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Did you know you can visit Machu Picchu by train and bus instead of doing the 4 day walk? Learn what to pack for Machu Picchu when you’re not trekking! (If you are trekking and would like to know what to wear, please read this Machu Picchu Packing List.)
What to Pack for Machu Picchu when you’re not Trekking
Start by reading these posts:
- Inca Trail and Machu Picchu Packing List
- Where to Leave Your Luggage While Trekking Machu Picchu
- What to Wear in Peru
YOUÂ HAVE SEVERAL OPTIONS TO GET TO MACHU PICCHU INCLUDING:Â âž”
- Trekking the Inca Trail
- Trekking the Alternate trails
- Taking a train to Aguas Calientes then walking 1-2 hours up to the entrance of Machu Picchu
- Taking a train to Aguas Calientes then taking a short bus ride up to the entrance
On my first trip I did the Lares trek as part of the 15 day Peru Panorama tour with G Adventures. This takes you on an alternate route but you still have to take the train and bus to get to Machu Picchu. (This tour’s currently on sale!)
The second time I did the Inca Jungle trek and walked the whole way there. In fact, I was so exhausted after doing the second trek I was desperate to take the bus up but I persevered.
Depending on the trek you choose your journey might still include a train and/or bus ride but rest assured it is possible to see Machu Picchu without trekking!
With so many options, planning what to pack for Machu Picchu can be quite confusing!
So what do you need to pack if you’re not actually trekking? Here are some tips!
Wear comfortable shoes
You think this was a given for every single list but comfortable shoes are always a must especially when planning what to pack for Machu Picchu. Walking to one end and back could be hours in itself especially if you want to take your time. Use packing cubes to protect your luggage from your dirty shoes.
Hint: Some tour companies only give you a couple of hours at the national park. If you want to see the magic at your own pace, make your own way there. It’s easy!
Wear Classic Clothes
For some reason both times I went to Machu Picchu I wore stripes and I hate the way I look in stripes. (I’m not even sure why I buy them.) This is a once in a lifetime photo opportunity. Don’t ruin it with the fugly clothes.
Make sure you’re not a fashion victim and wear basic clothes that will outstand the test of time.
You’ll want to look your best when you travel! Read my travel tips to Pack Light Stylishly!
Dress warmly
Due to Peru’s altitude it may be chilly even in the summer. Plan to layer and bring a bag where you can stuff the clothing you remove so you don’t have to hold it.
It may be freezing cold before the sun rises but once the mist fades away and the sun reveals Machu Picchu in all its splendor it can be scorching hot.
Don’t forget to wear sunblock even in the winter! Due to the altitude the sun will fry your face. It happened to me the first time I went.
High Waist Skinny Jeans | Ultra Skinny Jeans | Stretch Skinny Jeans
Jeans are Okay
Jeans are absolutely encouraged in Peru especially if you’re not trekking. Why would you want to wear outdoor pants if you don’t have to?
Jeans are easy to wear everywhere; they don’t have to be washed often if at all and they’ll help keep you warm. Don’t leave these at home when planning what to pack for Machu Picchu and Peru.
For the summer, you can also layer leggings and a skirt or shorts and remove the leggings when needed.
You can never be unprepared
Anything you need you can find in Cusco before you travel to Machu Picchu. From hiking gear (should you change your mind) to altitude sickness tablets and cute alpaca winter clothing don’t worry about being unprepared.
TRAVEL TIP: For trips around South America, I recommend this travel guide and if Peru is your main destination, make sure to get this one!
 What would you add when planning what to pack for Machu Picchu?
For more Peru packing tips, please read:
- Inca Trail and Machu Picchu Packing List
- Where to Leave Your Luggage While Trekking Machu Picchu
- What to Pack for Machu Picchu when you’re not Trekking
- What to Wear in Peru
SUGGESTED TRAVEL RESOURCES:
Thanks for this helpful packing guide. I am going on a yoga retreat in the sacrad valley but am goint to go to Machu Picchu the day before it starts
Your tips are very helpful as I begin to plan to pack (light!!!)
Thanks for this helpful packing guide. I am going on a yoga retreat in the sacrad valley but am goint to go to Machu Picchu the day before it starts
1 Your tips are very helpful as I begin to plan to pack (light!!!)
I need to know how to dress in my trip to Peru in the end of March .
Warm clothing or shirts and t-shirts?
Hi Deloris, thank you for reaching out. Check out our guide to Peru for tips to help you with your packing: https://www.travelfashiongirl.com/what-to-wear-in-peru/ I would also recommend that you join TFG’s free facebook community and post your question there: https://www.facebook.com/groups/travelfashiongirls/ It is a fabulous group of helpful female travelers that have the best packing advice to share. Hope this helps answer your question. Have an amazing trip! ?
Hi, I am going to Peru next May. Visiting Lima, Puerto Maldonado, Cusco, Puno, Arequipa, Nazca and Paracas. How much clothing shall I need?
Hi Julie, thank you for reaching out. Have a look at TFG’s signature packing lists for ideas for a capsule wardrobe and how many clothing items you could pack: https://www.travelfashiongirl.com/functional-and-fashion-packing-list/ The packing lists show you how to pack light and have the right clothes no matter the destination or the length of the journey. For more suggestions to help you with your packing, check out our 10 step guide to South America: https://www.travelfashiongirl.com/10-step-packing-guide-south-america/ I would also highly recommend that you join TFG’s free facebook community and post any questions you have there: https://www.facebook.com/groups/travelfashiongirls/ Its a fabulous group of helpful female travelers that have the best packing advice and recommendations to share. Hope this helps answer your question. Have an amazing time on your trip next year! ?
