Complete Peru Packing List – One List For All Climates

I created this Peru packing list based on the things we took with us and what we wish we had taken
Peru is a country that is usually at the top of most people’s bucket lists. We spent around a month in Peru and can safely say we understand the attraction. From the infamous Machu Picchu to sandy deserts, rainforests and the sea it has it all. So finding the right Peru packing list might seem a bit tricky.
Well don’t worry, we have got you covered. I put together this very thorough Peru packing list taking into account everything we had with us for our month-long visit. As well as everything we wish we had taken or things we purchased while we were there.
This packing list will cover all climates and activities you may wish to do during your time in Peru. So let’s get stuck in…
Be prepared for your trip to Peru!
🎒 Don’t forget to get your Travel Insurance
📱 Get a Peruvian SIM card before you go with Airalo
✈️ Book the cheapest flight to Peru with Skyscanner
🏠 Book your accommodation through our favourite site Booking.com
Peru Packing List Breakdown
Keep in mind that to take everything on this list with us on our trip to Peru, we each had a large backpack and a carry-on backpack. If you wish to travel with only carry-on luggage then you will need to make some cuts to this list.
I will make suggestions along the way for where space can be saved.
Peru Packing List – Backpacks
It is a common battle among travellers: which is better the suitcase or the backpack?
On this occasion, due to the nature of travel and having experienced first-hand getting around in Peru I would highly recommend you travel with a backpack rather than a suitcase.
Take Cusco for example, it is not flat. We had to change accommodations which meant walking down a huge hill and a lot of steps which would’ve been a total nightmare with a suitcase.
- Large Backpack
We both use the same large Osprey backpacks and love them because they open fully allowing us access to all our things. They also have a smaller backpack attached to the front which is a great option for simple days out and excursions
This is the 55l Osprey backpack I travel with and LOVE!

- Smaller Day Backpacks / Carry-on
By total coincidence, we both also have Osprey carry-on backpacks too. We tried a few different makes and both really like these. Mine is a 32l and Guido has a slightly smaller 26l which is ideal for Peru and the hikes you are likely to be doing.
This is the 26l day backpack that Guido uses ALL the time!
***TOP TIP Many of the hikes or treks you can book will suggest a weight limit for you to carry. Having a slightly smaller day bag means you will not be tempted to carry too much or take things that aren’t essential for your hike.
⭐️ Pro Traveller packing Tip – Using packing cubes like these will help keep you organised and make packing your bags so much easier.
- Dry bags
Having a couple of dry bags with you is a good idea. They are handy if you plan to go on any boat trips. They keep valuables dry if you get rained on. We even use one of ours as a laundry bag.
See our ultimate 3 week Peru itinerary!
Peru Packing List – Clothes
Now, for the clothes you should pack for a trip to Peru, keeping in mind you are likely to encounter a few different climates.

- Thermal Baselayers
Having a set of thermals with you will come in especially handy if you plan to do any hiking in the mountains. Hikes such as the Machu Picchu Inca Trail or Salkantay Trek. These can get very cold during the night so layering up helps massively.
- Underwear
We travelled with enough underwear for 2 weeks as we were on part of a longer trip. However, if you wish to save space you can take less. There are reliable and cheap laundry services everywhere. Most hostels and guest houses will have a laundry service you can use if needed.
- Swimsuit
Peru has a long stretch of coastline as well as many lakes including the famous lake Titicaca. Having a swimsuit may just come in handy if you wish to dive in a cool-off or go on any boat excursions.
- Tank tops, t-shirts and Long sleeve shirts
Having multiple tank tops, t-shirts and long sleeve tops, no more than 7 or 8 total will give you a good selection. Tank tops for warmer climates in the desert. Longer sleeves for layering up at high altitudes and covering up in the jungle.
- Shorts, Trousers/leggings
Guido has a pair of thin, fast-drying trousers that zip off at the knee and these are great! Having some leggings will allow you to layer up if needed and have some comfy activewear on hikes. Shorts will be needed for hotter areas. It is best to avoid denim. It is bulky and doesn’t keep you warm.
- Fleece layer
Bring one fleece layer, preferably as thin as you can. When we were in Peru we had packed hoodies which took up a lot of room in our bags. So a smaller compact, yet warm fleece would’ve been ideal.
- Raincoat
A thin goretex raincoat will come in very handy in the rainforest.
- Warm winter layer
We both packed a slightly thicker, padded winter jacket that was warm yet could roll up nice and small. These jackets are brilliant and we still wear them all the time. Just make sure they are big enough to go over the top of all the other layers you will be wearing.
You can shop the same cosy jacket that I wear all the time here!! It really does pack up very small.

