Heading to Peru and in need of a Peru packing list? Since it’s a climatically diverse country, thinking about what to pack for Peru always leaves travelers baffled. Depending on where in Peru you’re going and during what season, you might need either nothing but swimwear and shorts or all of the thermals you can find!
Lima is the capital and the annual average temperature ranges from 12 to 28 degrees. Cusco has a subtropical highland climate with a wet and dry season and cold nights. Iquitos, the gateway to the Amazon, ranges between 21 and 33 degrees year-round and Northern Mancora stays a steady 23-27 degrees.
And then, if you want to trek in the Andes, you could be looking at mornings and evenings of zero degrees at any time of the year. So, unless you’re just going to one place in Peru, you’re going to want to pack layers and a variation of clothing.
I thought it would be best to split the Peru packing list into several different sections.
Inca Trail Peru Packing List
Peru is one of the most diverse countries in the world with a wide range of climates that stretches across the country. From its beautiful coastline to the Andes and arid deserts to the Amazon rainforests you’ll find no shortage of climates in Peru.
In recent years one of the most popular draws for tourists in Peru is the awe-inspiring Andes and the valley that provide fantastic hiking opportunities that include the Inca Trail. For this part, you’ll find what we like to bring on a hiking trip and some of our favorite products to match.
- Sports Underwear
- Thermals
- Performance Shirt
- Technical Shirt
- Mid Layer Sweater
- Shell Jacket
- Down Jacket
- Hiking Shorts
- Hiking Pants
- Wool Socks
- Hiking Shoes
- Hiking Boots
- Travel Towel
- Buff Headwear
- Sunglasses
- Beanie
- Gloves
- Hiking Poles
- Grayl Ultralight Water Bottle
- Headlamp
- Sleeping Bag
- Sleeping Pad
- Pillow
- Dry Bag
- Water Bladder
- Self Supported Hiking Backpack
- Porter Assisted Hiking Backpack
Sports Underwear
You should try to pack several pairs of sports underwear. On a hiking trip, I recommend packing two-three pairs and handwashing pairs whenever you get the chance. In general for a typical trip, we’ll pack five to seven pairs of underwear.
For men, I’m officially a convert and have bought several pairs of Saxx Underwear. If you’re unfamiliar with Saxx it’s the underwear that has a small pouch for your business. After, extended use I can say it’s a phenomenal feature that works perfectly. There is no need for adjustments when putting them on and off. The result is exceptional comfort that does an effective job of pulling away moisture and heat.
For women, it’s all about personal preference, but it’s best to not wear your typical cheap cotton undies. Women’s hygiene is important so undies that are antimicrobial on long hikes is a lifesaver. You have two options underwear material synthetic or wool. Our suggestion is the merino wool pair from Icebreaker called the Siren. You have the option between bikini or thong and that’s all personal preference.
Thermal Layers
Underlayers are the closest layer to your body and maintain your body heat. When we reference thermals this includes long-sleeved thermals and underwear. I always wear quality baselayers when active in cold temperatures. It’s an essential item if you’re in alpine conditions while hiking, snowboarding, scrambling, or camping.
We’ve tried a few different brands but recently settled on Kora as our favorite pair of thermals. It may be best for us as we need something technical when we snowboard or climb mountains to wick away moisture from our bodies. Kora makes high-performance technical clothing out of quality Yak Wool from the Himalayas — warning they are high priced.
For base layers we recommend they fit snug are made from a non-cotton material like nylon or wool. We’ve had a lot of baselayer, but our favorites are wool based layers from Helly Hansen, Smartwool, Black Diamond, and the yak wool from Kora.
Performance Shirts
Any Peru packing list needs a performance shirt on it! I love to wear a comfortable shirt on hot days. It’s best to opt for shirts that are made from a performance fabric that handles sweat and the sun. A good number of tee shirts to pack for Peru is around three and at least one technical shirts like the one below. You should look for a fabric that is lightweight, breathable and has quick-dry qualities such as merino wool, nylon, or polyester.
