Last Updated on November 6, 2024
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Your Peru trip is booked and fast approaching, and now it’s time to start thinking about what to pack. And packing for Peru is not the easiest task. This is an absolutely stunning country with so much to see. From the mountains and the rainforest to the desert and coastal towns, Peru has a lot of variety, not just in landscapes, but also temperatures. Which is exactly what makes putting together a Peru packing list a bit tricky.
I personally have never been to a country before, where the weather fluctuates so much. Not just between destinations, but also throughout the day. You want to make sure you are well prepared for it all, but you also don’t want to overpack, keeping in mind, you will be dragging all that stuff with you, changing locations every few days.
After my recent Peru trip, where I spent two weeks traveling all over the country, I put together this Peru packing list. It includes everything I packed and needed on my trip, as well as a couple of items I didn’t bring, but wish I had. For reference, I traveled in June, which is the dry season, so I packed with that in mind. I did include in this guide items you should pack, besides the essentials, if you plan on visiting Peru in wet season.
Weather in Peru
First things first, let’s talk about the weather. Peru has two seasons, dry and wet, so your packing will be a little different depending on when you go.
Dry season – runs from May to October, which is Peru’s winter. This is the perfect time to go, as the weather is ideal for all the outdoor adventures, with lots of sun and no rain. But it does get cold in the highlands. While it can be really nice and warm with the sun out during the day, once the sun goes down, it’s really chilly, especially in the mornings and nights. And many places don’t have heat either.
Wet season – starts in November and lasts through April, which are the summer months in Peru. You can expect warmer temperatures, but also rainy days. Some months are rainier than others, with February being the rainiest of them all. This is not the best time to travel to Peru, especially if you plan on doing any hiking.
Electricity in Peru
One of the biggest questions people have when packing for Peru, is whether you’ll need an adapter/converter for the electricity.
When it comes to outlets in Peru, you can find three different kinds: A, B and C. A and B are the same as those in the US, so if that’s where you’re coming from, you will be all set. Type C is the type you find in Europe. Usually, you will find two different kinds of outlets in hotels, although the two-pronged flat plug used in the US were most common in my experience.
So, if you are coming to Peru from the US, you don’t need an adapter, but if you are traveling from Europe or any other place, I would bring one, just in case. This universal travel adapter is small, lightweight and covers you not just in Peru, but pretty much anywhere you go. It also comes with USB ports, so you can charge multiple devices at the same time.
Voltage in Peru is another thing to keep mind. Peru uses 220 V, which is the same as in Europe, but different from the 110 V used in the United States. However, if you are coming from the US, you will be able to charge your small electronics without a converter, as they can run on both 110 V and 220 V. So, plugging in things like your phone, Kindle, portable phone battery or camera batteries charger will be totally fine.
But you can’t plug in anything with a heating element or a motor like a hairdryer, flat iron or curling iron, because the voltage is different. It will cause sparks, smoking or even burn out. Which is exactly what happened with my small travel hair dryer. In that case, you will need the converter to bring the voltage down.
Packing for Peru Tips
Before I go into a detailed packing list for Peru, here’s a few tips based on my experience traveling around Peru for 2 weeks.
Layers – if anyone ever asks me what my number one Peru packing tip is, that would be bring layers. Lots and lots of layers. It can go from T-shirt to sweatshirt weather really quickly. And if you are doing any hikes, even more so. Layers are your best friend. Bring tank tops, T-shirts, long sleeve shirts and sweatshirts.
Don’t overpack – you will be moving around a lot, changing locations every few days. You don’t want to do it with way too much stuff. And this advice comes from someone who’s a chronic over packer.
Leave some space in your bag – it will be very hard to go to Peru and not buy anything. Markets are full of beautiful textiles, bags, scarves, ponchos, alpaca wool sweaters and hats. It’s impossible not to buy something. Make sure to have some extra room in your bag.
Don’t panic if you forget something – you will most likely be able to buy it there, especially in Lima and Cusco.
