What to pack for
the ultimate inca trail adventure 2024/2025

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by Nancy Molina

If you are reading this, then chances are that you are contemplating hiking The Inca Trail 4D/3N.

Amazing! You won’t regret it!

The Inca Trail is an absolutely wonderful travel experience, therefore it is very important that you are prepared to make the most of it!

I grew up in Cusco and the first time I hiked the Inca Trail I was 14 years old, I was somewhat unprepared and packed way too heavy a bag, especially considering that we were carrying our own equipment for the whole duration of the trip.
Later on, as part of our Tourism training at University, preparing to become tour guides, we hiked often exploring the less visited parts of the incredible 12000km Inca Trail network.

I learned a lot of lessons on how to pack (by trial and error). It was usual for me to do multi-day hikes with my class-mates through out the year, some more challenging than others and often carrying our own equipment (tents, cooking equipment, etc).
Lucky for you, I have turned these lessons into the ultimate packing list for your upcoming adventure.

Are you ready? Let’s go.

It is important to understand the logistics and limits provided before you pack anything.

Firstly, for this part of the trip, you will be leaving most of your luggage in a secure storage room back at the hotel in Cusco. Then, everything else you need for the trail will be split into 2 different bags:

– A duffle bag.
– And your personal daypack.

Secondly, our amazing team of porters will carry the duffel bag for you. There are very strict limits on how much they can carry, with a maximum of 20kg per person and no more. These restrictions have their wellbeing and health in mind. 

You will only be able to pack 3.5kg TOTAL in the duffel bag that will be provided to you (prior departure from Cusco). Everything else you need you will carry in your day pack.

You will need to think strategically and get down to the bare essentials, your packing skills will be put to a test. Most people think they have their duffel down to the minimal but by the time they are weighing the duffel bags, the weight is almost double. A scale will also be available at the hotel for this purpose.

The below packing list only applies to the Inca Trail portion (4 days and 3 nights essentials).

When packing you will need to think about diverse weather and layers. Temperatures can vary a lot from day to night and climate varies depending on altitude.

THE MOST IMPORTANT ITEM:
Passport:
You CAN NOT enter the Inca Trail or Machu Picchu without your original passport (no copies accepted). 
No passport, no Inca Trail.

INCA TRAIL CLOTHES:

• Rain jacket with a hood (Gore-tex material is a great option)
• Light fleece or light jacket
• 3 sport t-shirts (light weight and fast dry materials, white is a bad idea)
• 2 t-shirts (to change in camp and trip back to Cusco)
• 1 long sleeved t-shirt
• 1 pair of light weight hiking trousers (leggings work well for ladies)
• 1 pair of light weight shorts (can get quite hot during the day)
• 3 pairs of good hiking socks
• 1 set of thermal layers 
• 4 pairs of underwear
• 2 sports bra (ladies)
• Sunglasses
• Sunhat
• Camel bag or refillable water bottle
• Comfortable waterproof hiking boots (NOT new, make sure they are well wore before the trek)
• Gloves (evenings)
• Warm hat (evenings)

TOILETRIES:

• Sunscreen
• Travel size hand sanitiser
• Bug spray
• Lip balm (with sunscreen)
• Wet wipes 
• Tooth brush and tooth paste
• Deodorant
• Dry shampoo (if you really need to)
• Toilet paper (keep some in your day pack)
• Feminine products (ladies)

FIRST AID BASICS:

• Rehydration sachets 
• Imodium (diarrhoea tablets)
• Ibuprofen (for head and body aches)
• Blister bands
• Altitude sickness meds
• Any other prescribed medication you take

MISCELLANEOUS:

• Daypack (30-40 litters with a rain cover)
• Packing cubes (to keep everything organised and separate clean from dirty clothes)
• Travel towel (microfibre)
• Plastic bags and/or ziplock bags
• Camera/phone
• Travel power bank
• Headlamp
• Brush and hair bands (ladies or if you have long hair)
• Snacks or sweets (for an extra boost of energy when you need it)
• Inflatable pillow (personal preference)
• 1 soles coins (for toilets on the way)
• Cash (tipping for the porters, emergency funds)

OPTIONAL ITEMS:

• Plastic poncho (you can get this in Cusco for a couple of soles)
• Sandals or other very light weight comfy shoes to wear in camp

DO NOT WORRY ABOUT PACKING:

• Make up
• Additional pair of shoes
• Big towel for showering (there is only one opportunity to shower on the last night, they also rent towels)
• Anything shower related

**There is an option to take a cold shower on night 3.

Items you can rent in Cusco:

• Sleeping bag
• Hiking poles

Finally…

PMA

Positive. Mental. Attitude.
This is very important for any adventure or travel that you get yourself into. 
You will be hiking in one of the most special places in the world, meeting amazing people that will share their stories and heritage with you, you will get out of breath when you are reaching the 4000masl but this is all part of the experience, creating memories that you will remember fondly… leave the worries, anxiety and preoccupations at home and come to enjoy what this extraordinary location has to offer.

So now that you have the basics down… JOIN US on our next group departure!

We have a group departure schedule for April 2025 or if you have 4 friends or more you can book a group departure any date of the year.

Save travels!

Nancy