What you pack for the Salkantay Trek will depend on what time of you year you go.

I did the Salkantay Trek in December. I imagine that a lot of what you take gear wise, will be the same year round, though. 

During the Salkantay Trek you cross through glacial mountain passes, cloud forests, and jungles so you have to pack a lot. When I went, I was fairly uncertain of what to pack and had already been to Lima, Huanuco, Cajamarca, and was planning on going to Juliaca, Puno, and back to Lima. So I had to pack a lot for all those segments as well. 

All I took was my 65 liter Osprey pack.

The couch surfing hostal place my friend Kathrine and I had been staying at in Cusco allowed us to leave some of our personal belongings there while we trekked. That helped a lot. 

As this article solely focuses on what to pack for the Salkantay trek, click HERE to read more about what the Salkantay trek is actually like. Otherwise, read on!

It really is an amazing trek and you should do it for sure. 

Below, you will find a basic list of what to pack for the Salkantay Trek.

• A good tent with really good rain fly. I use a KELTY. 
• Rain cover for your pack. 
• Rain coat or poncho for you. 
• Comfortable hiking shoes. I took trail runners and CHACOS. Always bring Chacos. They’re the best. 
• Good wool hiking socks. A pair for each day. 
• Good sleeping bag. Mine is a generic REI brand. I love it. 
• Pillow. You can either stuff your sleeping bag stuff sack with your clothes or by this pillow by clicking HERE. 
• Stove. My stove is ancient but takes car fuel. 
• Light Weight camping pots. I love this brand. Click HERE. 
• Hat. I just bought one in Peru from some lady. 
• Hiking pants or leggings for the jungle. You’ll want to wear shorts but there are demon bugs that will eat you alive if you do so wear pants. 
• T-shirt and sun shirt to go over it. The sun and demon bugs are strong. 
• Dr. Bronners to brush your teeth and clean your dishes. Click HERE.
• Water Purifier. I like my Steripen and filter. Click HERE to check them out.
• Buff. Always bring buffs. Click HERE.
• Light weight, packable Puffy. 
• Utensils. 
• Cards. It’s nice to play games. 
• A journal. Always journal!
• Tooth brush.
• TOILET PAPER!!!!!!!
• Hand sanitizer. 
• Camping Towel.
• A bag for your garbage. 
• A head lamp or solar charging light. 
• Extra batteries if needed. 
• Charger. I haven’t found a brand I like so let me know if you do!
• Wallet/cash/Passport
• Machu Picchu ticket. 
• Smaller pack for carrying enough water and food while you are at Machu Picchu. 
• Swim Suit if that’s part of your plans. 
• Underwear for every day of the trek.
• Bra, if that applies to you. 
• Food.

I would not take less than this. 

As my dad always says, “You can always bring more but you can’t bring less.”

-Dad Toronto

This is a big list but if you gear up smart, you’ll have the space for all of it. And I really wouldn’t do the trek with less than that. I’ve laid out the most basic things you could possibly want for this specific trek. Please let me know if you have questions for me about any of this gear or why I added something! Enjoy!

Felices Viajes!