Part 1: Before the Hike

For Cusco

  • 1 pair of clothes for before and after the trek
  • Get tip money for the guides
  • Patagonia backpack (I think I would have preferred to take a backpack and a small rolling suitcase) – Buy from REI
  • 1 lock for the bag you leave behind – Buy from Amazon

Part 2: Hiking

For the Trek

Have with you at all times:

  • Toilet paper (grab this from camp before and after each day)
  • Chapstick – Buy from Amazon
  • Sunscreen – Buy from Amazon
  • Plastic bags (gallon sized)
  • Cell phone to take pictures
  • Bandaids
  • Supplements
  • Passport
  • Lock for duffel – Buy from REI
  • Credit Cards
  • Sun Hat (I used a hat from Sunday Afternoons but would have loved one of these Buy from REI
  • Currency and wallet
  • Pen
  • Small Travel Umbrella
  • Sunglasses – Buy from Amazon
  • A dry bag that I had from an old Oakley Bag (a trash bag would have also worked)

Hiking the Trail

  • [Bought in Cusco] Sunscreen (wish I would have had the kind that rolled on)
  • [Bought in Cusco] Water
  • Have some Peruvian Sols (their currency) ready to pay for bathrooms or things that you forgot since there are no ATMs
  • Trash bag (better than a rain cover for a pack)
  • Cell phone holder that strapped to backpack (would have been great to have an external pocket that strapped to my belt)
  • 2 carabiners (I had two and probably could have used one more. These came in handy for all sorts of reasons).
  • Cell Phone for taking pictures (there will be no WiFi)
  • Backpack (I used a 20 L Travel backpack from Amazon – worked great until a tear formed) – Buy from Amazon
  • REI travel duffel – Buy from Amazon
  • Duct tape (solved the tear problem) – Buy from Amazon
  • Buff to keep the sun off my neck – Buy from Amazon
  • 2 pairs of underwear from REI (wash 1 each night) – Buy from REI
  • 2 water bottles (I only used 1) – Buy from Amazon
  • Travel belt – Buy from Amazon
  • Mosquito Repellent
  • Baby wipes
  • Poncho (got one on clearance from REI)
  • Deodorant (ran out of my travel size on the last day)
  • Camping towel (I had a small size and it worked ok. At times I wish I brought my large sized one) – Buy from Amazon
  • Soap bar (we were given hot water each day and I brought this from a hotel)
  • New Balance Running shoes (I chose this instead of hiking shoes at the last minute)
  • 2 Moreno wool medium weight socks – Buy from Cabela’s
  • 3 sock liners – Buy from Cabela’s
  • 1 Patagonia long sleeved SPF 45 hiking shirt (I picked the grey one but this started to get really dirty – would suggest a black or dark red) – Buy from Patagonia
  • 2 Black Champion dry fit shirts to go under the Patagonia shirt – Buy from Target
  • 1 Smart Wool Shirt – Buy from Smart Wool
  • Gloves (these were the liners and were a bit of a pain because I had to take them off to take a picture) – Buy from Amazon These would have worked better.
  • Bungee cords for strapping wet items to my pack or tent

For My Android Phone

  • Chargeall battery for laptop (make sure to at least bring a 20,000 version to last the week)
  • My Tracks App so you can record your trip
  • A phrasebook
  • Google Translate: iPhone and Android
  • Trip Advisor App: iPhone and  Android
  • VPN software for phone and laptop
  • A few audiobooks that I downloaded ahead of time
  • I have an Android phone so I had an SD Card and SD/USB Adapter
  • Universal USB cable – Buy from Amazon
  • Cord Turtle for headphones – Buy from The Container Store
  • Corded headphones

Food

  • Trail Mix
  • Supplements
  • Protein bars

At night on the trail (1 pair of clothes for the night (underwear, socks, pants, shirt)

Misc Items

  • Gloves that work with a touchscreen
  • Business Cards
  • RFID wallet for passport
  • Pen
  • Bestek Universal adapter and converter – Buy from Amazon
  • Laundry detergent – Buy from Amazon
  • Travel Toothbrush – Get from Target
  • 2 travel-sized toothpaste (my travel size ran out and ended up sharing this from other people)
  • Compression socks –
  • Altitude Rx 120 Capsules – Buy from Amazon

Part 3: After The Hike

For Aguas Calientes

  • 1 pair of nice clothes to change into

For The Return to Cusco

  • 1 pair of clean underwear to sleep in

Things I could have left at home

  • 1 Patagonia Better Sweater – Buy from REI
  • Zero Lemon battery. 20,000 units seemed to last charging my camera each day
  • For the Sauna: 1 quicksilver hybrid shorts/swimsuit (could have used my hiking pants instead)
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Tips

  • Buy anything large or expensive from REI. They have an amazing 365 return policy even if an item is used.
  • You will sweat a lot. If you plan for this then you can have baselayers that you can wash and keep your outer layers clean.