The Definitive 2026 Packing List for the Choquequirao Trek

Travelers consistently bring too much. Pack mules carry up to 6 kg per person — your luggage has to fit that limit. Here is a tested 2026 packing list with the items that actually matter, organized by priority.

Before anything else: the 6 kg rule

Pack mules carry up to 6 kg per person in a duffel bag we provide at the trailhead. Anything beyond 6 kg either stays at your hotel in Cusco, or you carry yourself. Most travelers can comfortably fit 4 – 5 kg of mule luggage and a 4 – 5 kg daypack.

The essentials (do not skip these)

Footwear

• Hiking boots — broken in. New boots on this trail will destroy your feet by day 2. Mid-cut or higher for ankle support on the descents.
• Sandals or lightweight shoes — for evenings at the lodges. Your feet will thank you.
• 3 pairs of good hiking socks — merino wool, not cotton. Cotton holds moisture and causes blisters.

Clothing — daytime

• 2 hiking pants (zip-off legs are useful — the canyon gets hot)
• 3 technical t-shirts (synthetic or merino, not cotton)
• 1 long-sleeve sun shirt — the canyon sun is intense
• 1 lightweight fleece for cool mornings
• 1 packable down or synthetic jacket for evenings at Marampata
• 1 waterproof + breathable shell jacket — even in dry season
• Sun hat with brim (not just a cap)
• Buff or bandana — multi-use

Clothing — nighttime at the lodges

• Thermal base layer top + bottom — Marampata gets cold
• Comfortable change of clothes for after the hot shower
• Warm beanie or wool hat

Personal kit

• Sunscreen SPF 50+ — high-altitude UV is brutal even when overcast
• Lip balm with SPF
• Insect repellent with DEET (mosquitoes near the river)
• Sunglasses (polarized, UV-rated)
• Personal medication (asthma inhalers, allergy meds, etc.)
• Ibuprofen, anti-diarrheal, blister plasters, basic first aid
• Toilet paper and wet wipes (small pack)
• Hand sanitizer
• Toothbrush, toothpaste, basic toiletries (small sizes — you have a hot shower every night at the lodges)

Equipment

• Trekking poles — non-negotiable for the descents. Rent in Cusco if needed.
• Headlamp + spare batteries — for early starts and lodge use
• Water bottle (1 liter minimum) — refill at lodges
• Daypack 25 – 35 liters — must be comfortable for 6 – 9 hours of walking
• Rain cover for the daypack
• Power bank — lodges have power but outlets are limited
• Phone — for photos and the WiFi at lodges. Cell signal limited on the trail.
• Camera (optional — many travelers just use phones now)
• Dry bags (Ziploc bags work) — keep electronics and clothes separate

Documents and cash

• Original passport — required for the entrance to the citadel
• Student ID if applicable (half-price entry)
• Printed copy of your travel insurance
• Cash: roughly S/ 700 (about USD $190) in Peruvian soles for tips, drinks, snacks, the entrance fee, and emergencies. There are no ATMs after Cusco.
• Small USD bills as backup

Nice to have (not essential)

• Energy bars, dried fruit, nuts — the lodges feed you well but the trail snacks help
• Electrolyte powder/tabs — useful in the hot canyon
• Trekking gloves for cold mornings
• Lightweight quick-dry towel (lodges provide towels but they're basic)
• A small book or e-reader for downtime
• Earplugs if you're a light sleeper

Things to leave at the hotel

Most travelers overpack. Leave behind:

• Jeans and cotton clothing — useless on the trail
• Full-size toiletries — refill into 100 ml bottles
• Heavy books or laptops
• Multiple camera lenses (one versatile zoom is enough)
• Formal clothing
• Bulky sleeping bag — the lodges provide bedding
• Tent and cooking gear — not needed for the lodge-to-lodge route we run

What you can rent in Cusco

If you're traveling light internationally, several shops near Plaza de Armas rent quality gear by the day:

• Trekking poles — about S/ 10 – 15 per day
• Daypack — about S/ 15 per day
• Sleeping bag (if you want extra warmth at Marampata) — about S/ 15 – 20 per day
• Down jacket — about S/ 15 per day
• Waterproof shell — about S/ 15 per day

We can recommend trusted rental shops on request.

Final packing tips

1. Weigh your bag at home before flying. A bathroom scale works.
2. Pack layers, not bulk. The canyon is hot, the high points are cold, the lodges are cool. Layers handle all three.
3. Break in your boots at least 50 km before the trek.
4. Test your daypack on a full day of walking before you fly.
5. Bring small bills. S/ 5, S/ 10, S/ 20. Nobody on the trail has change for S/ 100.

Have a question about gear we didn't cover? Send us a message — we reply in 24 hours.