The Essential Inca Trail Packing List

What to Pack for Your 4-Day Trek to Machu Picchu

Preparing for your multi-day hike to Machu Picchu can be overwhelming. Having completed my own 4-day classic Inca Trail trek, I would like to alleviate some of your packing anxieties by compiling The Essential Inca Trail Packing List.

While I am writing this guide from a female perspective, I completed the classic Inca Trail hike with 5 gentlemen who gave me their input on what “the essentials” are from a male perspective. Also, while I reference the classic Inca Trail a lot in this post, the conditions described are also applicable to the alternate treks (ex. Salkantay, Lares) and those doing those hikes may find this guide useful as well.

Lastly, regardless of whether you are doing the trek during the dry or wet season, I recommend packing for wet weather. Temperatures remain relatively the same but if you are not equipped for wet weather, you might be in for an uncomfortable hike.

Before buying/packing anything on this list…

… it is important to understand the logistics and limits on luggage on the Inca Trail trek.

First thing to note, the Inca Trail hike cannot be done independently. You will need to go with an approved provider to go this route.

It is standard practice for tour providers to arrange for you to be able to leave your non-trekking things in a secure storage room at a hotel back in Cusco.

Before you leave Cusco for the trek, you will be packing everything you need for the Inca Trail in either:

• the backpack that you will be carrying on the Trail, or
• a duffel bag provided by your tour provider that will be carried by a porter on the Trail.

Tip: bring a backpack that can hold at least 17 L (I am quite petite at 4’11” and this was the biggest I could go; I was pleased with the amount of stuff I fit in my backpack). I wouldn’t go above 25L however. The shoulder straps should be well padded and I recommend getting a bag with air-mesh back padding for breathability.

Second thing to note, most tour providers hire a huge team to support you on your trek. This support team consists of cooks, guides, and the porters who are responsible for carrying food supplies, the cooking and camping equipment, and the duffel bags mentioned above.

Thirdly, my tour provider had the following items available for rent for $35 USD (if your tour provider doesn’t have this option, then I would highly recommend that you add them as “essentials” on your packing list):

• trekking poles
• sleeping bag
• thin, air mattress

A word about the duffel bags…

There is a 6 kg weight limit on the duffel bags. The porters will be weighing your duffel bag at KM 82 and if your duffel bag is over the weight limit, you will have to carry the excess weight.

My sleeping bag, air mattress, and sleeping mat took up 50% of the duffel bag and weighed about 3.5 kg. This left me with 2.5 kg allowance for everything else I wanted to pack in my duffel bag.

You will be surprised with how much your clothes actually weigh! “The Essentials” listed below should meet the 2.5 kg allowance.

Tip: Consider packing gear/clothes that you wouldn’t mind donating to the porters after Day 3 on the Trail. These men work on the Trail to supplement their household income and while they are used to the conditions on the Andes, I think gifting them with clothes/gear would be added comfort for their job.

For more like see, read – Preparing for the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

Disclosure: The links below are affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. I would never recommend anything that I personally don’t use and the commission will go back to the maintenance of this website.

The Essential Inca Trail Packing List

In this section of my Inca Trail Packing List, I list the essential items that you absolutely must take on the Inca Trail with you! I have also categorized them for your convenience.

Miscellaneous

1) Waterproof, mid-hiking boots

This is probably the one item on this Inca Trail packing list that will make or break your Inca Trail experience…

I wore waterproof, hiking shoes. The waterproof feature was non-negotiable for me and I chose hiking shoes over hiking boots because I was concerned about the weight of my footwear – ankle support be damned! While I ended my trek in one piece, I wish I had better ankle support.

The trek will take you through different microclimates, many of which will make the ancient Inca road moist and VERY slippery. To begin with, the Inca stones are uneven and slanted. Add moisture and you have the perfect conditions to hydroplane off the side of a mountain. That was a little dramatic – but I had one good wipeout where that thought crossed my mind.

I can think of at least 3 instances where I came dangerously close to rolling ankle but was saved by my trekking poles. There were many that weren’t so lucky. I don’t even want to know how I would have handled the trail without ankle support had it rained…

Things to look for when purchasing your hiking boots:

• Medium to high top for ankle support!!! The higher the top, the heavier the shoe though.

