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The Colca Canyon is one of the most underrated hikes in South America. Overshadowed by treks to Machu Picchu, this Peruvian hike is rarely high on any itinerary, until visitors make it to Peru and hear how rewarding the 2/ or3 days hike is! Fancy swimming and then sleeping in a canyon? You can in Peru; here’s the Colca Canyon trek packing list.
You may also like our Peru itinerary.
Colca Canyon Trek Packing List
Day Bag
Since you carry your bags, no donkeys like the Inca, a small day pack will suffice.
Clothes
- 3 x vest tops
- 1 x cardigan
- 1 x thin jumper (bed wear)
- 1 x shorts
- 1 x leggings (very cold at night)
- 1 x bra (didn’t need sports bra)
- 3 x pants
- 3 x socks (didn’t wear hiking socks)
- 1 x bikini (pool on day 2/hot springs day 3)
- 1 x raincoat (my beloved Marmot, a downpour on day 2)
- 1 x rain poncho (folded and attached to the bag)
Shoes
- 1 x walking shoes (Salomon)
- 1 x flip flops (give feet a rest at night/good for showering)
Clothes
- 1x three-quarter length shorts
- 2 x vest tops
- 1 x denim shirt
- 1 x swim shorts
- 2 x boxer shorts (yuck!)
- 4 x socks (this boy can’t pack)
Shoes
Toiletries
- Face wash (didn’t end up washing face!)
- Deodorant (1 x stick/1 x small spray)
- Dry shampoo
- Travel hairspray
- Hair bobble and grips/bobby pins
- Soap
- Sunscreen lotion (vital)
- DEET or Avon Skin So Soft US / UK
- Baby wipes
- Painkillers (headaches with altitude)
- Malaria tablets (if taking)
- Hydration tablets
- Sunglasses
- Camera
- Water filter bottle
- iPhones
- Earphones
- Battery packs like this US / UK keep cameras and phones charged
- Travel notebook & pen
- Bandana
Extras
- We hired towels
- Plastic bags for rubbish/wet clothes
- Nuts
- Cereal bars
- Bananas – green ones ripen in one day
- Tangerines
- Water
- Skittles
- Coca sweets (done thing in Peru!)
There are plenty of ‘shops’ on the way over (day one and two only) aka local women that sell fruit and drinks.
Some of the shops sell sweets like Snickers etc.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are filling, but you need snacks to keep you going.
I’d quite happily not eat a cereal bar again!
What We Wished We Had Packed
- Regretted not packing flip-flops
- I wish I had a large scarf to double up as a blanket for the bus, as I’m always cold
What are your trek packing tips?
Hi Gemma, I realy love hiking. So, happy to see those helpful list on what to pack. Thanks…
Cheers Agness, I recommend the Colca Canyon if you are in Sout Am at any point!
I was looking information about what to take on my bag for hiking in Perou, when i found you blog !
Thanks for sharing your experience, they will help me to carry mi bag 🙂
No problem, glad we could help!
Hi Gemma,
Good God it’d have been awesome to take that scarf for bus trips. I recall being frozen it seems at night in Cusco. Daytime we’re talking 75 F, nighttime, 31 F, below freezing. By noon the next day things heated up with the sun but before then, I froze in my apartment.
Good tips!
Tweeting from Bali.
Ryan
I am tempted to buy one of those padded coats everyone rocks! We’ve now booked up for Colombia after Bolivia, hoping for sun…