Kategorie: Trekkingführer | Lesezeit: 7 min
Packing for the Salkantay trek is an exercise in thinking about two completely different trips at the same time. On Day 2 you will be standing at 4,630 meters in the predawn dark with the temperature well below zero. On Day 3 you will be walking through subtropical jungle in 25-degree heat. The same bag has to cover both of those realities, plus everything in between.
The most common packing mistakes on this route are not bringing enough warmth for the high altitude sections and bringing too much of everything else. This list is built from years of running the Salkantay in every season. Everything on it is here for a reason. Everything that is not on it has been left off for a reason too.
Your daypack, the bag you carry on the trail each day, should weigh no more than six to eight kilos. Everything beyond that goes in your main duffel bag and is carried by the porters. This is not a suggestion about comfort. It is the difference between arriving at the Salkantay Pass feeling strong and arriving there having spent every uphill kilometer regretting your decisions.
Pack your daypack the night before each day’s walk. Put only what you genuinely need for those specific hours in it. Everything else stays in the duffel.
Base layers Bring two to three moisture-wicking long-sleeve base layer tops. Merino wool is the best option because it regulates temperature across a wide range and does not retain odor the way synthetic fabrics do. Cotton is not suitable for trekking at altitude under any circumstances. It absorbs moisture, loses its insulating properties when wet, and dries slowly. Leave it in Cusco.
Midlayer A fleece jacket or a light insulated jacket for the middle layer. This is what you wear around camp in the evenings and under your shell on the pass crossing. It should be warm enough to wear alone on a cold afternoon and packable enough to go in the top of your daypack.
Insulated jacket A proper down or synthetic insulated jacket rated for cold conditions. This is your armor for the Salkantay Pass crossing on Day 2 and the first night at Soraypampa camp. People who underestimate how cold it gets at 3,900 to 4,630 meters are identifiable on the trail by the fact that they are wearing every item of clothing they packed and still shivering. One good insulated jacket eliminates that problem entirely.
Waterproof shell jacket A breathable waterproof jacket that fits comfortably over your midlayer and insulated jacket. This is your rain protection and your wind layer. On the pass crossing it serves both functions simultaneously. Even in the dry season, afternoon rain at altitude is common and the wind on the exposed sections of the route can be cutting.
Waterproof trousers Lightweight waterproof trousers that fit over your trekking trousers. Optional in the dry season, essential in the wet season, and worth having regardless given how quickly the weather changes above 4,000 meters.
Trekking trousers Two pairs of lightweight trekking trousers with zip-off legs are ideal. The zip-off function sounds like a gimmick until Day 3 when the temperature goes from single figures in the morning to 25 degrees by noon and you genuinely want the option.
Thermal leggings One pair of thermal base layer bottoms for sleeping and for the cold section of Day 2. They pack flat and weigh almost nothing.
Trekking socks Four to five pairs of proper merino wool trekking socks. Not sport socks, not cotton socks. Merino trekking socks. This is one of the least glamorous items on the list and one of the most consequential. Blisters on a five-day trek are a genuinely miserable experience and the right socks are the first line of defense against them.
Warm hat and gloves A hat that covers your ears and a pair of warm gloves for the pass crossing. These are non-negotiable. The temperature at the Salkantay Pass in the early morning can drop to minus ten degrees and the wind makes it feel colder. Light liner gloves are not sufficient.
Sun hat A wide-brimmed hat or a cap with neck coverage for the lower sections from Day 3 onward. Ultraviolet radiation at altitude is significantly stronger than at sea level and the subtropical sections of the route have no shade.
Camp footwear A pair of lightweight sandals or camp shoes for the evenings. Your feet will thank you after eight hours in trekking boots.
Underwear Three to four pairs of moisture-wicking underwear. Merino or synthetic. Not cotton.
Trekking boots This is the single most important item you will pack and the one that deserves the most attention before departure. You need waterproof, ankle-supporting trekking boots that have been properly broken in. The key phrase is broken in. New boots worn for the first time on the Salkantay will produce blisters within the first few hours. Wear your boots for several long walks before the trek. If you do not own a suitable pair, it is worth buying them several weeks before departure specifically to break them in. Rental boots in Cusco are available but quality varies.