Download Google Translate – most people already have this, but if you don’t, make sure to have a translating app on your phone. Especially if you don’t speak Spanish. While you might be able to communicate in English at major tourist destinations like Machu Picchu, in most places it’s Spanish only.
Peru packing list – all the essentials
Luggage
Bag pack – For your big bag I recommend a big backpack vs a suitcase and here’s why. If you are heading to Peru for 10 days, 2 weeks or longer, you are probably going to pack quite a bit and will be moving around a lot. Taking planes, trains, buses, doing day trips. For most people Peru is a very active trip, changing places every 2-3 days. Trust me when I say this, you are better off with a backpack. The cobblestone streets of Ollantaytambo or Cusco are not very roller suitcase friendly.
This Osprey Fairview 55 has been my go-to bag for several years now and was perfect for my 2 weeks in Peru. It holds a lot, is durable and with the straps very convenient on my back. They also make a combination of backpack/roller like this Osprey Fairview Women’s Wheeled Travel Pack 65L.
Day pack – a small backpack for day trips or just carrying your stuff around is a must. Something like this Osprey Daylite Backpack is perfect. It’s the perfect size, light weight, but will fit all the essentials for the day. Mine actually came with the big Osprey bag pack as a detachable daypack, but you can buy them separately as well. And they come in a lot of fun colors.
Dry bag – to keep all your electronics and important things dry in case of rain or during boat rides.
Packing cubes – they are great for organizing your clothes, especially for a trip like Peru, where you are constantly on the go, changing locations and hotels every few days. It keeps your bag from becoming a total mess, when you have to constantly pack and unpack. You can also use them for separating clean clothes from dirty ones. The set comes with cubes in different sizes.
Photography gear
Camera – Peru is full of amazing photo opportunities, so a good camera is a must. I know a lot of people stick to their phones these days when taking pictures, but if you enjoy photography, you want to bring a real camera with a good lens. The picture quality is so much better.
I love my Sony a6000, which when paired with a good lens, takes excellent pictures. If you are in the market for a new DSLR and want to invest in a good camera, Sony a7 III is a really solid choice.
Good lens – you want to bring a wide-angle lens to capture those wide shots i.e. at Machu Picchu.
Extra camera batteries – be sure to have a few extra batteries in your camera bag.
Extra SD card -and if you are anything like me and take an insane number of pictures, having an extra SD card is a good idea. I recently picked up this SanDisk 64GB Memory Card, so I never have to worry of running out of space.
Electronics
Portable charger for your phone – we use our phones for so many things these days, that it’s so easy to drain the battery quick. Having a portable battery is essential, especially if you are out your hotel for most of the day, either exploring or taking day trips. And even more so on multiday treks. I always carry at least one of those portable chargers in my purse.
Travel adapter – make sure to bring one if you are not sure if you’ll be able to plug in your devices. This universal travel adapter covers over 200 countries and comes with a few USB ports.
Gorilla tripod – even though I also own a standard tripod, I have used my Gorilla exclusively for all my trips this past year (except for Machu Picchu, where tripods are not allowed). It’s small, it literally fits in your purse and so lightweight, you won’t even know it’s in there. It comes with an iPhone mount, so you can use it both with your DSLR camera and your iPhone.
Electronics organizer – this keeps all the chargers, cables and batteries in one place. This BAGSMART travel organizer is one of my top travel essentials on pretty much every trip. It’s compact and fits nicely in a carry on or even a purse.
Clothing
Light jacket – while you won’t need your heavy winter coat, one thing you definitely have to pack for Peru is a light jacket. It’s essential for your time in the Andes (Sacred Valley, Cusco, Machu Picchu), where mornings and nights can get really chilly, especially in dry season (Peru’s wintertime). Something like this 32 Degrees Women’s Ultra-Light Down Packable jacket is perfect, it will keep you warm and won’t take up much room in your bag.
