Things to Carry on The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

15 Most Important things to carry on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu and Your Ultimate Guide

You’ve done it! You’ve finally decided to reserve your Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. You have likely been planning this for some time. You might have read about other hikers’ experiences. You may have looked at different tour companies.

You could have gone to the gym for leg workouts. You might have also Googled photos of Machu Picchu for inspiration.

You pause for a moment to let it sink in. You will hike the Inca Trail and feel at peace. Until it hits you, you have no idea what things to carry on your Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.

But don’t fret. As always, we’re here to help you prepare for yourInca Trail trek in any way we can. And packing? Well, that’s pretty simple!

Hiking the Inca Trail

As you hike the Inca Trail, incredible views such as this one will greet you at every turn. You want to appreciate them rather than spend your time worried about what you forgot to bring!

When making the perfect Inca Trail packing list, some items are clear. Others may not be obvious to new trekkers.

To be thorough, we will include what you need from both categories. What seems clear to one person may not be clear to another.

Here’s a simplified version of the text:

“Before we start, here’s a quick note: no matter which tour company you choose, you can have porters with you on your Inca Trail trek. They will help carry your things, so you only need to carry your own day-pack.”

However, this does not mean you can bring whatever you’d like. In addition to being kind to the people carrying your things, remember that each tour company has its own rules.

These rules specify how much you may bring. Make sure you’re aware of this limit before you start creating your own Inca Trail packing list.

Things to carry on the Inca Trail

Essential Inca Trail Peru Packing List

1: Your Passport

You’ll of course need your passport to get into Peru, but you’ll also need your passport when you start on the Inca Trail. There is an official government checkpoint at the start of the trail. This checkpoint imposes strict limits on the number of visitors allowed to walk the trail each day. Every foreigner starting a trek must show their passport.

An optional passport stamp is also available, and it’s a great way to remember your trip. Your passport is a must-have for your Inca Trail packing list. You can’t start the trek without it!

2: Proper Hiking Attire

First, note that you will either shower once or not at all during your four-day trek.

This means you will want plenty of underwear and socks. These clothes get dirty quickly and are awful to wear again when they are unclean!

As for other attire, the most important thing to keep in mind is that you want clothes you can layer. The temperature will vary significantly from day to night. Your body heat will rise during intense hikes and fall when you relax. You need clothes that can handle all of these situations.

Ideally, you’ll have hiking/athletic pants that can zip off into shorts if necessary. You should bring both short- and long-sleeved shirts, as well as a light jacket.

You should have some cold-weather gear for the nights. This includes hats, gloves, and scarves. This is important if you are making your Inca Trail packing list for the colder months.

3: Proper Footwear

Whether you choose to bring hiking boots or a hiking shoe/boot hybrid, absolutely make sure they’re waterproof! There’s a good chance you’ll experience some rain or mud at some point during your trek, even if you’re visiting during the dry season.

When deciding between boots and shoes for your Inca Trail packing list, consider a few things. Boots provide more support for your ankles. However, shoes are much lighter.

Here’s a simplified version of your text:

“One last tip about shoes: make sure they fit well and are broken in. Blisters on a four-day hike are no fun.”

Check out our video for helpful tips on buying hiking boots. It focuses on choosing boots for a multi-day hike in New Zealand. However, the advice is also great for hiking the Inca Trail!

4: Other Waterproof Goods

Once again, even if you’re trekking during the dry season, don’t forget the rain gear! A poncho or rain jacket is a must for your Inca Trail packing list. You should also bring plastic bags to keep your wet clothes separate from your dry ones.

5: Sleeping Bag

Since this will be your main source of rest each night on your trek, choose a good sleeping bag. We recommend a four-season bag regardless of what time of year you’ll be visiting Peru.

6: Toiletries

If you’re walking the Inca Trail, you have to face the facts – you’re going to be roughing it for a few days. That being said, there are some essential toiletries you can bring to make things at least a bit more pleasant. These include:

Soap

Toothbrush/toothpaste

Sunblock

Toilet paper

Moist wipes

Deodorant

Chapstick

7: Flip-flops (thongs/sandals)

Especially if you plan to shower on the third night, these are essentials for your Inca Trail packing list. Even if you don’t shower, they can help you relax. They also let your feet breathe in the evenings.

8: Water Bottles/Snacks

Your tour company will provide food and water. However, you may still feel thirsty or hungry while you trek. These will help to keep you going until it’s time to stop for a meal.

9: First-Aid Kit/Personal Medications

Once again, your guides should carry a first-aid kit with them at all times. That being said, it can’t hurt to carry a basic first-aid kit on your person during your Inca Trail trek!

Don’t forget to take your basic stomach medications and any other medications you need.

10: Flashlight (torch)

This item is easy to forget, but it is a necessity for navigating around your campsite after dark. Simply put, it’s a must for any Inca Trail packing list.

11: Batteries, Memory Cards, or Whatever Else You’ll Need for Your Electronic Goods

You won’t have any chances to charge your electronic devices during your Inca Trail trek.

If you can bring extra batteries, it’s certainly recommended. If you can’t, please use your devices sparingly. There’s plenty to see after day 1, and you won’t want your camera dead by then.

12: Cash

Though you’re certainly not going to need a lot of money on the trail, it’s still a good idea to have some cash on you. You will see a few small, local stores along the trail. You will need to pay for any items you want. It also comes in handy if you decide to tip your guides/porters!

13: Walking Poles

Why use trekking poles? Using walking poles can reduce stress on your feet, legs, knees, and back. They help share the load more evenly across your body. This is especially true when carrying a heavy pack on your back

14: Coca Bag

When chewed, coca acts as a mild stimulant and suppresses hunger, thirst, pain, and fatigue. It helps overcome altitude sickness. Millions of people in the Andes chew coca and drink coca tea every day. This practice is seen as sacred in indigenous cultures.

15: Why should hikers take solar panels?

Unlike conventional power sources, solar energy produces no harmful emissions. It’s a clean, renewable process that uses the most natural resource of all: the sun. Even the energy used to produce the PV cells is paid back soon after.

See our Popular Inca Trail Tours to Machu Picchu