Packing Checklist for 4, 5, or 7 day treks


During your Alternative Trek or Inca Trail to Machu Picchu your main luggage will be stored in Cusco. You will receive a small duffle bag on the evening before your trek at the briefing. You can pack your clothes and sleeping bag for your multi-day trek. Your team of porters or pack horses (depending on trek) will carry your duffels together with the food and equipment for the trail. Please note that you will not have access to these items until the end of each day as the porters or pack horses will always be ahead of the group. In your day pack containing your personal belongings you should include you camera, water and sunscreen etc. By Peruvian law the duffle bag must not weigh more than 7 kilograms (14lbs) this limit is set to protect the health of the porters and animals. All bags will be weighed before being accepted. If you require more than 7 kilograms, it will then be your responsibility to carry the extra weight with your day pack.

Please Note: This packing list is only for 4, 5, & 7 Day Treks.

You MUST take your original passport, a photocopy is not sufficient. (Keep it in a plastic bag in case of rain).

You will need a good warm sleeping bag for the Inca Trail trek. If you prefer, you may bring your own sleeping bag. However high quality ones can be rented from Orange Travel for US$20 per person per trek, that are guaranteed to be warm and clean. If you are planning to purchase a bag it is a good idea to purchase a four season (or -10) bag is recommended for the winter months. At other times you will probably be fine in a 3 season (or -4/-5) bag although this depends on how much you feel the cold and is given as a guideline only.

It is recommended to have an inflatable mattress for comfort but not required. Orange Nation Peru foam mattresses are included in the package price. If you would like to rent an inflatable high quality Therma-rest- mattress, we have them available to rent for $20 per person per trek.

It is highly recommended that you have walking poles for your trek. Orange Nation Peru has professional expandable poles available to rent for $15 a pair, per person per trek.

Good quality, comfortable footwear is essential. Whatever you wear on your feet, the most important thing is comfort. It is vital to ensure your boots are well worn in and lightweight. Ankle support and waterproofing is recommended but if you already have something comfortable with good grip then don’t go rushing out to buy new boots – you are better off with your well-worn in pair!

A rain poncho is recommended. Some trekkers also like to bring waterproof trousers, however a poncho will usually be sufficient if it covers your bag, body and most of your legs.

Light umbrella, which can be used to protect from drizzle.

To keep your belongings and clothes dry, you should wrap everything in waterproof bags. In order to reduce use of plastic, please look for waterproof stuff sacks made from ripstop tarpaulin or goretex.

Most important! Also small plastic bags for rubbish which can then be thrown in the main rubbish bag available at camp every evening.

There are showers available at the Lares hot springs visited which is visited on some alternative treks and the campsite on the third night of the Inca Trail. Bring travel size biodegradable shampoo or shower gel if you would like to use and wet wipes for the rest of the trek.

Bring one large (1.5 liter) or two or three small water bottles that can be refilled on the trail with boiled water, which will be supplied at each mealtime. Please bring only reusable bottles, not disposable ones.

Fleece, long pants, woolen hat, gloves.

Thermal Underwear, if you are trekking in winter or you tend to feel the cold easily.

Dress in layers. You will hike through several different microclimates each day and you will need to be able to adapt your clothing to frequently changing weather patterns in each microclimate. e.g. zip off trousers, fleece, T-shirts.

Band aids, moleskin, Imodium, Panadol, rehydration salts, and any other medication prescribed by your doctor.

Please note: there are no electrical outlets on the Inca Trail so make sure you fully charge up/or have spare batteries!

Chocolates, dry fruit, chips, crackers, granola bars, or energy bars etc. Additional snacks are provided during the trek, but you may like to bring one or two extras, just in case.

Flash Light is (Very Important) and spare batteries.

Sunscreen, sunglasses and sunhat

Insect repellant

Towels can be rented for 3 soles.

If you wish to have a shower at any hot springs that you visit on alternative treks or on the third night of the Inca Trail.

Please visit the Inca Trail Trek or Alternative trek to Machu Picchu PROGRAM page for more information about each trek and if you are looking for the Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, visit this page for information on securing Inca Trail Permits.