Rain jacket – if you are traveling to Peru in the wintertime, you shouldn’t really need a raincoat in places like Cusco, Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. But if Amazon is part of your Peru itinerary, being in the rain forest, you can expect some rainfall and packing a raincoat is a good idea. And obviously it’s an essential item during the wet season.
Long sleeve shirts – perfect layering item, especially if you plan on doing some hikes. Definitely pack a few of those.
T-shirts and tank tops– bring a mix of short sleeve shirts and tank tops, also great for layering.
Sweatshirt – you’ll need one for those cool mornings/nights. I like the DOUBLJU Basic Lightweight sweatshirts, as they are warm enough, but lightweight and come in a lot of fun colors. They are more fitted and not baggy, and a perfect over T-shirt and under a jacket if needed.
Sweater – don’t pack too many though, as they are bulky and take up a lot of space. You can always pick up one of the alpaca sweaters, that are sold just about everywhere in Peru. They are warm, inexpensive and make for a great souvenir.
Hiking pants – chances are you will be doing some hiking in Peru, so you need a good pair of hiking pants.
Leggings – comfortable for walking around and you can also wear them under hiking pants for extra warmth.
Socks – aside from regular socks, be sure to bring a couple of pairs of thermal ones, like these Merino wool socks.
Beanie hat – You’ll be happy you have a hat, especially in high altitudes. I sure needed it for the Rainbow Mountain hike and early mornings in Cusco. I love these beanie hats and have them in a few colors. They are warm and really inexpensive. You can also buy some cute alpaca hats in Cusco and Aguas Calientes.
Light gloves – be sure to have a pair of light gloves for morning hikes. I was sure glad to have it on that very early morning Rainbow Mountain trek. Something like these thin gloves are perfect and you can still use your phone, without having to keep taking them on and off.
Warm pajamas – temperature drops significantly at nighttime in high elevation destinations and most places do not have heat. I was actually quite cold at night in Cusco. Be sure to pack warm pajamas or whatever you like to sleep in to keep you warm at night.
Wide brim hat – both stylish and providing sun protection. You can also buy one there, they have many beautiful hats in Ollantaytambo and Cusco. My green hat comes from the Mercado in Ollantaytambo.
Shorts – you will need a pair of shorts for your days on the coast and the dessert.
Scarf/Bandana – a light scarf or a bandana will keep the sand out of your face on those crazy buggy rides in Huacachina. Could also be used for extra warmth around the neck on chilly mornings.
Swimsuit – there aren’t many swimming opportunities in Peru, but you might want to bring your swimsuit to use your hotel’s pool. Many hotels in Lima and Huacachina have one.
Shoes
Hiking shoes – Peru has many amazing hiking opportunities, so if you have plans to do any, you’ll need to pack hiking shoes. The only one I did was the Rainbow Mountain hike, and I found that sneakers were sufficient, but if plan on doing more difficult treks like the Inca Trail, Salkantay Trek or having good, comfortable and preferably waterproof hiking shoes are an essential item on your Peru packing list.
Comfortable walking shoes – even if you don’t plan on doing any major hikes, you will be doing a decent amount of walking. From strolling around the cities, up and down hills and cobblestone streets to … Comfortable walking shoes should definitely be one at the top of your Peru packing list.
Flip-flops – bring a pair to walk around your hotel or to the pool. Also, if you are doing any overnight hikes and get the opportunity to shower, you don’t want to use the public showers barefoot.
Toilteries
Toiletry bag – I love my BAGSMART toiletry bag. It holds a lot of stuff, has many compartments, so you can nicely organize your stuff. The compartments are clear, so you can easily see what you need. And best feature of all, it comes with a hook, so you can hang it on the back of the bathroom door. Keeps your bathroom counter clutter free and makes it easy to fold up, when it’s time to pack.
