Ultimate Inca Trail Packing List
Do you plan on hiking the famous Inca Trail to Machu Picchu and need to know what to pack and what to leave behind? We've got you covered. Our ultimate tried and tested Inca Trail Packing List includes all essentials you must have with you for this once in a lifetime adventure.
Signing up for Inca Trail in Peru requires an adventurous soul and determination to reach one of the world's wonders, Machu Picchu, via a similar route Inca people created centuries ago.
Although you can have your heads in the clouds after you successfully managed to book this unique adventure, before you start imagining how the stairways high in the mountains will lead you to the awe-inspiring sacred city, there are still some practical things you need to deal with before your departure.
One of the essential things before setting off for one of the most famous hikes in the world is to decide what you need to pack for Inca Trail with you and what gear you can leave behind.
Even though we've done many hikes around the world in the altitude, such as Annapurna Circuit or Quilotoa Loop, we always carried our backpacks ourselves.
Trekking Inca Trail was yet a bit different, and packing for this multi-day trail that will take you from Cusco to Machu Picchu citadel, was not that straightforward as usual.
Simply put, using the services of guides and porters requires a bit different approach, though the common packing tips are still relevant.
THINGS TO KNOW
First, the weather in the Peruvian mountains is unpredictable at any time of the year, and although your chances to enjoy sunny and dry conditions during the trek are higher from April to October, you should always be prepared for all possibilities.
Chilly nights, warm days, cloudy and foggy times, and rain - these are in short challenges you will need to deal with, and because hiking the Inca Trail is for many once in a lifetime experience, you should pack light and smart to make your adventure unforgettable for a good reason.
Remember that there's no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate gear.
Second, you cannot hike the Inca Trail without permission and travel company, which means you will have a porter as well.
That means you need to pack your stuff into a daypack you will carry along the trail, while a porter will carry the rest of things you don't need during the day in a duffle bag from camp to camp.
And yes, there is a weight limit of 6 kilograms per person (each company has its regulations, so always check it before you start packing).
Third, we noticed that because of the aura around the Inca Trail, many inexperienced travelers decide to hike the Inca Trail because it is on their bucket list, but do not realize it is a serious physical challenge, and every small detail can turn the hike into either the best thing they've ever done or into a nightmare.
Last but not least, the altitude makes the trek even more challenging, and when you feel bad, it is definitely the time you do not need to worry about a wrongly packed backpack.
That's why we've created this ultimate packing list for the Inca Trail for everyone, both experienced hikers and novices, to make sure you will pack all essentials with you, and this adventure will be exactly how you've imagined - perfect.
WHERE TO STORE YOUR LUGGAGE IN CUSCO
No matter if you travel to Peru for your holiday or it is a part of your long trip around South America, you will need to store somewhere stuff you don't want to carry with you in a hotel in Cusco.
One of the options is to keep your extra clothes and electronics in the office of the agency you are hiking with.
The other, more comfortable option is to leave a backpack in your hotel, where you will stay before and after the trek, as virtually every hotel or hostel provide this service.
We know that leaving valuables behind can be painful, especially when you heard stories about large locker rooms with everything piled up and guests picking-up and dropping-off their stuff without any control.
This is why, this time, we would forget your budget for a while and tried to find a reputable hotel where you can store things you do not need for the Inca Trail with a light heart.
We've handpicked three hotels in Cusco for every budget where you should be able to store your luggage safely while hiking the Inca Trail.
Budget | Cusco Bed and Breakfast - Spacious and clean rooms, comfortable beds, very quiet at night, excellent location, and the price is very reasonable for such a touristy destination.
Mid-range | Tierra Viva Cusco Centro - This hotel provides a tranquil environment, beautiful rooms and also has one of the top-rated locations in Cusco.
Luxury | JW Marriott El Convento Cusco - The hotel features impressive interiors, has a charming colonial courtyard, luxury rooms, and Cusco’s cathedral or main square are only three blocks away.
THE INCA TRAIL PACKING LIST
In this post, we will presume that you've decided to hike the classic Inca Trail, which takes 4-days and 3-nights.
