What to Pack for Machu Picchu
What to pack for Machu Picchu: day-visit and overnight checklists, the Inca Trail packing list, bag rules at the gate and clothing by season.
By Edith Cajigas, Lead Guide, Machu PicchuFor a visit to Machu Picchu, pack light: a small daypack with your passport, water, a rain jacket, sun protection and insect repellent, and comfortable shoes with grip. Bags larger than about 40 x 35 x 20 cm, food, tripods and umbrellas are not allowed inside. For treks, add warm layers for freezing nights, broken-in boots and a good sleeping bag.
The essentials for any visit
- Your original passport, the one used to book your ticket (and your physical student ID if you booked a student ticket).
- Your tickets, on your phone and printed.
- A small daypack within about 40 x 35 x 20 cm.
- Water in a reusable bottle; single-use plastic is not allowed.
- Rain jacket or poncho, at any time of year. Umbrellas are not allowed.
- Sun protection: hat, sunglasses and high-SPF sunscreen. The sun is strong at altitude.
- Insect repellent: sand flies are common around Machu Picchu and Aguas Calientes.
- Comfortable shoes with good grip.
- Cash in soles for toilets, snacks, tips and small purchases.
Day visit checklist
- Light layers: a T-shirt and a fleece or light jacket for the early morning
- Snacks to eat before entering (food is not allowed inside)
- Phone with charged battery and a small power bank
- Toilet paper and hand sanitizer; the only toilets are at the entrance
Overnight in Aguas Calientes
Your train ticket includes one backpack of up to 8 kg or one carry-on bag of up to 12 kg, so leave your main luggage in Cusco. For one night, add:
- A change of clothes and sleepwear
- Swimsuit and sandals for the hot springs
- Toiletries and any personal medication
- A light rain jacket for the evening
Inca Trail and multi-day treks
On our Inca Trail treks a personal porter carries 7 kg of your gear in a duffel bag we provide, including your sleeping bag and mattress. You carry a daypack with what you need during the day.
In your daypack:
- Water bottle or hydration bladder (2–3 liters)
- Rain jacket and rain pants
- Fleece or warm layer
- Sun hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
- Snacks, insect repellent and personal medication
- Passport, permit and cash
In the duffel bag:
- Sleeping bag rated to about −5 °C (Inca Trail) or −10 °C (Salkantay, Ausangate), or rent one
- Thermal base layers, a down jacket, a wool hat and gloves
- Hiking clothes for 3–4 days and 4 pairs of wool socks
- Sandals or light shoes for camp
- Headlamp with spare batteries and a power bank
- Toiletries, quick-dry towel, wet wipes and toilet paper
- Blister plasters and a small first-aid kit
On your feet: broken-in hiking boots with good ankle support. Trekking poles help on the long descents; only rubber-tipped poles are allowed inside Machu Picchu.
What to wear by season
| Season | Days | Nights and mornings | Bring |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry season (April–October) | Sunny and mild | Cold, freezing on treks | Warm layers, sun protection |
| Rainy season (November–March) | Showers and humidity | Mild | Rain jacket, rain pants, quick-dry clothes |
Cusco is colder than Machu Picchu all year, so pack for both.
What to leave behind
- Large backpacks and suitcases (store them at your hotel)
- Food and alcohol for inside the site
- Tripods, selfie sticks and drones
- Umbrellas and high heels
- Single-use plastic bottles and bags
Renting gear in Cusco
You do not need to buy everything. For our treks you can rent a sleeping bag (US$ 20), trekking poles (US$ 20) and an air mattress (US$ 20), and Cusco has outdoor shops for anything you forgot.
Ready to go? See the Machu Picchu 2-Day Tour, the Classic Inca Trail or the Salkantay Trek, and check the rules in our tickets guide.
Tours
Plan this with a local team
Machu Picchu journey
Machu Picchu 2 Days
Spend a night in Aguas Calientes and enter Machu Picchu early. Train, hotel, subject to availability ticket and guide included. Huayna Picchu add-on available.
Inca Trail · permit required
Classic Inca Trail
Hike the Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu with a local Cusco operator. Permit, Machu Picchu ticket, porters, meals and Vistadome return included.
Andean trek
Salkantay Trek
Cross the 4,630 m Salkantay Pass, turquoise Humantay Lake and cloud forest to Machu Picchu. Camps, meals, train and Machu Picchu ticket included.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers
Can I bring a tripod or an umbrella?
No. Tripods and umbrellas are not allowed inside, and neither are bags larger than about 40 x 35 x 20 cm or single-use plastic.
Do I need cash at Machu Picchu?
Bring some soles for toilets, snacks, tips and small purchases.
What should I pack for a night in Aguas Calientes?
A change of clothes, a swimsuit and sandals for the hot springs, toiletries, any medication and a light rain jacket. The train allows one backpack of up to 8 kg or one carry-on of up to 12 kg.
How big can my bag be at Machu Picchu?
Small daypacks only, about 40 x 35 x 20 cm. Larger bags must go into the paid storage at the entrance.
Can I bring food into Machu Picchu?
No. Food is not allowed inside. Eat before you enter; water in a reusable bottle is allowed.
What shoes should I wear?
Comfortable walking shoes or light hiking boots with good grip. The stone steps can be slippery, especially when wet.
Do I need a sleeping bag for the Inca Trail?
Yes. Bring one rated to about −5 °C or colder, or rent one from us. On Salkantay and Ausangate, choose one rated to −10 °C or colder.