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Complete Peru Packing List: From Machu Picchu to Lima

I have to admit that Peru is one of the most stunningly beautiful countries I’ve been to… and I’ve been to a lot of them. On a recent roadtrip through the Sacred Valley I can’t tell you how many times I had to stop the car to just soak in the views. From the beautiful coastal towns to the amazing mountains, and then the largest rainforest in the world passing through its borders, Peru has something for everyone. And dressing the part with a complete packing list for Peru will help you have a great trip!

Which also means it can be hard to pack for, well, everything Peru has to offer. Between the huge difference in temperatures and rains, packing for Peru can be a nightmare. That’s why I’ve created the complete Peru packing list. You’ll find everything you need to have a successful trip no matter if it’s dry or wet season, the coast or the mountains, from Machu Picchu to Lima… this Peru travel guide has it all.

Happy travels to Peru!

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Peru’s Weather

Peru has three distinct regions that each have their own distinct climates. The Amazon Rainforest, the coast, and the Andes (or highlands) all have very different weather patterns.

But what is easy to understand is that Peru has two seasons: dry and wet. Both are distinguishable by- you guessed it- the amount of rainfall each season gets.

Dry v. Wet Season

Rainy season isn’t the best time to visit Peru if you plan on visiting either the Amazon or the Andes. Trekking the Sacred Valley is nearly impossible and sometimes even impassable due to the amount of rainfall. Some areas you’ll find rivers impassable with hikers writing about how annoying and frustrating this season can be.

Of course, not everywhere sees the rainy season the same. Lima only averages less than an inch of rain annually! So if you plan to spend your rainy season on the coast you’ll be fine.

Dry Season: April-November
Wet Season: November-March

Travel Tip! If you take advantage of shoulder season and travel during November you'll get much lower prices and little rainfall. That's what I did when I visited and it was perfect! Few crowds, good deals, and little rain in the Andes.

Temperatures Vary Widely

Just like the seasons, temperatures vary between the Amazon, the coast, and the Andes. This makes packing a nightmare, especially if you plan to spend considerable time in all of them.

While you might need your alpaca sweater for the chilly nights and mornings in the Andes, you could be wearing your swimsuit on the coast the same day. This means you need to look at temperatures (highs and lows) for all the areas you’ll be visiting and pack accordingly.

Ultimate Peru Packing checklist

Packing Essentials

Electronics (phones, cameras, headphones, etc.)
Always important is packing your electronics for any international trip. I love using an electronics organizer to keep everything together – never leaving a cord behind again!

Reusable Water Bottle
Drinking water, especially at high altitude in the Sacred Valley, is so important. I recommend investing in a LifeStraw water bottle, which makes any water potable. Saving yourself paying for plastic water bottles and the environment a little bit of work, too.

Daypack / Tote
I love bringing a collapsable bag on my trips to bring along for the day. It fits small in my luggage but lets me bring water bottles, snacks, rain jackets, etc. out for activities. This is especially important in places like the Sacred Valley where you’ll want to be prepared for any weather changes.

Portable Charger
It’s always a good idea to pack a portable charger, especially if you’ll be out exploring all-day. (I love this one if you want to get multiple charges from one device.)

Sunscreen
Even in the cooler mountains it’s important to pack sunscreen. With the higher elevations you won’t realize how much sun you’re getting.

Portable Washing Bag
I brought my Scrubba on my trip to Peru to wash a few clothes during the trip. This helps me cut down on my packing, especially for longer trips.

Bug Spray
I’m not even joking when I say the bugs in the Sacred Valley can be relentless. Bring some bug repellent wipes, which don’t count as a liquid.

Travel Documents

Passport
Can’t leave home without it! Bring your passport and be sure to have a copy on your iCloud or similar. Check your passport’s expiration date (you need 6 months validity) and that you have at least one blank passport page.

Travel Insurance
You should never leave home without a travel insurance policy. This will protect you from personal expenses if you get sick or injured but it can also help you get some expenses back if your luggage is lost, too.

Travel Card Without Foreign Transaction Fees / Cash
Most restaurants and shops in cities will take card but some smaller areas in the Sacred Valley will require you to pay with cash. I recommend bringing a travel card without foreign transaction fees (I like this one!) for your day-to-day expenses.

Travel Tip! I use an ATM without foreign ATM fees to withdraw money from an ATM upon arrival. Capital One 360 Checking is a great option if you're looking for options!

Peru packing list: Clothing + Shoes

view of cusco from Hilton garden inn hotel room
Cusco Cathedral

T-Shirts and Long-Sleeve Shirts (i.e. layer up)
Packing in layers is so important to visiting Peru. You could be wearing a thermal sweater out to dinner only after hiking in a t-shirt the following afternoon.

Lightweight / Insulated Jacket
Depending on your region and season you’ll need to pack either/and a lightweight and insulated jacket. I love my Patagonia Nano Puff because I can pretty much stuff it into extra space in the suitcase.

Rain Jacket (for rainy season)
Bringing a waterproof rain jacket is important if you’re traveling to the Amazon or Andes during rainy season. (You can always waterproof water resistant clothes with Nakwax. I did this for a pair of pants and it worked perfectly!)

