I hiked the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu — 23 hiking essentials I packed to travel Peru's Amazon and the Andes

I am in my hiking era. This past summer, I trekked 500 km of the Camino de Santiago, and in January, I travelled to Peru to hike the iconic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.

Climbing the ancient trail was unlike any hike I have ever done. For starters, the Inca Trail has an elevation range between 2,200m (7,218ft) and 4,200m (13,780ft) above sea level. To compare, I live in Toronto, which sits at a skyscraping 76m (250ft) above sea level. I was lucky to avoid altitude sickness (thank you, modern medicine!), but I felt the continual dip in oxygen levels the higher we climbed.

Like my experience on the Camino de Santiago, most people on the Inca Trail carry their packs (I used my beloved Gregory Jade 43 Backpack). Our lovely group of porters transported our tents and camp essentials, but each hiker was responsible for their day-to-day needs, like clothing and water. Like the Camino, packing light is key. The highest (and most dreaded) point on the Inca Trail is Dead Woman's Pass, which reaches a staggering 4,215m (13,828 ft). My tour group climbed just over 1,100m in the morning leading up to the Pass (more than 3,200 stairs), which is even more brutal than it sounds when you have a heavy backpack.

Taking what I learned on the Camino de Santiago to the Inca Trail, I knew I wanted to repeat outfits as much as possible and come readily prepared for the rain — I (willingly) travelled to Peru during the rainy season, so this was critical. Scroll on to see what I'm glad I packed — and what I wish I had left behind on the Inca Trail.

Best Inca Trail tour companies

Since 2002, the Peruvian government has required tourists to have a permit and a guide to hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Only licensed guiding companies can obtain permits, so it's vital to do your research before booking your plane ticket to Peru.

For my trip, I opted for the Amazon to the Andes tour with G Adventures (a Canadian company!). The 12-day tour included everything you need for the Inca Trail, including a guide, porters, tents, sleeping bags and food.

Overall, I loved my experience with G Adventures and would highly recommend them to any person or group (I travelled solo) looking to check Machu Picchu off their bucket list. I am a big fan of small group tours — I have travelled throughout New Zealand, southern Africa and Morocco with various companies — and would rank G Adventures among my favourites.

Inca Trail packing list: What I'm glad I packed

Icebreaker

Women's Merino Hike+ Medium Crew Socks

Members on any hiking forum tout the benefits of Merino wool socks, and as someone who has worn them in below-zero to mid-30s heat, I can attest that they're worth their weight in gold. These ultra-high-quality socks are what you want to wear on long-distance hikes from +30 to -30. They're breathable, odour-resistant and durable — after hundreds of kilometres, they looked brand new, with no holes or signs of wear. I love them and own several pairs.

$22 (originally $31) at Icebreaker

Lululemon, Kayla Kuefler

Swiftly Relaxed Long-Sleeve Shirt

This long-sleeve tee was easily one of my most worn pieces in Peru. It features technology that inhibits the growth of odour-causing bacteria on the fabric (a very handy feature when hiking a mountain with no access to laundry) and is super breathable, thanks to its mesh construction. I am such a fan of this top and aim to pick it up in more colours, like this fun hot pink.

$78 at Lululemon

Icebreaker, Kayla Kuefler

Merino Blend 260 ZoneKnit Seamless 25" Tights

I'm going to be honest: I used to think expensive leggings were a waste of money. However, much like being upgraded to business class on an overnight flight, once you wake up, you realize there's no going back. If you wear leggings as much as I do or want to wear them for multiple days without worrying about smelling, sagging or otherwise warping, high-quality leggings, specifically high-quality merino wool leggings, are worth the investment. 

These high-performance merino wool leggings from Icebreaker are designed for running, hiking and snow sports. They weigh just 210g (7.42oz), which makes them great for travelling, and they offer midweight warmth; they may not be your top choice in July, but if you're a winter hiker, they're great. They wash wonderfully, are super comfortable and well worth their higher-than-average price tag. 

$170 at Icebreaker

Arc'Teryx, Kayla Kuefler

Beta Jacket

When I told my friends I was hiking the Inca Trail in the rainy season, a good friend offered to lend me their Arc'Teryx Beta Jacket. While I planned on re-wearing my Camino de Santiago rain jacket, I figured, sure, why not?