The more expensive option would be to bring a hiking shirt that has active panels that are designed to move with your body and hold up to the wear from a backpack. We’ve spent a lot of time hiking in the mountains
Technical Shirt
A technical long-sleeve hiking shirt looks great and is typically well constructed. You should look for a nice blend of synthetic materials that allow for quick drying. A long sleeve shirt like this allows for greater comfort moving from chilly mornings into warm days.
It’s a great travel shirt as it avoids wrinkles, resists stains, and looks better than a relaxed tee. The other option is always a classic flannel, while it’s not a technical shirt and can be a little bulky we still love them.
Mid Layer Sweater
When you’re on the trails you often come across cold temperatures in the mountains. A comfortable sweater is a great way to remain warm in the mornings and evenings. You can use a variety of hiking clothes, but any warm fleece jacket or sweater will work on the Inca Trail.
Our Patagonia Better Sweaters are perfect fleece sweaters, especially for mid-layers. It’s a slim cut fleece with a soft lining that is slim cut and moves well with your body while the outer material feels tough and shows little to no wear. We’ve both had one for years and it looks like they’ll last another decade.
In our eyes, you can excuse the high price tag as they’ll last for years. The quarter-zip is our favorite as it’s effective at protecting your neck and remains close to your body for when you’re active on trails. As a plus, the slim fit allows for it to fit under a down or shell jacket. It’s also great for sleeping on cold nights or relaxing in camp.
Shell Jacket
A great item to have on the trails is a shell jacket that is designed to protect you from the wind and rain. This is not about wearing a winter jacket, but a jacket that will break the wind and protect you from the elements.
When it comes to hiking clothes the best investment you can make is in a quality shell jacket. They’re tremendous at protection from the elements like rain, wind, sleet, and even snow.
I have several shell jacket that I cycle throughout the year, but the one I reach for the most is my Arc’teryx Zeta LT Jacket. The LT line from Arc’teryx is the lightweight line and it packs down well in my backpack.
The Arc’teryx is waterproof, windproof, and breathable and made with Goretex Pro. It’s not just good for traveling and rainstorms but is a protective shell against all levels of weather. I can even wear it in the winter as a waterproof shell over my down jacket. If you want more help we have a post on our favorite hiking jackets.
Down Jacket
There are only a few travel items we recommend everyone has and that’s a down jacket. A down jacket is a staple for travel and outdoor activities as it’s tremendously versatile.
We always recommend you bring a great packable down jacket on just about any extended trip. When you’re dealing with the mountains and wide temperature shifts it’s a great way to keep warm without eating up too much space in your hiking backpack.
If you need a warm jacket it’s not possible to do better in terms of weight vs warmth than Feathered Friends EOS Down Jacket. This down jacket features 2.8 ounces of 900-fill down with a down hood and an insulated draft tube behind the zipper.
When it comes down to packability it comes with a nylon stuff sack that is about the size of a large water bottle. The stuff sack is great for packing attaching the bag to the outside of a hiking backpack.
Hiking Shorts
A great pair of shorts is self-explanatory for keeping yourself cool on a hot hiking day at lower elevations and warmer weather days we love a pair of hiking shorts.
Of course, it all depends on the terrain and landscape as sometimes a pair of hiking pants can remain cool while protecting your legs from thick brush or rocks when scrambling up a trail. prAna makes some tremendous lightweight hiking shorts that are both comfortable and affordable.
Hiking Pants
Lightweight pants that are made from synthetic material are tremendous to have in your pack. It’s what we wear most days when hiking as they’re comfortable, antibacterial, and protect our legs from mosquitos and branches.
We recommend neutral-colored pants as they’re great at hiding dirt and can match most shirt colors. What’s great is they’re useful beyond Peru as they are a travel staple and we pack a pair everywhere we travel.
There are two different hiking pants that we love to wear on our travels the Keb Trouser from Fjallraven and prAna’s Stretch Zion Pant/Halle Pant. The most versatile would have to be prAna pants that are lightweight, look great, and extremely comfortable.
