Hi, I’m Ella! I traveled around Peru for two months with only a 32L backpack and a 12L hiking pack.
Peru simply stunned me. From sand dunes, to towering mountains, to old ruins – there was adventure and beauty everywhere. The food was amazing and the people were so kind. I cannot wait until I get the chance to go back again.
If you are planning a trip to Peru, this is your comprehensive minimalist packing guide. I will share exactly what I packed for my trip, what I actually ended up using the most, and how you can pack light for portability and adventure. This packing list could be used for anywhere from a one-week to a two-month trip.
Why Peru?
Peru is the ultimate adventure travel destination. It has landscapes ranging from desert, to rainforest, to high alpine, to beach! It is a massive country with so much to explore. For an outdoor lover, this is paradise. We climbed mountains over 5000 meters, road dune buggies in the desert, saw old Incan ruins, and swam in the Pacific Ocean with sea lions.
Peru is very affordable, has a huge traveler scene, has amazing food, and the people are extremely welcoming. Everything from lodging to food to transportation is affordable for travelers here. The food was insane, and even as a vegetarian, I always found something to eat! My favorite dish was Arroz a la Cubana (rice, potatoes, plantain, eggs, and avocado). Yum. The people are so kind and very welcoming in Peru. Learn a few Spanish phrases, and everyone will be willing to help you out (and teach you more Spanish!).
For a female traveler, I felt quite safe in Peru. The only place to avoid are certain areas of Lima. This is a great destination for solo female travelers or travelers who have never visited South America.
Climate & Weather
The weather in Peru is variable and extremely diverse depending on which part of the country you are in. The coast and desert is hot and dry, the high mountainous regions are temperate, but chilly, and the rainforest is hot and humid. In Cusco, you can experience three seasons in one day!
The main concept is to pack layers.
Peru does have a dry and a rainy season. Mainly in the higher elevations.
Dry Season: May – October
Rainy Season: November – April
The dry season or shoulder seasons are best for hiking any of the trails (Inca Trail, Salkantay, Santa Cruz, etc.) because there will be less crowds, less rain, and less avalanche risk.
My Packing Checklist
This is everything that I personally brought along to Peru and worked well for my adventure trip.
- Luggage
- Outerwear
- Shoes
- Clothing
- Accessories
- Toiletries
- Travel Documents
Luggage
Pack light, and be prepared for lots of steps. I opted for a travel backpack instead of a suitcase.
- Travel Backpack 32 – 45L: Something small and portable that is easy to put on buses, planes, and cars, and comfortable to carry. I took my Cotopaxi Alpa 32L Backpack to Peru and loved it.
- Day Pack 15-22L: For day hikes and multi-day treks where you want a comfortable hiking bag
- Crossbody Bag: To store camera gear and valuables. I use the Patagonia Hip Pack
Shoes
If you are planning to do a ton of trekking on your trip, you’ll need a few different pairs of shoes.
- Sandals: Great for hostel showers, warm days, and anything beach or desert related. I love sandals that can strap on and have good traction for walking such as the Bedrocks Sandal.
- Nicer Sneakers/Town Shoes: Comfortable sneakers or shoes to walk in and use when exploring the towns or doing cleaner activities. *Optional*
- Trail Runners or Hiking Boots: Great for trekking and hiking. I personally love hiking in my Altra Lone Peaks.
Outerwear
Pack light, and be prepared for lots of steps. I opted for a travel backpack instead of a suitcase.
- Rain Jacket: This is a must have. It will rain. Make sure your jacket is fully waterproof (not just water resistant). North Face Rain Jacket
- Down Puffer Jacket: Great layer for high altitudes and camping. I love my Cotopaxi Hooded Down Jacket.
- Down Vest: Great layer for hiking and chilly evenings on the trail. I love the Patagonia Down Vest.
- Sun Cap: Sun protection. I wore mine constantly.
- Gloves & Hat: Good layers for cold nights
Clothes
Layers are absolutely key here. Prioritize packing light, with only bringing along comfortable pieces that you can rewear and repurpose.