I am a disabled person who needs two canes for assistance in walking. Visiting Machu Picchu has always been a lifetime dream of mine. I will be visiting the site this September with a tour group. I know it may be a bit of a challenge, however I am extremely determined. Could you please tell me once I get off the train or bus what is the approximate distance to the entrance of the site? Thank you!
Hi Jon,
Congratulations on your trip to Machu Picchu! It’s one of my favorite places in the world 🙂
As I visited many years ago I don’t have an answer to this, but I can recommend for you to post the question in our free Facebook Group Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/travelfashiongirls/ Its a fabulous community of amazing female travelers that love to share their advice and travel tips and I am sure one of our female adventurers might be able to help you.
If you don’t have Facebook, your tour operator may be able to answer this question for you.
Have an incredible trip!
Hi I went in 2012 and when we got off the train at the Aguas client train station we walked about 200 feet out of station and then approx . 2 miles to the bus that takes us to the top. we walked through a market and it was very safe and even pavement and we were a huge group of tourists being guided immediately from the train arrival, they will take care to guide you. we had two very elderly people with balance issues on our tour, and we all just moved a little slower than natural but they didn’t fall. I think you will be able to do the walk to the bus and once your up there honestly there’s so much restorative energy – you going to love it and feel calm and good! Im going in 2.5 weeks!
Hi there, this is really helpful, thank you for taking the time to answer our readers question! ? Have an incredible trip!
Hi fashion girl, need your urgent advice asap.
We are going to Machu picchu for our wedding anniversary photo shot on June 11-12, can I wear a simple white dress and put my wedding vail on (after go up to the obeservation point)? Will there be stuffs that MP will not allow? Any suggestion, please help as it will be our very first visit to MP Peru.
Hi May!
Congratulations on your one year anniversary! In order to find out the rules and regulations of what’s not allowed in Machu Picchu, please contact the organization directly. Your photographer might also have more information if they are experienced with photo shoots in that location. I’m sorry I couldn’t have been more helpful.
This article is a good resource if you’re not doing the trek: https://www.travelfashiongirl.com/what-to-pack-for-machu-picchu/.
Have a great trip!
alex
Hi Alex. I”m traveling to Peru in the coming days and I’ve been reading your articles and tips for hours and I’m still stressed about packing. Packing has always been stressful for me and I’m a classic overpacker. I need help. We’ll be gone for 16 days and the first half of the trip will be the Sacred Valley. We are not doing the trek but rather going up in the morning but we will be hiking Huana Pichuu. Don’t know if I spelled that right. So we have 2 nights in Olly and then 1 night in AC and then back to Olly after the citadel. Then 4 days in Cusco. After that we are renting a car and going down the south coast to Paracas to explore that region. I really want to pack the correct way for all of this and not have to lug around tons of luggage. Help please!!
Hi Julie, thank you for your question! For more ideas for what to pack for Peru, take a look at this TFG articles: https://www.travelfashiongirl.com/what-to-pack-to-peru/ For help on how to pack take a look at these TFG article about using a capsule wardrobe and trying to minimise your packing: https://www.travelfashiongirl.com/capsule-wardrobe-vacay-style/ https://www.travelfashiongirl.com/overpacker-to-minimalist-how-i-mastered-the-capsule-wardrobe/ Have a fantastic trip to Peru! 🙂
Im going to Machu Picchu the fist week in April. Not trecking. What’s the best type of footwear and outer clothing wear to pack.
Hi Lesley, have a look at this tfg article on best travel shoes: https://www.travelfashiongirl.com/best-travel-shoes-womens-leather-boots/ hopefully it will give you some ideas. Also have a look at this packing list for Machu Picchu: https://www.travelfashiongirl.com/inca-trail-and-machu-picchu-tours-packing-list/ Have a great trip! 🙂
Hello, I am a 60+ petite woman traveling to Peru and Machu Picchu in early November. I have read your suggestions and will follow them. Any advice for a woman of my age for this trip regarding being comfortable and somewhat fashionable while there. I still wear jeans and leggings pretty well. thanks for any additional insights you might have.
I’ll be using these suggestions when going to Machu Picchu during their winter next year! I’m definitely making my own arrangements for Machu Picchu instead of using a tour company. Do you have a suggestion for how many nights to spend in Machu Picchu?
I’ve only spent one-two nights in Aguascalientes to visit Machu Picchu. If you’re not trekking, arrive the night before so you can get an early start. Then if you’re not in a rush to go anywhere, you can stay there one more night and leave the day after you visit Machu Picchu. Many even leave the same afternoon.
However, if you do plan to do the trek the you can book a tour with a local company in Cusco, which is what I did my second trip. You can shop around for tours and even supplies once in Cusco.
Hi,
I will recently be traveling to peru with friends. This site and your experience has given us such great insights on what to pack and what things to do.
I feel prepared for my trip mentally cuz of your blogs. Thanks for sharing your experiences.
I’m glad you found it useful! Have an amazing time 🙂
I’m headed to Lima, Cusco, and Machu Picchu in mid-March. We don’t have time for the hike, so this info was especially helpful.
That’s great to hear, thank you!
Thanks for the list – I’m hoping to go to Machu Picchu this fall, and I’m planning on not trekking (I hate camping!).
Glad you like it! Not all the treks involve camping if you still wanted to walk – in the Inca Jungle trek we slept at guesthouses on the route to Aguas Calientes. Have a great trip!
I would love to go there. Sounds like an awesome place!
Emily
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