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What to Pack

What to Pack

Peru

Layering for Comfort

Prepare for cool mornings, warm afternoons, and potentially chilly evenings, regardless of the season. Rain can occur any time, especially in the wet season.

Essential Layers

Additional Clothing

Beyond core layers, consider specific items for overall comfort and cultural respect.

General Wear & Accessories

  • Bottoms: Convertible Hiking pants (zip-off into shorts). Avoid jeans for active days.
  • Headwear: A wide-brimmed hat for Sun protection. A warm beanie for cool evenings.
  • Gloves: Lightweight fleece or thin wool gloves for early mornings or higher altitudes.

Footwear for All Terrains

Hiking Boots

Sturdy, broken-in Waterproof hiking boots with good ankle support are recommended. Essential for treks and Machu Picchu's uneven terrain. Break them in before your trip to avoid blisters.

Essential for treks.

Casual Shoes

Pack Comfortable walking shoes or Sandals for exploring Cusco's cobblestone streets and Aguas Calientes. Sneakers or athletic shoes work well for general sightseeing.

For city exploration.

River Shoes

If your trek involves river crossings, Water shoes or sturdy sandals (like Tevas or Chacos) may prove useful.

Optional for wet treks.

Essential Documents

Travel Documents

Keeping your documents organized and accessible prevents stress during your trip. These items are mandatory for smooth travel.

  • Original Passport: Valid 6 months beyond departure. For check-ins, train, Machu Picchu entry.
  • Visa Documentation: If applicable, carry all relevant visa documents. IVisa or VisaHQ may help.
  • Photocopies/Digital Copies: Several copies of passport/visa. Store separately from originals.
  • Travel Insurance Policy: Printed and digital copies, with emergency contacts and coverage summary.
  • Vaccination Records: Copy of Yellow Fever certificate if relevant. Doctor's note for prescription medications.
  • Reservations: Printed and digital copies of flights, trains, Machu Picchu tickets, hotels, tours. Keep in a folder or Travel wallet.
  • Emergency Contacts: List of family, embassy, insurance, local emergency numbers.
  • Student/Senior IDs: Valid ISIC for discounts. Carry physical card.

Technology and Electronics

Staying Connected

Modern travel relies on electronics. Plan your tech needs for connectivity and power.

Power and Compatibility

On-the-Go Power & Apps

Keep your devices charged on the go and navigate with smart tools.

Power and Digital Tools

  • Portable Chargers/Power Banks: Mandatory for long days, treks, power outages. Sufficient capacity (10,000mAh+).
  • Navigation Apps: Google Maps (download offline maps). Maps.me offers another excellent offline map application.
  • Translation Apps: Google Translate (download offline Spanish pack) and phrasebook apps.

Data and Apps

Essential Apps

WhatsApp is widely used in Peru for communication with tour operators, hotels, and new acquaintances. Currency converter apps and weather apps are also useful.

Data Backup

Use cloud storage services like Google Drive, Dropbox, or iCloud to back up photos and digital copies of your documents regularly. This ensures your data is safe even if your physical devices are lost or stolen. For photographers, a Portable SSD or USB drive provides a quick and reliable way to back up large photo files while traveling.

VPN Services

For internet security and accessing geo-restricted content, consider a VPN. Check out NordVPN or ExpressVPN for secure browsing.

Health and Wellness

Personal Health Kit

A well-stocked personal health kit maintains peace of mind and addresses common travel ailments.

First Aid Kit Destination-Specific

  • Standard Kit: Include bandages, antiseptic wipes, pain relievers (e.g., Ibuprofen, Acetaminophen), adhesive tape, gauze pads, and small scissors. A pre-packaged, small general purpose First aid kit provides a good base.
  • Anti-Diarrhea Medication: Pack anti-diarrhea medication (e.g., Imodium, Pepto-Bismol). Traveler's diarrhea is a common issue.
  • Antihistamines for allergic reactions or insect bites. Motion sickness pills are mandatory if you experience motion sickness on winding bus or train journeys. Adventure Medical Kits offer comprehensive solutions.

Prescription & Over-the-Counter

Supplement your first aid kit with personal comfort items.

Medications

  • Prescription Medications: Carry in original, labeled containers. Bring a copy of your prescription or a doctor's note, especially for controlled substances.
  • Over-the-Counter: Pain relief for headaches (common with altitude sickness), antacids, cold/flu remedies, allergy medication.
  • Altitude/Motion Sickness: Consult your doctor about prescription medication like Diamox (Acetazolamide). For motion sickness, pack Motion sickness medication like Dramamine.