Fjallraven’s Keb pants are a mountaineering staple, but they are heavyweight and not great for quick dry properties yet extremely durable. We love our Keb pants as the paneled construction is extremely comfortable and they look awesome. If you really want to mix it up you can opt for hiking tights — Tasha loves those!
Wool Socks
We’ve learned to love our feet with a good pair of socks. You will want to keep your feet nice and dry while you walk around. Most importantly wool socks stay fresh for several days as they have natural antimicrobial properties.
We travel with a couple pairs of the Darn Tough Merino socks and our feet have never felt cold or wet. As a bonus, they’re produced in Vermont!
Trail Running Shoes
If you are traveling with only outdoor adventure on your mind, then these Salomon Ultra GTX 3s may be just what you need. Often voted one of the top hiking shoes on the market, these are built with only the rocky trail in mind. Salomon has strong name recognition and there is a good reason for that.
I would recommend you look at the weather and your shoe preference before you pick either a nice hiking boot/shoe or trail running shoe. In the cooler temperatures we appreciate the added insulation in hiking shoes, but in the warmer months prefer the breathability and lightweight nature of trail running shoes.
Hiking Boots
Peru has become a trekking capital and you’ll find a wide network of backpackers and trails. In more fashionable destinations with day hikes we like to recommend leather boots, but when it comes to multiday hikes it’s tough to beat purpose-built synthetic boots as they are lightweight, breathable, quick-drying, and often waterproof.
When hiking in the mountains loose rocks are a real threat hiking on the trails and it’s a good idea to wear decent hiking boots or shoes. There has been a long debate on whether you need high top or low cut shoes to protect your ankles. Truthfully we own both types and like to wear high tops on muddy trails or areas with thick vegetation and shoes in warm and dry destinations.
I’d say wear what you’re comfortable with, but if you have plans to head to the Amazon it would be a good idea to bring a pair of high ankle boots. Seriously, bring proper footwear because there are a lot of critters roaming around. I still have nightmares about getting attacked by fierce jungle ants when I mistakenly walked on a trail in my flip-flops. We also saw multiple venomous snakes on trails so the added layer of protection was much appreciated.
A good pair of hiking boots will come in handy if you have plans to explore. We love the Merrel Moabs II that come in both women’s and men’s versions in addition to high and low cut versions.
Travel Towel
We always recommend bringing a travel towel when you’re on the road, Peru is no exception. If you plan on multiday hike like the Inca Trail you’ll need to carry your own towel and you don’t want to lug around a big fluffy space-consuming cotton bath towel from home.
The biggest complaint about travel towels is that they often feel nothing like the plush cotton towels we are accustomed to at home and in hotels. However, with the PackTowl you can forget about all of that because they set out to create a towel that mimics its cotton counterparts with the technical features of a travel towel.
Buff Headwear
We have a collection of buff headwear and bring them everywhere. They’re great for a multitude of reasons such as sun/wind protection, a scarf, headband, or an ear warmer.
We always have one in our suitcase or backpack no matter the destination and consider it one top travel accessories. I imagine most people have one or two of these by now!
Sunglasses
Make sure to protect your eyes from the sun since you’ll likely spend a lot of time in the sun in Peru. There are a lot of options for sunglasses and everyone should own at least a pair. It’s best to make sure they do have UV protection for the health of your eyes. These are particularly important if you plan to visit any of Peru’s glaciers as the sun reflection from snow is damaging to your eyes.
We made our first investment in quality polarized sunglasses with a pair of SMITH Optics Lowdown 2. Truthfully, not everyone needs to invest $150 in a pair of sunglasses; however, we love ours and will never buy cheap ones again. Polarized glasses are great at enhancing vision in bright environments and removing glare from windshields and the water.
Beanie
As I’ve said before cold evening and nights are a frequent occurrence at elevation so a nice beanie to keep your head warm is always nice to have in your pack. It’s not much room in your pack, but if you do forget you can find a hand-knit one in the any of the markets selling local products around Peru.
Gloves
Heavy winter gloves are not necessary while hiking in Peru, but a lightweight pair is great for those prone to cold hands. If you’re trekking on the Inca Trail consider a pair of lightweight and weatherproof gloves that will protect your hands from the elements.
