Packing List For Machu Picchu

Last Updated on August 9, 2022 by James Bustamante

Your packing list for Machu Picchu will depend mainly on the method you used to get there. There are several routes we take to reach Machu Picchu, like treks which have specific packing requirements, or train ride which has their specification about what you should pack for the trip. There are also questions about what you can and should leave in your Cusco hotel while you visit Machu Picchu.

You obviously can’t take your luggage on a camping trip across the Andes to the Inca citadel. There is also the weather and seasons to consider when making a packing list for Machu Picchu.

What To Pack For Machu Picchu When Traveling By Train?

The most common, accessible, and overall fastest way to get to Machu Picchu is to take the train from Cusco or Ollantaytambo. The destination isn’t precisely Machu Picchu, though. Instead, the train will drop one off in a small town called “Aguas Calientes” or “Machu Picchu Pueblo.” This multi-name village is located in the cloud forests at the foothills of the Machu Picchu sanctuary. 

So for starters, you can’t take your luggage to Aguas Calientes by train. The majority of your items should stay behind in your Cusco hotel. Taking the train to Machu Picchu requires bringing what you can carry, so it is a good idea to pack lightly. Most train travelers will return to Cusco the same day or the following day if the itinerary includes an overnight stay in Aguas Calientes. 

This Machu Picchu day trip will require a backpack of around 25 liters, if not smaller. So what should one pack for the Machu Picchu day trip?

Packing List For Machu Picchu Day Trip

If you are going to take a Machu Picchu day trip, here are the recommended items to pack with you. 

Backpack or Daypack: You’ll only need the bare necessities for the day trip to Machu Picchu, so a small 25-liter daypack or backpack will suffice. You’ll be traveling by train, bus, and then hiking for about two and a half hours in Machu Picchu, so something small and easy to carry will be perfect for the day tour. 

Clothing For The Day Trip: The most crucial thing to remember when packing for Cusco and Machu Picchu is that you will need to wear layers. It can be frigid in the morning in Cusco and get several degrees warmer that very morning. Therefore, wearing layers to remove and put back on easily is critical in making the trip as comfortable as possible. It can be significantly warmer in Agus Calientes and Machu Picchu compared to Cusco and Ollantaytambo. 

• Comfortable footwear
• Hiking-style pants that turn into shorts are recommended.
• A jacket or sweater for the mornings and evenings.
• Rain poncho or jacket
• Long sleeve shirts, t-shirts to protect from the sun
• Cap or a hat to protect you from the sun
• Sunglasses

Essential Packing Items For Machu Picchu

There are some essential items to add to the packing list for Machu Picchu. These include cash in the form of local currency and required documentation. 

• Cash in the local currency called Peruvian Soles, we recommend carrying between 300 to 450 soles. That’s around $100 – $150, depending on the current exchange rate. 
• A valid passport is required to enter trains and Machu Picchu. Please be aware that you will need your original passport, not a copy. 
• Train tickets and bus tickets to get to Machu Picchu. You can print them out or show the QR code on your phone. 
• Machu Picchu entrance ticket is either printed, or you can show the QR code at the door.
• Sunglasses for protection from the sun’s powerful rays.
• Insect repellent, especially if you are traveling during the rainy season.
• Sunblock is also an essential item to bring along.

Packing Food And Water For Machu Picchu

When they say you aren’t allowed to bring food to Machu Picchu, it mainly refers to picnics or large meals. But, believe it or not, some groups have tried to set up picnics on the sanctuary grounds. 

You can bring in small items like power bars, trail mix, or other snacks if you pack up the wrappers or any other waste product. Water is another item on the packing list. You are not allowed to bring in disposable water bottles. However, you can bring a thermos or portable/reusable water bottle with you. Try to get a water bottle that holds about a liter of water. 

Do Not Do This In Machu Picchu

There are several do’s and don’ts in Machu Picchu. But, first, let’s review some of the main points travelers should not make. 

For starters, guests in Machu Picchu should not feed the llamas and alpacas. These camelids are ideally suited to grazing on the grass and other greenery in the Incan city. Therefore, giving them any of your power bars is unnecessary. 

Even during the rainy season, umbrellas are not permitted in Machu Picchu. There is always a chance that a breeze will blow your umbrella away into the surrounding mountains and turn it into garbage. So make sure to bring your rain poncho and leave the umbrella home. 

It is also a misconception that everyone will need walking sticks in Machu Picchu. Most people will find the Machu Picchu sanctuary hike relatively easy, and a walking stick might be a hindrance during the tour. For travelers requiring a walking stick, bring one with a rubber tip.

Lastly, don’t walk beyond the marked areas in Machu Picchu. Stay within the edges and do not try to walk too close to the edges of the Sanctuary city. The landscape is humid, and it can be pretty slippery. 

What To Pack For An Overnight Stay In Aguas Calientes?

If you plan to have a two-day Machu Picchu tour, you’ll most likely stay in Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo) for the night. This is because the two-day Machu Picchu tour is less rushed than the one-day trip and allows you to have time to explore Aguas Calientes. 

Backpack For Two Days:  Your daypack or backpack should have the same list of items mentioned for the single-day hike with a few additional things. A 25-liter backpack will be enough to add some extra clothes and other essential items. 

Clothing For Two Day Trip: The most significant difference will be the additional day you’ll spend in Aguas Calientes. The added day will give you time to visit the hot springs and walk around the small town. 