• Waterproof feature. Hiking with damp footwear does not sound fun.

• Rubber soles and deeper lugs for good traction. When I was shopping, I compared the soles of the shoes and let that be a deciding factor in my buying decision.

• Try boots on with the trekking socks you plan on wearing. Push your feet forward (but make sure you have wiggle room for your toes) and make sure your index finger fits snugly between your heel and the back of the boot. If there’s no room for your finger, then the boot is too small. I have lost toenails from footwear that were too snug.

Before you leave for the Inca Trail – make sure you break in your new boots!

A good measure for how well your boots have been worn-in is if the inner sole has started to form to your foot. Breaking in your boots prior to your trip could save you from blisters, sore feet, and fatigued muscles.

2) Passport

You cannot enter the Inca Trail without your passport. Also, you cannot enter Machu Picchu without your passport. Photocopies of your passport will not be accepted. This item is equally as important as Item #1!

If your passport gets renewed between the time you booked your Inca Trail permit and the day you start the trek, you might want to contact your tour operator.

Also, you can commemorate your trekking achievement by stamping your passport at Machu Picchu. The stamping station is located near the park entrance by the only washrooms at the Machu Picchu.

3) Cash

You will need to bring cash on the trail for the following:

• Tipping. Near the end of your trekking experience, you will want to tip your guides, cooks, and porters. Here are the suggested amounts I was given in May 2019:

They say tipping is optional. But if the support staff on your journey end up being half as amazing as mine, you will want to tip at least the suggested amounts above.

• Refreshments. On Day 1 of the trek there are many opportunities to buy snacks, candies, and cold drinks from vendors on the trail.
  
  If I remember correctly, there was one last vendor about 3 hours out from Dead Woman’s Pass (this will be on Day 2). I didn’t buy anything on the trail but I heard they were charging $10 USD for a chocolate bar.

• Toilets. On Day 1 of the trek, you will be passing by some villages. Some homeowners have built toilets for the trekkers to use which they charge 1 sol per use. Toilets after Day 1 will be free of charge.

4) Snacks

With all the excitement going on or maybe because of the altitude, you may not have much of an appetite while hiking. But you should still fuel your body otherwise you won’t have enough energy or stamina to finish!

One thing that I didn’t anticipate was our tour operator giving us bags of snacks that’s supposed to last you for the duration of the trek. Not sure if this is standard, or if other tour operators offer this, but in my goodie bag there was a really big orange, a banana, peach drink, chocolates, and 2 packs of Casino Jacks (which taste exactly like Oreos). Make sure you leave enough room in your backpack for these treats.

Besides the fruit, the goodie bag had a lot of empty calories. You might want to pack some snacks that offer more of a nutritional boost. I am a huge fan of these trail mixes and also of these protein bars.

5) Camera

The Inca Trail is beautiful. You have to see it for yourself to believe it.

The trek will take you through different sub-tropical Andean mountain microclimates like cloud forest, alpine tundra, and jungle. You WILL want to capture some of it.

For my travels, I use Sony Cyber-Shot RX-100 IV. It’s compact yet takes brilliant pictures.

I also brought my Go-Pro although I didn’t see a need for it on the trek.

6) Cellphone

Even if you get a SIM card in Peru, you will not get a signal on the Inca Trail. So why did I include cellphone on the list? I used my cellphone as a substitute for the following:

• An alarm clock. If you need more than 30 minutes to get ready and pack your stuff in the morning, you would need to set an alarm.

• As a spare flashlight/torch. I thought that my cellphone provided the best source of light in the mornings when we were getting ready for the day in our tent.

• As a secondary/tertiary camera. Sometimes it’s just easier to capture moments with your phone.

7) Power Bank

This very important if you plan on taking plenty of pictures with a camera and/or using your cellphone.

Bring a power bank that is large enough to charge all your devices. In my case, I packed one that is at least 20,000 maH and it was sufficient for 2 cellphones and a point-and-shoot camera.

Clothes

8) Waterproof Jacket with Fleece Lining

Weather on the Inca Trail is very unpredictable. You should definitely bring a waterproof and windproof jacket with a hood. It doesn’t necessarily need a fleece lining but this saved me space in my duffel instead of having to pack a fleece AND a rain jacket.