Altitude medication – a lot of the main Peru attractions are located at high elevation and altitude sickness is very common, especially for people coming from sea level. There are certain steps you can take to lessen the effects of the altitude, like gradually ascending, drinking lots of water and coco tea. But if you are really worried about getting sick, you might want to get Diamox (Acetazolamide) from your doctor prior to your trip. It’s the most common medication prescribed for altitude sickness.
Sunscreen – sun is especially strong in high altitudes, so be sure to have sun protection. You can burn even on cloudy days. So good sunscreen is something you have to pack for Peru in both seasons. I always pick up a small bottle of the SunBum SPF 50, which covers me for the duration of any trip and can go in carry-on if needed.
Bug repellent – if Amazon is part of your trip, one of the must have items on your Peru packing list should be a bug/mosquito repellent. This can also come in handy for visiting Machu Picchu certain times of the year. These individually wrapped wipes are convenient to use and travel with. You don’t have to deal with TSA restrictions like you would with bottled liquids and aerosols.
Anti-itch cream – bugs in Peru can be relentless, so even if you use a bug repellent, you will probably end up with some bites anyway. Not a bad idea to have some anti-itch cream handy. Doesn’t take up much space but might be heaven sent when you do get bit.
Wet wipes– if you plan on doing the popular Inca Trail to Machu Picchu or any other multi day treks, you can use wet wipes to clean up. Also, public bathrooms in Peru are often out of toilet paper, so it’s a good idea to have a pack on you, to clean your hands as well. Just remember to never flush it! Toilet paper, wipes etc. in Peru goes in the trash!
Other essentials
Passport – obviously you need your passport to enter the country, but you will also need to bring it to many of the Peru attractions. Places like Machu Picchu, Rainbow Mountain or even when you buy your bus ticket to Machu Picchu, they all want to see your passport. A copy won’t do, you need to show the original.
Sunglasses
Ear plugs – this is that one item I didn’t pack for Peru, that I wish I had. This is a pretty loud country, almost as loud as Mexico. Almost. From the roosters and barking dogs in Ollantaytambo, night trains in Aguas Calientes to street noise in Cusco, there is a lot of noise in Peru that can keep you up at night. Bring a pair of ear plugs, especially if you are a light sleeper.
Flash flight – for remote areas, always a good idea to have a small travel flash flight or head lamp.
Hiking poles – if you plan on doing any of the bigger hikes, hiking poles are highly recommended. They are good for not only tackling the hills, but also for keeping your balance. Some companies might provide them, depending on who you book with, but if they don’t these collapsible ones are great and will be easy to pack.
Reusable water bottle – tap water in Peru is not safe to drink. Instead of buying a ton of small plastic bottles, you can get a big one and keep refilling your reusable water bottle. Unlike in Mexico, where it’s very common for hotels to provide huge, filtered water dispensers, I have not seen that in any of the hotels I stayed at during my 2 weeks in Peru. But you can buy a few liters jug of water in a store and keep refilling your reusable bottle.
Packing for Peru in wet season
Traveling to Peru in wet season requires a few different items.
So, if you’re traveling to Peru during the wet season, aside from all the essentials listed above, here are a few things that should be at the top of your Peru packing list.
- Raincoat
- Waterproof hiking boots
- Rain pants
- Light, quick drying shirts
- Dry bag
What NOT to pack for Peru
Dressy clothes – trip to Peru is all about the outdoors and adventure. Focus on packing comfortable and casual clothes. Except for maybe a dinner or night out in Lima, I can’t think of any occasion when you would need dressy clothes in Peru. And definitely leave those high heels at home.
Hair dryer – I brought a travel size hairdryer, but didn’t need it. Every single hotel I stayed at, even in small towns, provided one, so there’s no need to pack it. If in doubt, you can always contact the hotel and ask.
READ MORE:
- What to pack for an Alaskan cruise
- My Must Have Travel Essentials
- The Complete Galapagos packing list – what to pack for a Galapagos trip
- What’s it really like to hike Rainbow Mountain in Peru
- How to spend one day in Lima, Peru
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