You’re hiking the Inca Trail! Your trek is booked, flights and hotels booked, but what should you pack? I'm a chronic over-packer, but since I was traveling for 3 months everything I had with me was in my pack and daypack. Most of the hotels and hostels will let you store extra luggage if you have it, that way you can lighten your back a bit so that you’re only carrying what you need.
Pack
I took my trusted Gregory Jade 53 on my Inca Trail adventure, and I didn’t feel that I needed
a bigger pack. As I was in the middle of a three-month trip, I did take a lot of extra stuff out and leave it at the hostel to lighten my load. This also created space to carry a sleeping bag inside my pack, trekkers are responsible for carrying their own sleeping bag (they're not the most packable I've ever used). If you don’t own a pack or don’t want to bring a pack on your trip, there are gear stores that will rent packs. I can’t personally vouch for the quality, some of the other hikers on our trek had rented packs and they seemed to do alright with them…minus rain covers, but that was fixed with plastic ponchos.
Clothes
Even with backpacking experience I tend to be a chronic over-packer, I really like to be prepared for everything. I brought two sets of clothes to wear on the trail, this way I could alternate them, so they didn’t get as dirty or in case one set got really wet (I did the trek in December which is the start of the rainy season). I also brought a pair of cold-gear leggings and a cold-gear top to sleep in, I was worried about being cold at night as I wasn’t sure about the sleeping bag I would be using. Also, in the event of being poured on, I’d have something warm and dry to change into at the end of the day. Since we were staying longer in Aguas Caliente, I brought a set of clean clothes to wear once we were off the trail. If I dropped anything, it would be that, I could have just done laundry once we got to our hotel.
Raincoat
I’d say this is a necessity even when it’s not rainy season. Rainy season was just getting underway when I hiked the Inca Trail, and although it never rained super heavily or all day, I was super glad to have it when it did decide to rain on us. I actually ended up buying a new raincoat in Cusco, I had brought my Columbia rain jacket with me, it was several years old, and its level of waterproof was starting to get questionable. I bought a North Face …. , it had several features that my old jacket did not have, like under-arm vents, plus it doubles as a souvenir.
Coat
Even though it was heading into summer, I brought a warm coat. Even if you think you won’t need it, keep in mind that you’re at altitude in the mountains and it gets cold at night. You’ll want a coat for the evenings, mornings and maybe as an extra layer to sleep in. I took my Under Armour Heat Tech down jacket, mostly because that’s what I had with me for my three months of travel. Any lighter more packable down jacket would be a good choice.
-socks x 5 -tank tops x 2 -t-shirt x1
-underwear x 5 -long sleeve shirt x 2 -coat
-athletic tights x 3 -hoodie x 1 -raincoat
Footwear
Good hiking shoes or boots are a must for the trail as you’re hiking 40+km. I’m a big fan of Merrill’s and since that’s what I have, that’s what I wore. I’d also recommend a pair of sandals to wear around camp as well.
Toiletries
Ah trail hygiene, inevitably multi-day treks mean slacking on washing your hair...and body. I didn’t wash my hair until I reached Aguas Caliente, I have long hair, so I put it in French braids and alternated between a baseball cap and a beanie. I did have to re-braid my hair; I’ve had a lot of practice, and if oily hair really bothers you, I’d recommend travel size dry shampoo or baby powder. I did shower on day 3, it was magical, but like all showers on the Inca Trail there was no hot water. I’m also the kind of person who doesn’t skimp on skincare, even on the trail, yes I cleanse, tone, and moisturize whenever I'm camping or backpacking. Sunscreen is another must, even if it's cloudy, you're still at altitude and the closer to the sun, the easier you burn (or at least I do).
-shampoo -conditioner -soap -facewash -toner -moisturizer
-toothpaste -deodorant -sunscreen -bug spray -wet wipes -toilet paper
Without a doubt some of the most necessary items on the trail are wet wipes and toilet paper, really these are must-haves for traveling in South America. There are bathrooms at some of the places where treks the typically rest, like most public restrooms in South America toilet paper is either not provided or you have to pay for it, sometimes it’s just included in what you have to pay to use the restroom. Sinks aren’t really a thing and along with the lack of showers wet wipes and hand sanitizer are essential to maintain a minimum of trail hygiene, you are sharing a tent with someone after all.
Snacks
While the trekking company provides breakfast, lunch, and dinner, you may want to pack some snacks for breaks and while hiking. Since my friend was joining me from the states,she brought us a treasure chest of Cliff and Lara bars. I personally really like to have jelly snacks and chocolate when hiking, it’s also nice to have something that you can share to with the other trekkers, guides, and porters.
Extras
First-Aid Kit
The trek guides carried a first-aid kit, but like most hikers or travelers I have my own that I always carry with that also includes any medications that I might need. I brought altitude sickness meds, because I know I can have problems at altitude. I’d also recommend bringing something for stomach problems, I had them off and on my entire time in South America and having them in the middle of a trek is not a fun time. I also like to bring electrolyte tablets with me in case I get dehydrated for any reason, they dissolve in a bottle of water and Gatorade was not readily available on the trail.
Inflatable Pillow
If you really like to have a pillow vs using a piece of clothing or nothing at all for a few days, an inflatable pillow is the way to go. It takes up almost no space when it’s deflated and super east to inflate.
Solar Charger
While there is no cell service on the Inca Trail if you plan on using your phone to take pictures or as a flashlight you’re going to need a way to charge it as there are no outlets on
the trail. We brought a Foxelli Dual USB Solar Charger and it worked really well, as we were able to charge both of our phones and my battery pack on it with no problems. Too re-charge it you can just hook it on the outside of your pack and let the sunshine do the work.
Camera
I really like photography, so I brought my DSLR, action camera and phone for photography reasons. All that gear means extra weight in my pack, my friend only used her iPhone to take pictures and they turned out great, she also didn’t have the latest iPhone, the Inca Trail is one of those places that’s just going to look beautiful no matter what camera you use.
Headlamp/Flashlight
With the exception of day 4, you are never on the trail in low light, but a flashlight or headlamp is a good idea for around camp. There’s no electricity at the camps, so it gets pretty dark and if you need to use the bathroom during the night, you need to see.
Camelback/Water Bottle
You are responsible for carrying your water supply for the day while on the trail, I brought my 2 -liter camelback and a 12-ounce water bottle, just in case. Some rest stops have water available to for purchase to refill your water bottle and at breakfast and lunch boiled water was always provided for us to fill up with. Personally, I’m the kind of hiker who doesn’t hydrate properly if I have to get a water bottle out all the time, which is why I prefer a camelback.
Trekking Poles
I highly recommend trekking poles for this hike, don’t own any or don’t want to pack them? No problem. Most companies will let you rent a set for the duration of your trek for a reasonable fee. My trekking company charged $25 USD to rent poles. Cusco is also full of gear stores, so if you arrive and decide you want to purchase your own you can do that as well.
Sleeping Bag
Since the Inca Trail trek is four days long, you’ll be doing some camping and that means you’ll need a sleeping bag. Trekking companies will offer you the option using one of their sleeping bags for the trek. This is a great option if you don’t own one, or if like me you are in the middle of a much longer trip and you don’t want to be carrying it with you the whole time. The sleeping bag provided by the trekking company was much bulkier than the sleeping bag I personally own, so it took up more space in my pack. I was a little concerned about warmth, as I tend to get cold easily and I wasn’t sure of the sleeping bag quality. I dealt with this by bringing a warm set of clothes to sleep in.
Hopefully you find this list helpful in preparing and packing for your Inca Trail adventure. May your hike be altitude sickness free!
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