There is a lot of gloves purpose-built for hiking, jogging, or general sports activities that would be great for your trip.
Hiking Poles
If you have plans to take part in a long day or multiway hikes a pair of hiking poles are a great way to save your knees and prevent injuries. The Inca Trail, for example, takes several days of hiking often around 5-6 hours a day. You’ll gain and descend elevation along the way and it’s easy for your legs to get tired so a pair of hiking poles will pay off.
The use of hiking poles reduces the impact on your knees and prevents injuries as they provide an extra level of support. When selecting your hiking poles you should look at a number of key features and specs. We like to have a pair of hiking poles that have secure clamps and not the twist locking mechanisms as they are more secure and will hold up long term.
Look for hiking poles that are lightweight and made from a material like carbon fiber or aluminum. Then make sure they have a good weather-resistant grip, I love natural materials like cork, but the right rubber or foam will do a great job. Black Diamond is a company dedicated to mountain sports and has worked hard to craft wonderful products. I personally use the Black Diamond FLZ Hiking Poles, but there are some other great poles out there produced by companies like REI and MSR.
Grayl Ultralight Water Bottle
The Grayl water bottle system purifies water vs. filters which removes viruses and virtually removes all threat of waterborne illnesses.
Headlamp
On any trip where we’ll spend time outside, almost every trip, a headlamp is on our packing list. If you have a long day on the trails this could be a lifesaver and it’s nice to have around camp at night. We even use ours in cities and towns when we walk along the side of a road to increase visibility.
We have several headlamps, but one of our new favorites is the Biolite 200. It took several recommendations online before settling on this one because of its affordable price and durability. It delivers 200 lumens, costs $40, and will likely last a decade or longer sweet deal if you like to spend time outdoors. Most importantly it’s rechargeable so no more of those pesky batteries in the trash — eco-friendly product win!
Sleeping Bag
If there is one hiking item I really recommend you bring your own it is a sleeping bag. Make sure to get something that is lightweight, warm, and of decent quality. If you have plans for future hikes at higher elevations, like further south in Patagonia or Nepal now would be a good time to make sure you have a decent quality sleeping bag.
You can rent a sleeping bag in Cusco before you set off on a hiking trip, but you can’t shower on a hiking trail so it’s up to you if you want to follow someone else you don’t know in to a sleeping bag. That being said sleeping bags can be pricey so the cheaper option would be to bring along travel sheets/liner that you can slip inside the rental sleeping bag.
Sleeping bags come in two different types down or synthetic. Down bags are considered high performance and generally offer more warmth and a lighter weight, but costs more. The most popular trekking months are the dry months (May – September) and coincide with the coldest months of the year. It is common to see temperatures below zero or freezing at night so you should pack a four season bag rated for around -10C or 14F.
The sky is the limit with sleeping bags with the top end models reaching upwards of $500. This is a lot more than is necessary for most hikers on the Inca Trail or many of the other trails around Peru. A great lightweight and affordable option would be the Marmot Trestles Elite and it costs only $150 with a synthetic down fill.
Sleeping Pad
If you’re taking an independent trek you likely already know you’ll need a sleeping pad. Sleeping pads act as insulation between your body and the cold ground in addition to making for a more comfortable sleep.
If you’re on a guided trek with porters it’s likely that your tour company will supply you with a sleeping pad — we would recommend you verify before arriving.
Pillow
Personally we can’t sleep without a pillow, but everyone is different! A small and simple pillow that inflates will definitely come in handy while trying to catch some sleep. The alternative would be to use clothes like a down jacket to sleep at night by tucking it into your sleeping bag hood.
A pillow is essential for a good night’s sleep in the mountains. Therm-A-Rest makes durable pillows from upcycled foam. These pillows are soft and expand large enough for a comfortable rest.
Dry bag
Dry bag are great if you want to protect ensure your electronics are protected from the elements. They will protect your phone and any other electronics if it starts to rain or should your bag get wet for whatever reason. As a plus, they take up little to no room and they’re cheap.
