INCA TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU
What to Bring to the Inca Trail: Complete List
The Ultimate Packing Guide for your Trek to Machu Picchu
Updated by local guides with 15+ years of experience
In this guide:
Quick Summary: The Essentials in 60 Seconds
If you don’t have time to read the entire guide, this is what you CANNOT forget:
Category | Essential |
Documents | ORIGINAL passport (not copy) |
Footwear | Worn/broken-in trekking boots |
Clothing | 3-layer system + waterproof |
Protection | Sunscreen + sunglasses + hat |
Hydration | Reusable bottle or camelback |
Health | Personal medicines + altitude pills |
Money | Cash in soles for tips and emergencies |
Traveler’s #1 mistake: Bringing too much. Less is more on the Inca Trail.
The Two-Bag System
On the Inca Trail you will carry two separate bags:
Recommended capacity: 20-30 liters
This backpack goes with you all day during the hike. It should contain everything you need to have on hand:
Day backpack contents:
Item | Why it’s important |
Water (2-3 liters) | Constant hydration, we refill at campsites |
Snacks | Energy between meals (fruit, chocolates, bars) |
Camera | To capture the incredible landscapes |
Sunscreen | High-altitude sun burns quickly |
Sunglasses | Indispensable UV protection |
Hat/cap | Sun and light rain protection |
Waterproof jacket | Weather changes quickly |
Light thermal layer | For stops and temperature changes |
Toilet paper | Bathrooms on the route don’t always have it |
Medicines for the day | What you might need during the hike |
Money | Cash for tips, extra snacks, souvenirs |
ORIGINAL passport | Mandatory for entrance checkpoint |
Trekking poles | Although they don’t go “inside” the backpack |
Ideal weight: 5-8 kg maximum
Maximum capacity: 7 kg (what the porter carries for you)
You hand over this bag each morning and receive it at camp. It contains what you need for the night:
Duffel bag contents:
Item | Notes |
Clothing for 4 days | See clothing section below |
Sleepwear | Comfortable and thermal |
Hygiene items | Compact and essential |
Headlamp | Essential for the nights |
Sleeping bag | If you don’t rent it from us |
Charger and power bank | For your devices |
Light sandals | To rest at camp |
Ziplock bags | To organize and protect from moisture |
Important: The porter carries a maximum of 7 kg of your personal luggage. Everything must fit in a duffel-type bag that we provide.
Recommended Clothing: The Layer System
The weather on the Inca Trail is unpredictable. In a single day you can experience intense sun, extreme cold, rain and wind. The solution: dress in layers.
The 3-Layer System
LAYER 1: Base (against the body)
LAYER 2: Insulating (thermal)
LAYER 3: Protection (outer)
Recommended Clothing List
Upper body:
Item | Quantity | Notes |
Technical short-sleeve shirts | 2-3 | Quick-dry, NO cotton |
Technical long-sleeve shirt | 1-2 | Sun protection |
Medium fleece | 1 | For mornings and afternoons |
Thick fleece or down jacket | 1 | For cold nights |
Waterproof jacket | 1 | With hood, essential |
Lower body:
Item | Quantity | Notes |
Trekking pants | 2 | Light, quick-dry, convertible ideal |
Waterproof pants | 1 | For rainy days |
Shorts/bermudas | 1 | For hot days (optional) |
Technical underwear | 4 | Quick-dry |
Thermal leggings | 1 | For sleeping and very cold days |
Accessories:
Item | Quantity | Notes |
Sun hat | 1 | Wide brim or legionnaire style |
Thermal beanie | 1 | For nights and mornings |
Gloves | 1 pair | Light but thermal |
Buff/multifunctional neck | 1-2 | Versatile: neck, hat, mask |
Trekking socks | 4-5 pairs | Cushioned, no cotton, crucial |
Thermal socks | 1 pair | For sleeping |
Sunglasses | 1 | High UV protection |
For sleeping:
Item | Quantity | Notes |
Thermal pajamas | 1 set | Comfortable, dry, only for sleeping |
What NOT to Bring (Clothing)
Footwear: The Most Important Decision
Inadequate footwear is the #1 cause of suffering on the Inca Trail. Invest time in this decision.
