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Peru Tours - What To Bring On A Trek In Peru

Author: Gary Sargent - Escaped to Peru / Escaped to Latin America

The last thing any trekkers wants is to carry more than necessary. This was never truer in Peru, where trekking routes can take hikers over 5000m. Here’s some advice learnt from years of taking treks in Peru to make sure you avoid those unwanted extra kilos in your pack, but still have all the essentials covered.

A useful trick - give your stuff to someone else!
If you choose to book your Peru vacation with a tour operator, you’ll be carrying a lot less! The operator will be able to provide you with either mules and arrieros (mule drivers), or on some routes porters, to carry supplies, tents, sleeping bags, water and mattresses. This shrinks the size of your pack from 20kg to a small day pack. When you’re tackling a high pass on the Inca Trail or pushing up towards Punta Union on the Santa Cruz trek, you’ll appreciate the reduction in weight. If you are grinding up the 5200m pass on the Ausangate circuit you will certainly not be wanting to carry a gram more than you need to!

If you’re travelling independently, most major towns close to trekking routes such as Cusco and Huaraz will have a range of local tour operators. They will be able to assist you in resources for your expedition such as mules, but be careful! Some local operators have a better reputation than others. Ask around town for the best operators, or book with an external operator who already has a good trusting relationship with a expedition provider.

What you need to carry
If you’re following the suggestion above, then all you need to worry about is your day pack. When you arrive in camp at the end of a long days trekking, everything will be set up for you. All you have to worry about is eating the hot meal prepared for you and collapsing into your sleeping bag. Here’s a list of things to include in your day pack and on your person, learnt after a few years of trial and error:

  1. Hiking Shoes
  2. A Hat and beanie to protect you from the sun and the cold
  3. Gloves and scarf for the nights
  4. Sun Block & Insect Repellent
  5. Some extra snacks (biscuits, energy bars, chocolate)
  6. A Rain Jacket or a Poncho
  7. Towel
  8. Swimsuit (recommend for routes involving hot springs)
  9. Long Pants
  10. Some cash in local currency
  11. T-shirts that you can layer
  12. Warm clothes, including jacket, fleece, sweaters and 4 pairs of socks
  13. Original passport - photocopies are not acceptable.
  14. Tips for porters, guides and cooks in separate envelopes
  15. Plastic bags to store your spare clothes
  16. Toilet Paper
  17. Flashlight (and batteries!)
  18. Pocket knife
  19. A Water Bottle & water purifying tablets
  20. A small personal medical kit

    Are there any other preparations, or things that you advise bringing for a trek in Peru?

Gary Sargent is the Managing Director of the Escaped To Latin America Group. Gary has lived in Latin America since 1998 and is an expert in all things Latino - this is why his clients keep saying his tours are amazing. If you'd like to get a free quote for your Latin American vacation, send him a request for a chat about your dream trip (and qualify for a 5% discount).