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October 8, 2024

What To Pack for Peru & Machu Picchu

The Social Girl Traveler, Jen Morilla is adventuring with Under30Experiences to Machu Picchu and created this handy guide on what to pack. Since the weather can be shifty, it's important to get the essentials just right.

So, without further ado, here is what to pack for Cusco and Machu Picchu, Peru!

Ultimate Packing List For Peru & Machu Picchu

Okay, so you’ve bought your flights to Cusco for your trip to Machu Picchu. Curious to know where to start, how to pack, or what to pack? No worries, just check out the quick list I’ve created and watch my short video on what to pack and how to pack.

With only a few hours left before I depart for a summer of epic experiences with Under30Experiences. I thought I’d share some insight into packing for my first trip to Peru.

What To Pack:

*NOTE: Make sure to always check a weather app for the local weather forecast. This will help you decide how many items of each item to bring.  Because I am going in June into July, it’s winter in Peru, so the weather is usually chilly (but not too cold) during the day, and colder at night. 

When traveling to the mountains of Peru during winter, it’s important to be prepared for anything. The sun is intense at high elevations, but it can still be very cold. This means you should pack in layers, as you might start the day in a jacket, then be in a tee-shirt by mid-day, and then be back in your jacket again as the sun gets low in the sky.

The Benefits of Packing Layers

Layering for outdoor adventures is important, especially in places where the weather can change quickly or where the day starts off cold, gets hot, and then gets cold again as soon as the sun starts to go down.

Cusco’s weather in the winter is similar to California’s. It’s normally dry, but can get quite chilly into the 30s and 40s at night, but then get into the 70s with intense sun during the day, then cooling off at night. For this reason it’s important to dress in multiple layers of clothing! 

I’d suggest a tee shirt for a base layer, then a long-sleeved shirt covered up with a light jacket. In the winter time a winter hat and light pair of gloves are perfect for the mornings or high altitude like hiking the Rainbow Mountains. A baseball cap or hat that offers sun protection is also a good idea for mid-day. Wearing and packing multiple layers in your daypack keeps you prepared for any kind of weather! 

Will I need Rain Gear in Cusco & Machu Picchu, Peru? 

If you are going to Cusco in the wintertime, then the jacket probably doesn’t have to be waterproof, but bringing a water-resistant windbreaker is always a good idea. They cut the wind nicely, and if you visit Machu Picchu off-season, there is a good chance you’ll see rain, so you might even want to consider rain pants!

Now, I’m not suggesting you wear those outdoor pants that zip off at the knee to convert into shorts, but I get why hikers on the Inca Trail would find them practical despite their looks! A good pair of leggings that wick moisture away from your body and a lightweight pair of rain pants in your day pack will be perfect.

Here's my handy checklist of Clothes & Shoes for Peru

Essential Items / Documentation:

  • Passport  / Passport cover
  • Secondary Identification i.e.: Driver’s License or State ID
  • Health Insurance Card
  • Travel insurance
  • At least one copy of each document above
  • Emergency Contact Information
  • Airline Tickets
  • Discretionary Spending Money
  • ATM card

Toiletries

Health

Miscellaneous or Optional

  1. The Millennial Travel Guidebook
  2. Carry-on luggage  
  3. Umbrella
  4. Daypack for hiking
  5. Reusable water bottle
  6. Reusable straw
  7. Wallet or clutch purse
  8. Flashlight or headlamp
  9. Spanish to English Phrasebook
  10. Camera (DSLR or Point & Shoot)
  11. GoPro

Luggage Tips for Peru & Machu Picchu

Can you bring a rolling suitcase?

Yes, you can, but just know that you are going to be rolling this over cobblestone streets in Cusco. Rolling luggage is great for some trips, but for adventures to more rural areas, where you might be rolling your suitcase on dirt roads, it's a lot nicer to have a backpack!

What type of backpack should I have? 

The ideal luggage for Peru is a backpack that you can put all your belongings in. Anything 55-65 liters should suffice if you travel relatively light. Remember, you'll be carrying everything on your back, so pack mindfully!

Should I bring a day pack? 

Yes! A day pack is normally 20-30 liters should be big enough to hold a jacket, water, snacks, small first-aid kit, and anything else you might need for a day-trip.

Want to know what to bring if you are hiking the Inca Trail? Check out our Inca Trail packing list!

Have you been dreaming of seeing the Andes Mountains? Be sure to check out all of Under30Experiences' affordable group trips to South America

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