Made for diverse weather conditions like intense rain and wind, Arc'Teryx's ultra-light Beta Jacket more than held up to the rainy days on and off the trail. Its next-generation GORETEX ePE membrane is light, thin, strong, and PFC-free without compromising comfort or durability. Is it expensive? Definitely. Is it worth it if you live in a rainy climate or intend to travel in soaked-to-the-bone conditions? I think so.

$500 at Arc'Teryx

Explore more purchase options

$500 at MEC

DANISH ENDURANCE

DANISH ENDURANCE Merino Wool Hiking Liner Socks

Not to be dramatic, but I think I have borderline PTSD from the blisters I accrued on the Camino de Santiago. I did not break in my shoes nearly enough, and as a result, I bore dozens of painful, sensitive blisters throughout.

The memory of those blisters is why I stocked up on sock liners when packing for the Inca Trail. Sock liners won't 100 per cent prevent blisters from forming, but they make for a damn good defence. These merino wool sock liners are lightweight, sweat-wicking, and won't slip or bunch at your feet. I didn't get any blisters on the Inca Trail, and while I cannot completely credit these sock liners, I am confident they helped. 

$33 at Amazon

Lululemon, Kayla Kuefler

Team Canada Future Legacy Everywhere Mini Belt Bag

Like my pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago last summer, I brought along Lululemon's famous Everywhere Mini Belt Bag to the Inca Trail. Although I own the older version of the belt bag, its newer sibling features many of the same features I have grown to love. It's made from water-repellent fabric, has an adjustable strap, and is roomy enough to store your essentials, like your phone, cards, headphones and lip balm.

$38 at Lululemon

MEC, Kayla Kuefler

MEC x AQUANATOR Rain Pants

I ventured to Peru during the rainy season, and unsurprisingly, it was just that: rainy. While I got incredibly lucky in the Andes, my time in the Peruvian Amazonia featured intense, end of days-style rainfall. I had read horror stories about the rain, so a few days before flying, I swung by my local MEC to pick up these MEC x AQUANATOR Rain Pants — and, boy oh boy, I am glad I did. 

These eggplant-coloured pants are totally waterproof and moderately breathable. They weren't overly sweaty but still kept the wetness from seeping in. They have a fabric waterproof rating of 20,000mm — a rating of 3,500mm or higher can be considered waterproof — and are super lightweight and easy to pack. Overall, they were a lifesaver!

$120 at MEC

Inca Trail packing list: What else came in handy

Inca Trail packing list: What I wish I brought

• Headlamp: Shocker, but the camp gets dark at night. I wish I had packed a headlamp with me instead of relying on my phone's flashlight to find the bathroom and maneuver around in the dark.

• Electrolyte drink tablets: I was so paranoid about dehydration that I bought several Gatorade bottles along the route (there are several occasions to buy them as you climb). Instead of carrying a heavy Gatorade bottle, I wish I had packed dissolvable electrolyte tablets.

• Water reservoir: I brought this Gregory 3D Hydro 2L Reservoir on the Camino de Santiago, and I was kicking myself for not packing it again on the Inca Trail. Water bottles work fine, but this water reservoir is far more convenient for hydrating while you walk.

• Comfy sandals: Again, I brought these Birkenstocks with me on the Camino, but I opted to bring a second pair of sneakers on the Inca Trail just in case my hiking boots got soaked. My hiking boots were fine and instead of comfy shoes to end the day in, I had to squeeze my feet back into runners.

Inca Trail packing list: What you don't need

• Water filter water bottle: If you want to bring one for peace of mind, do your thing. However, our guide strongly recommended against drinking Peruvian tap or stream water, even with a special filtered water bottle, so you'll end up drinking bottled water anyway.

• Shampoo and conditioner: I brought a travel-sized shampoo and conditioner with me after hearing there would be showers on the trail. Spoiler alert: there are showers, but the water is colder than sin and unless you're far tougher than me, you won't be in there long enough to actually wash your hair.

• Too many snacks: Between your main meals and the snacks available for purchase along the way, you really don't need to bring too many snacks with you. Have a couple of granola bars (or bags of candy), but you really don't need a ton.

The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.

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