If your rain gear isn’t lined with fleece, add a fleece layer to your packing list.

9) Convertible Hiking Pant

Pick quick-dry, stain resistant hiking pants for your trek. Most people wear the same pair of pants for at least 3 days on the trek.

I had to convert my pants to shorts during the ascent to Dead Woman’s Pass. My body was working overtime to climb those 1,000 m and I was absolutely sweltering.

10) T-Shirts

At a minimum, bring 2 short sleeve shirts. Pick moisture wicking or quick drying material like a polyester blend or nylon.

Avoid cotton. I only packed cotton T-shirts and while it was comfortable when I was on the move, I got cold really fast when I was taking a break because of all the sweat on my back.

11) Long Sleeved T-Shirts

The key to packing for the Inca Trail is layers. Pack at least one long-sleeved shirt or compression shirt for warmth.

12) Trekking Socks

Again AVOID cotton! Cotton retains moisture.

Avid hikers swear by trekking socks made from wool. Wool promotes breathability and wicks moisture away from your foot. For those with a wool allergy, acrylic blend socks are also a good option.

Choose a light to medium weight sock. I brought Smartwool socks with me on the trek and now understand all the hype!

13) Underwear

Just a reminder to pack some!

14) Warm Pyjamas

It gets cold on the trail once the sun comes down. I recommend some thick joggers and a long sleeved shirt for warmth and comfort to sleep in. This could also serve as an extra outfit should you have a messy accident on the trail.

15) Outfit for Machu Picchu

Chances are you will be taking pictures of yourself when you arrive at Machu Picchu. It might be a good idea to pack an outfit specifically for this occasion.

Personally, I packed an extra shirt, yoga pants, and an extra pair of trekking socks. I wanted to feel fresh when I waltzed into one of the New 7 Wonders of the World.

Well… As fresh as someone who hasn’t showered in 3 days can possibly feel.

Fun fact: it is believed that the Incas took a ritual bath at Wiñay Wayna before continuing onwards to Machu Picchu from Cusco. You will pass the Wiñay Wayna ruins on Day 3 of your trek. How cool would it be to honour this ritual by waltzing into Machu Picchu in a fresh outfit?

Toiletries

16) Toilet Paper

This is ESSENTIAL!

Besides the toilets at KM 82 and the ones at Machu Picchu, there is no toilet paper at the public toilets along the Inca Trail. These packs were very convenient to have in my backpack.

17) Toothbrush

This one is self explanatory.

For those who are trying to cut back on their use of disposable plastics, these bamboo toothbrushes are bomb!

18) Toothpaste Tablets

These are ideal for camping situations where there isn’t a good supply of water. Also, they are more environmentally friendly than traditional toothpaste.

These are the toothpaste tablets I brought with me on my Inca Trail trek.

19) Lip Balm

If you don’t have a sensitivity to it, I recommend a lip balm with SPF.

You are going to be in elevations between 2,450 m and 4,215 m above sea level. Solar radiation at these heights are more concentrated and therefore sun safety should be top of mind.

I was introduced to the Sum Bum brand while I was in Jamaica and was instantly hooked. Theirs is my favourite lip balm as it offers UVA/UVB protection, is hypoallergenic, paraben free, gluten free and vegan. Also, it tastes great!

20) Deodorant

Realistically, you will probably not be taking a shower on the Inca Trail. Out of courtesy to your fellow trekkers, bring deodorant!

If you have a sensitivity to “traditional” deodorants, try this natural clay deodorant. It is the first natural deodorant that I tried that actual absorbs wetness. They also smell great!

21) Facial Wipes

Even if you aren’t wearing makeup during the hike, you hopefully are applying sunscreen religiously. At the end of the day, you should remove this from your face. Since you will not have access to running water, it’s a great idea to bring face wipes.

These 3-in-1 biodegradable towelettes were game changing for me. It’s a makeup remover, cleanser and toner all in one product so it saved space in my duffel.

Note: If you would like to be a more responsible traveller (or live a more green life in general), choose wipes that are biodegradable or compostable. There’s plastic fibres in “traditional” wipes and do not break down.