Trekking Boots: What You’re Looking For
Essential characteristics:
Characteristic | Why it matters |
High or mid ankle | Support and stability on irregular terrain |
Vibram sole or similar | Grip on wet stone and mud |
Waterproof | Rain, puddles, morning dew |
Already worn/broken-in | NEVER break in footwear on the trek |
Half size larger | Feet swell with altitude and exercise |
Recommended brands: Salomon, Merrell, La Sportiva, Scarpa, Columbia, The North Face
Trail Runners: Are They Enough?
More and more travelers use trail running shoes instead of boots. It can work, but with conditions:
Trail runners work if:
Trail runners NOT recommended if:
Our recommendation: If in doubt, go with boots.
Additional Footwear
Item | Purpose |
Light sandals | For camp, resting feet |
Spare socks | Always carry a dry pair in your backpack |
The Fatal Error: New Footwear
“I broke in my boots on the Inca Trail. It was the worst mistake of my life.” — Review from regretful traveler
GOLDEN RULE: Use your footwear at least 50-100 km before the trek. Walk, hike, use it in your daily life. Your feet must know that footwear perfectly.
Hygiene and Health Items
Personal Hygiene
Item | Notes |
Sunscreen SPF 50+ | Reapply every 2-3 hours, high-altitude sun is intense |
Lip balm with SPF | Lips dry out and burn |
Toothbrush and toothpaste | Travel size |
Deodorant | Small |
Wet wipes | For quick “baths” without water |
Toilet paper | One roll in backpack always |
Antibacterial gel | Before each meal |
Microfiber towel | Compact, quick-dry |
Biodegradable shampoo/soap | Small, environmentally friendly |
Note: There are no showers on the 4-day Inca Trail. Wet wipes will be your best friends.
Personal First Aid Kit
We carry a complete first aid kit and oxygen, but you should bring your personal medicines:
Item | Notes |
Personal medicines | Those you take regularly |
Altitude sickness pills | Acetazolamide (Diamox) with prior prescription |
Painkillers | Ibuprofen, paracetamol |
Anti-diarrheals | Loperamide or similar |
Antacids | Food can be heavier |
Band-aids | For small blisters |
Blister patches | Compeed or similar, essential |
Insect repellent | Especially for jungle zone (day 3-4) |
Rehydration salts | In case of diarrhea or dehydration |
Important about Diamox: Consult with your doctor before the trip. Requires prescription and has side effects (tingling in hands, increased urination). Many travelers prefer to acclimatize naturally.
Technology and Electronics
The Essentials
Item | Notes |
Cell phone | Airplane mode most of the time (no signal) |
Camera | If you want better quality than phone |
Headlamp | ESSENTIAL, with extra batteries |
Power bank | 10,000-20,000 mAh recommended |
Charger | Only useful at start/end of trek |
Watch | Useful for tracking time |
About Electricity
Optional but Useful
Item | For whom |
GoPro/action camera | Video/action lovers |
Drone | ⚠️ PROHIBITED on the Inca Trail |
Small tripod | Serious photographers |
E-reader | For nights in the tent |
What NOT to Bring to the Inca Trail
As important as knowing what to bring is knowing what to leave at home (or at the Cusco hotel):
Prohibited or Unnecessary
Item | Why NOT |
Drones | Prohibited in entire Historic Sanctuary |
Jeans | Uncomfortable, heavy, don’t dry |
Heels or city shoes | Obvious, but it has happened |
Valuable jewelry | Risk of loss |
Laptop | Unnecessary weight, nowhere to charge it |
Large pillow | Use rolled clothing or small inflatable |
Too many books | Excessive weight, one e-reader or small book suffices |
Excess clothing | You don’t need an outfit per day |
Umbrella | Awkward, use poncho and waterproof |
Large cotton towel | Heavy, doesn’t dry, use microfiber |
Full makeup | Camping environment, less is more |
Strong colognes/perfumes | Attract insects |
Leave It at the Cusco Hotel
Most hotels in Cusco store luggage at no cost. Leave:
List by Segment
What you need varies according to the segment you choose:
Explorer Segment
You must bring or rent:
We provide:
Adventure Segment
We provide (already included):
You only need your clothing and personal items.
Summit Segment
We provide (already included):
You only need your clothing and personal items. Travel light.
Downloadable Checklist
We have prepared a checklist that you can print and use while packing:
Ready to Pack?
Now that you know exactly what to bring, the next step is to secure your spot.
