Complete Salkantay Trek packing list: what to pack for hiking to Machu Picchu

daypack (15–25L): Arc’teryx Mantis 26 or Mantis 16

Since porters will carry your main duffel, you’ll just need a comfortable daypack for your layers, snacks, camera, and water. Look for something lightweight and breathable since you won’t require much support for 5-8kg.

I’d recommend either the Arc’teryx Mantis 26 or the Mantis 16 (if you have no camera gear and can go ultra-light). These are both awesome, streamlined daypacks with the perfect number of pockets to keep your gear organised without unnecessary bulk.

👉🏼 Need more advice on choosing a backpack? Check out this post: How to choose the best hiking backpack for every outdoor adventure

raincover: REI Co-op Duck’s Back Pack Rain Cover

Even in the dry season, afternoon storms and misty mornings around Humantay and Salkantay Pass are common— so a quality raincover is essential for protecting your gear. Size small is perfect for a daypack.

hiking boots: Salomon Quest 4 GTX boots

You’ll cross everything from rocky switchbacks and muddy stone steps to alpine tundra and railroad tracks on this trek, so a sturdy pair of waterproof boots with ankle support are essential.

I highly recommend Salomon Quest 4 GTX boots, which I wore on the Salkantay and loved. I did pack a pair of super lightweight runners to change into for Machu Picchu, but these are not a good choice for the trail.

👉🏼 Need more advice on choosing the right boot? Read my outdoor footwear guide

trekking poles: Black Diamond Trail Trekking Poles

The descent from Salkantay Pass is steep and slippery, and many of the breathless high-elevation ascents require some assistance from the arms! These poles are lightweight, durable, and collapse easily when not in use, and I wouldn’t dream of doing this trail without them.

water bladder: Osprey Hydraulics Reservoir 2L

The best way to stay hydrated on Salkantay is with a water bladder that you can easily sip from while hiking— drinking more water won’t prevent altitude sickness, but it absolutely helps combat some of the symptoms!

snacks + electrolytes: Liquid IV

Although your trekking company will provide hot meals, you’ll need to carry your own snacks for the trail. Think protein bars, gummies, dried fruit, cookies, or even salty chips!

I also strongly recommend adding electrolytes to your water for an extra hydration boost— I love Liquid IV and drink minimum 2 per day when hiking at elevation.

camera: Canon R6 Mark 2 + 24-105mm lens

The Salkantay Trek is mind-blowingly beautiful, so a camera is pretty essential to capture the alpine magic!

I’ve had a few cameras over the years, but our current travel workhorse is the awesome mirrorless Canon R6 Mark 2 paired with a 24-105mm lens, which will capture phenomenal photos without adding a ridiculous amount of weight or bulk to your pack. I always carry my camera on my backpack strap for easy access with the Peak Design Capture Clip.

👉🏼 For a complete run-down of ALL the camera gear we are currently loving, check out: Camera gear for travel photography: what we use as full-time travellers

GPS: Garmin fenix 7X Pro Watch

Even if you’re not navigating independently on the Salkantay Trek, having your own GPS track is handy for checking elevation and staying motivated on those long, breathless climbs!

James wears this watch daily and I simply look over his shoulder at the stats (when I don’t have my nose buried in the GPS).

First Aid Kit: Adventure Medical Kits Backpacker

Your guide will carry a first aid kit, but it’s still smart to have basics like blister pads, pain meds, and stomach meds in your daypack so you’re never caught out.

Depending on your acclimatisation program, it may also be smart to get a prescription for Diamox (Acetazolamide) before the trip to prevent and treat altitude sickness— read more about it in this post.

sunscreen, chapstick, bathroom bits

Sun exposure builds quickly when you’re spending hours hiking at high elevation. Pack SPF 50+ sunscreen, SPF lip balm, and whatever else you need to stay sun-safe on the trail!

Keep these things accessible in your top pocket or a hipbelt for easy access, along with an emergency bathroom kit (gastro issues are common at elevation!). Carry a ziplock bag with some spare TP and hand sanny, and BE SURE to bag out any used TP instead of leaving it alongside the trail.

sunglasses: Julbo Vermont

Glacier glasses like these may be overkill for Salkantay, but they’ve been my go-to outdoor sunnies for a long time and I love them, especially at elevation when the sun is more intense.

If you’re looking for a budget friendly option, REI’s Goodr range offers the best polarised glassed $30 can buy.

sun hat: Arc’teryx Gamma 5-Panel Cap

In sunny weather at 4,500m, a sun hat is essential to protect your face!

neck gaiter: Buff Original

A multi-use Buff protects your neck from sunburn, keeps your face warm in the mornings, holds your sweaty hair back, and is great for windy passes. Keep it handy in your pack for daily use on the trail!

lightweight hiking gloves: Outdoor Research Trail Mix Gloves (women’s) / (men’s)

Morning starts can be freezing, especially on the climb to Salkantay Pass, so lightweight fleece gloves are a great addition to your daypack for daily use.

waterproof shell mittens: Black Diamond Waterproof Overmitts

There’s always a chance of rain in the Andes, so bring a lightweight pair of waterproof shell mittens to layer over your fleece gloves for extra warmth and full weather protection. They weigh almost nothing and you’ll be stoked in a downpour to have dry hands!

passport

This only becomes a trail essential on the final day (when you need your passport to enter Machu Picchu), so keep it in a safe, dry spot in your pack throughout the hike.

duffel: The North Face Base Camp Duffel 50L

Some companies provide a duffel for you to send your camp gear ahead to each camp (carried by porters), but they aren’t always waterproof or terribly durable, so you might consider bringing your own to make sure all your bits stay clean and dry.