In case you participate in the shorter or more extended version of this trek, you only need to divide or multiple numbers of clothes you must pack with you by the number of days you'll spend on the road.
PASSPORT
Before we start with clothes, toiletries, and electronics packing essentials, there is one thing you cannot by any means leave behind.
Before the trek starts, make sure that your passport is securely stored in your daypack - the Inca Trail is the most controlled trek in Peru, and carrying your passport is absolutely necessary to have with you.
Otherwise, you won't be allowed to pass the control gate at the beginning of the hike.
Passport Cover | Passport is the most important thing we have in our bags while traveling; that's why we use this cover to protect it.
TREKKING POLES
Trekking poles are a chapter on its own. We hiked 5D/5N Salkantay Trek only a week before the Inca Trail, and my knees really hurt.
I actually was not even sure I can make the Inca Trail without proper rest, but because we had no choice to change a date, I opted for hiking poles, and it absolutely saved my life (and experience from the Inca Trail).
Trekking poles | Regardless of how young or old you are, and no matter you've never used them before, hiking poles are almost essential for the Inca Trail because the terrain with hundreds of stone steps is pretty challenging.
It is possible to rent trekking poles in Cusco as well, but quality varies.
As Inca Trail is often booked out, Salkantay Trek is an excellent alternative if the former is not available.
Make sure to read our super helpful comparison of Inca Trail vs. Salkantay Trek before you go.
DAYPACK
Although porters will carry almost everything for you, you still need to do some hard work as well.
Daypack | It is necessary to have a comfortable backpack, ideally with a waist strap, where you will carry water, rain poncho, jacket, extra t-shirt, snack, trousers, sunscreen, and your camera.
Dry Sack | When it rains, we always keep our electronics and valuables in a dry sack to keep them safe.
Packing Cubes | To keep your duffel bag organized and to keep your clean clothes separated from dirty ones, we find these packing cubes perfect.
FOOTWEAR
Choosing the right hiking boots and breaking them in is essential to do before the hike.
Expect to hike every day between 10 and 20 kilometers, many times on a hard-surface trail with countless steps.
Hiking Boots | Quality, waterproof, and broken in hiking shoes with comfy soles are essential to enjoy the trek.
Runners | Wear whatever footwear you prefer at the end of the day, but it is comfortable to put down hiking shoes once you do not need them and let your feet take a rest a bit. We prefer to bring super light runners over flip-flops or sandals, but they work too.
CLOTHING
When hiking the Inca Trail, the critical point is to work well with layers - it is usually cold in the morning and warm in the afternoon, so you need to wear several layers and simply take them on and off as you need.
We usually opt for our tried and tested functional clothes on similar hikes and rarely pack a new item we do not have a personal experience with. Call us old-fashioned, but not tested gear can even break your trip.
Here is the list of clothes and equipment for the Inca Trail to make sure you will have the ultimate experience.
In general, clothes are the most important item on your list, and you should really focus on the selection as it is super-easy to overpack, but underpack too, which is probably the worse.
Always have in mind the weight limit!
T-shirt | Because the classic Inca Trail takes four days to finish, we brought two t-shirts with short sleeves each. It is up to you if you want to take a clean t-shirt for every day, we only do not have a feeling it is necessary. Because of the lack of showers on the trail, you'll be smelly anyway.
Long Sleeve T-shirt | We use one long-sleeved t-shirt as an extra layer for an early morning hike, and the other one is a clean t-shirt for change in the camp and instead of pajamas.
Hiking Socks | It is important to have at least one pair of dry hiking socks for every day to prevent blisters. We also sleep in clean socks we plan on using the next day on the trail, so we don't need to carry an extra pair.
Underwear | We prefer functional underwear when hiking - for the classic Inca Trail, four pieces should do.
Sports Bra | This bra is comfortable and provides support for activites such as hiking.
Headband | Often, there is no shadow when hiking the Inca Trail, and a headband or sun hat comes handy.
Gloves | It is better to wear gloves in the morning, especially when you plan on using hiking poles.
Beanie | Optional item on the list, if your jacket has a hood, you don't need it.
