What to Take in the Packing List for the Inca Trail?
This is a common question asked by every trekker planning to hike the Inca Trail. To have the best experience on your trek to Machu Picchu without complications, it’s essential to be well-prepared. Factors like weather, altitude, wildlife, and other challenges make it important to pack carefully.
The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is a well-known route for all trekkers who want to walk through history and discover the most beautiful landscapes Peru has to offer. The trek through the Andes of Cusco was famously rediscovered by Hiram Bingham during his expedition to the Lost City of the Incas. Along the hike, you will experience varied weather conditions—cold, warm, rainy, and foggy—making this trail a paradise for diverse flora and fauna. Be sure to bring a good rain poncho or jacket, as once the rain starts, it won’t stop until you’re soaked, and the cold can be intense during the hike. Upon arriving at the campsite, your sandals will help you dry off and relax your feet.
In the mornings, it may be foggy or extremely cold, depending on where you camp. Usually, on the second night, the weather is cold from April to August, so pack a warm jacket or sweater. Before breakfast, you'll want to watch the sunrise and prepare for the day’s hike. On the third day, the weather is similar but not as cold, and on the last night, it changes to a warmer temperature.
Along the trail, you’ll also encounter enigmatic ruins built by our ancestors. These ruins reflect the Inca religion, worshipping Inti Tayta (the Sun God) and Pachamama (Mother Earth). While hiking, you’ll need to fend off tropical mosquitoes eager for foreign blood. At night, you’ll be serenaded by nocturnal creatures like crickets, frogs, and toads, which will create a dreamy atmosphere. However, after the day's exertion, all you'll think about is sleep.
You’ll ascend two high passes, with the most famous being Warmi Wañusca, which stands at 4,550 meters (14,900 feet). Here, you’ll feel close to the sky, so it's essential to pack a high-SPF sunscreen, as Inti Tayta (the Sun God) will have no mercy on your skin.
If you plan to explore at night or often use the bathroom after dark, a flashlight is essential. It will also allow you to admire the stars in the sky. Below, we’ve listed a few more suggestions for your Inca Trail packing list:
Prior to Your Inca Trail:
Luggage Storage
Your belongings not necessary on your hike will be stored in your Cusco's hotel (alternatively in our office).
Please note: Each hotel/hostel in Cusco has a luggage storage free of charge!
How to Properly Pack for the Inca Trail Trek
Inca Trail Load Limit
You receive a small duffel bag for your Inca Trail at a pre-trek briefing mostly held at evening prior to the trek. The duffel bag accommodates up to 7 kg of your belongings and a sleeping bag. Our Porters will carry your things, camping equipment and food. The maximum weight allowed by Peruvian law to be carried by a Porter is 20 kg (this consists of 15 kg of load + 5 kg of Porter's personal items). Things excessing the maximum weight are carried by you unless you hire an Extra Porter. You should also bring a daypack to pack thing as water bottle, a camera, some extra clothes and sun protection cream as you will not have access to your backpack carried by the Porters during the days because Porters always go ahead the group.
Appropriate clothing along this hike to Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
Hiking pants and T-shirts are recommended during the day, complemented by sweaters, fleeces and waterproof jackets. It is very convenient to have light raingear available in the daypack (rain poncho or jacket and/or rain pants) as the weather changes easily and rains can suddenly occur. At night, warm clothing is required, down jackets can be useful, otherwise a fleece and a jacket. During the third day (if sunny) and in Machu Picchu, convertible hiking pants are useful, as can be switched into shorts if necessary. Machu Picchu has a warm climate, getting only cold at night. The rest of necessary implements are included in the “What we recommend that you bring” list.
Inca Trail Packing List:
- Passport (Please note! You need to bring your original passport, not just a copy!! Please keep it in a plastic bag to protect it from rain.)
- Sleeping bag (You need a good quality 3 season sleeping bag up to -5°C. Please note that the Tierras Vivas provides a feather sleeping bag up to -10°C which is quite sufficient!)
- Camera (Do not forget to bring extra batteries as they are consumped quickly under cold weather! Also, make sure you have enough memory cards!)
- Waterproof hiking shoes (This is the most important thing to fully enjoy your Inca Trail! It is recommended that your shoes have an ankle support and they are light.)
- Waterproof clothes (You can just buy a waterproof plastic poncho wherever in Cusco for about 1 USD. It is also a good idea to bring waterproof trousers.)
- A hat or a peaked cap as a protection against the Sun, rain and wind
- Plastic bags (A great idea is to wrap all your belongings in plastic bags so that you keep it dry. You can also use it for your dirty clothes.)
- Toilet paper (You should know that a toilet paper is not common thing in Peru so do not forget to bring your own!!)
- Small pack towel and hand towel made of ultralight and quick drying materials
- Toiletries
- Wet wipes (Very handy to quickly refresh yourself!)
- Water bottle to be refil in campsites (Please note! It is not allowed to use plastic bags on the Inca Trail!)
- Warm clothes for overnights (E.g. a fleece, a jacket, a hat, gloves and thermic underwear is recommended!)
- Clothes in layers (E.g. zip-off pants to shorts, T-shirt, long sleeve, fleece, etc.)
- Sandals or flip-flops to be worn in campsites
- Personal medication (E.g. Bandaids, imodium, paracetamol, re-hydration tablets, etc.)
- Snacks (E.g. biscuits, chocolate, energy bars, etc.
- Torch (flashlight)
- Sun protection cream
- Sunglasses,
- Insect repellant - DEET 20 strongly recommended!!
- Antibacterial hand gel
- Swimsuit (If you plan visiting the hot springs of Aguas Calientes.)
- Pocket money in Soles (local currency)
- Binoculars
- Water purifier (If you prefer to use water from natural streams.)
What equipment does Tierras Vivas provide for the Inca Trail?
Tierras Vivas has been a tour operator for the Inca Trail since 2007. During the hike, we provide you with comfortable and high-quality equipment for your Inca Trail trek. At Tierras Vivas, we are committed to offering the best camping gear, so you don’t need to worry about bringing it during your holiday.
Alternative Treks to Inca Trail
Many are the routes that take you to Machu Picchu, but none is like the Inca Trail Tours, the most famous pedestrian path in the Americas. After flying from the capital of Perú, Lima, you will arrive in Cusco to walk for four days along a path through forests and dense fog, millenary stone steps and discovering the ruins of ancient fortifications and Inca cities, and all the time enjoying majestic views.
- Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu 5 days
- Hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu 5 days
- Inca Quarry Trail 4 Days
- 2 Day Inca Trail Tour
- 2 Day Inca Trail with Camping
- 3 Day Inca Trail
- Vilcabamba Hike to Machu Picchu 6 days
- Choquequirao trek to Machu Picchu 9 days
- Ausangate trek 7 days
If you want to visit Machu Picchu, we recommend you to book your Machu Picchu Ticket in advance, so you will enjoy your Vacation in Machu Picchu without any problem.
When is the best time to hike to Machu Picchu?
The best season is during the dry season, which covers the months April to the end of September. In October the rains begin and you can find Machu Picchu covered by clouds. If you travel in June, we recommend you to book the Inti Raymi 2025 Tour that takes place in June 24th, and also hike the Palcoyo Mountain Tour, which is an incredible Rainbow Mountain located in the Andes.
