What should I pack for a trip to Pérou? We recommend avoiding rigid suitcases at first—it's more practical to travel with soft luggage or backpacks, ideally a waterproof bag such as a duffel bag. It's also advisable to divide your belongings into 2 bags: 1 backpack and 1 large soft travel bag. Temperatures vary depending on the season and region you're visiting, but we suggest the following clothing:

• Warm clothing, as nights are cold in the Andes, and this will be useful if you sleep in a campsite or with a local family
• T-shirts (short- and long-sleeved); for trekking, favor breathable t-shirts
• Light and warm trousers
• Hiking pants
• Thermal leggings (for trekking)
• Hiking boots and high-cut shoes with rigid soles for trekking
• Sneakers or casual shoes
• Flip-flops or crocs, depending on the season
• Thick and thin hiking socks, preferably high-cut to support the ankle
• Warm jacket (fleece jacket, Gore Tex or similar), or even a lighter down jacket as well
• Fleece layers
• Rain jacket or rain poncho
• Thermal underwear in various thicknesses, for top and bottom (recommended for treks)
• Beanie, gloves, and scarf (silk liners for those who feel the cold easily or if you're going to very high altitude)
• Baseball cap or hat
• A bath towel
• Sunglasses with strong UV protection (consider two pairs just in case; if you wear prescription glasses, we recommend bringing a second pair)
• A swimsuit! Whether in the Canyon del Colca or on the Altiplano, you may have the opportunity to swim in thermal hot springs or pools if your accommodations have them.

Generally speaking, it will be easy to find warm alpaca wool clothing on site (sweaters, coats, gloves, beanies, scarves, socks). If you're planning to trek, we recommend not overpacking and bringing only the essentials. In terms of accessories and equipment:

• Credit card and cash
• Copy of your passport and travel insurance certificate (and electronic version sent by email)
• Camera and memory cards
• LED headlamp (essential for trekking, may be useful for stays with local families, and especially if you climb to Machu Picchu on foot where the ascent begins at night)
• For treks: thermos, toiletries kit, energy bars, water purification tablets, emergency blanket

And what about my toiletries bag?

We recommend traveling light and bringing only the essentials. It's strongly advised to pack your own basic pharmacy kit with the following products: toothpaste, toothbrush, sunscreen and lip balm, moisturizer, and insect repellent (necessary at Machu Picchu). Remember to bring a small first-aid kit:

• Aspirin
• Bandages and plasters (especially for blisters)
• Sterile gauze for burns
• Antiseptic
• Broad-spectrum antibiotics
• Anti-inflammatory medication
• Pain reliever (Paracetamol, Ibuprofen, Acetylsalicylic acid 500 for blood thinning)
• Anti-diarrheal (Imodium lingual, Dyafluril, or Ercyfluril)
• To prevent potential altitude sickness, if possible bring altitude sickness medication ("soroche pills") which you can find at a pharmacy. Otherwise, you can buy them at any pharmacy upon arrival in Pérou!