PANTS
Hiking pants are often overlooked when it comes to packing checklists. We prefer to wear comfortable hiking pants, and when it starts to rain, we put our rain pants on.
Hiking Pants | Comfortable hiking trousers are a must-have when hiking in the mountains.
Rain Pants | Rain pants have only one task, to keep you dry.
Shorts | Although the weather in the mountains is often cool, afternoons are usually warm in Peru, and we always prefer to wear shorts when it is not too cold.
Leggings | I prefer hiking in leggings and take one extra for sleeping, and Martin uses his as an additional layer under hiking pants when it is too cold.
JACKET
Outer layers are super important as they keep you dry and warm. You shouldn't save money on these items, it will come back to bite you.
Fleece Jacket | A good fleece jacket is necessary not only for hiking, but you will also use it in the camp when you arrive early.
Down Jacket | We don't want to frighten you, but when you come to the camp after all day hiking, a down jacket is something you should put on to stay warm.
Rain Jacket | It is necessary to have a good-quality wind and waterproof jacket. This is an item you should not save on - you will thank us later.
GEAR
Heading out for the Inca Trail is a perfect way to explore the Peruvian Andes and Inca ruins. Here are a few essential things you should bring to make your journey safe and enjoyable.
Headlamp | Having a good torch is a must as the last day, when you hike to Sun Gate and Machu Picchu, starts very early, at 3 AM. Headtorch is also necessary when you walk around the camp after sunset or when you need to use the restroom.
Rain Poncho | When it rains a lot, we still think that no one ever made up anything better than good old plastic rain poncho. Buy a bigger rain poncho that also covers your backpack as there's nothing worse than wet clothes.
Sunglasses | Sun at high altitude is incredibly strong, protect your eyes and get a proper sunglasses.
TOILETRIES
We must warn you beforehand. There are no showers on the Inca Trail, except for a cold shower in the campground where all groups sleep on their last day.
When it comes to toiletries, we advise you to pack as little as possible - we believe you will survive only with basics for four days.
Our porters prepared for us every night a small basket with warm water so we could clean ourselves a bit, and although it was very basic, it was better than nothing.
Although it is always easy to buy shampoo or soap in a small bottle, always think environmentally and opt for an alternative that is the best for our planet.
Sunscreen | In the altitude, the sun is even stronger than usual. We recommend you to have a good quality sunscreen with high protection (we use SPF 50). The weather on the Inca Trail is often cloudy, but the sun pierces the clouds unmercifully.
Bug repellent | The Inca Trail is a bit tricky because of the changes in altitude and climate zones. Once you descend from the mountains to the cloud forest and valleys, you can expect herds of mosquitos - it is better to be well prepared.
Toothbrush | Toothpaste | Deodorant | Biodegradable Wet Wipes | Lip Balm
Toilet Paper | Toilet paper is in South America often a scarce commodity, and it is always safer to have your own roll in the backpack.
Travel Towel | Even though it is impossible to take a proper shower on the Inca Trail, a travel towel is one of the things we never forget to pack. They are light, foldable, and even if you do not use them, you can use them as a cheap alternative for a pillow.
Hand Sanitizer | Our porters, always had a hand sanitizer ready in a food tent, but you will need to use your own on the trail. Nowadays, because of new standards, hand sanitizer is more important than ever.
MEDICINES
Guides should always have the first-aid kit with them, but we always take our own pills against headaches, diarrhea, and blister plasters.
Blister Plasters | Help with blister pain while hiking.
Medicines | Bring any personal medication you take on a daily basis and carry it with you all the time.
Medicine for Altitude Sickness | Before taking any pills for altitude sickness, consult with your doctor first.
Misc | You can also buy a herbal substance in Cusco, which might help, or it is common to chew coca leaves in Peru. Your guides or porters will for sure give you some if you ask them!
WATER
Staying hydrated is really important, especially when hiking in the altitude. The tour will provide you with drinking water at camp during every meal when you can also refill your bottles.
Believe us, hydration is one of the best tips for acclimatization we can share with you.
Water Bottle | The only thing you really need is a reusable water bottle.