Sleeping bag Rated to at least minus ten degrees Celsius. This is the item most people either get right or deeply regret, and there is no middle ground. The first night at Soraypampa at 3,900 meters is genuinely cold regardless of the season. A three-season bag rated to zero degrees is not sufficient. If you do not own a suitable bag, high-quality rental sleeping bags are available in Cusco and can also be arranged directly through us.
Trekking poles Collapsible trekking poles make a significant difference on this route, particularly on the long descent from the Salkantay Pass. They reduce the load on your knees, improve balance on uneven terrain, and take a meaningful amount of effort out of steep uphills. If you have never used poles before, the Salkantay is a good route to start. Available for rent in Cusco.
Headlamp With fresh batteries installed before Day 2. The predawn start for the pass crossing happens in complete darkness and the trail is not lit. A headlamp is not optional. Bring a spare set of batteries in a small ziplock bag.
Daypack A 20 to 30 liter daypack with a hip belt and comfortable shoulder straps. The hip belt transfers weight from your shoulders to your hips, which makes a significant difference over a full day of walking. A hydration sleeve that fits a two-liter reservoir is a useful feature.
Dry bags or waterproof pack liner Even in the dry season, rain can appear quickly at altitude. Electronics, documents, a dry set of clothes, and your sleeping bag should be protected with dry bags or a waterproof liner inside your main duffel.
Water bottle or hydration reservoir A minimum two-liter capacity. Staying hydrated at altitude is one of the most effective things you can do to reduce altitude sickness symptoms and general fatigue. You should be drinking more water than you think you need throughout each day.
Water purification Purification tablets or a filter straw as backup. Water sources along the route are generally clean but having purification available is sensible practice on any multi-day trek.
Trekking gaiters Optional in dry season, highly recommended in wet season. They keep mud and water out of your boots on the lower sections of the route and make a real difference in comfort on muddy trail days.
Sunscreen SPF 50 or higher. UV radiation at 4,000 meters is roughly 40 percent more intense than at sea level. Apply it before you start walking, reapply at the pass, and keep applying it through the lower sections even when it is cloudy. Cloud cover does not block UV.
Lip balm with SPF. Your lips will crack at altitude without it.
Sunglasses with UV protection. At the pass, with snow and glacier in every direction, reflected UV from the ground can cause snow blindness. Standard fashion sunglasses do not provide adequate UV protection. Use proper trekking or mountaineering sunglasses.
Your personal prescription medications in sufficient quantity for the trek plus extra. Ibuprofen or paracetamol for headaches, which are common in the first day or two at altitude. Blister plasters and a small roll of sports tape. Altitude medication if recommended by your doctor. Hand sanitizer. Wet wipes for days when water is limited. A small ziplock bag of rehydration salts. Anti-diarrheal medication. Basic antihistamine. A compact personal first aid kit.
All our treks carry a comprehensive group first aid kit and emergency oxygen. The personal kit is for minor day-to-day issues that do not require the group kit.
Your phone, which is your camera, your map, and your alarm clock. A portable battery pack with enough capacity to charge your phone at least twice. A universal adapter for charging in Cusco before departure. A camera if you use one separately from your phone. Headphones for the long bus and train journeys.
Download offline maps of the route before leaving Cusco. Mobile signal is intermittent to non-existent for much of the trek.
Your passport, which is required for entry to Machu Picchu. A physical printed copy of your booking confirmation. Your travel insurance documents with the emergency contact number written separately from your phone in case the phone is lost or damaged. A small amount of cash in Peruvian soles for the Humantay Lake entrance fee, hot springs in Santa Teresa, drinks in Aguas Calientes, and tips for guides and porters.
Jeans and cotton clothing of any kind. A full-size towel, a quick-dry travel towel takes a fraction of the space. More than two books, one is enough. Anything you are bringing because you might need it but cannot identify a specific situation where you would use it. Valuables that do not need to be on the trail.
If you are traveling light or do not own specialist trekking equipment, Cusco has a well-developed gear rental market concentrated around the streets near the Plaza de Armas. Sleeping bags, trekking poles, waterproof jackets, and gaiters are all widely available. Quality varies between rental shops, so inspect the gear before accepting it and test zips, buckles, and fastenings. We can also arrange equipment rental directly through us at the time of booking.
Have questions about specific gear for your trek? Get in touch and we will give you honest advice based on the time of year you are traveling.
