Layers, Altitude Tips & Adventure Essentials
Cusco and the Andes are perfect in May—it’s the start of dry season, with sunny days, chilly nights, and perfect hiking weather (It didn’t rain at all the week I was there). But packing for a high-altitude destination where the temperature swings 30+ degrees in a day? That took some planning, especially when you like to pack light (I only brought a carry on bag and my daypack for the week).
After exploring Cusco, riding horses to mountain caves, and trekking the Inca Trail, here’s what I packed for a week in Peru’s mountains in May.
*The links are for items I personally used for my trip (I do earn a small commission if you purchase from my link).
🗺️ Quick Overview: What the Weather’s Like in May
- 🌤️ Days: 60s–70s°F (16–24°C), sunny and dry
- ❄️ Nights/Mornings: 30s–40s°F (0–5°C), especially during trek
- 💨 At Altitude: Air is thin, dry, and UV is intense even when it’s cold
👚 Clothing: Layering Is Everything
✅ Bring:
- 1 lightweight down or puffer jacket (packable, essential for nights)
- 1 fleece or wool pullover (mid-layer warmth)
- 1–2 thermal long-sleeve base layers (for mornings and treks). Merino wool is a good option.
- 2–3 moisture-wicking t-shirts or tops
- 1 long-sleeve sun shirt or hoodie
- 1–2 pairs of hiking pants (quick-dry or zip-off style)
- 1 pair of comfortable jeans or travel pants (for city exploring)
- 1 pair of warm leggings or joggers (for evenings or layering under pants)
- 6-7 pairs of socks (at least 2 wool for cold nights)
- Sleepwear that’s warm enough for the cold nights
- Underwear & sports bras
Optional but useful:
- Buff, beanie, baseball cap and gloves (lightweight but warm)
- Rain jacket (May is usually dry, but occasional showers happen)
📸 Tip: Choose earth tones or dark neutrals—they hide trail dust and looked great in photos.
👟 Footwear
- 1 pair of broken-in hiking boots (essential for any treks or horseback rides)
- 1 pair of comfy sneakers or trail shoes (for city walking)
- 1 pair of sandals or slides (for hotel, spa, or evening relaxation)
✅ Trekking poles if doing the Inca Trail—your knees will thank you (most tour operators have them for rent.
🎒 Daypack Essentials
You’ll use a daypack constantly—for hikes, markets, city tours, and airport days. Large daypacks are not permitted in Machu Picchu, so check the current guidelines before you go so you don’t have to leave it when you go in. My daypack was an Osprey Daylite plus and it was the perfect size.
Pack in your day bag:
- Sunglasses 😎
- Hat for sun protection 🧢
- High-SPF sunscreen + lip balm 🧴My lips got really dry in the high altitude.
- Water bottle and hydration bladder 💧
- Electrolyte tablets (for hydration at altitude). I used my water bottle drinking the water with the electrolyte tablets in it.
- Portable charger 🔋I brought 2 because I was worried my phone would die during the trek, but I only needed one.
- Lightweight gloves 🧤These were really helpful in the cold mornings.
- Baby wipes + hand sanitizer
- Tissues or toilet paper (restroom quality varies)
- Packable rain poncho or jacket 🌧️
- Snacks (nuts, protein bars, candy)
- Basic first aid kit + personal meds 💊 I kept all my meds in a travel pill organizer.
- Headlamp (for getting around camp in the dark and early morning hikes before the sun comes up)
- Cash (soles) – small bills for markets and tips 💵 I brought some with me that I exchanged at home, but ended up needing more Soles, which I easily got at a bank in Plaza De Armas.
🛌 Extras I’m Glad I Had
- Quick-dry towel
- Air pods/headphones (it’s nice to have music during the hike)
- Binoculars or zoom lens (for birdwatching or long views in the Andes)
- Book – I traveled solo, so it was nice to have a book to read during breakfast and back at my hotel room at night.
🐾 Special Notes for Animal Adventures
As a vet tech, I’m always ready for animal-focused excursions. If you’re planning to visit farms, do a horseback ride, or interact with llamas and alpacas:
- Closed-toe shoes or boots you don’t mind getting dusty
- Layers you can wash easily
- Treats for horses (ask permission first)
- Baby Wipes (again) – I wish I had them in my day pack when the baby alpaca defecated on me! It took me 10 minutes to find a restroom and a few Soles (the water in the sink didn’t work so I had to pay for a bottle of water) to get myself cleaned up!
- Camera or phone with extra memory—you will take 100 pictures of baby alpacas
💊 Altitude-Specific Must-Haves
- Coca candy or coca tea bags (for mild altitude symptoms)
- Acetazolamide (Diamox) if prescribed by your doctor
- Anti-nausea and anti-diarrheal meds (you’re at 11,000 ft—gut issues are common)
- Hydration tabs or electrolyte mix (daily use)
💼 Optional But Handy
- Travel-size laundry soap or detergent sheets
- Foldable tote bag for markets
- Swimsuit (some hotels and spas have hot tubs!). I brought one, but did not end up using it.
📝 Final Packing Tips
- You can do laundry easily in Cusco—many hotels and laundromats offer 24-hour service.
- Dress modestly when visiting sacred sites—long pants and covered shoulders are appreciated.
- Leave room in your luggage for souvenirs: alpaca goods, handmade textiles, chocolate, and more! Remember – you cannot take any coca products home with you!
Have questions about planning your trip to Cusco or what to pack for a specific adventure? Drop them in the comments, send me a DM on Instagram @dont.stay.home or email me at RoamingWithKristen@gmail.com!