Camel Bag | Camel bags make hydration easy on the trails, some people use them, some don't.
Water Bottle with Integrated Filter | In fact, you don't need it for the trek iteself.
But if you are traveling for longer and want to reduce your plastic footprint, buying this water bottle might be a good idea.
ELECTRONICS
In order to pack as lightly as possible, consider what electronics you want to carry with you.
Phone | Modern phones can capture all the beauty around you, make sure to bring one.
Power Bank | We believe that you want your electronic devices fully charged for the last day of the Inca Trail to ensure you will have those iconic pictures of Machu Picchu.
Unless you have a superphone or super camera with a battery that lasts forever, you will need a power bank.
Kindle | If you can't live without your favorite book, take a small portable library - you will surely have time after dinner to read in your tent.
PHOTO GEAR
Taking photos on a modern smartphone is completely fine as it can produce excellent results; it all depends on your preferences.
Because photography is our hobby and plays a vital role in our work, we always bring a camera and multiple lenses, usually more than necessary.
Canon RP with 24-240mm | One of the best travel cameras paired with a general purpose lens makes a perfect duo.
Battery | Spare batteries are essential to have for a mirrorless camera.
SD Cards | Memory cards holds your photos, and additional storage is always needed.
FOOD & SNACKS
Food provided by travel companies is absolutely sufficient. Every morning we also got a small snack (apple and a muesli bar), which was absolutely enough for us, but we are not used to eating sweets or extra snacks during the day when hiking apart from fruits.
If you like to reward yourself with chocolate or muesli bar when on the hike, pack some with you.
Nutrition Energy Gel | These gels are fantastic little things that will keep your body moving.
THINGS YOU CAN RENT OR BRING YOUR OWN
When booking the Inca Trail, the company should let you know what equipment is included and what you can bring or rent from them.
Tour details are very important. Always double-check what's included in your tour and what's not. Our tour included all these items below, though your tour package might be different.
If we hadn't been on a long-term trip, we would have, for sure, brought our own sleeping bags and air mattresses as it is always better to sleep in our own stuff than in rental ones. Mostly because rentals are usually not in the quality we usually prefer.
You do not need to worry about a tent and duffel bag - those will be provided free of charge - you only need to pay a bit extra in case you travel solo and want to sleep in a tent alone.
Otherwise, you will most likely get a partner, another solo traveler from your group, if there is one.
You can either rent a sleeping bag with clean linen and air-mattress for a fee, but if you know you will use it in the future, it is definitely worth to have own.
Sleeping bag, linen, and air-mattress go to a duffel bag, and you won't have to carry it by yourself.
Sleeping Bag | It can be really chilly at night, but considering you will sleep in a liner and you'll put on some clothes, a light sleeping bag should be absolutely sufficient.
Cocoon | Silk liner is a must when traveling - you can use it into a rental sleeping bag or as another layer when it is too cold.
Air-Mattress | Again, you can rent an air mattress, but if you prefer having your own, we can recommend this one.
Inflatable Hiking Pillow | This item really depends on what comfort you require when camping. An inflatable hiking pillow is a great feature (and agencies don't rent it), but you can always roll up some spare clothes under your head.
Travel Insurance
We never leave our country without proper insurance, and so you should not. We met several people in Peru who ended up in the hospital because their bodies reacted badly to the altitude.
One of the fellow hikers even joined our group only for the last day on the Inca Trail because she was sick in the hospital after doing high altitude Rainbow Mountain hike.
It is necessary to get insurance, which covers hiking at the altitude!
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
MONEY
Although you paid for your tour in full, you will still need some cash when hiking the Inca Trail.
First, you will give some tips to your guides and porters - they prefer soles over dollars. Also, there were a couple of vendors along the trail where you can buy pop or beer, and also, after Machu Picchu, the last lunch in Aguas Calientes is not included.
It is possible to withdraw money in Cusco before the trek or in Aguas Calientes, where the adventure ends if you don't have enough cash or when you want to buy some souvenirs.
Thank you for reading our Inca Trail Packing List, and we wish you safe travels. Feel free to let us know your experience or your secret packing tip that positively affected your trip.
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Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
