It’s tricky to decide what to pack for the Inca Trail – you certainly don’t want to take more than you need, since you’ll have to carry it all on your back, but you also don’t want to be without something you truly need. So, here’s our guide for what to pack for hiking the Inca Trail.

A few things to note before we get started:

We did the traditional 4-day, 3-night trek so if you are planning a different tour, adjust accordingly. Also, we went during the rainy season in the middle of December so we packed thinking we’d see a lot of rain, but it actually only sprinkled once during our four-day trek (lucky us!), but know that the weather can be a bit unpredictable. If you are planning to go during the dry season, you could probably go with a couple lighter layers than what we have listed, but for the most part this list would work for any time of the year. Lastly, we took the approach of wanting as little on our backs as possible, so, if you don’t want to re-wear clothes several days in a row maybe bring an extra pair – this list is just what you will absolutely need.

The Essentials:

1. Trekking Backpack – 35-50L (we both brought 40L backpacks and everything fit easily but we didn’t have much extra space). We were also very glad to have backpack covers to protect both from the rain and from dirt – most trekking packs come with one, but if you forget one, the merchants that sell to tourists at the start of the trek also sell these.
2. Sleeping bag – rated for 25 degrees Fahrenheit (-3 degrees Celsius) and a sleeping bag compression sack (this makes it half the size which is a lifesaver when you want to condense all your things as much as possible). It is possible to rent a sleeping bag from the tour company for about $25, but they’re typically much bulkier and you don’t know who has slept in them before you.
3. Hiking boots – sturdy hiking boots are highly recommended, but if you go during the dry season hiking shoes could work as well.
4. Two changes of clothes – two pairs of leggings (alternatives: shorts or sweat pants), one long sleeve shirts, one short sleeve shirt/tank top, one sweatshirt, three pairs of socks. We decided to wear 1 pair of pants hiking and the other sleeping and used the sweatshirt as a pillow at night, but if you don’t like wearing dirty clothes that much, think about bringing an extra change of clothes.
5. Rain Jacket – the weather can be unpredictable so having a rain jacket is a good idea!
6. Baseball cap/Sunglasses/Gloves – just be prepared for changing weather.
7. Sunscreen & Bug Spray – Even during the rainy season the sun is out for several hours everyday so don’t forget sunscreen (at the very least for your face). While it’s true there aren’t many bugs at such high altitude in the Andes, it doesn’t hurt to have some handy, particularly for nights at camp.
8. Toiletries – We brought travel sizes of everything and tried not to double up on anything to limit the weight in our packs. The only shower is on the third night and it is freezing cold water, but if you plan to use it having shampoo or soap wouldn’t hurt. Also, face wipes and hand sanitizer are a MUST, because the water isn’t safe and the bathrooms definitely don’t have hand soap.
9. Water Bottle(s) – The tour company will boil water every night and often at every lunch, so bring one or two water bottles to fill up when you have the chance. A good gauge is to be able to hold enough water for at least a half day (5 hours) of hiking.

Optional Items:

1. Portable Chargers/Extra Batteries –  Although you really won’t be able to use your phone or other electronics much – aside from taking photos – you still may want a portable charger or two to make sure you don’t miss out on all the photo opportunities by the time you make it to Machu Picchu.
2. Snacks – We’ve heard that some tour companies are better than others when it comes to how much food they provide so you may want to look at reviews of the one you picked to decide if you think you’ll need snacks along the way. SAS Travel provided SO MUCH great food, so we didn’t need to bring any snacks but we did keep a bar of chocolate in our backpacks for a last-minute treat before going to bed.
3. Music/Headphones – on the second day when they tell you to just keep hiking straight up the mountain for 5 hours, we found that our saving grace was throwing in headphones and shuffling a long playlist. Especially if you are used to listening to music while working out this might be something to keep in mind. For us, the music also helped to keep us from hearing our own heavy breathing on the way up, which really made a difference.
4. Deck of Cards – every night we played cards with our fellow trekkers and had a blast! It was a great way to hang out a little longer after dinner and get to know one another. Hopefully, you or someone in your group will have a deck for the evenings.
5. Camera – the views are breathtaking, so make sure you have something to capture them!
6. Sandals – any change of shoes is welcomed after being stuck in hiking boots all day but depending on the shoe it can add a lot of weight and take up precious space in your pack. We didn’t bring a second pair of shoes but others in our group did and at times we were jealous.
7. Trekking Straps – Most tour companies will give you a mattress pad to use but you will require you to carry it. It’s not heavy but it’s awkward and you’ll need straps to attach it to the bottom of your backpack. You can bring them with you but if you forget like we did you can buy 2 straps from the merchants at the start of the hike for 5 soles.

If you are worried about the hike and don’t want to add the stress of carrying a large backpack, you can pay extra and a porter will carry your stuff for you (but you will still need a small day pack for your camera, rain jacket, and other essentials because you won’t see the porters until you get to camp each night). The cost will depend on the tour company but it’s advisable to do this ahead of time because if you get through the first day and then decide you want a personal porter it will either be crazy expensive or not possible for them to get a porter to you. These porters work so hard and carry everything from the tents and food, to the propane tanks and tables that you use along the way so be sure to tip them at the end of your trip if you are able.  

If you have more specific questions, don’t hesitate to ask!

XOXO,

Lauren & Lexi