Traveling to Machu Picchu in Peru you must consider many things that you need to pack in your backpack and suitcase so write down your your packing list, plan your Inca trail hike in advance and be prepared for harsh and sunny weather in the mountains.
I recommend booking the hiking tour for Machu Picchu as you might be able to do it yourself with a permit, but it will be significantly harder. We’ve booked Alpaca Expeditions, which is a local agency. It is almost US$ 800, but make sure to book well in advance for the date you want. We booked 6 months in advance. Alternatively you can book with GAdventres, but will be pricier and they get permits from the same place. Also you can book package trips from GAdventures for Andes and Amazon.
You can also read about alternative route called Salkantay trek, which is also highly recommended if you can’t do Inca trail for some reason, e.g. permits ran out for the date or the price is too steep for your budget.

Check the temperature ranges and rainy days on this website:


My pack list for the whole Peru trip
- Wide brim hat to protect from sun, also consider hat with a net if going to jungle.
- Drawstring bag (whenever you don’t want to carry heavy backpack)
- Backpack – not too big 22-25 Liter
For inca trail no larger than 118 cm (height+widh+depth) and no more than 8kg! - zip lock bags for pasport and other valuable stuff, especially electronics (to protect from rain)
- chapstick to protect from dry air and sun – SPF50
- Zip lock bag for essentials for the hike
- Sunscreen SPF50, face sunscreeen or more affordable water resistant version
- blister kit – Compeed (for your heels or other blisters)
- Mosquito repellants – wipes, sprays, stickers, bracelets. Make sure it contains deet as it is most effective. Apply on skin or on the clothes above it (not on the skin under clothes as it will cause overexposure). Also make sure it doesn’t cause allergy for you before using it. Also have in mind that Deet can damage plasticcs (which most of your gear has) as well as certain synthetic fabrics (e.g. rayon, spandex). However, it does not damage wool, cotton and nylon.
- Some mosquito repellant gadgets (electronic portable gadget any bigger ones are too heavy to carry around)
- Consider after bite cream (or clicker).
- Ibuprofen, paracetamol for pain management (read the leaflet or consult a doctor)
- Electrolytes powder, though I got from boots called Liquid I.V. Hydration, also there are disolvable tablets.
- Camel pack/Water pack/bag – 3 Liters (depends on how much you drink and the season, some take 1l)
- Some protein bars, chocolate, fruit (check customs if you can bring or buy in local market!). Some snacks will be provided every breakfast with Alpaca Expeditions.
- Rain cover for your backpack (especially in the rainy season), but one is provided by alpaca too.
- Waterproof raincoat (a poncho is provided by alpaca).
- Waterproof rain pants (nice to have a zipper on the side for shoes)
- Toilet paper rolls (squeeze the inner tube to take less space)
- Hand sanitizer gel (small bottle). One is enough.
- Hand sanitizer wipes. It is useful to cleanup with them.
- Little trash bags (for trash).
- Head lamp + extra batteries (just in case you switch it on and drain battery)
- Portable charger (power bank). One is enough. Put your phone into flight mode and use optimize battery option on your phone to switch off any energy draining apps. Switch off GPS location.
- Cables for your camera and phone charging
- Socket adapter with USB ports – handy to charge all your electronics, while mobile is charging
- Extra batteries for the camera
- Sunglasses (I will probably take 2 in case I lose them)
- hiking gloves/warmer hat
- Wind breaker for the neck
- Gloves (can get cold in high altitudes, preferably waterproof, like for skiing)
- Trekking poles (mid range, pricier). They are especially useful going down and also if you are not experienced hiker it helps to keep balance.
- Toilet paper 2x rolls (for hike and generally to have in public places)
- Eco friendly wet wipes (don’t throw them in the nature though, take them with you in a plastic bag for waste)
- Razor (if you shave)
- Nail clippers (for longer period useful!)
- Don’t forget your regular medication! (for blood pressure, alllergies and etc)
- Anti-malaria tablets Malarone (consult medical professional!) for jungle mainly, otherwise prevention of bites.
- Altitude sickness medication (consult with medical professional, also interactions with other medication) Normally Acetazolamide (preventitive/prophylaxis) or Dexamethasone (when actual symptoms occur), otherwise you can chew Coca leaves that are accessible in Cusco.
- Luggage scale (so you can weight your luggage going back)
- Travel insurance
- Small swiss army knife (for fruit and other food)
Inca trail packing list
I have adapted the list provided by Alpaca Expeditions.
