Packing your suitcase for a trip to the Peruvian Andes: clothing, accessories, health. Terralba's recommendations, a agency since 2024.
The Andean altitude calls for neither spectacular equipment nor costly purchases. Above all, it asks that one understands a single truth: within the same day, one can pass from the dry heat of midday to six degrees at sunset. Layering is everything.
Clothing: the principle of three layers
- First layer — technical base layers or merino wool. Avoid cotton, which retains moisture.
- Second layer — fleece or a thin down jacket, to be put on and taken off throughout the day.
- Third layer — waterproof and breathable windbreaker. Afternoon rain is swift: shelter should be too.
A good pair of broken-in walking shoes, two comfortable trousers, a scarf, a beanie, thin gloves. For evenings at a hacienda or dinners in Lima, a dressier outfit naturally finds its place.
Accessories that make a difference
- a headlamp,
- an insulated water bottle (boiled water meets all expectations — and avoids plastic bottles),
- category 3 or 4 sunglasses (the Andean light is intense),
- high-protection sunscreen and lip balm,
- a small travel-sized toiletry kit,
- a power adapter (type A/B).
Health and altitude
A modest pharmacy suffices: usual pain reliever, personal medication, bandages, disinfectant. For soroche, coca infusions are available locally. Specific medications (Diamox) should only be prescribed after a medical consultation before departure.
Luggage: the art of just enough
A soft bag of fifty to sixty liters is better suited than a rigid suitcase for characterful accommodations and Andean transport. A small cabin backpack, with papers, camera, and the first warm layer for the plane. The rest lightens itself, from the very first days.
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