- Buff
Having a Buff was invaluable. We wore them while riding dune buggies in the desert and also on the treks we did to stay warm. They double up as a headband too.
- Hat and gloves
We hadn’t packed these but both ended up buying them in Cusco as we learned the Inca Trail was going to be very cold at times. We wore them a lot once we had them on different treks so I would recommend packing these.
- Sun hat and sunglasses
While we were in Peru the skies were mostly blue and clear. Having a cap or sunglasses will come in handy.
Peru Packing List – Shoes
When it comes to backpacking shoes can be bulky and take up a lot of space so on our Peru packing list we had just 3 pairs each. To this day it is how we prefer to travel and have never needed more.
- Flip flops, Sandals or Sliders
I have a pair of vegan Birkenstocks that I wear all the time in warmer climates. They are a little pricey but they are so comfortable I can walk all day in them.
Get the comfiest vegan sandals here, I promise you won’t regret it.
- Trainers
Having a pair of lightweight, comfy trainers or sneakers is ideal.
Get the same Sketchers that Guido wears all the time here!
- Hiking shoes/boots
Now, when it comes to Peru it is likely that you will be planning on doing some hiking. Besides doing the 4 day Inca Trail, we loved the Humantay Trek and the hike up to Rainbow Mountain.
For all of these hikes, we wore sturdy hiking boots. The trails were all clear and easy enough to walk on but when it comes to hiking at high altitudes, anything you can do to make the hike a little easier is 100% worth it.
Check out the hiking boots I wore in Peru and still wear on every hike we do around the world!

Peru Packing List – Accessories and Trekking gear
Next are a few essential items to pack for Peru, that will definitely come in handy.
- Reusable/Filter water bottle
This is one of our most essential travel items and such an important item for your Peru packing list. We use Water-To-Go filter bottles which means we can drink the tap water anywhere in the world.
We save money by not having to buy bottled water and we are using far less single-use plastics. The tap water is not safe to drink in Peru without filtering it, so these bottles were life savers…literally.
We have even been known to fill our bottles up in waterfalls, they are great!
Get your Water-To-Go filter bottle and save money and the planet!
You can also use code ‘COUNTING’ for 15% discount
- Camelbak water bag
We didn’t take these with us but when we signed up for the 4 day Inca trek with Alpacca expiditions and were told we would need to be able to carry more water than our bottles could carry we decided to buy one each.
They were pretty expensive to buy in the gear shops in Cusco so I recommend getting one before you go. They pack away nice and flat and are now our favourite way to carry water on hikes.
Check out the CamelBak water bag we have for hiking.
- Hiking poles
This one will be personal preference but on many of the treks in Peru, you can hire poles. We did this for the Inca trail and they were really handy. A few people in our group had bought their own retractable hiking poles with them so this is another option if they are something you would like to invest in for yourself.
Retractable walking poles like these will make your treks a whole lot easier!
- Binoculars
If you enjoy wildlife spotting then a pair of binoculars is a must.
- Headtorch
If you do decide to do any multiday treks then a torch of some sort will be invaluable.
- First aid kit
Another key piece of equipment for your Peru packing list is a first aid kit. Just a small kit with the essentials will give you peace of mind. This is also a great place to store any medication you need.
We have one and some things we used were painkillers, plasters, antiseptic wipes, stitches strips and antiseptic cream. (It sounds like we are accident prone but I promise it’s not as bad as it sounds.)

