Packing list for Peru

What things must you bring along when traveling to Peru in May? Here’s my packing list for Peru to help you pack!

Packing List for Peru

Passport, Visa, Vaccinations, and Travel Insurance

The following things must be on the top of your packing list!

Passport validity: Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months and must have one blank page. You will also need your passport for your ticket to Machu Picchu, and bring it to the entrance. Ticket without password = entry denied.
Visa: No Visa is needed for Belgians, best to check for your country as well
Vaccinations: No mandatory vaccines are needed; best to double-check!
Malaria pills: Needed in certain regions in the jungle, best to double-check for yourself!
Travel insurance: Make sure you have travel insurance to be fully covered for having an accident or disease while travelling. It might come in handy! If you need oxygen due to altitude sickness, ask for the receipts to have it paid back by your insurance agency!
Cash: Try to take as much cash as you can in one time. Every time you withdraw cash you have to pay a big fee to your bank. So 400 soles is €100 but we had to pay around €118. So withdraw large sums immediately. Try to exchange your larger bills in supermarkets so that you have coins for tips, toilets, taking photos of the locals, etc.

Backpack or Luggage

Your backpack is also an important item on your packing list. Do you want a backpack or luggage?

Backpack: Invest in a good backpack (or luggage, but the roads are not made for luggage). I have an Osprey backpack of 40L. This one is perfect for a two-week trip, but it was just a bit small for a 3-week trip (I managed by rolling my clothes). So maybe buy the 50L backpack if you plan on going away for more than 2 weeks. Also, bring along a day backpack. It comes in handy for your camera equipment, a bottle of water, and other stuff.

Packing hack: Is a carry-on enough for long trips? It’s possible (I did it in Florida, Thailand, Cambodia, and Malaysia), but you must be prepared to wear the same outfits for multiple days and do washes in the sink or at the laundry shop.

Luggage: If you prefer luggage that’s fine but we aware that most European cities have cobblestone roads.
Packing cubes: Bring packing cubes! They are so easy to use, and I can put in 14 pieces of clothing per bag!

Packing hack: Roll your clothes to fit more in your luggag

Medicine and toiletries

Okay so this one is actually the most important thing on my packing list now since I had Salmonella in Thailand.

Mosquito Repellent, Sunscreen & Aftersun: This is a must.
- Warning: The ozone layer is very thin above Peru so make sure to apply sunscreen to avoid skin cancer! Your skin will be happy!
- Mosquito Repellent: So above 2.500m there are no mosquitos but Machu Picchu (below 2.500m) is located in the jungle. Spray or get stung!
First aid kit: Bandages will most definitely come in handy!
Diarrhea tablets: Just in case 😉 (PTSD Salmonella)
Hand Sanitizer: I use this every time I used a public bathroom or right before dinner, which comes in handy.
Quick-drying towel: Invention of the year! Put your wet towel on a chair, and it’s dry in an hour. It’s also not as thick as a normal towel, so it’s easy to pack.
Wet wipes: I always bring my wet wipes on my holidays. If you’re in a public toilet that’s dirty or where there is no toilet paper, wet wipes are a blessing (which was almost always the case in Peru). In Peru, you can’t throw your toilet paper in the toilet, always throw it in the bin!
Small bottles: I always pack small, reusable bottles of shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. You save space and weight!
Lip balm: During the flight, my lips become very dry. I always pack my Buttercream lip balm, and my lips are soft in no time! Also, bring one with SPF protection in it, as the ozone layer is thin above Peru! Think like you’re going skiing!

Packing hack: Avoid overpacking by using a packing list & adapting it over time. I updated my packing list over the years. I did not bring a neck pillow on my travels until I was 26, for instance.

Clothes

I don’t think anyone would forget to put these items on their packing list.

Clothes: This was difficult. During the day we had 26-28°C, but as soon as the sun set it dropped to 16°C. I had packed too many dresses/shorts versus pants 🙂So try to balance that one out! Check the weather in advance. Do you also see a drop in temperature in the evening? Provide warmer clothing for the evenings.
- Fun Fact: It mostly said 18-20°C but due to the thin ozone layer it always felt like 26-28°C. Except in regions lower than 2.500m (Lima, Arequipa, Machu Picchu), the temp given was the temperature felt (29°C when we climbed Huayna Picchu 🥵)
- You’ll need lightweight clothing for summer on the coast, and thermals, hats, gloves, and ski jackets for winter in the mountains.
- It can freeze at night at altitude, and remains warm and sticky through the night in the jungle.
- Waterproof clothing is recommended for the rainy season.
- When you travel to the jungle, you need something protective and waterproof for your feet.
- For any mountain hike, you need good hiking boots. If you spend time along the coast, you will need sandals or flip-flops.
Sweater: 2-3 sweaters or take just one and buy one of those pretty Alpaca sweaters on location!
Travel pillow: I have a neck pillow that comes in handy for those long flights but also short flights!
Washing powder: Washing time! If you pack light, then you must also wash your clothes from time to time. You can do it in a shop or do it yourself.
- Tip: You can also wash your clothes with shampoo.
Rain jacket (foldable): It might rain in Peru so bring a foldable rain jacket that takes not too much space!
- Tip: when folded, it can be used as a pillow!
Hat or cap: for sun protection or warmth during the colder months

Electronics

Camera and GoPro: Pack your camera and GoPro for having HD photos and videos.
Chargers: Europeans are lucky because we don’t need a plug adapter. We did bring one so that we could turn one socket in an outlet for 4 charging points.
Peruvian SIM card: You can buy a SIM card at the airport for having wifi during the day. Most expensive one I’ve seen! Price: €35
Powerbank: Bring along a power bank! Just check your airline’s guidelines as some can’t come onto the plane.
Hard disk: Backup your photos while traveling!
Waterproof bag: I used a waterproof bag to put my power bank, smartphone and its chargers in. Everything is in one little bag, easy to find and protected from water, sunscreen, …