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I just got home after spending three weeks in Peru, and wow, I am still buzzing from this trip. From the beaches of Lima to the peaks of Rainbow Mountain, Peru exceeded every expectation I had.
If you’re planning a trip to Peru, this is your comprehensive packing guide. I’m sharing exactly what I packed and advice on what you’re actually going to use based on my travel experience. This packing list could be used when prepping for a one to four-week trip. Peru is an adventure-heavy destination, so packing light (and smart) will make your trip infinitely better.
Let’s get you packed and ready!
Why Peru Should Be On Your Travel Bucket List
Peru was insane! Since it was my first time in South America, I didn’t know what to expect. I was actually a little nervous on the flight, wondering what I had gotten myself into by booking three weeks of solo travel. But instantly, I was in love with Peru! As a digital nomad who’s visited 30+ countries, Peru officially cracks my top three.
The people are friendly, funny, and welcoming. Even with a language barrier, the locals always tried to help me. A few basic Spanish phrases and treating people with kindness will go a long way.
And the food? Peru is widely considered to have the best food in South America. As I continued my travels through Colombia, locals constantly commented on how good the food in Peru is once they learned I had just been there. Even as a vegetarian, I had plenty of options. Quinoa soup and the endless variety of potato dishes were standouts.
Nature-wise, Peru is stunning! You’ll find rainforests, deserts, beaches, glaciers, and literal rainbow-colored mountains made from mineral clay. The mountain landscapes around Cusco are some of the prettiest I’ve ever seen. They claim to rival the mountains of New Zealand (a place I’ve lived as a digital nomad), and I have to agree.
Of course, there are the Inca ruins too. Machu Picchu is the star, but there are so many other lesser-known sites throughout the Sacred Valley that are just as impressive.
Peru is also affordable. Food, transportation, tours, and basic hotels are very budget-friendly.
Peru is a fantastic starter country for solo female travelers in South America. There are a few areas in Lima to avoid, but overall, I felt very safe in Peru. I recommend staying in Barranco or Miraflores in Lima for walkable access to restaurants, bars, and shops.
If I haven’t sold you yet, check out these U30X travelers’ reviews of Peru:
- Peru And Machu Picchu Group Tour Recap
- I Left A Piece Of My Heart In Peru
- My Peru Group Travel Experience
Climate & Weather
Peru’s weather is diverse. As you move from the coast to the mountains to the jungle, you’ll experience dramatic changes. Sometimes you may even experience dramatic changes within the same day. In Cusco, I had a day that started mild and sunny, only for temperatures to drop suddenly as a massive hailstorm blew in. It lasted about an hour, then disappeared as quickly as it came.
I always say “pack layers”, but Peru truly takes the crown for most unpredictable weather. It might be hot, cold, windy, rainy, hailing, or humid.
Peru has three main climate zones to prepare for:
Dry Desert Coast
Lima sits along the coast and stays mild year-round. Locals surf even in winter. Nearby Paracas and the Ballestas Islands offer incredible wildlife tours, while Huacachina is famous for sandboarding and dune buggying through the desert.
Temperate Andean Highlands
Cusco is located in the Peruvian Andes and serves as a hub for day trips. Machu Picchu, Rainbow Mountain, Humantay Lake, and the Sacred Valley all fall within this region. You’ll likely spend a lot of your itinerary here.
Tropical Amazon Jungle
Head inland from Cusco, and you’ll reach the Amazon. This region is hot, humid, and buggy, and far less visited by tourists.
It’s also important to know if you are traveling during the wet or dry season. The wet season in Peru lasts from November to April, bringing more rain and reduced visibility at Machu Picchu. The dry season, May to October, offers better weather but heavier crowds.
I traveled during shoulder season in early November and lucked out with incredible weather, great visibility, and fewer crowds. You get the best of both worlds at that time of year.
Ultimate Peru Packing Checklist
- Bags & Luggage
- Clothing
- Shoes
- Accessories
- Travel Documents & Currency
- Toiletries
- Surviving The Altitude
- Hiking Essentials
Bags & Luggage
You’ll move around a lot, changing hotels frequently, so mobility matters when selecting your baggage.
- Travel Backpack or Small Carry-On Suitcase: A backpack is ideal for navigating transportation and stairs. I opted for a suitcase since I have scoliosis. Either will work, but don’t overpack.
- Day Pack (15 - 22L): Essential for the Sacred Valley, Inca Trail, Salkantay Trek, and Rainbow Mountain. My favorite daypack is the Gregory Maya 20 Women’s Pack.
