is extremely
undulating. Trekking poles will reduce the force of impact on your joints, in
particularly your knees, by up to 20%. This is even more important when you're
descending as the impact on your joints will increase exponentially.
We recommend purchasing adjustable light-weight trekking
poles that are easy to fold away and carry. The more versatile and durable the
better – look for poles weighing around 350 grams (per pair). You will also
need rubber tips for your poles when trekking on the Inca Trail, as these are
required to prevent damage to the trail.
We recommend adjustable Black
Diamond or Alpkit trekking poles.
Water bottles or hydration bag
Dehydration on any trek can be dangerous, especially in
humid conditions when your body sweats more. When trekking the Inca Trail, try
to drink between 2 and 3 litres of water per day. Depending upon your backpack,
you may have the option of taking two standard 1 litre water bottles or a 2
litre hydration bladder such as the Platypus Hydration Bladder.
Wide-mouthed Nalgene
water bottles are recommended.
Accessories
Sunscreen
Don't just get any sunscreen. Peru can get very hot, especially when trekking and you'll need 30+ SPF sunscreen to keep you protected. Make sure it is also sweat resistant as you'll be sweating in the humidity.
Toiletries including wet wipes and hand sanitizer
Staying clean on any long trek can be challenging. Wet wipes and hand sanitiser are a huge help.
Personal medicines and medical kit
It is very much personal preference on what medication you take with you. However, we suggest taking paracetamol for any aches or pains along the journey including headaches. Diamox may also come in useful, especially for nausea which is a common symptom of altitude sickness. Your Kandoo guide will be carrying a basic first aid kit including paracetamol and Imodium, however, it's always a good idea to carry your own in case something happens.
Pee bottle (optional)
If you prefer not leaving the tent at night, then a pee bottle could be your answer. We have a lot of positive feedback about the use of pee bottles from those who have completed the trek to Machu Picchu before!
Ear plugs
Anyone who has been kept up half the night by a loud snorer will know the benefits of earplugs. After a tiring day you don't want to be up all night, especially if you are a light sleeper.
Personal snacks
Energy bars are a quick and effective way of keeping up your energy levels up. We also recommend dried fruit and nuts as they are also a great source of energy.
Dry bag
Only required if your main duffle bag or rucksack is not waterproof to help to keep your kit dry.
Camera and spare batteries
There are some incredible views and sights on all of the
Machu Picchu trek routes, and you'll want to capture as many as possible! Here
are some of our recommended
Digital SLR cameras but most smartphones do a cracking job.
If video is your thing then we strongly recommend the
GoPro Hero as they're very light, very high quality
and very cool!
Plug adapter
A plug adapter for charging your devices in the hotels before and after the climb. There are three different kinds of electrical outlets in Peru. They’re the Type A, type B, and type C.
Phone Survivor Case
If you are planning to use your phone on your adventure,
then you may want to purchase a
Survivor
Case to keep dust out and protect the phone from any falls.
Portable charger
A solar charger might be useful, as well as a couple of power banks for charging your phone.
Inflatable Pillow
If you like a good pillow at night you could also consider
bringing your own
inflatable pillow.
That’s all from us. Remember – comfort is key when trekking for extended periods of time. Make sure you try out all your Machu Picchu clothing and equipment before embarking on your journey. With guaranteed trip dates running throughout the year, we hope to see you on a Machu Picchu trek with us soon. Get in touch with the helpful team at Kandoo HQ to book your place today.