22) Baby Wipes

These were great to have to wipe down your body after a long day of trekking.

In addition, I used baby wipes to mask the smell of the toilets.

Tip: the biggest mental challenge on the Inca Trail for me was the toilet situation. You are going to come across some REALLY nasty ones on the trail. I’m not sure how I can describe the stench in many of them but I guess the smell could only be described as stale asparagus pee that has been sitting stagnant for months (sorry for that but I wasn’t mentally prepared for this aspect of the trek).

In keeping with using green products, I used biodegradable bamboo wipes like these. It was also handy getting bamboo wipes in small packaging.

Note: even if the packaging says that the wipes are flushable do NOT flush these wipes down the toilet.

23) Antibacterial Wipes

Antibacterial Wet Ones or pads that have been saturated in alcohol are good to have on hand but I would use them sparingly (see notes in Items #21 and 22 regarding the plastic content in these wipes).

You never know when you have to sanitize something. For instance, I dropped my sunglasses on the floor of one of the bathrooms. I was thankful for my alcohol swabs.

24) Hand Sanitizer

During our briefing on our Inca Trail hike, we were told that stomach problems are commonplace on the trail and the best way to prevent them is to always sanitize your hands before eating.

Bring more than you think you’ll need; I ran out on Day 3 and ended up asking my fellow trekkers for some.

25) Compact Mirror

I don’t remember seeing any mirrors on the trail beyond KM 82.

26) Hairbrush/Comb

Think of all the great photo opportunities! Bring a brush or comb to look presentable. Do it for the ‘gram!

27) Small Hand Towel

The porters that supported me during my trek prepared bowls of warm water for me to freshen up with at every lunch stop, camp, and in the mornings. Multiple people have told me that they wish they packed a small hand towel with them for this reason. When on the go, you can clip it on your backpack to let it dry.

Accessories

28) Warm Hat

Bring a warm hat or beanie. It gets cold on the Trail when the sun goes down.

29) Sun Hat

See note in Item #19 about solar radiation at higher altitudes.

30) Sunglasses

Sunlight gets very strong during the day.

31) Neck Band/Bandana

Personally, I used my neck band as a scarf during breakfast and dinner when I was cold. On the move, I was way too hot to have anything around my neck.

Neck bands have multiple purposes. They can be used for the following:

• protection against the sun
• head or ear warmer
• headband or wristband
• as a cold compress (when you douse it with water)

32) Gloves

I’m from Canada and probably used my gloves once during my hike. The Trail gets cold when the Sun goes down so I recommend packing some for good measure.

33) Hair Ties

Useful for those with long hair.

Hiking/Camping Gear

34) First Aid Kit

Your guide should have a first aid kit handy but in cases where you would need a kit, I wouldn’t want to be at someone else’s mercy. In general, I keep the following stocked in my first aid kit:

• Ibuprofen
• Bandaids/plasters
• antihistamine
• antibacterial gel/wipes
• antiseptic cream
• anti-itch cream
• Imodium
• rehydration powder
• safety pins/tiny scissors
• tweezers
• aloe gel
• Gravol (meds for motion sickness)
• cold/flu medication
• proof of insurance

35) Other Medication

Friendly reminder to pack any other prescriptions you may need…

36) Sunscreen

As mentioned in Item #19, you are going to be in elevations between 2,450 m and 4,215 m above sea level where solar radiation is very concentrated. Sun safety should be taken seriously on the Inca Trail!

37) Big Water Bottle

At a minimum, you should start each leg of the trek with 1.5 L of water. I recommend carrying 1 water bottle or hydration pack that can hold up to at least 1 L of water.

Your tour operator will be providing you with opportunities to fill up your water bottles/hydration pack with purified water during your lunch stops and at camp.

38) Small Water Bottle

Bring a small water bottle that has a capacity of around 500 ml. This could come in handy come in handy for those who need to use their hydration tabs.

The guys that I did the trek with didn’t like the taste of the water provided at camp and used their hydration tabs to mask the taste. They dedicated their big water bottle to water and their small water bottle for mixing their electrolytes.

