A wise man once said that the only thing you need to take with you when you travel is your towel. That wise man was Ford Prefect in the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. Although ‘less is more’ is certainly a good idea when you travel, you do need at least a few more items than that — specifically, your passport.
When putting together your Peru packing list, you need to seriously consider what you’re taking, rather than throwing every prized possession, any old shoes, and a questionable amount of underpants in a bag. Peru offers so many diverse adventures, from hiking the Inca Trail, to sandboarding on the continent's only desert oasis, to kayaking the world's highest navigable lake. With so much fun to be had, how do you know what to pack? If you’re not sure what to bring to Peru, we’re here to help. Put down that 80L backpack, grab a manageable 40L, and be sure to fill it with travel items fit to purpose.
Peru travel essentials
The truth is when packing for any big adventure, you don’t need to take too much, only the bare essentials. You definitely don’t need 14 pairs of socks! To help you narrow down your ‘must haves’ and ‘could do withouts’, here are some must-packs for Peru.
First aid kit — bandages, sterile gauze, antiseptic wipes, tweezers, and antibiotic ointment
Commonly needed medicine — like pain relievers, antihistamines, anti-nausea medication, motion sickness tablets, and any other medicine you might want to bring, particularly if you plan to visit high-altitude areas or the jungle
Credit and debit cards — let your bank know you are travelling before you leave
Insect repellent — choose a Picaridin spray or essential oil repellent as it’s more eco-friendly
Printed travel insurance docs and passport photocopies — in case of emergencies
Microfibre towel — these are faster drying than traditional towels
Reusable water bottle — opt for a filtration bottle that doubles up as a water purifier, otherwise you can usually fill up a water bottle from dispensers in hostels
Personal hygiene items — soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, and a shampoo bar
A carabiner clip — this may seem like an odd choice but it's handy for clipping dirty shoes to the outside of your bag, holding up a towel as a make-shift curtain in your hostel, or clipping your bag to the roof rack of a combis bus or colectivos (public transport in Peru)
A piece of string — another random but often-used item as it can be used as a clothesline, to attach things to your bag, or to tie plastic bags over your shoes during rainy periods
Head lamp — for nighttime jungle treks, hiking, and visiting caves as well as finding your earplugs in the middle of the night
GPS tracker for your bag — just in case your airline loses your luggage, it can happen
Plug adapter — in Peru, they use Plug Type A with two flat parallel pins
Battery pack — for charging your cameras, phones, and other electronics
Camera, charger, and memory cards — obviously!
Day pack — a 15L or 20L backpack does the job but if you plan to do any hiking, consider one with an internal hydration pocket for a water bladder
Flip flops — for beaches and avoiding treading on hairs in a hostel shower
Travel pillow — not essential but they are more comfortable than rolling up a hoodie
Eye mask and earplugs — if you plan to stay in hostels, thank us later
Dry bag — not just a great way to keep your possessions dry by the water, but it doubles up as a portable washing bag, just load in your dirty laundry, add washing powder and water, then shake it around for 10 minutes and rinse
Plastic bags — one for dirty laundry and one for souvenirs
Money belt — to keep your money and important items safe on your person
Spanish phrasebook — English is not widely spoken outside of the cities in Peru so this will come in handy, alternately you can download Google Translate on your phone
Notebook and pen — after all, you’ll want to document your adventures!
Pack up and see it for yourself on: Absolute Peru
What to wear in Peru
When it comes to clothing, it’s recommended to dress modestly as most Peruvians are quite conservative with what they wear, especially when visiting religious sites or rural areas. It’s also worth noting that when visiting the Andes and high-altitude destinations, you'll want warm clothing, even in the height of summer.
Consider it a good opportunity to buy some alpaca or vicuña wool clothing, an iconic souvenir in Peru. These are sold in abundance in the markets in Cusco and other high-altitude mountain villages. Here are some essential clothes to bring with you but remember, you can wash your clothes on the road.
Lightweight and breathable t-shirts — x3
Lightweight and breathable cotton pants — x2
Swimwear — x2
Sweater or hoodie — x1
Hat and sunglasses — to protect you from the sun
Sturdy running shoes or sneakers — for general wear and exploring
Hat, gloves, and scarves — for exploring high altitudes
Underwear and socks — x5
Pack up and see it for yourself on: Peru: Inca Trail & the Amazon
Packing for Peru's rainy season
When packing for the rainy season, it’s important to pack the essentials and clothing mentioned above, as well as the following waterproof gear. It’s also recommended to waterproof your shoes. You can do this by spraying them with a waterproofing agent or applying a thin layer of beeswax or coconut oil to them.
Waterproof jacket or poncho — x1
Waterproof pants — x1
Quick dry clothing — x2 pairs
Raincover for your bag — get one for your main backpack and your day pack
Waterproof cases — for your phone and camera
Emergency blanket — just in case the cold and wet weather makes it difficult to stay warm
You may be tempted to take umbrellas, but they are generally bulky, annoying to carry, and don’t get used as often as you think. Opt for waterproof clothing instead.
What to wear hiking in Peru
If you’re thinking about hiking in Peru, particularly The Inca Trail, be sure to pack the waterproof gear mentioned above and these hiking essentials.
Hiking boots — look for ones with ankle support and plenty of tread in the soles
Hiking socks — a combination of thick and thin pairs
Insulating layers or thermal base layers — x2, one to wear, one in the wash
Quick drying and loose fitted clothing — x2
Trekking poles — or look for a long stick
Gaiters — to keep water out of your shoes
Snacks — look for high-fat, high-protein snacks like nuts and quinoa, or dried fruit and a mix of chocolate bars or energy bars
Binoculars — to look for the Andean Condor, one of the largest flying birds in the world (and yet still small with the naked eye)
Firestarter — hey, you gotta be prepared if you're not trekking with a guide and porters
Whistle — for getting attention in emergencies
Water purification tablets — or pack a water filtration bottle as mentioned above
Altitude sickness medicine — in Peru, they chew coca leaves or drink coca tea to help with altitude sickness, which you can buy from markets in high-altitude villages but it might not have a high effect on travellers, so consult your doctor and take altitude medicine from home as a precaution
Pack up and see it for yourself on: The Inca Trail and Amazon to the Andes
