Machu Picchu Packing List

The start of me packing

Well I'm off to Macchu Picchu in less then a week with my brother, and I can't wait. You may be asking why am I offering a packing list before I have attended the Inca Trail, and have the experience under my belt.

Well I have been doing a lot of research and I wanted to compile things from here and there to make my list, and when I come back I can write about what went well, and what I could have left at home.

So here's my Machu Picchu Packing list, as well as the Inca Trail.

• Large Back Pack - It looks like 45L-60L pack is what your looking for. Most places you stay in Cusco will allow you to leave this behind and you will use your day pack as well as most tour companies will give you a bag that they will carry up for you.
• Smaller Day pack- This is what you will be carrying as you hike up the Inca trail - I would have snacks, camera, bug spray , rain gear and anything else you'd like during the day.
• Water - I would combine water with your day pack, get a day pack that has 2L -3L hydration pack, you will need your water when you are hiking.
• Sleeping Bag - You want a warm bag that will pack up as small as possible - You are able to rent bags, I would prefer to bring your own.
• Sleeping mat -extra - A light mat would be a bonus, this all comes down to room.
• Walking Poles - I personally will not me bring these, many people swear by them, to help take the weight off your knees. I just feel they will get in my way.
• Headlamp - If your a slow hiker you may be in the dark at the end of the day, or just for the nights and mornings.
• 6 Quick Dry T-shirts - Take 1 for each day and 2 bonus in case you get soaked in the rain or humidity, you want shirts that will wick the sweat away from your body, unlike cotton.
• 2 Zip Off Hiking Pants - These are great to wear as pants when it's cooler and later in the day covert them to shorts.
• Warm light jacket - A light jacket, maybe puff style that will break the wind, and will also help at night time.
• Base Layers - You want base layers for sleeping and those colder mornings that you can remove as it gets hotter, these are light and easy to pack
• underwear and socks - you want wool socks, or a athletic blend , cotton will lead to blisters
• Hiking Boots / Runners - Bring worked in Hiking boots, last thing you want to do is buy new hikers and risk getting blisters. I will be bringing a pair of trail sneakers instead to hike with, it's all personal preference.
• Flip Flops - You want Flip Flops when you stop to eat, to give your feet a rest, as well in showers you may use.
• towel - a towel if you find a place to take a dip
• gloves - with grips and waterproof
• Rain Jacket - If your going to Peru in the first few months of the year you can expect rain
• Bug Spray - Keep those foreign bugs away from you...lol
• Hat - Bring a light hat that will keep the sun off your head
• Toiletries - Toilet paper (one roll per person), Toothpaste, Toothbrush,  Sunblock, Chap stick with SPF, Travel soaps & shampoo (they work but don’t lather like other soaps, lots of wipes, and medicine (for headaches, altitude sickness medicine, Imodium)
• Camera and Phone - You will want to bring anything that can capture the amazing views you'll have.

Hope this helps you pack, it comes from all the other posts I read. If you can think of anything I forgot, please add to comments.