Water Bladder
You should consume at least two liters a water a day while hiking in the mountains. This often means you either carry two bottles of water or purchase water when it’s available along the route.
The best way to carry enough water on your treks and to carry extra in case of emergencies is a water bladder. Most hiking backpacks and even daypacks designed for hiking have a sleeve for carrying your extra water. As a plus with the Grayl water bottle above you can filter the water and pour it into your bladder ensuring you stay hydrated and healthy.
Self Supported Hiking Backpack — Osprey Atmos/Aura
This is a great pack for beginner hikes as it’s extremely comfortable on the trail. The suspension system in the bag is top of the line, I haven’t found a pack that fits better on my back. My largest complaint is it’s a rather odd shape, weight, and inability to stand up on its own due to the internal frame. However, it is rugged and carries heavy weight effortlessly. Backpacker Magazine even gave it the Editors choice for the best multiday backpack several times over.
The major drawback to this pack is it does not really excel at anything any in 2019. There are far more backpacks purpose-built for city travel and ultralight packs built for those looking to head into the mountains on multi-day treks. However, it does a solid job at being comfortable and tackling the mountains so it’s a wonderful entry into multi-day hikes.
Supported Hiking Backpack
If you have the benefit of a porter on a guided hiking tour like the Inca Trail you won’t need a large multiple day hiking backpack. You’re only responsible for your water, snacks, change of clothes, and daily essentials like a rain jacket or sunblock. This means you need a lot less space so a smaller backpack around 30-35L should be more than enough.
Your porter will likely carry your tent, sleeping, bag, nightly clothes, and food. This means a lot of the heavyweight items are not in your pack and makes the hike a lot easier. Expect to still carry several pounds of gear on your pack so it’s important to have a backpack that sits well on your back with good suspension. However, you don’t need a 50L+ backpack instead opt for a size around 35L that should be enough to carry all of your necessities.
We have a large number of hiking backpacks and they range in sizes. If you have plans for other short treks that may or may not have a porter you can go with a 50L that will lend more versatility without being so large its unnecessarily cumbersome on the trail. As far as our recommendation on smaller backpacks we love the Traverse from REI and the Exos/Tempest from Osprey.
Peruvian Amazon Packing List
The majority of Peru is temperate and dressing for cool temperatures like fall or spring in North America and Europe is appropriate. Yet, when you head inland over the Andes you’ll find the Amazon and rainforest. Here temperatures and humidity soar and you’ll regularly find they reach 30C or 90F.
Sunglasses
Make sure to protect your eyes from the sun since you’ll likely spend a lot of time in the sun in Peru. There are a lot of options for sunglasses and everyone should own at least a pair. It’s best to make sure they do have UV protection for the health of your eyes. These are particularly important if you plan to visit any of Peru’s glaciers as the sun reflection from snow is damaging to your eyes.
We made our first investment in quality polarized sunglasses with a pair of SMITH Optics Lowdown 2. Truthfully, not everyone needs to invest $150 in a pair of sunglasses; however, we love ours and will never buy cheap ones again. Polarized glasses are great at enhancing vision in bright environments and removing glare from windshields and the water.
Buff Headwear
We have a collection of buff headwear and bring them everywhere. They’re great for a multitude of reasons such as sun protection or sweatband.
We always have one in our suitcase or backpack no matter the destination and consider it one top travel accessories. I imagine most people have one or two of these by now!
Sunhat
If you’re on the Amazon or a river you’ll see a lot of sun from the water reflection when it does make an appearance. We both have a Tilley hat as they have long been famed for their sun protection hats. They are seen the world over and have seen more than a few adventures. It holds its shape and the material has a stylish look to it. What sets Tilley apart is that they guarantee their hats for life against wear and tear.
A wide brim keeps the sun off your hat. What I love in addition to the guarantee are the features such as its ability to float in the water and a hidden pocket to store and I.D. or money. Although, the higher price point may deter some – just keep in mind it has a lifetime guarantee.
Sports Underwear
You should try to pack several pairs of sports underwear. On a hiking trip, I recommend packing two-three pairs and handwashing pairs whenever you get the chance. In general for a typical trip, we’ll pack five to seven pairs of underwear.
