Peru Packing List
By the NanoPack team · Updated on · Checked against official sources
What to pack for Peru: the big one is altitude. Cusco sits at 3,400 metres and altitude sickness is common, so plan a day or two to acclimatise and pack any altitude medication your doctor advises. Bring layers for days that are warm and nights that are cold, a waterproof jacket for the rainy season from November to April, and comfortable broken-in walking shoes for Machu Picchu and the ruins. Peru runs on 220-volt power, so pack an adapter and check your chargers are dual-voltage. Carry your passport, because you need it to enter Machu Picchu and it must match the ticket you booked. Buy tickets in advance, not at the gate.
Peru essentials at a glance
- Layers for warm days and cold nights
- A waterproof jacket (rainy season Nov-Apr)
- Altitude medication (ask your doctor)
- Broken-in walking shoes
- Your passport, needed to enter Machu Picchu
- Sunscreen and a hat for the high-altitude sun
- A plug adapter (Peru is 220V, Type A/C)
- Insect repellent for the lower valleys
- Cash in soles
Peru asks your body and your wardrobe to handle altitude first: Cusco is higher than many mountain summits, and altitude sickness hits plenty of visitors who fly straight in. Give yourself a day or two to adjust, pack layers for the wide swing between midday sun and cold nights, and bring proper rain gear if you travel between November and April. Sort out the altitude, pack for both strong sun and cold rain, and carry the passport that gets you into Machu Picchu.
Altitude
- Any altitude medication your doctor advises · such as acetazolamide
- Coca tea or sweets · many travellers find they help with mild symptoms
- A plan to acclimatise a day or two in Cusco
- A reusable water bottle · drink plenty, eat light, go slow at first
Clothing and layers
- A base layer and a fleece or light sweater
- A waterproof jacket
- Warm layers for the cold nights
- Quick-dry trousers
- A sun hat and sunglasses
- A warm hat and gloves for high passes
- One smart-casual outfit for Lima and Cusco
Feet
- Comfortable broken-in walking shoes or hiking boots
- Warm socks
- Sandals for the towns
Documents and money
- A passport valid 6+ months · required to enter Machu Picchu, and it must match your ticket
- Machu Picchu and train tickets bought in advance
- Cash in soles and a card
- Copies of your documents
Rainy season (Nov to Apr)
- A good rain jacket and trousers
- Waterproof boots
- A dry bag or pack cover
- Quick-dry clothes and extra socks
Health and extras
- Sunscreen SPF 30+ · the high-altitude sun is strong
- Lip balm
- Insect repellent for the lower valleys and jungle
- Bottled or purified water · Peru's tap water is not safe to drink; skip unpurified ice too
- A basic first-aid kit and rehydration sachets
- A plug adapter and a dual-voltage charger · Peru is 220V (Type A/C); US flat plugs fit but 220V fries 110V-only devices
- A headlamp and a camera
What not to pack
- The plan to rush straight up to Cusco · fly in and push hard and altitude sickness is likely; acclimatise first
- Any hope of buying Machu Picchu tickets at the gate · there are none; buy online or in Cusco in advance
- A passport that does not match your ticket · you cannot enter Machu Picchu without the passport you booked with
- Only summer clothes · nights and high passes are cold year-round
- Heavy cotton for the rainy season · it stays wet; choose quick-dry
Packing tips and mistakes to avoid
Respect the altitude
Cusco sits at 3,400 metres, higher than many people have ever been, and altitude sickness is common, especially if you fly straight in. Plan a day or two to acclimatise before any big activity, go slow, drink water and eat light, and ask your doctor about altitude medication. The one thing that reliably helps is time.
Your passport is your Machu Picchu ticket
You need your passport to enter Machu Picchu, and it must be the exact passport you used to buy the ticket, so carry it and check the details match before you travel.
Buy tickets before you go
Machu Picchu entries and the trains sell out and are not sold at the gate, so book them online or in Cusco well in advance, and pick your entry circuit and time when you do.
Pack for warm days, cold nights and rain
The Andes swing from strong midday sun to properly cold nights, and the rainy season runs November to April, so you need both warm layers and a proper waterproof jacket.
The things people forget
- Any altitude medication, and time to acclimatise in Cusco
- Your passport, it must match your Machu Picchu ticket
- A waterproof jacket for the rainy season
- Layers for the cold Andean nights
What people wish they had packed
- A dual-voltage charger for Peru's 220-volt power
- A warm hat and gloves for the high passes
- A dry bag for the rain
- Broken-in walking shoes you trust
Frequently asked questions
What should you pack for Peru?
Layers for warm days and cold nights, a waterproof jacket for the rainy season, any altitude medication, broken-in walking shoes, sunscreen for the strong high-altitude sun, a plug adapter for the 220-volt sockets, and your passport, which you need to enter Machu Picchu. Carry cash in soles too.
How do you avoid altitude sickness in Cusco?
Give your body time: spend a day or two in Cusco taking it easy before any big activity, go slow, drink plenty of water and eat light, and consider altitude medication after speaking to your doctor. Coca tea eases the symptoms for many people.
Do you need your passport for Machu Picchu?
Yes. You must show your passport to enter Machu Picchu, and it has to be the same passport you used to buy the ticket. Tickets are not sold at the gate, so buy them online or in Cusco in advance.
What do people forget to pack for Peru?
Altitude medication and time to acclimatise, a warm hat and gloves for the high passes, a waterproof jacket for the rainy season, a plug adapter for Peru's 220-volt power, and the reminder that their passport must match their Machu Picchu ticket.