So You’re Hiking the Inca Trail? Awesome!

Okay so you’re hitting the Inca Trail or thinking about it yeah? Awesome choice pata (friend/dude). Bet you’ve been checking out other hikers stories maybe comparing tour groups hitting the gym a bit and totally getting hyped looking at Machu Picchu photos online. It feels great right like “I’m actually doing this”. Then you realize uh oh what do I pack?

No worries though we got you covered packing for this Peru trip is actually pretty straightforward.

You’ll see some seriously chévere (cool/great) views hiking the Inca Trail. You wanna soak that in not stress about forgetting something right?

When you make your Inca Trail packing list some things are like duh obvious but other stuff maybe not so much especially if you haven’t trekked like this before. This list covers both cause whats clear to one person might not be for another.

Important Stuff Before You Pack

Quick heads-up before we dive in most tour companies you book with will have porters to help carry your main gear you’ll just carry a small daypack. But hold up un toque (wait a sec) that doesn’t mean you can pack everything including the kitchen sink! Be cool think about the guys carrying your stuff Plus every company has strict weight limits for what the porters carry. Make sure you know exactly what that limit is before you start throwing things in your bag seriously check with your tour operator.

Alright let’s get to the good stuff your essential Inca Trail packing list.

Essential Inca Trail Packing List

1. Your Passport

Okay this is numero uno. You need it to get into Peru obvio (obviously). But you also MUST show it at the official checkpoint right at the start of the Inca Trail probably near Piscacucho also called Km 82 (around 2,720 meters / 8,924 feet altitude). They check everyone to control the number of hikers per day. Pro tip you can often get a cool optional passport stamp there a nice little memory. Bottom line you literally can’t start the hike without it so yeah definitely pack it.

2. Hiking Clothes

Real talk you might shower once maybe not at all on the four-day trek. So pack extra underwear and socks trust me putting on dirty ones again is grim. For other clothes think layers layers layers. The temperature changes a lot between day and night and even when you’re hiking hard versus chilling out. You need clothes you can add or remove easily. Hiking pants that zip off into shorts are super useful. Bring short-sleeve and long-sleeve shirts (wicking material is best like not cotton). Pack a light jacket too. And definitely bring warm stuff for the cold nights like a beanie hat gloves and maybe a scarf especially if you’re hiking when it’s colder.

3. Proper Footwear

Super important get waterproof hiking boots or sturdy hiking shoes. Even in the dry season you can hit rain or muddy patches de hecho (in fact). Boots give more ankle support which is nice on uneven trails shoes are usually lighter though. Your call. Biggest thing make SURE they fit well and break them in before you come to Peru. Seriously walk around in them a lot. Getting blisters halfway through a four-day trek is the worst pata.

4. Other Waterproof Stuff

Yeah we mentioned waterproof shoes but bring more rain gear too like a poncho or a good rain jacket. Again even in the dry season rain can surprise you in the Andes. Also pack a few plastic bags to keep wet muddy clothes separate from your dry stuff inside your pack. Essential.

5. Sleeping Bag

This is your cozy zone each night so pick a good one. A four-season bag is recommended even if you’re not hiking in the dead of winter nights get cold up high.

6. Toiletries

Look you’re camping for a few days facilities are basic. Bring the essentials to feel a bit more human: toilet paper (super important!), wet wipes (your friend!), deodorant soap toothbrush and toothpaste sunblock (the sun is strong at altitude!) and lip balm with SPF.

7. Flip-flops (Thongs/Sandals)

Call ’em what you want but pack a pair. Great if you get that shower chance on night three but also just awesome for walking around the campsite in the evening giving your tired feet a break from hiking boots. Qué chévere (how cool/nice) to let your toes breathe.

8. Water Bottles/Snacks

Your tour company will handle main meals and provide water (usually boiled water to refill). But you’ll definitely get thirsty and maybe hungry while actually hiking between stops. Bring a reusable water bottle or two (like a Nalgene or hydration pack) and some favorite snacks (energy bars nuts dried fruit) to keep you going.

9. First-Aid Kit/Personal Meds

Your guides will carry a first-aid kit for emergencies. Still it’s smart to have your own small kit with basics like band-ids antiseptic wipes pain relievers maybe blister treatment. Also pack any personal medications you need por supuesto (of course) plus maybe something for potential stomach issues just in case. Better safe than sorry right?

10. Flashlight (Torch) / Headlamp

Don’t forget this! Once the sun goes down campsites are dark. You’ll need light to find your tent find the toilet tent whatever. A headlamp is actually better cause it keeps your hands free. A must-pack item for sure.

11. Batteries / Power Bank

Simple fact there are no electrical outlets on the Inca Trail. Zero nada (nothing). If you want your phone or camera to work bring a portable power bank (fully charged!) or extra batteries. And maybe use your electronics wisely dont drain everything on day one you’ll want pics later too!

12. Cash (Soles)

You won’t need heaps of money but definitely bring some cash specifically Peruvian Soles (PEN). There are a couple of tiny local stalls along the way where you might buy water snacks or souvenirs. Also cash is handy maybe essential if you want to tip your guides and porters at the end of the trek which is a common way travelers say gracias (thank you).