For men, I’m officially a convert and have bought several pairs of Saxx Underwear. If you’re unfamiliar with Saxx it’s the underwear that has a small pouch for your business. After, extended use I can say it’s a phenomenal feature that works perfectly. There is no need for adjustments when putting them on and off. The result is exceptional comfort that does an effective job of pulling away moisture and heat.
For women, it’s all about personal preference, but it’s best to not wear your typical cheap cotton undies. Women’s hygiene is important so undies that are antimicrobial on long hikes is a lifesaver. You have two options underwear material synthetic or wool. Our suggestion is the merino wool pair from Icebreaker called the Siren. You have the option between bikini or thong and that’s all personal preference.
Performance Shirts
I love to wear a comfortable shirt on hot days. It’s best to opt for shirts that are made from a performance fabric that handles sweat and the sun. A good number of tee shirts to pack for Peru is around three and at least one technical shirts like the one below. You should look for a fabric that is lightweight, breathable and has quick-dry qualities such as merino wool, nylon, or polyester.
The more expensive option would be to bring a hiking shirt that has active panels that are designed to move with your body and hold up to the wear from a backpack. We’ve spent a lot of time hiking in the mountains
Long Sleeve Technical Shirt
There’s a lot of little critters around the rainforest, and you’ll be walking around almost every day of your trip. The shirt looks sharp with clean lines and a flattering cut. Design built for anglers, but that makes it a perfect fit for walking around the rainforest or on a boat in the Amazon River. The shirt offers UV protection, it’s lightweight, quick drying, it has a vented back, and front pockets.
Loaded with features such omni-wick moisture management, antimicrobial treatment, and strategic mesh vented panels this shirt perfect for Peru. Columbia is one of our favorites when it comes to shirts as they make affordable and well designed clothes. You can check out more technical long sleeve shirts in our post about safari shirts.
Shell Jacket
This is one you’re not going to want to leave at home as you are visiting the rainforest. Almost every month of the year sees more rainy days than sun so chances are very likely you’ll experience some rain on your trip.
I have several shell jacket that I cycle throughout the year, but the one I reach for the most is my Arc’teryx Zeta LT Jacket. The LT line from Arc’teryx is the lightweight line and it packs down well in my backpack.
The Arc’teryx is waterproof, windproof, and breathable and made with Goretex Pro. It’s not just good for traveling and rainstorms but is a protective shell against all levels of weather. I can even wear it in the winter as a waterproof shell over my down jacket. If you want more help we have a post on our favorite hiking jackets.
Hiking Shorts
A great pair of shorts is self-explanatory for keeping yourself cool on a hot day and we love a pair of hiking shorts. You might be worried about bugs in the Amazon, but you’ll be surprised to find that during the day it’s common to find little to no mosquitos.
It all varies a lot as it depends on the location in the Amazon as some areas are prone to lots of bugs while others are virtually bug free. prAna makes some tremendous lightweight hiking shorts that are both comfortable and affordable.
Hiking Pants
Lightweight pants that are made from synthetic material are tremendous to have in your pack. It’s what we wear most days in the rainforest as they’re comfortable, antibacterial, and protect our legs from mosquitos and branches.
We recommend neutral colored pants as they’re great at hiding dirt and can match most shirt colors. What’s great is they’re useful beyond Peru as they are a travel staple and we pack a pair everywhere we travel. Our favorites for hot destinations are prAna’s Stretch Zion Pant/Halle Pant. They are versatile, lightweight, stylish, and extremely comfortable.
Loose Pants
We pretty much live in loose pants when at the in hot climates. After wearing several different pants we’ve landed on prAna for the companies commitment to sustainability and the awesome pants that they produce.
Their women’s Summit Pant is made out of hemp and recycled polyester while offering 50+ UPF protection. They are perfect for beach destinations, especially if you find yourself in more conservative areas.
