planning
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.
For 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 to link
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, ticket and guide included, subject to availability. 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 entry, porters, meals and an Expedition return train are 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
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.