39) Rain Ponchos

Those who have hiked the Andes on multiple occasions (i.e. guides) would advise you to pack 2 rain ponchos in case of a down pour.

They say even the best brand of rain jacket cannot fully keep you dry and that you would need an extra layer of protection for yourself and your backpack. Rain ponchos offer an effective and solution for this.

You can buy these for around 5 soles each in Cusco or Ollantaytambo.

40) Backpack Cover

Bring one in case of rain. I brought this backpack cover with me but thankfully didn’t need them.

41) Headtorch

This is essential for early morning or late night bathroom trips. None of the facilities on the Inca Trail have electricity and, trust me, you would need both hands for those trips.

This could also come in handy early in the morning when getting ready for the day.

Tip: when waiting for the checkpoint to open on Day 4 of the trek, either keep your light low to the ground or turn it off and look up. Chances are, your fellow trekkers are trying to enjoy the night sky. Religious cosmology was key in the life of the Incas and had built the Sacred Valley in alignment with the Milky Way.

42) Packing Cubes

These helped me save time when I was packing up in the mornings and helped with finding things easier in the dark when getting ready for bed.

Also, since you will be provided with a duffel bag by your tour provider, you might want a layer between your things and the rented equipment.

From my experience on the Inca Trail, the porters packed up my sleeping bag, air mattress, and sleeping mat into my duffel bag for me after I left for breakfast. I concealed my unmentionables in my packing cubes and I was very grateful to have brought them for this reason as well.

43) Waterproof Bags

In case of a downpour I brought a big garbage bag with me to protect my things in the duffel bag.

It didn’t rain during my trek so I filled my vanilla scented garbage bag with the packing cubes which kept my clothes smelling fresh. The bag also doubled as a laundry bag for my dirty clothes.

Since you will be travelling with important documents (i.e. you passport, insurance information, money) it is also a good idea to keep them in a waterproof bag for protection.

44) Small Paper/Plastic Bag

I wish I had brought a small bag with me on the Inca Trail to collect all my garbage.

There are long stretches on the trail where you won’t find any garbage bins. I ended up just stuffing the wrappers from my snacks, used tissues, and used antibacterial wipes loosely back in my backpack when there were no bins to be found.

There are garbage bins at certain vendor stalls (but not all of them), the public bathrooms, and at camp where you can dispose of your garbage.

For The Ladies

45) Bras

I would bring at least 2 and they don’t necessarily have to be athletic ones.

46) Feminine Products

Girrrrrl… Even if you don’t think you’ll need them, bring them anyway.

I think the international flights, high altitude, and being constantly on-the-go shocked my system that my period decided to make an appearance on the Trail… two weeks early!

As I was the only female in my group, I was very relieved to have packed supplies in case of emergency. I don’t know what I would have done otherwise.

47) Mid-length skirt (optional)

There will be stretches of the Trail where you will not find a bathroom for hours. I believe the longest stretch is 3 hours which was on Day 3 of the trek. On that day, there was (understandably) a long line for the ladies’ by the time I reached the bathrooms. I peed myself a little while I was waiting in line…

So why didn’t I just go behind a bush? Surprisingly, there aren’t many bushes on the Inca Trail that are big enough to provide privacy for ladies to do their business. I kid you not, one bush on the descent from Dead Woman’s Pass sticks out in my mind because I regret not peeing behind it when I had the chance. There are plenty of trees though for men to go behind.

If you have a tiny bladder and wouldn’t mind going behind a tree along narrow stretches of the Inca Trail, I would recommend bringing a mid-length skirt for privacy.

48) Pee Bottle (optional)

Prior to this trip, I had no idea what a pee bottle was. For those who don’t know, a pee bottle (or female urination device) is essentially a contraption that acts as funnel allowing for females to pee standing up.

I packed a pee bottle but didn’t end up using it because I was either (a) too self conscious as the only female of my group to be caught peeing standing up or (b) I had to go so bad that I didn’t have time to set it up.