Sun and Insect Protection

Sun Protection

  • High SPF Sunscreen (30+): Use SPF 30 or higher. The sun at altitude is very strong. Apply liberally and frequently.
  • Lip Balm with SPF: Protects lips from sun and dry air.
  • Sunglasses: Protect your eyes from intense UV rays.

Insect Protection

Activity-Specific Equipment

Hiking Gear

A 20-30 liter Daypack holds water, snacks, extra layers. Trekking poles reduce strain. A Headlamp for early starts.

  • Daypack (20-30L)
  • Trekking Poles
  • Headlamp/Flashlight
  • Extra Batteries

Camping Essentials for treks

If on a multi-day trek, tour operators often provide tents and sleeping mats. You will need a Sleeping bag rated for 0°C (32°F) or below.

  • Sleeping Bag (0°C or below)
  • Small Towel (quick-dry)
  • Travel-sized toiletries

Specialty Items

Small, lightweight Binoculars for birdwatching or distant views. A small Waterproof dry bag for electronics, documents.

  • Binoculars
  • Dry Bag
  • Snacks (energy bars, nuts)
  • ISIC card (if applicable)

Rent vs. Buy Decisions

Renting Gear

  • Sleeping Bags: Many reputable trek operators in Cusco offer sleeping bags for rent. This saves space and weight in your luggage.
  • Sleeping Pads: Often available for rent from trek operators.
  • Trekking Poles: Also commonly available for rent from tour companies in Cusco.
  • Specialty Equipment: For specific activities like white water rafting or climbing, specialized gear is usually rented from the tour provider.

Bringing Your Own Gear

  • Hiking Boots: Always bring your own, broken-in hiking boots. New boots cause blisters and discomfort.
  • Good Quality Rain Gear: Invest in a reliable Waterproof jacket and pants. Rental rain gear may not offer the same level of protection.
  • Personal Medications: Always bring your prescription and preferred over-the-counter medications.
  • Daypack: While you can rent larger packs for multi-day treks, bring your own comfortable daypack for daily use.

Miscellaneous Must-Haves

Comfort & Security

Beyond clothing and gear, some additional items enhance your travel comfort and security.

Comfort & Security Essentials

  • Comfort Items: A Neck pillow, Eye mask and earplugs for long journeys. A lightweight blanket or Shawl for warmth.
  • Security Items: A Small padlock for hostel lockers or luggage zippers. A Money belt or neck wallet, worn discreetly, keeps valuables secure. RFID protection for wallets.
  • Small Backpack: A smaller, foldable backpack for daily excursions, carrying water, snacks, and extra layers without needing your main luggage.
  • Copy of ISIC: If you possess an International Student Identity Card, ensure you have a valid copy, as it offers discounts on Machu Picchu tickets and other sites.

Sustainable Travel Items

Contribute to responsible travel and reduce waste.

Reusable & Eco-Friendly

  • Reusable Water Bottle: This is mandatory. Peru and Machu Picchu are working to reduce plastic waste. Refill your bottle from purified sources in hotels or with a water filter.
  • Reusable Shopping Bag: Useful for purchases at markets, reducing the need for plastic bags.
  • Reusable Utensils/Straw: For street food or takeout, these reduce single-use plastic waste.
  • Snacks: While food is available, having your preferred snacks for long travel days or hikes is helpful. Energy bars, nuts, or dried fruit are good choices.

Items to Bring from Home

Specific Sunscreen

If you have sensitive skin or prefer a particular brand of high-SPF sunscreen, bring it.

Specialty Medications

Any specific over-the-counter medications you rely on for chronic conditions.

Specialized Hiking Gear

Specific types of gloves, hats, or layered clothing may be higher quality or more comfortable if purchased from home.

Preferred Toiletries

Specific brands of shampoo, conditioner, or toothpaste might be hard to find.

What to Leave Home

Unnecessary Items

  • Heavy, non-quick-drying clothing like cotton jeans for hiking.
  • Excessive formal wear, unless attending a specific event.
  • Expensive jewelry or valuables that draw attention.

Items Better Bought Locally or not needed

  • Large quantities of bottled water (use a reusable bottle).
  • Most basic toiletries (widely available).
  • Large notes for small transactions (carry smaller bills).

Packing Pro Tip

Think about your daily activities and the weather. Pack in layers that you can easily add or remove. A small dry bag protects electronics from unexpected rain.

Rolling clothes maximizes space and minimizes wrinkles. Use packing cubes for organization.