Sweaters / Fleece
I wouldn’t overpack your sweaters since you can buy beautiful handmade alpaca wool ones for around $4 in Peru. Bring 1-2 fleece and sweaters to help get you started and leave space to buy one to bring home with you.

Pants / Shorts
On my trip to Peru I brought one pair of joggers, one jeans, and one leggings. Of them all I wore my travel joggers and jeans the most.

Sleepwear
Be sure to bring something that will keep you comfortable during the cool nights in the Sacred Valley.

Underwear / Bras
It’s a good idea to invest in cotton or similar drying underwear. I wear Tommy John cotton underwear because they are easy to wash on longer trips.

Swimsuit
Some hotels have pools (especially in Lima) or you might visit a hot spring in the Sacred Valley. Packing a swimsuit just in case is a good idea.

Comfortable Walking Shoes
A good pair of walking shoes, like these, is important to walking around the cobblestones of Cusco, the mini-hikes of Machu Picchu, and even the bustling streets on Lima.

Waterproof Boots (for rainy season)
If you plan to travel during rainy season invest in a pair of waterproof Chelsea boots. They are stylish and will keep you dry all-day, too.

Hiking Essentials

If you’re planning to hike Rainbow Mountain, the Inca Trail, or spend time at Lake Titicaca don’t forget to bring quality hiking gear. Outside of the clothing essentials and some trekking poles, if you decide you want to take a longer overnight hike and need a tent or sleeping bag you can always rent equipment in towns like Cusco.

Accessories

Hat
You most likely will need both a hat to protect you from the sun and maybe a winter hat for the evenings to keep your head warm (usually this is helpful if you plan to be at higher elevations).

Gloves
Check your nightly lows before your trip and decide if some gloves will help keep you warm at altitude.

Sunglasses
Sunglasses are super important everywhere in Peru, especially during dry season. Be sure to pack a pair you don’t mind losing on your trip.

Machu Picchu packing list

Visiting Machu Picchu is a beast of an experience. And let’s just say I learned a lot from it… from buying a sun hat to literally bleeding from insect bites on my ankles… so I’m happy to be writing this so you don’t have the same experience.

Depending on the day and season you can experience a variety of trips up to Machu Picchu – from rain, to fog, to full sun, the weather will really impact your trip and what to pack and wear for your travel day, too. And the weather can change drastically from your arrival to departure at the peak, too!

Must-Haves for Machu Picchu

Passport
You must have an acceptable form of ID to visit Machu Picchu with your ticket, which for a foreigner is your passport. If you don’t have it you will not be admitted into the park.

Bug Repellant
There were plenty of shops selling this down in Aguas Calientes but if you are particular about your spray be sure to bring some wipes with you on your trip. As much as I’d like to say this is optional it’s not. Midges and sand flies are everywhere and they can seriously destroy your ankles. I’ve read horror stories of visitors who were bedridden after their trip due to bites.

Sun Hat
Even if it’s cloudy the sun can pop out at any minute and with little shade you’re going to want to protect yourself with a sun hat. I bought a fleece hat in Peru that I brought with me to Machu Picchu.

Water Bottle
Water bottles are allowed in Machu Picchu so be sure to bring some cold water with you. If you forget you can always buy some from the small cafe near the visitors center before going into the grounds.

Rain Jacket or Poncho
You are literally in the clouds and the weather can change quickly. Being prepared with a rain jacket or poncho in a small daypack is a good idea.

Staying the night in Aguas Calientes?

If you’re planning to come to Aguas Calientes the evening before for an overnight be sure to only pack an overnight bag and leave your suitcase/larger luggage in the Sacred Valley. Larger suitcases are not allowed on the train.

Usually visitors will book dual nights in the Sacred Valley and Aguas Calientes to leave their bags and return back to their home base after the trip. But you can also find luggage storage lockers at the train station in Ollantaytambo.

Should I bring a Suitcase or backpack to Peru?

Depending on your travel style, amount of destinations you’re visiting, and exactly where you’re staying can all impact if you should bring a suitcase of backpack on your trip to Peru. Personally I opted to bring my Cotopaxi Allpa 35L travel backpack for my trip and here’s why.

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First, most airlines flying into Cusco have pretty strict baggage policies which made traveling with my backpack easier. But secondly I like to bring a travel backpack when my trip is more than one destination that’s hard to get around. Bringing a suitcase on the cobblestone streets of Cusco would be nearly impossible and I’m so glad we could just walk.

If you bring a suitcase be sure it fits the regulations of the airline you’ll be flying to Cusco and that you are willing and able to easily carry it around, as needed, in the Sacred Valley. It’s not impossible but it certainly sometimes isn’t fun.

More Peru Tips + Inspiration

I hope your Peru trip is a wonderful experience full of many memories! This travel guide is just one of many helpful ways to learn more about visiting Peru. Be sure to check out some of my other helpful guides (and itineraries, too!) to Peru which include helpful budget travel tips along the way!

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