Machu Picchu is one of the most iconic sites, if not THE most iconic site, in South America. If you’re planning a trip to Peru to see the ancient Incan city of Machu Picchu, it’s important to make sure you’re prepared with the right gear and the right clothes to make the most of your trip.
Let’s be honest, your outfit is not going to make or break this incredible experience. When I went to Machu Picchu I had just finished a five day hike, wearing the same clothes most days, and my feet were soaked through with rainwater and had been for several days. My legs were aching, I’d hardly slept, and we’d just had a huge drama at the gate with the tour guide who’d messed up the tickets for several members of our group.
Despite everything, Machu Picchu was still one of the highlights of my trip in Peru. I hardly even remember the cold, the rain or my soaking wet feet.
The point of that story was not to stop you from reading this article, but just to let you know how truly magical Machu Picchu is. It really is a once in a lifetime adventure (although it probably is better with dry clothes), and the perfect way to end my backpacking trip in Peru. So, let’s get to it. What should you pack for Machu Picchu and, perhaps more importantly, what should you wear?
What to Wear to Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu is located at high altitude in Peru’s Sacred Valley. The weather can be unpredictable, and whilst it does vary between the rainy season and dry season, it can rain at any time. Whether you’re doing a day trip or a longer stay, focus on versatile, good quality clothing, especially for the day that you visit Machu Picchu as it’s likely to be a long day.
I will say, and maybe this is shallow of me, but think about how important pictures are for you. All of the pictures of me at Machu Picchu are in my giant rain poncho, and I hate them all! So, bear this in mind when you’re deciding what to wear to Machu Picchu if it’s important to you to take a great picture.
The rainy season is from November to March, so you will need to particularly dress for the cold and rain at Machu Picchu during these months, but I’d recommend being prepared for all weathers no matter the season you go in.
Even though I went to Machu Picchu at the end of rainy season, and it was completely wet and foggy when we arrived, just a couple of hours into our visit the sun was shining and we were all stripping off our layers!
Here are my recommendations for what to wear to Machu Picchu itself:
- Layered clothing (t-shirts, long-sleeved tops, fleece)
- Comfortable pants
- Waterproof jacket for rainy season, or at least a rain poncho for dry season, just in case!
- Warm socks
- Comfortable walking shoes or hiking boots with good grip
There’s no strict dress code, but do try to respectfully as Machu Picchu is a sacred site.
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What to Pack for Machu Picchu
If you’re staying in Aguas Calientes the night before your visit, you will probably be able to leave some belongings at your accommodation. So, this is your opportunity to pack light for visiting Machu Picchu, although there are a few things you’ll want to take with you.
If you’re not staying in Aguas Calientes the night before, then hopefully you’ll be able to leave some things behind wherever your accommodation is or was, or on the bus if you’re taking an organised tour through Peru.
What to pack also depends on whether you take the bus up to Machu Picchu from Aguas Calientes, or if you decide to hike the ancient Inca steps. The hike takes around 1.5 hours from Aguas Calientes. I’d highly recommend it if you have a good level of fitness because we enjoyed the hike (despite the rain), but I’ll tell you all about that in a separate article.
Bear in mind that you won’t be able to enter the site with anything that could damage the ruins, including the floors; for example, we were not allowed to enter with our hiking poles. Luckily there is a cloakroom where you can check in bags, jackets, walking poles and other items to collect after you have visited Machu Picchu.
So, if you’re taking the bus, try to leave as much behind as you can. If you’re planning to hike there, remember to factor in time to check in any belongings that you won’t be allowed to take in with you.
Here are essentials to pack and wear for Machu Picchu:
- Insect repellent
- Sun hat and/or sunglasses (even during rainy season)
- Reusable water bottle
- Lip balm
- Altitude sickness tablets (if you need them)
- Sunscreen (yes, even during rainy season!)
- Waterproof clothing or plastic poncho
- Snacks
- Camera
- Hiking poles (if you’re doing the hike)
Even in the dry season, it’s wise to bring some form of waterproof clothing. Sudden rain showers are always possible here in the Andes! Beyond this, try to leave everything else behind.
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What to Pack for a Multi-Day Trek to Machu Picchu
If you’re doing one of the multi-day hikes to Machu Picchu, like the Inca Trail or the Salkantay Trek, you will have to put a little more thought into what you pack. Hopefully your tour operators will provide camping gear and give you a specific list of what to take with you, because every hike and every tour company is different, but I’ll let you know below what I took on the Salkantay Trek this year.
The company I was with also gave me a duffel bag, which I was allowed to pack with up to 6kg, including my sleeping bag. These are transported by donkey, porter and car along various sections of the hike, you usually will not have to carry the duffel bag with you.
What I packed in my duffel bag for Machu Picchu
- Sleeping bag (provided by the company)
- Sleeping bag liner (this was provided by my company, but not everyone gives this – I strongly recommend getting one because it saved my life when I was camping at 4,000 metres!)
- Spare underwear and socks
- One change of clothes
- Warm layers for the nights, including a hat, gloves and llama wool poncho
- Thick socks
- Flip flops (for walking around camp when the last thing you want to do is put your hiking shoes back on!)
- Very basic toiletries
- Spare snacks
- Wet wipes
- Toilet paper
- Swimsuit (for going to the hot springs)
- Travel towel
What I packed in my day bag for Machu Picchu
(this is the bag I carried with me every day of the trek)
- Water bottle
- Money
- My phone
- Headlamp
- Waterproof poncho
- Portable charger & cables
- Sunscreen
- Sun hat
- Sunglasses
- Toilet paper
- My passport, in a ziplock bag
- Insect repellant
- Snacks
Sat next to these two bags as I went to sleep the night before the trek (ready for a 4 am wakeup call) I had my clothes for the next day, of course, my trusty hiking shoes (this was their last outing, they were destroyed after this trek), and my walking poles.
Everything else that I didn’t take on the Salkantay Trek, I put into my travelling backpack and checked it into the luggage storage at my hostel, which most accommodations will do free of charge!
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