Recommended kit for your Machu Picchu trek

Machu Picchu and the Andes in general are challenging terrain in terms of choosing the right kit. Even when it is raining it is generally quite warm. It is a South American jungle, after all. As you descend to Machu Picchu itself  this is particularly obvious (it is lower than much of the Inca Trail)  and it gets quite humid on all but the driest days. 

To cope with these conditions we recommend you have a good selection of thin layers that will dry quickly. An inexpensive polythene poncho is essential for weathering sudden downpours, and will fold up into a pocket when you don’t need it. Better still, they allow air to move around underneath them while in use, so you won’t get anywhere near as sweaty as you would in a ‘proper’ rain jacket.

Below is a downloadable equipment checklist and printable infographic. You can also use the links in the table below to get kit recommendations. Where quantities are mentioned, this relates to a 4 or 5 day trek such as the Inca Trail or Salkantay trek. If you are going on a longer trek (eg. Choquequirao) or a higher altitude trek (eg. Ausangate) you should increase the number of shirts, socks, etc that you bring.

On the Inca Trail we operate an absolutely strict limit of 7kg  for your main equipment bag, which includes your sleeping bag, as there is a limit on how much the porters can carry. On all other treks we use pack animals and you can take 7kg on a 4-5 day trek, and 10kg on a longer trek. This is more than sufficient for your needs on the trek. Your bag will be weighed before you leave the hotel to start the trek and if it is overweight you will have to take items out and leave them at the hotel.

Basic Equipment Head Hands and Feet Upper Body Legs Odds and Sods