I’ve owned this duffel for about a decade and it is awesome to travel with— I’ve transported gear to Aconcagua Base Camp, checked it dozens of times, and seen it perform well in everything from sleet in the Andes to sand storms in Botswana.

sleeping bag: Sea to Summit Spark 0

Temperatures can dip near freezing at higher camps, even in the dry season— a lightweight 0°C bag is perfect for the conditions. Many companies will provide a sleeping bag (either included or for a nominal extra fee), but I way prefer sleeping in my own!

Sleeping pads are also provided by the trekking company and I wouldn’t worry about bringing your own unless you have a very strong preference.

camp pillow: Sea to Summit Aeros Premium

Again, pretty much every company will provide a pillow, but they aren’t guaranteed to be the most comfortable, so this is a small, lightweight addition that I highly recommend!

beanie: Arc’teryx Mallow Toque

Evenings are cold in the Andes, and a beanie is a small but essential item for staying warm around camp and inside your sleeping bag.

heavyweight fleece mid-layer: Arc’teryx Kyanite Zip Neck Top (women’s) / Rho Heavyweight Zip Neck Top (men’s)

A fleece is perfect for lounging at camp and layering under your down jacket on colder nights. I sent this ahead with my duffel and changed into it as soon as I arrived at camp.

Whatever warm layers you do choose for camp, I highly recommend keeping them clean by not wearing them at all while hiking!

down jacket: Arc’teryx Cerium Hoody (women’s) / (men’s)

A down jacket is pretty essential for cold evenings in the Andes, but it has no business in your daypack— down doesn’t perform well when wet (from rain or sweat) and it’s not the easiest to clean, so this should NOT be a trail layer. Send it ahead in your duffel!

fleece tights: Arc’teryx Kyanite Base Layer Bottoms (women’s) / (men’s)

Great for sleeping and relaxing at camp—warm, soft, and breathable tights are a must!

camp shoes: Teva Original

These are lightweight, quick-drying, and perfect for walking around camp or to the bathroom at night.

toiletries + personal items

Toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush, deodorant, medications, contact solution… whatever you need to stay clean and comfortable for 4 days on the trail!

bug spray: Sawyer 20% Picaridin Insect Repellent

The lower sections of the trail, particularly around Lucmabamba and the jungle zone on day 3, can be surprisingly buggy, even in dry season. This is hands-down the most effective insect repellant we’ve tested after a lot of time spent in the mountains and it’s also way less harsh than DEET!

headlamp: Black Diamond Spot 400-R

A bright, rechargeable headlamp is essential for evenings around camp and the dark-and-early start from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu on the final day.

powerbank: VRURC Portable Charger with Built-in Cables, 10000mAh

There’s no electricity on the trail until you reach Aguas Calientes, so a powerbank is a must for recharging your phone, camera, watch, and headlamp. One 10,000mAh battery got me through all 4 days beautifully!

sports bras: Vuori AllTheFeels Bra + underwear

Opt for quick-drying, moisture-wicking materials that will be comfortable across multiple days of wear. I’d recommend 2 sports bras for this sweaty trek and 4-5 pairs of underwear so you can change daily.

hiking shirt: Vuori AllTheForm Tank

I’d recommend 2x shirts for Salkantay, in breathable, quick-drying materials. I packed the Arc’teryx Taema Crew Shirt (men’s version: Cormac Crew Shirt) and a Vuori AllTheForm Tank, which was perfect!

wool base layer: Smartwool Classic Thermal Base Layer Top (women’s) / (men’s)

Ideal for chilly mornings or layering up under your rain jacket. Merino wool stays warm even if it gets damp, yet also remains fairly cool during sun-drenched climbs!

synthetic insulation: Arc’teryx Atom Hoody (women’s) / (men’s)

The Atom Hoody was my go-to insulation layer for hiking over chilly mountain passes and exploring Machu Picchu in the early AM. Synthetic jackets are an excellent choice for the trail, since they perform well even in wet weather or when sweaty (unlike down), AND this jacket is still breathable enough for hiking in moderate weather.

shell jacket: Arc’teryx Beta SL Jacket (women’s) / (men’s)

Wind and rain can appear quickly at altitude— this shell protects against both without adding bulk. Even in the dry season, this is essential and should be kept handy in your daypack at all times!

hiking pants: Vuori AllTheFeels Leggings

I wore leggings every day on the Salkantay and it was perfect for dry season conditions.

If you’re more of a traditional pant person, the Arc’teryx Gamma Pants (women’s) / (men’s) are my favourite soft shells, and even though they aren’t fully waterproof, they are a million times more comfortable than rain pants AND they do a pretty good job of repelling rain (they dry super fast, too!).

2x liner socks: Injinji Liner Crew

Toe socks might look funny, but they seriously reduce friction and help prevent blisters on long trail days. I swear by these!

3x boot socks: Darn Tough Hiker Micro Crew Cushion Socks (women’s) / (men’s)

My go-to socks for multi-day hikes— durable, padded, and still comfy after multiple days of trail grime. I’d recommend 3 pairs of socks for this 4-day route. Be sure to keep one pair clean for camp!

hiking boots: Salomon Quest 4 GTX boots

In case you missed it at the top of this post… boots are pretty important and of course you’ll be wearing these every day!

👉🏼 Need more advice on choosing the right boot? Read my outdoor footwear guide