These men’s Vaha pants are lightweight and weigh nothing in a carry-on bag. I could literally live in these pants if it were acceptable to wear them for breakfast, lunch, and dinner out. While in Peru, they were a wardrobe staple for nighttime as they are appropriate to wear out to a restaurant or bar while covering our legs from the pesky mosquitos.
Something to keep in mind for men, most Peruvians wear long pants so it’s a good way to blend without feeling too hot in a pair of jeans.
Travel Towel
We always recommend bringing a travel towel when you’re on the road, Peru is no exception. The biggest complaint about travel towels is that they often feel nothing like the plush cotton towels we are accustomed to at home and in hotels.
However, with the PackTowl you can forget about all of that because they set out to create a towel that mimics its cotton counterparts with the technical features of a travel towel.
Insect Repellant
The Amazon has year-round warm weather and lots of rain so in other words, a breeding ground for mosquitos. They love to hand around forests, ponds, lagoons, or anywhere with moving water – still water actually has the wrong ph in the Amazon. It’s pretty common for the unsuspecting travelers to leave with legs full of mosquito bites.
We’d recommend packing a bottle of insect repellant that has DEET in it so you’ll scare away those annoying biting demons. And in a worst-case scenario and it reduces the chances of Malaria or Yellow Fever. Just keep in mind that DEET can destroy plastics so mind your sunglasses or camera when applying.
General Peru Packing List
The majority of the stuff on the hiking list above you’ll still want for your trip to Peru particularly if you plan to spend time outside. While the items you want for hiking are more technical you can get away with more comfortable clothes and heavier items like a wool sweater.
Wool Sweater
If there is one article of clothing made for travel in Peru it’s the wool sweater. Sweaters can make a great travel outfit staple. They’re comfortable, stylish, and warm. It doesn’t matter the season either as most of Peru is temperate and remains cool year-round. This means comfortable day time temperatures during the day and chilly evenings in the summer.
I have a number of sweaters, but my favorites are from organic materials like wool or Alpaca. It’s even become my favorite travel souvenir and I treasure my Scottish wool and Peruvian Alpaca sweaters. Ever since then we’ve been living out of them in the Faroe Islands, Iceland, and Ireland.
Peru has some terrific alpaca wool and sweater producers, but it may take a bit of digging. I purchased a real baby alpaca sweater from Sol in the center of Cusco. You’ll find plenty of cheap “alpaca” sweaters in the smaller markets that are a blend of older alpaca wool and nylon. Those sweaters are still cute and warm, just don’t fall into the belief you’re getting a real alpaca sweater — the real deal costs a lot more like around $200 give or take.
Flannel shirt
Flannel shirts are great mid-layers for both men and women. They provide warmth and go well with vests. Most of Peru is a very relaxed place and with a flannel or sweater, you’ll feel at home sipping a Pisco sour at the hotel bar.
Fitted Jeans
Jeans go with anything, and despite the notion, they are “American” casual the right pair is attractive. I see jeans everywhere I travel as well, and it’s definitely not just Americans wearing them.
We stick with the classic look in jeans. That means fitted jeans that are a dark color. No fades, classic blues, or rips!
Chinos
A pair of chinos works on both sexes. It’s a classic look that when combined with a sweater that works well in Peru. I always pack a pair of these pants in my bag!
Men should opt for more neutral colors like grey, blue, brown or green. Women can never go wrong with white, yellow, beige, or light pastel colors of course it depends on the season. Men should check out Bluffworks for some stylish travel clothes that wrinkle and stain resistant.
Scarf
This is a travel staple and a great wardrobe choice for both women and men traveling in Peru. They act as an accessory to your outfit and they’re super comfortable giving you an added layer of warmth.
Scarves are especially great for travelers: They can spice up an outfit that you’ve already worn three days in a row and can be thrown into a bag or purse to pull out when the sun sets and the weather gets chilly.
Accessories For Peru
Sunscreen
Skin cancer is for real! Don’t forget your SPF when traveling to the around Peru as you’re close to the Equator. We recommend ordering some online before leaving the house as you will find much higher prices in Peru.
We highly recommend getting an eco friendly sun cream that does not contain harmful chemicals. They’re mineral based and usually only cost a few dollars more to help protect our oceans. If you’re not going to swim in the ocean just go with a reliable name brand — granted run off often still ends in our oceans.