• Trekking Style pants have zippers around their knees that turn them into trekking shorts. 
• Warm clothes, travelers should dress in layers
• Comfortable shoes, soft hiking shoes that protect your ankles. 
• T-shirts, underwear for day 2, spare socks
• Sandals in case you plan to visit the Aguas Calientes hot springs
• Long-sleeve shirts to hike Machu Picchu
• A hat or cap to protect you from the sun
• Rain poncho or a rain jacket

Essential Packing Items For Machu Picchu Two-Day Trip

The two-day visit to Machu Picchu requires the same essential packing items as the single-day trip. 

• Cash in the form of the local currency (Peruvian Soles); try to bring 300 – 450 Peruvian Soles ($100 – $150).
• Original documentation like your passport, keep it in a dry and protected place at all times.
• Machu Picchu entrance tickets should be printed out, or ensure you have access to the online QR code. 
• Train and bus tickets to reach Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu should either be printed out or should be available via a QR code on your mobile.
• Sunblock, chapstick, or lip balm
• Insect repellent
• Sunglasses

Recommendations Packing List For Machu Picchu Two-Day Trip

Aguas Calientes is Spanish for “hot water”; this is in reference to the natural hot springs in the village. We recommend a visit to the hot springs which are located just 10 minutes from the center of town. Pack your bathing suit, a towel, flip-flops, or sandals. 

Travelers should always pack their toiletries. The hotel in Aguas Calientes will take the case of essential items like toilet paper, for example. Still, it would be best if you always had a small bar of soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, hand sanitizer, and anything else you might need. There are also stores in Aguas Calientes where you can buy anything you might have missed in Cusco. 

As mentioned in this blog post, stay within the edges and marked areas in Machu Picchu. The terrain can be pretty slippery, and getting a strange photograph of you posing over the edge is not worth the hassle and potential dangers. Lastly, don’t bring walking sticks unless you are a person with particular needs or need assistance in getting around. 

What To Pack For A Hiking Tour To Machu Picchu?

Taking a Machu Picchu hiking trip is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for most travelers. However, a select few returns to Peru every so often to take a different, longer, more challenging trek to Machu Picchu. For the general public, though, packing for a multiday hike to Machu Picchu will be a one-time experience, so it is best to get the packing list right. 

Preparation for the trip begins back in your country of origin. We recommend travelers train a few times each week by doing some moderate weight lifting and going out for long walks. Travelers can even try local hikes before heading to Peru to hike the Andes to Machu Picchu.

We recommend all travelers arrive in Cusco at least two days before the hiking trip begins to acclimate to the elevation. This is an integral part of the trip that sometimes gets overlooked. As someone who has hiked many times and gets to go to high elevation areas regularly, I can say that unless you live in high elevation, your body will always need time to adjust. 

Essential Packing Items For Machu Picchu Hiking Trips

While going on a trekking tour to Machu Picchu, you should always have the following items. 

• Valid documentation like your passport. Copies of documentation will not be accepted to enter the hike or Machu Picchu. 
• Comfortable hiking shoes are essential to having a good trek. They should be broken in by the time you use them for the hiking trip. 
• If you are a student and booked the trip with your student card, always have it on you.
• A high-quality 25-35 liter backpack is essential for a hiking trip.
• Sunscreen, insect repellent, lip balm, or chapstick
• Trekking poles are optional, but we recommend them for the hiking trip. Once in Machu Picchu, they won’t be necessary, though. 
• Water storage devices like a thermos or camel bags can carry around 2 liters of water.

What To Include In Daypack For Hiking Trip To Machu Picchu

Your daypack during the hiking trip should carry several items you’ll need. It is one of the most important aspects of the trip since it is where you’ll directly access your essentials during the excursion to Machu Picchu. The backpack should weigh around 10 lbs (5kg) and be of good quality. Below is a list of things to include.

• Toilet paper and zip lock bags for obvious reasons. We will provide portable bathrooms and toilet paper at designated stops, but you never know when nature will make its call during the hike, so it is a good idea always to be prepared with your toilet paper. 
• Dress in warm layers (jackets/long-sleeved shirts/t-shirts)
• A hat or cap to protect your face from the sun
• Sunglasses 
• Rain poncho, rain jacket, or any rain gear
• Insect repellent (essential during the wet season)
• Sunscreen, chapstick, or lip balm
• Hand sanitizer or a package of wet wipes
• A flashlight or head-torch can get very dark in the Andes at night.
• Band-aids as part of a small first aid kit
• Additional batteries for your camera or mobile phone
• Medication, paracetamol (tylenol, advil, etc)
• Snacks, trail mix, or power bars
• Cash in the form of local currency

Hiking Gear Packing List For Machu Picchu

There is also a packing list for other hiking items necessary for any multiday hiking trip to Machu Picchu. Below are some of the essential things you’ll need in addition to previous lists. Some items are included in a hiking package, while others are optional to rent in case you do not want to bring your own (like a sleeping bag).

• Sleeping bag (can be rented)
• Air mattress (can be rented)
• Warm jacket, gloves, fleece jacket, fleece beanie
• Hiking style pants with zippers (2 pairs)
• Towels (quick drying material)
• Hiking socks (several pairs)
• Soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, toilet paper, and other toiletries
• Moisturizer (hand and face)
• Plastic bags for waste
• Powerpacks for mobiles and cameras

Conclusion

A packing list for Machu Picchu will depend entirely on how someone plans to get to the Inca citadel. For one-day travelers, the packing list can be very simple and will fit in a small bag, while for something like a multiday hike, the number of items can be much more extensive. 

Cover Photo by Azzedine Rouichi