Peru, Dry
A curated packing list for your trip from Lima coastal mist to Cusco at altitude and the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Built for high-altitude sun, cold dawns, and the thin air that humbles every traveler on day one.
Border & arrival
What customs and immigration expect.
On the ground
How life actually works once you arrive.
Visa-free, 90 days
US, UK, EU, Canadian, and Australian citizens enter visa-free, with stays up to 183 days at the officer's discretion. Onward ticket and proof of accommodation occasionally requested. Passport must be valid 6+ months with blank pages for stamps.
Altitude is a real adjustment
Cusco sits at 3,400m (11,150 ft). Day one: hydrate, skip alcohol, walk slowly, eat light. Most travelers feel mild altitude effects (headache, breathlessness) for 24-48 hours. Coca tea is the local remedy. Acetazolamide (prescription) helps for severe cases. Lima first then Cusco gives no acclimatization; consider Sacred Valley (2,800m) before Cusco.
Soles for everything, USD as backup
Peruvian Sol (PEN) is the local currency. ATMs (BCP, Interbank, Scotiabank) work well in cities; Globalnet ATMs charge low fees. Cards work at hotels and tourist restaurants; markets, taxis, small shops are cash. Bring a small USD reserve ($100-200) for emergencies.
Tipping is light, increasingly common
10% at restaurants is appreciated (some bills include "servicio" 10%, then a small extra is generous). PEN 10-20 per bag for porters, PEN 5-10 per night for housekeeping, PEN 30-50 per day for guides, PEN 20-50 per day for Inca Trail porters (whose work is the hardest part of the trip).
Machu Picchu requires advance planning
Machu Picchu entry is timed and capped daily; tickets sell out 2-3 months ahead in peak season. Inca Trail permits sell out 4-6 months ahead. Trains (PeruRail or Inca Rail) book separately. Bring printed tickets and original passport: both are checked at the entrance.
Type A and C plugs at 220V
Mix of Type A (US-style two flat pins) and Type C (European two round pins). Voltage is 220V/60Hz (60Hz is unusual). Most modern phone, laptop, camera chargers handle 220V; check single-voltage hair tools and high-watt devices. Universal adapter is the safe choice.
Pre-Trip Checklist
Bookings, applications, and admin for the weeks before departure. Work backwards from your trip date.
- 6 weeks out
- 4 weeks out
- 2 weeks out
- 1 week out
- Day before
- Day of
Clothing
Layered for the coast-to-altitude swing. Real warmth for Cusco mornings, light layers for Lima.
Shoes
Trail shoes for Machu Picchu; comfortable for Cusco cobblestones.
Toiletries & Personal Care
High-altitude dryness is brutal on skin and lips. Pack heavy moisturizers.
Health & Medications
Altitude hits hardest on day one. Stomach issues are common at lower elevations.
Documents & Money
Machu Picchu wants the paper ticket and the original passport. Both checked at entry.
Tech & Electronics
Type A/C at 220V. Universal adapter is the safe choice.
Luggage & Organization
Soft-sided bags travel taxis and Sacred Valley shuttles better. Inca Trail porters carry your duffel; check weight limits (often 6-7kg).
Comfort & In-Transit
Long flights to Lima, then high-altitude internal flights or scenic train rides.
Weather & Climate Gear
Strong sun at altitude, cold dawns, sudden Andean rain. Pack for all three.
Cultural & Activity-Specific
Hiking, market visits, Sacred Valley exploration each ask for something.
Safety & Precautions
Cusco and Sacred Valley are very safe. Lima requires city smarts; Miraflores and Barranco are tourist-friendly.