Packing List for your hike in the Andes
Cusco Region is a place where every tourist floods to in order to begin their trip to Machu Picchu. Many people make the mistake of allowing for only one or two nights in Cusco city while allowing much more time to spend in other places such as Sacred Valley(Pisac, Urubamba and Ollantaytambo). Surprisingly, Cusco is actually quite an interesting city with various activities to do, a ton of culture to experience.
I know that for my readers the devil is in the detail, so on this page I have set out the Ultimate Packing List for the Andes that can be used as a complete and reliable resource for anyone thinking of trekking over the mountains.
weather Variations
The weather in the cusco region or in the Andes splits into two dominant seasons. The dry season runs from April through to September, and the wet season from October through to March.
All the Trails going to Machu Picchu are busiest between April – May and early October, so to avoid the crowds you may want to consider a trek on the shoulder months of late March into early April, or late November Trekking in January and February is not recommended as trails get very wet. In fact, the Inca Trail is closed for restoration during February each year but the other trails are open. It is still possible to visit Machu Picchu doing some hikes or by train during these months, but be prepared for rain at the Citadel and on your hikes.
Equipment
Base Layer
A base layer is important as a first level of insulation for the cold evenings and misty mornings – you will be eager to remove it as the day heats up. While you will likely only need a top, you may want to also pack a pair of leggings just in case you hit a particularly cold spell.
I suggest you use Base layer in the Andes When you are active in cold conditions, it is important that you wear a base layer that will draw sweat away from your body and keep you dry and warm.
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Trekking Shirts
For your hiking, I suggest you pack 3 x short sleeved tops, as well 1 x light-weight long-sleeved shirt. The best fabric for your shirt is a breathable, quick-drying merino, polyester or nylon. Make sure to avoid cotton. These lightweight, breathable shirts from Merino wool are good or any shirts from Wooly and Smartwool would be fine.
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Trekking Shorts and Trousers
If your trek is 4 to 5 days long, you will probably need 2 pairs of trousers, and potentially an additional pair for hikes longer than 4 days.
Otherwise, it is a good idea to pack a pair of trekking shorts for warm afternoons or to walk in the high jungle
You might want to pack a wrap-around sarong or mid-length skirt to allow you to change your base-layers underneath as there is not much privacy in the campsites.
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Breathable Underwear
You will need 3-5 pairs of sports underwear, depending how many days is going to be your hike ,which can be found at any sports brand and for women – a few breathable panties and 3 sports bras.
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Fleece Jacket
On the nippier evenings, you will need to cover up with something a bit warmer, so you’ll need to pack a mid-weight fleece, preferably one made of Porlartec material. Polartec generally comes in grades of 100s, 200s or 300s .
Because in some campsites are very cold like minus 5 °C ,Like Salkantay treks, Vilcabamba Treks or Ausangate treks.
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Rain Jacket & Poncho
Over your fleece jacket you will need to have a weather-resistant layer. This should be relatively light but warm and durable enough to protect you from wind and rain.
You’ll still need to pack a basic poncho to keep most of the moisture out. These are cheap and practical
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Trekking Poles
Walking or trekking poles are essential to saving your knees on the way down or down hill you will be climbing up and down over the mountains.
With the help of trekking poles, the shock to your joints will be reduced by 25 % – even higher according to a 1999 study published by the Journal of Sports Medicine.
Poles also help to improve your balance on the trail, minimising the risk of a nasty fall mosthly in the wet season.
- The following should be taken into account when purchasing poles:
- Lightweight: 250 – 350 g/pole
- Adjustable: a lever-locking mechanism is preferred to a twist-locking mechanism
- Material should be aluminium of carbon fibre (avoid steel)
- Water-resistant, ergonomic grip (ideally made of cork)
Depending on the kind of money you want to spend on your poles, there are a range of options.
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Backpack & Daypack
When looking at backpacks, one of the key features is the ability of the bag to transfer most of the weight onto the trekkers hips. Your shoulders should support no more than 30 % of the total weight. Critical features of a good backpack include:
- Size: typically, the ideal size for an Hike in cusco region the backpack is 30-35L, which will easily be able to carry your load of 10kg. If you are not planning on hiring a personal porter or to rent a horse, you will need to bring a 40-50L backpack.
- Weather-resistance: Although backpacks are not generally waterproof, it is important that they are at least “weather resistant”. Good materials are also important and we recommend pack cloth for the bag and Condura for the areas that experience high friction. To waterproof your bag, you will need to pack urethane coating.
- Design: The harness system should be size-adjustable, the shoulder straps padded and allow for movement, and the hip belt should also be well padded. Some of the best brands manufacture bags specifically suited for feminine body shapes.
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Water Bottles or Hydration Bladder
One of the main tips to avoid altitude sickness is to stay well hydrated throughout your hike. On the hike, you should drink 2-3L of water per day. Although your touring company should take care to provide you with clean water, you might want to bring water-purification tablets or Isotonic powderalong as an added precaution and to make the water taste better.
To carry your daily water, you can bring along two 1L bottles or use a hydration bladder that holds 2-3L. if your daypack includes space for a hydration bladder the 2L Platypus Big Zip Water Reservoir .