Must haves in the list:
- Your passport! You will need that for Inca trail and Machu picchu. Any discount documentation.
- Immigration Card (which you will be given on the plane as you enter Peru)
- Comfortable day backpack (the lighter – the better)
- Storage for water. I really liked the hydration bladder (camleback) used in Tenerife hike – 2-3 liters.
- Comfortable, lightweight hiking boots (with good soles), preferably waterproof.
For the bag carried by porter (duffel bag):
Check with your tour provider what weight they will carry but standard is 7 kg, which half will take the air mattress and sleeping bag.
- 2-3, moisture wicking t-shirts
- 2-3 hiking pants
- 4 sets of undergarments.
- 4 sets of hiking socks
- 1 fleece (wool or other warm soft material jacket)
- 1 warm, down jacket: as it gets very cold at night
- 1 waterproof jacket (or good rain poncho) and pants
- 1 sun hat (wider brim)
- 1 wool hat (merino wool is the best!)
- Headlamp: it is essential for evenings and last day hike during dark time
- Waterproof gloves (even if they are ski gloves, take them)
- Pair of shoes for camp (can’t walk bare foot!)
- Hiking boots, so that your ankle is supported. Also preferably waterproof in case of rain.
- Moisture absorber (for the boots!), which is nice to have in a wet season as nothing will dry.
- Quick Dry towel (microfiber ones). Some tour agencies provide small ones, you might enjoy something a little larger. Small bottle of soap/shampoo to refresh yourself. If you are not going to shower, you might be fine with the small face towel that Alpaca provides.
- A good capacity power bank (to charge your phone 20,000mA or more) as there is nowhere to charge on Inca Trail! One is enough as per commentabove.
- Large plastic bags: to help organize and keep clean clothes from dirty ones.
- Zip lock bags to keep your things dry (in case of rain and humidity during night).
- Sleeping bag: recommended to withstand down to -10C at least (you can normally rent one from tour trek organizer!). Ideally if possible I would suggest to bring your own as the rental ones are for short people.
- Lightweight silk liner for sleeping bag (the rented sleeping bags are not new) or a cheaper synthetic option. This will also help with heat insulation.
- You might not don’t need Malaria medication (it depends on your medical situation as well) if you are only visiting Cusco and doing Inca trail and should consider permethrin treatment for your boots, tents and etc (not to be used on skin!).
- Inflatable pillow, as the one provided by Alpaca was not high enough for me to sleep on.
Toiletry bag:
- Sunscreen (best sweat resistant and SPF50)
- Face moisturizer
- Soap or hotel bottle size shampoo
- Toothbrush and paste
- Personal medication / altitude sickness medication / painkillers like ibuprofen/paracetamol / diarrhea stopping medication (check with medical professional as some medication as Immodium might not work well in a high altitude).
- First aid kit: blister kit (Compeed), band aids, moleskin, etc.
Your day pack:
Daypacks can be any size for hiking, but we always say the smaller, the better. Inside Machu Picchu, bags larger than 25L will not be allowed in. If it is larger, you will need to store it outside citadel gates. But don´t worry, they have a secure storage facility (it costs like 5 PEN).
- Personally I’ve got water purification tablets. You might want to consider special filter bottles or water bags if you will need to use unboiled water. However, Alpaca Expeditions provide the boiled water, so you just need to have for the first half day.
- Sunhat with a wide brim
- Rain gear (coat, pants, cover for bag)
- Fleece (to keep you warm at night!)
- Camera/spare batteries for camera, so no need to charge
- Music (earphones and long lasting iPod) and earbuds. However, not much time to listen. Maybe before sleep and on the second day going down. Don’t buy separate player, your phone should be enough.
- Hand Sanitizer
- Bug spray. You will encounter very small mosquitos and they leave nasty bites.
- Toilet paper roll and small plastic bag for waste
- Eco friendly wet wipes (don’t throw them in the nature though, take them with you in a plastic bag for waste)
- Zip lock bag, for electronics
- Money for Drinks & Tips
- Earplugs for quiet sleeping. This will be important as it will be noisy and some people snore.
- Protein/energy bars for snacking. Don’t take too much as some snacks provided every morning. One for a day should be enough.
Sites to see
Plan any ruins you wish to see around cusco:
- Sacsayhuaman Ruins,
- Ollantaytambo Ruins
- Pisac Ruins