Perú & Machu Picchu Packing List

When packing for a trip, the less, the better. We know it’s not so easy for everyone to choose only certain things to travel and leave the rest behind, but I bet you this is the smartest way to go.

Choose clothes or outfits for 6-7 days and reuse your clothes. You’ll have many possibilities! Our friends from REI suggest we should follow the 1-2-3-4-5-6 rule, in which you should pack 1 hat, 2 pairs of shoes, 3 bottoms, 4 tops, 5 socks, and 6 underwear. Obviously, this “rule” can be customized according to your travel style, but you can start from there. In case you are traveling for many more days, you can still pack light and send your clothes to a nearby laundry service when dirty. There are many affordable laundry services around Lima and Cusco. Most hotels offer the service for a higher fee.

We always recommend this to our travelers because it’s the most efficient way to use all the clothes you bring in your luggage no matter which region you are visiting. Also, packing this way gives you absolute flexibility when traveling. It has you ready for a hot, rainy, or cloudy day, just taking some layers off and on!

If you are traveling to Peru, you better bring a pair of trekking shoes with a good grip. Although many people prefer to travel with sneakers only, rains in the Andes of Peru are unexpected. You may end up going through some of them, mainly during the wet season. Since many archaeological sites in Peru are made from stone or mud, trekking, walking, or even just doing the most traditional visit may turn out annoying as the floor or path will be very slippery. Trail running shoes will also do the job as they have good support and excellent grip. Don’t forget to bring a pair of flip flops for showering, going around your hotel, or the beach, if needed.

Don’t just throw all your clothes in your bag, be organized! Packing organizers, such as mesh bags, come in different sizes and can be very useful as they help you separate each item in your luggage, maximizing the space for important things. You can also use packing folders if you want to keep your clothes wrinkle-free.

We all are so used to having our phones, tablets, laptops that many of us can not even imagine traveling without them. But, why bring your computer more than 3000 kilometers from home to have it buried in your luggage? Peru is a country with many things to do in each city. You will probably get up early in the morning to start your daily activity and only go back to your hotel at night. Therefore, if you won’t use it, don’t bring it!

If you are bringing any electronics to your trip to Peru, you should know that the electric voltage here is 220 volts, and the electrical outlets take both US-style 2 flat type prongs and 2-rounded prong styles. So consider bringing a combined plug adapter to plug in your devices without problems.

Traveling with the basics is possible. One great way to do it is just bringing an 8kg carry-on. If you have already mastered the packing light process, you can use only this bag. It can give you some advantage over the classic checked bags, such as cheaper flight rates and no more lost luggage!

Pro tip: Always carry some clothes and essential toiletries (according to what’s permitted) on your carry-on. It will help you a lot if your bag gets lost or delayed.

Now that we shared all our knowledge about packing for a Peru trip with you, you are ready to start gathering all the essentials for your trip. Here, we’ll share with you what we usually pack when traveling around the country and the items that have helped our travelers the most during the past 12 years.

• Passport and visa (if requested), plus a pair of printed copies of each one and one on your smartphone
• Travel insurance (highly recommend)
• Flight tickets
• Money (cash in US Dollars / Peruvian Soles and credit cards)

• Toiletries and personal medications
• Rubber flip-flops for showering
• High protection sunscreen, lipstick, and sunglasses (radiation is very high in the Andes)
• Insect repellent for the Amazon and Machu Picchu
• Swimming wear, you never know when you’ll need it
• Zip-lock or waterproof bag to store your wet clothes or protect your documents from heavy rains

• Comfortable daypack to carry your personal items during the day, plus a change of clothes
• Small bag to travel to Machu Picchu while your suitcase stays in Cusco or the Sacred Valley
• Camera equipment and memory card
• Water bottle or canteen to carry water on outings

After packing the essentials for your Peru trip, we will give you a list of recommendations according to the main destinations in Peru.

If you are joining a trekking expedition in Peru, you will need what’s in the lists above according to the region you are visiting and the travel essentials. Yet, we also recommend bringing the following items to make your trip even more comfortable.

• Long, lightweight pants
• Thermal long-sleeved shirts
• Thermal underwear and wool socks (mainly during the dry season or if you are staying at a homestay or camping)
• Warm jacket and windbreaker
• Neck warmer or scarf and gloves
• Trekking shoes with good grip (preferred waterproof for rainy season)
• Trekking Poles (can be rent it in Peru)
• Sleeping bag (can be rent it in Peru)
• Sun hat , Sun screen. Sun glasses.
• Small day pack,
• Rain gear jacket
• Quick-drying outdoor pants and t-shirts
• Flashlight with fresh batteries
• Camera and spare batteries
• Plastic bags or waterproof bags for storing wet clothes