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\u2019s Guide to the Galaxy<\/em>. Although \u2018less is more\u2019 is certainly a good idea when you travel, you do need at least a few more items than that \u2014 specifically, your passport.<\/p>\n When putting together your Peru packing list, you need to seriously consider what you\u2019re 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\u2019re not sure what to bring to Peru, we\u2019re here to help. Put down that 80L backpack, grab a manageable 40L, and be sure to fill it with travel items fit to purpose.<\/p>\n The truth is when packing for any big adventure, you don\u2019t need to take too much, only the bare essentials. You definitely don\u2019t need 14 pairs of socks! To help you narrow down your \u2018must haves\u2019 and \u2018could do withouts\u2019, here are some must-packs for Peru.<\/p>\n First aid kit<\/strong> \u2014 bandages, sterile gauze, antiseptic wipes, tweezers, and antibiotic ointment Head lamp<\/strong> \u2014 for nighttime jungle treks, hiking, and visiting caves as well as finding your earplugs in the middle of the night Pack up and see it for yourself on: Absolute Peru<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n When it comes to clothing, it\u2019s recommended to dress modestly as most Peruvians are quite conservative with what they wear, especially when visiting religious sites or rural areas. It\u2019s also worth noting that when visiting the Andes and high-altitude destinations, you’ll want warm clothing, even in the height of summer. <\/p>\n Consider it a good opportunity to buy some alpaca or vicu\u00f1a 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.<\/p>\n Lightweight and breathable t-shirts<\/strong> \u2014 x3 Pack up and see it for yourself on: Peru: Inca Trail & the Amazon<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n When packing for the rainy season, it\u2019s important to pack the essentials and clothing mentioned above, as well as the following waterproof gear. It\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n Waterproof jacket or poncho<\/strong> \u2014 x1 You may be tempted to take umbrellas, but they are generally bulky, annoying to carry, and don\u2019t get used as often as you think. Opt for waterproof clothing instead.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re thinking about hiking in Peru, particularly The Inca Trail<\/a>, be sure to pack the waterproof gear mentioned above and these hiking essentials.<\/p>\n Hiking boots<\/strong> \u2014 look for ones with ankle support and plenty of tread in the soles Snacks<\/strong> \u2014 look for high-fat, high-protein snacks like nuts and quinoa, or dried fruit and a mix of chocolate bars or energy bars Pack up and see it for yourself on: The Inca Trail<\/a><\/strong> and Amazon to the Andes<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" 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\u2019s Guide to the Galaxy. Although \u2018less is more\u2019 is certainly a good idea when you travel, you do need at least a few more items […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":94522,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11760],"tags":[3037,4249,10677,13631],"dealstore":[],"offerexpiration":[],"class_list":["post-94521","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-adventure","tag-complete","tag-list","tag-packing","tag-peru"],"yoast_head":"\nPeru travel essentials<\/h2>\n
Commonly needed medicine<\/strong> \u2014 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<\/strong> \u2014 let your bank know you are travelling before you leave
Insect repellent<\/strong> \u2014 choose a Picaridin spray or essential oil repellent as it\u2019s more eco-friendly
Printed travel insurance docs and passport photocopies<\/strong> \u2014 in case of emergencies
Microfibre towel<\/strong> \u2014 these are faster drying than traditional towels
Reusable water bottle<\/strong> \u2014 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<\/strong> \u2014 soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, and a shampoo bar
A carabiner clip<\/strong> \u2014 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<\/em> (public transport in Peru)
A piece of string<\/strong> \u2014 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<\/p>\n![\"a](\"https:\/\/media-gadventures.global.ssl.fastly.net\/media-server\/dynamic\/blogs\/posts\/G-Adventures\/2024\/12\/blog-peru-packing-women-hikers.webp\" "\\"Peru")
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GPS tracker for your bag<\/strong> \u2014 just in case your airline loses your luggage, it can happen
Plug adapter<\/strong> \u2014 in Peru, they use Plug Type A with two flat parallel pins
Battery pack<\/strong> \u2014 for charging your cameras, phones, and other electronics
Camera, charger, and memory cards<\/strong> \u2014 obviously!
Day pack<\/strong> \u2014 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<\/strong> \u2014 for beaches and avoiding treading on hairs in a hostel shower
Travel pillow<\/strong> \u2014 not essential but they are more comfortable than rolling up a hoodie
Eye mask and earplugs<\/strong> \u2014 if you plan to stay in hostels, thank us later
Dry bag<\/strong> \u2014 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<\/strong> \u2014 one for dirty laundry and one for souvenirs
Money belt<\/strong> \u2014 to keep your money and important items safe on your person
Spanish phrasebook<\/strong> \u2014 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<\/strong> \u2014 after all, you\u2019ll want to document your adventures! <\/p>\nWhat to wear in Peru<\/h2>\n
Lightweight and breathable cotton pants<\/strong> \u2014 x2
Swimwear<\/strong> \u2014 x2
Sweater or hoodie<\/strong> \u2014 x1
Hat and sunglasses<\/strong> \u2014 to protect you from the sun
Sturdy running shoes or sneakers<\/strong> \u2014 for general wear and exploring
Hat, gloves, and scarves<\/strong> \u2014 for exploring high altitudes
Underwear and socks<\/strong> \u2014 x5<\/p>\n![\"a](\"https:\/\/media-gadventures.global.ssl.fastly.net\/media-server\/dynamic\/blogs\/posts\/G-Adventures\/2024\/10\/peru_packing_list_what_to_wear.webp\" "\\"What")
<\/figure>\nPacking for Peru’s rainy season<\/h2>\n
Waterproof pants<\/strong> \u2014 x1
Quick dry clothing<\/strong> \u2014 x2 pairs
Raincover for your bag<\/strong> \u2014 get one for your main backpack and your day pack
Waterproof cases<\/strong> \u2014 for your phone and camera
Emergency blanket<\/strong> \u2014 just in case the cold and wet weather makes it difficult to stay warm <\/p>\n![\"two](\"https:\/\/media-gadventures.global.ssl.fastly.net\/media-server\/dynamic\/blogs\/posts\/G-Adventures\/2024\/12\/blog-peru-packing-rainy.webp\" "\\"Peru")
<\/figure>\nWhat to wear hiking in Peru<\/h2>\n
Hiking socks<\/strong> \u2014 a combination of thick and thin pairs
Insulating layers or thermal base layers<\/strong> \u2014 x2, one to wear, one in the wash
Quick drying and loose fitted clothing<\/strong> \u2014 x2
Trekking poles<\/strong> \u2014 or look for a long stick
Gaiters<\/strong> \u2014 to keep water out of your shoes<\/p>\n![\"Hiker](\"https:\/\/media-gadventures.global.ssl.fastly.net\/media-server\/dynamic\/blogs\/posts\/G-Adventures\/2024\/10\/peru_packing_list_hikking.webp\" "\\"Hiking")
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Binoculars<\/strong> \u2014 to look for the Andean Condor, one of the largest flying birds in the world (and yet still small with the naked eye)
Firestarter<\/strong> \u2014 hey, you gotta be prepared if you’re not trekking with a guide and porters
Whistle<\/strong> \u2014 for getting attention in emergencies
Water purification tablets<\/strong> \u2014 or pack a water filtration bottle as mentioned above
Altitude sickness medicine<\/strong> \u2014 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 <\/p>\n