There are many cases for packing one though:

• If you have a small bladder and think you may need to go out in nature, you wouldn’t have to bare ass and squat.
• The public bathrooms on the Inca Trail are all squat toilets. If you are not used to climbing 1,000 m worth of steps, your first bathroom break after passing through Dead Woman’s Pass may come as a shock to your quadriceps. (Personally, my knees locked and there was a very real danger of me falling down on that nasty ass floor).
• On the topic of squat toilets… You may not be familiar with using them or maybe you don’t want to get too close to the floor around them to avoid the smell. A pee bottle may help you with your aim and you wouldn’t need to get down low.

Nice to Have

This is the portion of the Inca Trail packing list that lists items that would have been nice to have but are not essential. If you have room left in your duffel bag allowance or your backpack, I recommend bringing the following…

49) Sleeping Bag Liner

I am very particular with odours and knew that if my rented sleeping bag had a weird odour, I wouldn’t be able to sleep.

My sleeping bag liner acted as barrier between me and the rented sleeping bag. It also acted as extra insulation against the cold. I personally packed this microfibre sleeping bag liner that I recommend. Microfibre is surprisingly heavy though. A friend of mine recommends a silk liner (because they’re lighter) if you are willing to splurge.

50) Inflatable Pillow

You shouldn’t jeopardize a good night’s sleep during your trek on the Inca Trail.

If a pillow will help you sleep, bring one! I recommend bringing an inflatable one so that it doesn’t take up space in your duffel bag during the day.

51) Dry Shampoo

If you want your hair to look and feel fresh for pictures at Machu Picchu, I recommend bringing a small bottle of dry shampoo.

You shouldn’t be going to bed with dry shampoo residue on your head so you only really need to bring enough for one use.

52) Makeup

I brought CC cream, eye brow gel, and blush specifically because I knew I wanted a lot of pictures at Machu Picchu.

53) Insect Repellent

I didn’t use insect repellent once on the Inca Trail and probably got 3 mosquito bites (on the descent from Dead Woman’s Pass on Day 2). I didn’t want DEET on my skin and have no way of washing it off. Meanwhile, the guys who did the trek with me bathed in their mossie spray. I found this non-toxic option on Amazon that.

Tip: If you are renting a sleeping bag, a sleeping mat, and an inflatable mattress for the trek, you will be left with a 2.5 kg allowance for your personal effects (which is surprisingly not a lot of stuff). If you know the people who will be doing the trek with you, discuss sharing one bottle of bug spray with the group to save space in everyone’s duffel bags and daypacks.

54) Sandals

I packed my Birkenstocks so that I can get my feet out of my boots when walking around camp.

To be honest, I was way to cold to wear my Birks in the evenings. There were also a lot of puddles around the camps that it made sandals a little uncomfortable to walk around in when it was dark. In addition, there was no way I was going to wear open toe footwear in the public bathrooms…

The only time I felt comfortable switching over to my sandals was at the train station in Aguas Calientes headed back towards Cusco at the end of the trek.

55) Earplugs

Some campsites could get loud at night. If you are a very light sleeper, you may want to pack earplugs. Be careful that you don’t miss your wake up call in the morning though…

56) Entertainment

In case you’re a fast hiker or a late night owl, you may want to pack something for entertainment (examples: a Kindle, a book, a pack of cards, games). Some people also swore by listening to music during the trek to help them get by.

Personally, I took all the time in the world to take in the splendour of the trail. I took plenty of pictures, struck up conversations with other trekkers that I met along the way that I didn’t have much down time at camp for my book. I was also too physically tired after dinner to do anything else but sleep.

Final Thoughts on The Essential Inca Trail Packing List

Are you getting excited for your trek? I hope you are! Hiking to Machu Picchu has been hands down one of the most rewarding things that I have ever done! The hike will test your physical and mental limits but with enough preparation you will overcome it all!

If you’re feeling a little bit of anxiety from all the information provided above, that’s perfectly normal too. I hit that point when I was packing for my Inca Trail journey and was referencing at least 5 different Inca Trail packing list along with advice from friends that have done the trek.

Do not forget to bring your sense of adventure! I was days away from my departure to South America when I overwhelmed myself with all the research I had done on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. A friend who had done the trek gave me the best advice:

“Don’t worry about everyone else’s tips and just enjoy 😉😜”.

If you have any questions feel free to ask. To keep this list updated, I also welcome any corrections and suggestions.