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On the Short Inca Trail there are no porters: you carry your own daypack for a full day of hiking, and you sleep in a hotel in Aguas Calientes. That means packing light and smart. This list covers what to bring in your daypack, what to wear, what to leave in Cusco and the documents you cannot forget. For the itinerary and permits, see our complete Short Inca Trail guide.
Golden rule: your daypack should weigh no more than 5 to 6 kg (11 to 13 lb), including water.
Documents (do not forget these)
- Original passport. It is checked at Km 104, at the entrance to Machu Picchu and on the train. It must be the same passport used to book your permit.
- Student card, if you booked with a student discount.
- Cash in soles for drinks, toilets and tips. There are no ATMs on the trail.
- A copy of your travel insurance.
Daypack essentials
- A comfortable daypack of 20 to 30 litres with a rain cover.
- Water: 1.5 to 2 litres in a reusable bottle or hydration bladder.
- Snacks to eat with the boxed lunch we provide: nuts, chocolate, energy bars.
- Rain jacket or poncho; showers are possible in any month in the cloud forest.
- A warm layer (fleece or light down jacket) for the Sun Gate and the evening.
- Sun hat, sunglasses and sunscreen (SPF 50).
- Insect repellent: there are small biting flies near the river and in Aguas Calientes.
- Small first aid kit: blister plasters, painkillers and your personal medication.
- Toilet paper and hand sanitizer.
- Phone or camera with a charged battery and a small power bank.
What to wear
- Hiking shoes or light boots with good grip, already broken in. The stone steps can be slippery.
- Breathable layers: a quick-dry T-shirt, a long-sleeve top and a fleece. Mornings are cool and the climb to Wiñay Wayna is warm and humid.
- Comfortable hiking trousers or leggings; shorts are fine in the dry season.
- Hiking socks, plus a spare pair in your daypack.
Recommended extras
- Trekking poles with rubber tips (metal tips are not allowed on the Inca Trail). They help a lot on the descents (how hard is the Short Inca Trail).
- A small towel and wet wipes.
- Dry bags or zip-lock bags to keep your passport and electronics dry.
For the night in Aguas Calientes
The hotel has towels, soap and a hot shower, so you only need a small bag:
- A clean T-shirt and underwear for day 2.
- Toothbrush and toothpaste.
- A charger for your phone.
The trains allow one piece of hand luggage per person — a backpack of up to 8 kg (18 lb) on PeruRail and Inca Rail — so keep everything in your daypack.
What to leave in Cusco
Your large suitcase stays at your hotel in Cusco or at our office. You will not need it: you are back in Cusco on the evening of day 2. And on the 1-day Inca Trail you do not need anything for the night at all.
What you cannot bring
- Drones (forbidden at Machu Picchu and on the Inca Trail).
- Single-use plastic bags, straws and polystyrene containers, banned in protected areas (Law 30884).
- Bags larger than 40 x 35 x 20 cm inside Machu Picchu.
- Trekking poles, tripods and selfie sticks inside the citadel. Rubber-tipped walking sticks are allowed there only for elderly visitors and people with disabilities. See what to wear and pack for Machu Picchu.
- Food inside Machu Picchu.
Packing list by season
Dry season (April to August)
Sun protection is the priority. Nights and early mornings are cool, so bring a warm layer for the train and the Sun Gate.
Rainy season (January to March)
Add a good rain jacket, a rain cover for the pack, quick-dry clothes and spare socks. Remember that the Inca Trail is closed every February for maintenance.
Transition months (September to December)
Pack for both: sun protection and full rain gear.
What to wear by month
| Months | Conditions | What to wear and add |
|---|---|---|
| January and March | Rainy season, frequent showers | Rain jacket, pack cover, quick-dry layers, shoes with good grip, spare socks. |
| February | Trail closed for maintenance | Visit Machu Picchu by train instead. |
| April to August | Dry season, sunny days, cold mornings and nights | Sun hat, sunscreen and sunglasses; a fleece or light down jacket for the early start, the Sun Gate and the train. Keep a light rain jacket in the pack. |
| September to December | Transition between the dry and the rainy season | Sun protection plus full rain gear and quick-dry clothes; keep electronics in dry bags. |
Seasons as described in the Machu Picchu Sanctuary master plan. There is no official month-by-month table, so plan for both sun and rain outside the dry season.
In every month, dress in layers: the climb to Wiñay Wayna is warm and humid, and the evening is cool.
Printable Short Inca Trail checklist
Use this list the night before the hike. Everything fits in a 20 to 30-litre daypack.
Print it: packing checklists for Machu Picchu, the Classic Inca Trail and the Short Inca Trail (PDF, 3 pages), with tick boxes, the 40 × 35 × 20 cm bag limit and the items that are not allowed.
- Original passport (the one you booked with)
- Student card, if you booked a student rate
- Cash in soles, in small notes and coins
- Copy of your travel insurance
- Daypack of 20 to 30 litres with rain cover
- 1.5 to 2 litres of water in a reusable bottle or bladder
- Snacks: nuts, chocolate, energy bars
- Rain jacket or poncho
- Fleece or light down jacket
- Sun hat, sunglasses and SPF 50 sunscreen
- Insect repellent
- Small first aid kit: blister plasters, painkillers, personal medication
- Toilet paper and hand sanitizer
- Phone or camera, charger and small power bank
- Trekking poles with rubber tips
- Dry bags or zip-lock bags
- Small towel and wet wipes
- Broken-in hiking shoes and hiking socks, plus a spare pair
- For the night: clean T-shirt, underwear, toothbrush and toothpaste
Short Inca Trail · hotel in Aguas Calientes included
Short Inca Trail to Machu Picchu: 2 Days / 1 Night
See itinerary & dates →
Frequently asked questions
Do I need hiking boots for the Short Inca Trail?
Not necessarily. Comfortable hiking shoes with good grip are enough, but they must be broken in. Boots give extra ankle support if you prefer them.
Are porters included on the Short Inca Trail?
No. On the Short Inca Trail you carry a daypack. That is why we recommend keeping it under 5 to 6 kg.
Can I use trekking poles on the Inca Trail?
Yes, but they must have rubber tips to protect the original Inca stonework.
How much water should I carry?
1.5 to 2 litres. You can buy more at the start of the trail, but there are few places to refill along the way.
What size backpack should I bring?
A daypack of 20 to 30 litres is enough for the hike and the night. Check its size: bags larger than 40 x 35 x 20 cm are not allowed inside Machu Picchu, and the trains allow one backpack of up to 8 kg per person.
Do I need a sleeping bag?
No. On our Short Inca Trail you sleep in a hotel in Aguas Calientes, with bedding and towels provided.
Can I bring food into Machu Picchu?
No. Eat your snacks and boxed lunch on the trail, and keep any leftovers in your pack during the visit.
What should I wear in the rainy season?
Quick-dry layers, a good rain jacket, a pack cover and shoes with good grip, plus spare socks. Keep your passport and phone in a dry bag.
Can I charge my phone on the trail?
Not on the trail itself. Charge everything the night before, bring a small power bank and recharge at the hotel in Aguas Calientes.
What changes if I do the 1-day Inca Trail?
Pack the same daypack, without the things for the night. Add a warm layer for the evening train back to Cusco. See our 1-day Inca Trail guide.
