What Is The Best Inca Trail Backpack Size

What Is The Best Inca Trail Backpack Size?

For the Four Day Inca Trail, it’s recommended to bring a backpack of around 30-40 litres which is plenty to securely store everything you’ll need for the trek. Now it’s important to remember that you won’t actually be carrying this at all times, as you will have a personal porter to help spread the weight of your items in a separate duffle bag – which you will then have access to in the evenings as you reach each new campsite.

What you will need to carry along the whole trek is your daypack. For this we recommend a size of roughly 20 litres, which is comfortable to walk with for long distances (which you will also be able to bring into Machu Picchu with you). For the long days of trekking we suggest packing snacks like fruits and chocolates, basic toiletries and cleaning wipes, as well as sunscreen and a water bottle. Everything else that isn’t needed for the daytime hike should be left in your duffel bag which your personal porter will transport for you.

How Should I Pack For The Inca Trail?

When packing for the Inca Trail, it’s important to really think about what you are bringing. It’s common for hikers (especially those who are new to hiking) to bring too many items or clothes – which don’t end up getting used and only add unnecessary extra weight for you and your personal porter. Be sure to double check this full list of what to bring on the Inca Trail, to avoid overpacking.

For your daypack, it’s even more important to pack properly given you will be wearing this on you at all times during trekking. You will be hiking between 4-8 hours depending on the day, so you need to make sure your daypack isn’t too heavy and remains somewhat spacious. For this reason we highly suggest having practice hikes back home with a weighted backpack – so you can see what is most comfortable for you when you then head on the full Inca Trail route. 

Frequently Asked Questions About The Best Inca Trail Backpack Size

Below we’ll now answer some of the frequent questions we get about the best Inca Trail backpack size, as well as anything else important that you need to know.

Does An Inca Trail Backpack Size Really Matter?

This really depends on your own hiking experience and how comfortable you are with different backpack sizes when trekking for long distances. For most people it makes sense to bring a 30-40 litre backpack as it’s the most comfortable, where a 20 litre daypack is perfect for the daytime hikes. A smaller backpack can also work if you’re more of a minimalist when heading on multi-day treks such as the four day Inca Trail route.

How Strict Are Machu Picchu On Backpack Size?

Machu Picchu has different regulations regarding backpack sizes compared with the Inca Trail – and are generally more strict. Within the ancient site they only permit backpacks less than 20 litres in size – meaning your big bags will be transported and safely secured for you by our team while you tour Machu Picchu. You can however bring in a smaller day pack with you when walking around the site.

What To Pack For A 4 Day Inca Trail?

For the full four day Inca Trail, you’ll need warm layers such as a thick coat, gloves and hat for the evenings, as well as light hiking layers for the warmer days. You’ll also need high quality hiking boots, a water bottle, washing items as well as a poncho if you are going during the rainy season. You can see our full Inca Trail packing list here for an exact breakdown of what you’ll need for the trek.

Overview Of The Best Inca Trail Backpack Size

And that’s all for this guide on the best Inca Trail backpack size to bring on the trek.

The very best experience hiking the Inca Trail comes from proper planning, and making sure you have everything that you need before departing Cusco. Having the right Inca Trail backpack size is also very important – in order to avoid carrying too much weight or not enough items – and as we’ve seen a 30-40 litre backpack is the perfect model to bring, as well as a 20 litre for the actually bag you will carry when hiking during the longer days.

Ready to book in your dream Inca Trail experience? Take a look now at our Four Day Inca Trail Hike, which includes all hiking gear, camping equipment, buffet-style meals and exceptional tours guides who will lead your group along the four day route.