The Ultimate Inca Trail Packing List
Before leaving for the Inca Trail, I read and reread so many blog posts, and watched a number of YouTube videos to figure out what to bring with me. The array of information out there felt overwhelming and I wished that there was a simple, concrete, and in-depth packing list that I could go back and refer to when needed. That said, here’s my attempt at compiling the ultimate Inca Trail packing list reference. Complete with what to bring, what I regret bringing, and thinks you can skip out on packing in your luggage and rent with your tour company once in Peru.
In your daypack
Depending on your size preference, a 20-30 L daypack with chest and waist support. I went with the Osprey Daylite Plus, a 20 L backpack with two water bottle slots, a main compartment, two smaller compartments, chest and waist support and a magnet for your water bladder hose.
I would not have had an enjoyable time on the trail if I didn’t have a water reservoir. My Osprey Hydraulics Reservoir 2.5 L kept me hydrated the entire day. It is recommended that you drink approximately 3 L of water per day while on the trail, so pairing this with a water bottle will ensure that you have enough water for the day. I also brought along a 1 L Nalgene Wide Mouth bottle.
A first aid kit with waterproof plasters, alcohol pads, hand sanitizer, pain relievers, antihistamines, insect repellent, sunscreen, tweezers, altitude sickness medication, anti-diarrheal medication. Your guide should have most things you might need, but it’s always good to have the basics when travelling.
An extra pair of socks, in case yours get wet. My favourites are Smartwool Hike Light.
A rain jacket or waterproof poncho. Some people preferred a poncho to cover their bags, but I had a waterproof bag cover. Additionally, I liked that my rain jacket was also able to shield me from the wind - it gets chilly on day 2 at Dead Woman’s Pass. I brought a Columbia Arcadia II and was very satisfied with the quality. It also folds itself into a pouch, which was nice for storage.
A mid-layer to keep warm at higher altitudes. I brought a Patagonia Synchilla fleece.
Snacks. While my tour company, G Adventures, provided us with a bag of snacks, most people finished them within the first day. I kept a bag of granola bars, energy bars, and electrolyte tablets in my daypack for whenever I needed a little more energy between meals. Some of my favourites include Nuun, CLIF Bloks, and Huma Chia Energy Gel.
A pair of lightweight gloves to wear at higher altitudes or in case of rain. I brought an old pair of Head gloves. They aren’t available anymore, but these are similar.
Whether it be a hat or a Buff, something to shield your head from the sun. I brought a Buff because I like how versatile they are and how many uses they have.
Sunglasses. I brought Sunski Baia.
Most washrooms on the trail and at the camps don’t have any toilet paper, so bringing a roll of your own or outdoor pee cloths is essential.
In your duffle
Your tour company will provide you with a duffle bag to keep all your things in for the duration of the trek, which you can fill to a 6 kg capacity. That said, the duffle bags are made of canvas and not the most waterproof. For this reason, I recommend bringing a pack liner to place all your belongings in, to ensure they don’t get wet. I brought a MEC pack liner.
A good pair of waterproof hiking boots or shoes. Emphasis on waterproof, and you’ll want to make sure you’ve worn them in a bit before the trek. I opted for Merrell Moab 2.
Pyjamas or something comfortable to wear around camp at night - preferably long sleeved because it gets cold in the mountains once the sun goes down.
A combination of two to three short and long sleeved tops, preferably dry-wicking material. I’m a big fan of Mountain Warehouse IsoCool collection.
Convertible pants are great for their versatility. I chose Mountain Warehouse Zip Off pants.
A pair of nicer pants to keep for the last day, to get that optimal photo in front of Machu Picchu. I brought a pair of leggings, which I paired with an alpaca sweater I bought shortly before the hike.
As many underwear and sports bras as you see fit.
Four pairs of wool or synthetic socks. I prefer Smartwool Hike Light, as mentioned above.
After six to nine hour days of hiking, your feet will thank you if you have an extra pair of shoes to wear around camp at night. I brought Teva sandals for a good ol’ socks and sandals look.
While some people used a phone flashlight, I suggest bringing a headlamp because they can be used hands-free, making eating, brushing teeth, and getting changed in your tent a lot easier in the dark. A headlamp will also come in handy on the last day of the trek, when the hike begins in the dark.
Wet wipes will probably be the only way you get to clean yourself for the four days you’re on the trail. I suggest bringing baby wipes, because they work well on your face and body.
Biodegradable products. Whether it be toothpaste, deodorant or mouthwash, biodegradable is best when visiting developing countries. Considering you’ll probably be brushing your teeth without a sink, it’s nice to know that any residue won’t be harming the planet.
A quick-dry towel. I brought a Mountain Warehouse towel.
What to rent
For the simple reason that I didn’t want to lug these items around in my luggage around the rest of Peru, I opted to rent them from my tour company upon arrival.
Trekking poles
Sleeping bag
Sleeping pad
What I regret bringing
A DSLR. While I wish I’d have used it more often, a smaller, more compact camera would’ve been the better choice for the simple reason that my camera was bulky and heavy, and required me to reach in my backpack every time I wanted to take a picture. I found myself using my phone camera more often due to how easy it was to access.
A sun hat. While a sun hat might be someone’s optimal choice, I regretted it because I already had a Buff. Two head coverings seemed unnecessary to me while on the trail and I gravitated towards my Buff.
A travel alarm clock. Depending on your tour company, your guide will most probably wake you up in the morning. For this reason, my travel alarm clock was completely useless to me.
Of course, a packing list is a very personal thing. Hopefully my experience will help you feel better prepared for your trek. Anything else you think you need to know before the trek? Watch my video on everything to know before hiking the Inca Trail.