- 1 Hiking Pant: Lightweight, breathable, easy to dry
- 1 Legging: Comfortable for hiking, town days, and long bus rides
- 1 Sweatpants/Jogger: Great for a warm sleeping layer when camping or comfortable for long haul days
- 1 Linen Pants: Great for having one nicer outfit.
- 2 Shorts: I brought one pair of biker shorts and one pair of loose athletic running shorts.
- 4 Tank Tops: Easily packable and usable for layering, hiking, etc. I brought two casual ones, and 2 nicer ones if I wanted to look dressy.
- 2 T-Shirts: One cotton t-shirt and one sports material t-shirt.
- 1 Long Sleeve: Loose linen, comfortable, breathable
- 1 Long Sleeve Thermal Layer: Warm, thick merino wool layer or thermal base layer
- 1 Sweatshirt: Comfortable for layer and relaxing
- 4 Wool Socks: Great for hiking and keeping your feet clean and dry
- Pajamas: Comfortable shirt and shorts
- Swimsuit: Must have for hot springs, ocean swimming, and rivers
- Socks, Underwear, etc.
Accessories
Extra items to bring along with you.
- Water bottle: Even better if it has a water filter since most of the water in Peru is not drinkable.
- Sunglasses:
- Kindle: Great for quiet evenings and entertainment on long travel days
- Camera: I brought my tiny Sony RX100 III for portability and great photo quality
- Portable Charger: Perfect for multi day treks to keep all your electronics charged
- Headlamp: I used mine on several multi day treks while camping, such as the Black Diamond Headlamp
- AirTags: I always have an AirTag in my wallet, and my backpacks
- Packing Cubes: Great for extra organization in your bag
- Laundry Sheets: If you want to do your own laundry. In Peru, there is no self-service laundry, but you can pay to have it done OR you can wash stuff in the sink or shower at your hostel.
- Bug Spray: There will be mosquitos! Not at high elevations, but everywhere else. Be prepared.
- Dry Bags: Great for stashing gear and dry clothes when hiking and out in the elements. These from Sea to Summit are perfect for travel.
- Small Microfiber Towel: I used this constantly for hostels without towels and swimming. This towel from REI is easily packable and dries quickly.
- Neck Pillow & Eye Mask: Optional but good for travel
- Headphones or Earbuds: Great for travel
- Zip Lock Bags: You never know when these will come in handy.
- Blister Tape: For inevitable hiking injuries.
- Altitude Sickness Medication: The high andes get really high!
- Motion Sickness Medication: If you suffer from motion sickness this is a MUST because the roads are very windy in the mountains.
- Trekking Poles: These are a must for some of the steeper hikes, but you can also easily rent them in many towns.
Toiletries
Bring along all of your classic must-have toiletries.
- Face Products
- Sunscreen
- Deodorant: I love Altitude brand deodorant’s because they are so environmentally friendly and non-toxic
- Toothbrush & Toothpaste
- Shampoo & Conditioner: I love bringing along bar shampoo and conditioner because it packs down much smaller
- First Aid Kit: This is a great kit that’s tiny from HART.
- Medications
- Toilet Paper & Hand Sanitizer: Not all restrooms have these
Travel Documents
Bring the necessary identification.
- Passport: Must use for check in to hostels, activities, and more
- Driver’s License: Good for secondary identification
- Health Insurance Card
- Credit Card & Debit Card: Credit cards are taken in many big cities, but you’ll need a debit card to withdraw cash for smaller towns and multi day trekking
- Cash: Bring at least $200 with you to start the trip. You can exchange for Peruvian Sol at the first town you arrive at. Peru is very affordable and I found that cash was the easiest to use!
- Printed copies of passport, license, and health insurance cards
Things to Keep in Mind
- Check which season you will be in Peru for. In the Andes specifically, the rainy season is much warmer than the dry season so this will change your packing list a bit. I was in Peru during March, April, and May.
- The altitude is very high in these regions, so be prepared with your gear and medication if needed.
- Make sure to not drink the water and always either buy it bottled, or bring a portable water filter along.
- Bring a nice phone or camera because the views are insane and you will want to document!
Now it’s time to book and plan your Peruvian adventure!