- Crossbody Bag: Keeps valuables secure and visible during city outings.
- Packing Cubes: Helpful for keeping things organized.
Clothing
When packing for Peru, prioritize versatile, comfortable layers suitable for outdoor adventure. This is everything I brought and used in Peru.
- 2 Pairs of Hiking Pants: One lightweight, breathable pair for jungle trekking, and one thicker pair for colder weather.
- 1 Pair of Athletic Pants: I brought a pair of leggings.
- 1 Pair of Jeans: Good for city walking tours or wearing to dinner.
- 3 Pairs of Shorts: I brought 1 pair of biker shorts, which I wore on a 22 km bike through the Sacred Valley, a pair of hiking shorts, and a pair of comfy shorts to wear in the desert region.
- 4 T-shirts: Breathable cotton T-shirts and dry wicking T-shirts.
- 1 Tank Top: Nice for sandboarding in the desert and the humid jungle.
- 2 Long-Sleeved Shirts
- 1 Base Layer: If you are planning to do any overnight trekking, you will need a warm base layer. Temperature drops in the mountains at night.
- 1 Button Up: Offers sun protection and extra warmth.
- 2 Pullovers: I brought a fleece quarter zip and a vest. A sweatshirt could be a good layer.
- Gore-Tex Rain Jacket: You could also buy a poncho in Cusco.
- Lightweight Down Jacket: I love my Cotopaxi down jacket that rolls up small.
- 1 Outfit To Go Out To Dinner: Peru is very casual, so don’t waste too much space on looking nice.
- 2 Sets of Pajamas: One for colder nights, one for hotter nights.
- 3 Pairs of Wool Hiking Socks
- Socks, Underwear & Bras
- Swimsuit: For surfing in Lima or a hot spring in the Sacred Valley.
Shoes
You’ll be very physically active in Peru. Pack shoes that are comfortable and supportive. Your shoes need to work for rocky city roads, dirt trails, muddy fields, and sandy deserts. Don’t bring shoes that you’re afraid to get dirty or wet.
- Hiking boots: If you’re planning to do any trekking, you’ll need supportive hiking boots.
- Sneakers: For everyday wear around cities.
- Flip flops: Good for hostel showers or to go down for hotel breakfast.
- Sandals: Sandals would be nice to have if you go sandboarding and dune buggying in Huacachina or spend the day at the beach in Lima. I would suggest a Teva or a Chaco over a fashion sandal.
Accessories
These are the items I brought to be prepared for any activity.
- Refillable Water Bottle
- Electrolytes
- Optional Water Purification Bottle: I brought my Grayl so I could filter water when a clean source to refill my bottle was not available. It’s great for cutting down on single-use plastic bottles.
- Beanie & Baseball Hat: I knew I was going to buy the signature colorful llama baseball hats sold all over Cusco, so I didn’t actually pack a baseball hat.
- Sunglasses
- Water-resistant Gloves
- Laundry Sheets: There are opportunities to send out your laundry in Peru, but I like to bring laundry sheets and a bag to wash a few items myself. There are no self-service laundromats in Peru.
- Bag Tracker: I had an AirTag in all of my bags.
- Optional Technology: Camera, Kindle, iPad
- Optional Portable Door Lock: Cusco and the surrounding tourist attractions are very safe. The people are helpful, friendly, and generally not looking to harm you. There are some neighborhoods in Lima that are less safe. If you’re a solo female traveler planning to venture off the beaten path, a door lock may give you peace of mind.
- Optional Notebook: Peru will be amazing! Bring a journal to reflect on your adventures.
- Optional Book: If you can read on a bus without getting car sick, bring a book to keep you occupied on long rides. I unfortunately get car sick, so instead of reading, I talked the ear off my bus buddy.
Travel Documents & Currency
Pack all your travel documents and currency in your carry-on bag.
- Passport
- Secondary Identification: Driver’s License or State ID
- Travel Insurance & Health Insurance Card
- Credit card: In Peru, you will need both cash and a credit card. I found that places accepted one or the other, but not both. For example, San Pedro Market in Cusco is cash only, while the best restaurants in the Barranco neighborhood of Lima are card only.
- Debit Card: Withdraw money from Banco de la Nación ATMs to avoid international fees.
- USD $$: Exchange USD to Peruvian Sol at the airport. Peru is an affordable country, so a little goes a long way. I exchanged $200 at the beginning of my trip.
- Copy of passport, driver’s license, and credit card
Toiletries
Bring your standard toiletries, plus be prepared for strong sun and bugs.