Hand Sanitizer
Walking around and taking part in everyday activities in Peru can get pretty dirty. It became a reoccurring theme to find hand soap nowhere. You can’t go wrong bringing some hand sanitizer and baby wipes in your bag — consider it a travel essential anywhere you go.
Sports Watch
This is a travel staple that’s often overlooked, but having a watch on the road has become a must for me. It helps keep me on time when I’m out in the water, on a hike, or catching the next plane on a layover.
Electronics to Pack for Peru
Travel Adaptor
You will definitely need an adaptor for your electronics on your Peru packing list. We always keep one handy in our carry-on bags, that way we can charge electronics on arrival or at the airport. The plugs in Peru are Type A and Type C, but they are not the same Type A is in the U.S. due to the grounding.
Make sure you find a good adapter like the one I have to keep you charged. Otherwise, you may be paying for an overpriced one once you land.
You’ll need the British “Type G” three prong adaptor for the United Kingdom.
Camera
A high-quality camera is an important packing item for Peru if you want some great shots while on your vacation We travel with a bunch of cameras, but the one we universally recommend is the RX 100. If you’re hiking or plan on taking a day hike up around Machu Picchu this camera is tremendous as it fits in your pocket and still packs a punch.
They make a number of models at different price points, but it’s simple to use a point-and-shoot camera that anyone can operate. It also takes superb images with a 20mp resolution and full manual controls.
Kindle Paperwhite
While I love having a good real book when I travel sometimes it’s just not practical because of the weight. I’ve recently switched to a Kindle Paperwhite which is small and compact, plus it has a backlight for reading at night without a harsh glare.
Portable Charger
I love traveling with a power bank to make sure my phone never dies. The majority of the time I don’t need to use it on long flights as some of the nicer airlines provide entertainment systems with USB ports! We also make sure to find a charging point during layovers, but getting to a new city without your hotel reservations and map can be a major pain in the ass.
Plan Your Trip to Peru
When is the Best Season to Travel Peru?
High season (May-September): You may be surprised to hear that winter in Peru is actually the best time to travel there. Between May and September is the driest time to visit Peru, it’s a bit cold but it’s certainly better than rain!
Shoulder Season (April and October, November): Tourism is lower during this time, and temperatures are mild and a little unpredictable. Still, it’s not going to be raining all the time!
Low Season (December to March): This is the Peruvian Summer and while you may like the sound of warmer weather Peru experiences heavy rainfall during these months.
When is the Best Time to Travel to Peru?
As mentioned the best time to travel Peru is during the winter. It’s during this time that the air is dryest and you stand less of a chance of rain. We traveled to Peru in June and had a fantastic time. Just note that it is winter so you’ll want to bring a packable down jacket and other warm gear.
When is the Best Time to Visit Machu Picchu?
The Andes have two very distinct seasons – wet and dry. December to March is the wet season and despite getting rained on a bit it’s still a fantastic time to travel to Machu Picchu. Bring a packable rain jacket.
To avoid the rain you should visit Machu Picchu during the dry season (May-November). We visited Machu Picchu in June and were met with fantastic weather, great for hiking!
When is the Best Time to Hike the Inca Trail?
The Inca Trail is good to go during the dry and wet season, although it does close during the heaviest of rainfall in February. If you can I would recommend hiking the Inca Trail in the dry season!
When is the Cheapest Time to go to Peru?
Peru is a pretty affordable country to travel through and prices don’t change that drastically depending on season. However, for more of a deal you should travel during the offseason. Though many establishments may be shut. Although you’ll be saving a buck you’ll be sacrificing it for unpredictable weather.
When is Best Time to Visit the Amazon in Peru?
The Peruvian Amazon has the same climate as most tropical rainforests. Temperatures average around 25 °C year-round, and humidity is always high.
June to October is the dry season and the best time to visit the Peruvian rainforest for trekking. If you want to cruise down the Amazon, the best time to visit is the wet season, as the rains cause the river to swell.
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