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Sleeping Bag
It is possible to rent a sleeping bag in Cusco, but I advise against it due to their dubious hygiene standards and problematic quality.
If you still decide to rent a sleeping bag, make sure to bring a sleeping bag liner from home and follow the guidelines below to make sure your bag is reasonably reliable. Consider for the cold places.
A good quality sleeping bag is just as important as good hiking shoes. The following are the key characteristics to keep in mind when buying or borrowing your sleeping bag for your hikes in the Andes:
- Goose or duck down vs synthetic: Those sleeping bags are lighter and warmer but are more expensive than the synthetic alternative. To choose between the two options consider whether you are likely to reuse your sleeping bag in the future. If you are planning on camping in high altitudes again, on treks like Ausangate Treks or Salkantay plus Inca Trail, then purchasing a feather sleeping bag is definitely a worthwhile investment.
- Warmth: Night times get pretty cold in the Andes mosthly June and July , so I suggest that you get a 4-season bag with a rating of -10 (C.
- Weight: the heavier your sleeping bag, the warmer it is. To optimise this trade-off, I recommend that you get a bag of no more than 2.5 kg.
- Shape: look for a sleeping bag that is a mummy shape, preferably with an insulated hood and a draw string.
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Hiking Boots
Your hiking boots can make or break your experience. It’s crucial that you arrive with a good pair of boots that has already been broken in to avoid a hike plagued with sore feet, blisters or bleeding toes. The most important factors to look out for when purchasing your boots are fit and quality.
How To Choose Your Boots’ Fit?
To check if your boots fit properly, first try them on with a mid-weight trekking sock on and push your foot to the front of the shoe. Place your index finger between your heal and the back of the boot – if your finger fits snugly then this is the right shoe fit for you.
How To Qualify Your Boots?
There are a number of things to look out for to determine the quality of a hiking boot:
- Ankle support: medium to high tops are best for ankle support, but are also heavier. I recommend medium high tops
- Weight: mid-weight boots are perfect for Machu Picchu. Although heavier boots are durable and provide a lot of support, they are tiring to lug around.
- Material: the shoe itself should be made of leather or a leather-cordura material. The inner membrane of the shoe should also be waterproof, using a material such as Gore-tex. The soles should be rubber with mid-to-deep lugs for traction.
- Lacing: the lacing pattern should include speed-hooks or D-strings which also provide ankle support.
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Personal Items & Other Accessories
Passport – you need it to enter the Inca trail and Machu Picchu or to take your train to MachuPicchu. Bring a few certified copies too just in case
Insurance – is required by most trekking companies, and I highly recommend taking it out before your trip. Remember to write down and bring down your policy number, as well as a copy of the policy you have signed up for, just in case.
Headlamp/ torch- will be used when you are walking around the campsite and preparing for bed in the evenings.
Trekking Socks- Bring along 4 pairs of socks – or one for each day of your hike. Light-to-mid weight socks made of high wicking material are perfect.
Gloves- Lightweight, waterproof, breathable gloves are mandatory to help you on the higher-altitude passes and for the chilly morning and evenings.
Fleece Beanie- As extra insulation for your head on the cold nights, a winter fleece beanie is recommended
Sunhat- A lightweight, easy-to-fold sunhat is one of the most important items to avoid sunburn and heat stroke.
Sunglasses- are necessary because of the UV intensity at high altitudes which causes eye-damage.
Trekking towel (optional) – this might be of use after a rainy (or sweaty) day on the mountain to dry off. You might also have the option to shower in one of the campsites like in Salkantay treks or Inca Trail, so a towel will come in handy
Swimsuit (optional) – For the hot springs near Aguas Calientes, Salkantay Treks (Cocalmayo) or Ausangate Treks, where you can enjoy a well-deserved dip
Sweat-resistant sunblock is crucial to a successful hike. Make sure that you get one with an SPF of higher than 30, and that the product is sweat-resistant. P20 is known as the best option for any athlete. Bring along lip-protecting sunblock too.
Insect repellent is necessary to ward off irritating flies and mosquitoes. Reliable brands with a Deet content of at least 90% are best.
Wet Wipes – Perfect for a quick wipe down after a long day’s exercise, and helpful to freshen up. Also bring hand-sanitizer to clean your hands before meals.
Waterproof ziplock bags of variable sizes for you to separate your wet and dry clothing. Bring small zip lock bags for your valuables such as your camera, money and passport.
Blister plasters with pain relief.
General Medication – Bring along a Ibuprofeno based pain killer to ward off early headaches due to altitude sickness. Your guide should also bring along a first aid kit.
Snacks – Bring along about 2 energy bars for each day on the trail, as well as other healthy energy foods such as raw nuts.
Toiletries – In addition to the toiletry standards (toothbrush, toothpaste, travel soap etc), make sure to pack a roll of toilet paper for your hike.
Cash –Bring along cash in US dollars for tips, and in Soles for small mementos and access to toilets in Machu Picchu. The tips should amount to about ($5/day for porters per trekker, and $20/day for guides per trekker).
Camera to make these once-in-a-lifetime memories last. Some good options are given here, or you can bring along a GoPro Hero, if you are worried about packing too heavily. Remember to bring along everything fully charged as there will be no charging points on the trail.