Traveller reviews

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Christian B

10/10 Amazing experience

If you’re thinking about which agency to use, look no further- Ray and Jimmy went well above and beyond and made this a memorable, safe, fun, and professional experience.

Ray is the most knowledgeable guide I’ve ever had in any country for any excursion - during both the Short Inka Trail and the actual tour of Machu Picchu, Ray’s expertise shined through in his ability to give us a detailed background on every aspect of the history, climate, nature, flora, animals.. anything!

Likewise, Ray and Jimmy were truly the friendliest, kindest hosts that I could have imagined our group having.

Thank you both so much and I will definitely book with you again if (when) I come back!

Jan 2023 • Friends
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Matt A

Awesome experience!!

Did the 2 day Inca trail with Ray and Jimmy they were great and knowledgeable. Ray not only guided us along trail to Machu Picchu but also was an excellent photographer and taught us the history. It was a group of 10 and we had a great time. Even everything going on in Peru, we always felt in good hands.

Jan 2023 • Friends
Rius

Short Inca Trial (2-Day)

This tour was the perfect experience for our (group of 10) short trip to Peru. The trail was sometimes challenging, but the views and history made it all worth it. Ray and Jimmy were our guides and imparted sooo much knowledge about the history of Peru, Inca, and beyond. I would definitely recommend!

Jan 2023 • Friends
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Daniela Rabito

It was perfect! On the first day we had a great time exploring the Sacred Valley and see the main attractions and learn about the history of this beautiful place.

I would definitely recommend the short Inka trail, I think it was the best way to get to know Machu Picchu and the surrounding area. We arrived at Machu Picchu when most of the crowd was gone and it felt really special.

Abril 2023
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Brittany Skulkety

You won’t regret booking with this tour company, especially if Liz Montesinos is your guide. My boyfriend and I did the 4 day Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu and Rainbow Mountain (private) tour. The tour covered everything; from transportation, hotels, meals, tickets and entrance fees, to stops at local places we would’ve never known to go or check out. We did a private tour because for us we felt this would help us get the most out of our time and experience in Peru

Dic 2022
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M B

Best mix of adventure, history and nature: Sacred Valley & Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

4-day trekking option seemed too intense for us, but we still wanted to experience the entrance to Machu Picchu through the ancient Inka trail, so we opted for Orange Nation’s combination of Sacred Valley & Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. I couldn’t be more happy about our decision.

Dic 2022
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Sakeb

We booked and paid the deposit to Orange Nation / Sam travel for the 4 day Inca Trail and Machu Pichu trip back in 2019. But we couldn't travel in 2020 and 2021 - but the company honoured our agreement and so we came back in 2022.

Dic 2022
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Brittany Nicole
icono recomment - Orange Nation recommends Orange Nation Peru

You won’t regret booking with this tour company, especially if Liz Montesinos is your guide. My boyfriend and I did the 4 day Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu and Rainbow Mountain (private) tour. The tour covered everything; from transportation, hotels, meals, tickets and entrance fees, to stops at local places we would’ve never known to go or check out. We did a private tour because for us we felt this would help us get the most out of our time and experience in Peru. This tour had so many incredible things and places packed into 4 days.

September 16, 2022
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Ray Besos
icono recomment - Orange Nation recommends Orange Nation Peru

My girl and i did the Machu Pichu trek tour with Orange Nation. It was seriously the most amazing experience that we'll never forget. Gorgeous views! The long trek was worth the amazing view. The tour guide was friendly and very knowledgeable. We considered other tours but chose Orange Nation because we liked the idea of smaller groups and this was definitely worth it. I will be using Orange Nation again next year when I come back to Peru!

November 29, 2018
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Juliet Julz
icono recomment - Orange Nation recommends Orange Nation Peru

Wow, what a wonderful trekking experience! My trip to Peru was amazing thanks to this awesome tour that i took with Orange Nation. I did multiple tours with this company. I'm a solo traveler and everyone in my group was always still friendly and did not make me feel left out. I loved going off the beaten track with this company. It's much better to pay extra to go off the path for the quality experience of this amazing guided tour They definitely helped guide us and gave us a quality experience with a small group and paid special attention to each one of us. I highly recommend using Orange Nation for your next tour in Peru!

November 29, 2018

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