- Bug Spray/Cream & Anti-Itch Cream
- Sunscreen
- Deodorant
- Toothpaste & Toothbrush
- Hairbrush: Most accommodations will have a hairdryer you can borrow from the front desk.
- Shampoo, Conditioner, Body Wash & Face Wash: I recommend bar versions since they take up less space and are more environmentally friendly.
- Hand Sanitizer & Tissues: You will need these for public restrooms or trail bathrooms.
- First Aid Kit: Band Aids, Neosporin, Advil/Tylenol, Ginger Tablets, Motion Sickness Prevention, Allergy Medicine, etc.
- Prescription Medications: Pack in your carry-on in the original packaging.
- Clorox Wipes
- Glasses or Contacts
- Optional Cosmetics: I didn’t wear makeup in Peru. Instead, I applied sunscreen and a good lip balm since the altitude will dry you out.
Surviving The Altitude
Altitude in Peru is no joke. Before this trip, the highest altitude I had experienced was 2,800 meters (9,200 ft) in the Austrian Alps. Cusco sits at 3,400 meters (11,200 ft), and Rainbow Mountain reaches 5,200 meters (17,000 ft). I was unsure how my body was going to react to that high elevation. Thankfully, I felt pretty good for most of the trip!
On my first days in Cusco, I experienced mild headaches, fatigue, and breathlessness while walking uphill. It’s very humbling to be young and fit and be breathing heavily while walking on an incline. Give yourself a few days in Cusco to acclimatize before tackling big hikes. Starting your day with a cup of Coca or Muña tea will help combat the side effects of being at a high altitude.
As an experienced hiker, I felt really good on the one-day Inca Trail trek and didn’t struggle with the altitude at all. However, on Rainbow Mountain, I struggled. I felt lightheaded, dizzy, and nauseous. I also had to take lots of breaks. This is totally normal! Even the people in my group from Colorado, who regularly climb fourteeners, had to take Rainbow Mountain slowly. Take it slow, rest often, and listen to your body. The summit is totally worth it!
It’s okay to feel a little nervous if Peru will be your first time at altitude. I’ve put together a list of everything you’ll need to prevent altitude sickness and feel your best.
- Ibuprofen (Advil) & Acetaminophen (Tylenol): Good for minimizing headaches.
- AltiVital: A local herbal supplement that you can find at any pharmacy in Peru. It contains Muña, mint, chamomile, tocash (Peruvian fermented potato), ginger, turmeric, and Cat’s Claw bark to help your body adjust to altitude. I took a few tablets every day.
- Water Bottle: Drink more water than you normally do.
- Electrolytes: Altitude dehydrates you.
- Ginger Tablets: Helps calm nausea.
- Tampons: Did you know that being at high altitude can affect your natural cycle? High altitude can cause you to have an irregular period with a heavy flow – oh, how I love being a woman! Even if you think you won’t need it, pack period products. Most likely, you will only be able to find tampons with a cardboard applicator or no applicator in Cusco.
- Muña & Coca Tea: Most hotels will offer local teas that clear your airways, help with digestion, fight fatigue, and minimize aches.
- Aromatic Oil: You can buy a bottle of aromatic oil at the base of Rainbow Mountain. You put the oil on your hands and inhale deeply to open your airways. I thought it was amazing!
- Optional Prescription Altitude Medication: If you’re very nervous about altitude, it’s best to consult your doctor about all your options.
Hiking Essentials
Here’s what to wear & pack for trekking in Peru:
- Hiking Boots & Wool Socks
- Hiking Pants or Shorts
- Moisture-wicking Base Layer
- Pullover
- Hat & Sunglasses
- Rain Jacket or Poncho
- Extra Socks
- At Least 2L of Water
- Snacks
- Electrolyte Packets
- Tissues & Hand Sanitizer
- Sunscreen & Bugspray
- Optional Headlamp
- Optional KT Tape or Supportive Brace
Book Your Peru Adventure
Packing for Peru doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With the right layers, smart footwear, and this tried-and-tested Peru packing list, you’ll be prepared for whatever your trip throws at you.
Want a guided introduction to Peru? Grab a spot on U30X’s 7-day Machu Picchu & Peru trip. It’s the perfect balance of culture, adventure, and logistics handled for you.
Or, if you’re feeling adventurous, challenge yourself on the Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu. This unforgettable pilgrimage through the Peruvian Andes ends at one of the wonders of the world. I’m thinking I need to go back for this experience!