Peru Packing List – Electronics
What electronics you take with you on your Peru trip is of course a very personal choice. We visited Peru as part of a longer backpacking trip so we had a lot of electronics with us. However, for just a dedicated trip to Peru, these are the items I would suggest packing.
- Camera and lenses / GoPro
If you are a photography lover and have a camera then you will absolutely want to pack it. The scenery in Peru is out of this world and you will want to capture it.
Alternatively, an action camera such as a GoPro is also a really good idea. We used our GoPro to vlog our Inca Trail hike because it is smaller and easy to carry.
We use this GoPro for all our adventurous travels!
- Phone and phone charger
Would any of us really go away without these anyway?!
- Portable power bank
While travelling around Peru we took several very long buses. Having a portable power bank meant we didn’t have to worry about our phones running out of battery before we arrived at our next stop.
- Headphones
Again, for those long bus journeys. Spending 10 hours on a bus listening to someone else’s music is no fun so having some noise-cancelling headphones can make all the difference.
I have a pair of earbuds and we both have a pair of chunky over-ear headphones.
Take a look at the noise-cancelling headphones we use on our travels (and for work)
- Travel adapter
We both travel with a universal travel adapter. I love that I can also use mine to charge multiple things at the same time.
This is the universal travel adapter I use on all my travels.
Peru Packing List – Personal items and toiletries
Last but not least we have some personal items that you will want to make sure you add to your Peru packing list.
- Passport
Maybe this one should have been at the top of the packing list. Whatever you do, keep it safe and don’t forget it!
- Mosquito repellant
If, like me, the mosquitos find you extra tasty then you will want to pack plenty of strong repellant. They are less of an issue at high altitudes but all along the coast and in the rainforest, they are a nuisance.
- Sunscreen, Toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, deodorant, hair brush etc
- Mooncup
I want to shout about these from the rooftops! My Mooncup quite literally changed my life. For all the ladies out there, trust me these are a game changer. Especially while travelling.
Im trying not to sound too dramatic but Ladies, the Mooncup will change your life!
- Padlock
These are essential if you plan to stay in hostels. Most hostels have lockers for your belongings but you need to use your own padlock to lock it.
- Microfibre towels
We love our microfibre towels. They pack away really small in our bags and dry super fast.
Make your live easier with these fast drying and lightweight towels.
If you are planning a bigger trip to even more countries then check out our FULL packing list for everything we took on our 9 month trip.

Things To Consider When Packing For Peru
Now that you have your complete Peru packing list, I also wanted to cover a few more important things to help you be as prepared as possible. These points will also help you narrow down how much you need to pack for your trip.
What season are you travelling in?
Peru has two main seasons the rainy season and the dry season. Which one you plan to visit will have an impact on what activities you might do and what you need to take with you.
Peru’s Rainy Season – November to March
During the rainy season, certain hikes may become more challenging. Remember to keep that in mind when you are planning your trip. However, many people consider the rainy season to be the best time to visit Peru. The temperatures are warmer and there are fewer crowds.
Peru’s Dry Season – April to October
During this time you have dryer and cooler days. We visited in June and are so glad we did. The days were mild (except for the desert) and the conditions for hiking the Inca trail were perfect.
What regions are you visiting?
As I have mentioned previously, Peru is a large country with climates ranging from one extreme to the other. They have everything from deserts to rainforests so what you pack will depend on where you plan to visit.
- Lima
The country’s capital city, Lima is fairly simple when it comes to its climate. It does not experience much rainfall but is subject to two seasons. December – April is known as the warm season and May – November is the cool season. It gets very grey and cloudy in the cool season. - The Coast
The coast is typically arid, with some regions being actual deserts. Rainfall is extremely rare. - Andes
The Andes mountains are where you see the effects of the wet and dry seasons. You also get varying climates depending on the altitude with cooler temperatures the higher up you go. Nights can also drop below freezing while the days stay warm. Check out our guide for the best thing to do while acclimating in Cusco. - Rainforest
The rainforest is hot and humid all year round, reaching higher temperatures than the rest of the country. This region is also subject to the wet and dry seasons however rainfall is common year-round. They call it the rainforest for nothing after all.

Things Not To Pack For Peru
As well as having a full packing list, here are a few things I recommend you leave at home when you visit Peru.
- Expensive jewellery
Peru is generally safe and crime is low but it is better to be safe than sorry. You are likely to be spending the majority of your time on adventures out in nature so it is best to leave the good jewellery at home where it is safe and won’t get lost or ruined.
- Speakers
Peru is a magnificent country and a huge part of the appeal is being able to enjoy the beauty of the country, in peace. There is nothing worse than being in a stunning beauty spot out in nature and having to listen to someone else’s music.
- Fancy clothes and high heels
You will have little use for these unless you plan to party.
Peru Packing List Top Tips
Finally here are a few last tips when it comes to packing for your Peru trip.
Size limit on bags for Machu Picchu – You are allowed to take one small bag into Machu Picchu but it is not allowed to exceed 40x35x20 cm (16x14x8 inches). It is good to keep this in mind when planning how you will visit the icon site.
No plastic on the Inca trail – There is a strict no single-use plastics allowed on the Inca trail. You will need to have reusable water bottles and no snacks in plastic or plastic bags. This is why it is best to get a Camelbac water bag as we suggested in the packing list.
Drones – You are allowed to fly drones in Peru. However, you need to declare the drone on arrival and obtain a license. You must also stick to the Peru drone laws so if you plan to take a drone with you, it is worth looking into the logistics first.
Peru Packing List – Final Thoughts
So there you have it, your complete Peru packing list. Everything you could possibly need to take with you to allow you to have an epic trip with all the gear you could possibly need.
I hope you found this useful and that you love Peru as much as we did!