Complete packing list for your trek to Choquequirao

Before You Pack

On our tours, the mules carry the group equipment (tents, food, kitchen) and up to 7 kg of your personal luggage. You only carry a day pack with the essentials for each day’s walking.

This means you need to divide your luggage into:

1. Day pack — What you carry with you while hiking
2. Duffel bag — What goes on the mules and you recover each evening

Day Pack (20–30 liters)

This is what you carry while hiking. It should be light but complete.

The pack:

• Capacity 20–30 liters
• With lumbar support and chest straps
• Included waterproof cover or internal waterproof bag

Hydration:

• Water bottles with a total capacity of 2–3 liters
• Or a hydration system such as a Camelbak

Sun protection:

• Sunscreen SPF 50+ (high-altitude sun burns fast)
• Lip balm with sun protection
• UV-protection sunglasses (essential)
• Cap or sun hat

Layering clothes:

• Light waterproof jacket (always in the pack)
• Fleece or light jacket for rest stops
• Buff or multipurpose bandana

Accessories:

• Trekking poles (included in our tours, but you can bring your own)
• Headlamp with extra batteries
• Camera
• Mobile phone
• Personal snacks
• Toilet paper (small amount)
• Hand sanitizer

Documents:

• Passport or ID (original, not a copy)
• Cash in soles for tips and extras
• Copy of travel insurance

Duffel Bag (for the mules)

This goes with the mules and you recover it at each campsite.

Clothing

For hiking:

• 2–3 quick-dry technical t-shirts (not cotton)
• 1 long-sleeve t-shirt (sun protection)
• 2 trekking trousers (convertible ones are ideal)
• 3–4 pairs of trekking socks (bring extras — wet feet cause blisters)
• 3–4 sets of technical underwear
• 1 light shorts for hot days or for the campsite

For the cold:

• 1 fleece or down jacket (for the evenings)
• 1 waterproof jacket with hood (Gore-Tex or similar)
• 1 waterproof trousers or over-trousers (optional but useful)
• 1 wool beanie for the cold
• 1 pair of light gloves

For the campsite:

• 1 comfortable set of clothes for sleeping
• Sandals or light shoes for resting

Footwear

Trekking boots:

• Essential
• Must cover the ankle
• Waterproof preferred
• WORN-IN AND TESTED — Never break in new boots on the trek

Sandals or light shoes:

• For the campsite after hiking
• For crossing streams if necessary

Sleeping Equipment

Sleeping bag:

• Comfort temperature -5°C to -10°C for high-altitude passes
• Comfort temperature 0°C for the Classic Trek without high passes
• Rental available: $25–30 USD

Optional:

• Silk or cotton liner (adds warmth and keeps the sleeping bag clean)
• Small inflatable pillow

Personal Hygiene

• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Small biodegradable soap
• Bar shampoo or small container
• Deodorant
• Microfibre towel (dries fast, takes up little space)
• Biodegradable wet wipes
• Toilet paper (2–3 rolls)
• Tissues
• Small nail clippers
• Small mirror (optional)

Health and Personal First Aid Kit

Personal medicines:

• Any medication you take regularly
• Bring extra in case the trip is extended

Basic first aid kit:

• Painkillers (ibuprofen, paracetamol)
• Anti-diarrhoea medication (Lomotil, Imodium)
• Antihistamines (for allergies)
• Oral rehydration salts
• Plasters/band-aids (various)
• Moleskin or blister patches
• Small elastic bandage
• Antibiotic cream

For altitude:

• Acetazolamide (Diamox) — consult a doctor beforehand
• Ibuprofen (helps with altitude headaches)
• Coca tablets or coca sweets (available in Cusco)

Protection:

• Insect repellent with DEET (especially for routes to Vilcabamba)
• Extra sunscreen
• Eye drops (sun and dust cause irritation)

Electronics

• Camera with extra batteries or charger
• Mobile phone
• Fully charged power bank (no electricity at campsites)
• Wall charger for before/after the trek
• Plug adapter if coming from abroad (Peru uses type A/B, same as the USA)
• Headlamp with extra batteries

Optional:

• Kindle or book
• Headphones
• Sports watch or GPS

Miscellaneous

• Ziploc bags in various sizes (to organize and protect from moisture)
• Waterproof bag for dirty clothes
• Small lock for your bag
• Earplugs (for sleeping)
• Sleep mask (optional)
• Small binoculars (for condors and birds)
• Notebook and pen (for a travel diary)

Quick Checklist by Category

Essential (don’t leave without these)

• Worn-in trekking boots
• Day pack with waterproof cover
• Waterproof jacket
• Warm jacket
• Sleeping bag (or confirm rental)
• Sunscreen SPF 50+
• Sunglasses
• Headlamp
• Water bottle 2+ liters
• Original passport/ID
• Cash in soles
• Personal medicines

Important (greatly improves the experience)

• Trekking poles
• Sun hat and cold-weather beanie
• Multipurpose buff
• Sandals for the campsite
• Power bank
• Microfibre towel
• Moleskin for blisters
• Ziploc bags

Optional (if you have space)

• Inflatable pillow
• Binoculars
• Book or Kindle
• Travel diary

What NOT to Bring

• Jeans or cotton trousers (slow to dry, heavy when wet)
• New unworn boots
• Hard luggage or wheeled suitcases
• Jewelry or valuables
• Too many clothes (you can wash and dry on the way)
• Laptop (nowhere to use or charge it)
• Drones (require special permits and are not worth it)
• Excess weight (every extra kilo will be felt)

Packing Tips

The weight rule: Your duffel bag for the mules should not weigh more than 7 kg. Your day pack should not weigh more than 6–8 kg. Less is more.

Layers, not bulk: Three light layers provide more warmth than one heavy garment. And you can adjust according to the weather.

Ziploc bags for everything: Organize by category — underwear in one bag, medicines in another, electronics in another. Protects from moisture and you can find everything easily.

The dirty clothes bag: Bring a separate bag for used clothing. Keeps everything organized and avoids odors.

Double up on the critical items: Bring extra socks and underwear. Wet feet and damp underwear are the main causes of discomfort.

Forgot Something?

Cusco has everything you need:

Outdoor Shops in Cusco:

• Tatoo Adventure Gear (Plaza de Armas)
• The North Face (Portal de Comercio)
• Trekking gear shops on Calle Plateros

Pharmacies:

• InkaFarma (various locations)
• MiFarma

Mercado San Pedro:

• Affordable technical clothing (not branded but functional)
• Alpaca socks
• Wool gloves and beanies
• Trail snacks

You can also buy snacks, batteries, sunscreen, and basic items in Cusco before you set off.