or how to quit your job and spend 3 weeks in Peru:
- 2-weeks notice & resignation letter to H.R.
- 1 week hiking Machu Picchu
- 2 weeks volunteering in Cusco

Have you seen this?  It’s framed and hanging on my bedroom wall.  Sometimes you have to swallow the shoulda-coulda-woulda’s, kick down the cubicle walls, and leap from high places. TRAVEL OFTEN.

One of my favorite part of travel is the prelude: the planning up to the departure date.

My least favorite part of planning is … packing.  I usually leave the inventory-related to-do’s to the last frantic minute but three weeks in Peru can’t be packed in minutes.  So here, I list all the things one might need when anticipating an adventure.  Note: I’m traveling during Peru’s summer (wet season), at high altitudes, with varying temperatures because of the long hike — from freezing cold nights to hot, sunny mid-day.

Remember, there’s only one tried & true rule to traveling: Travel Light.

** Items denoted with an asterisk (*) were purchased in anticipation of this trip.  If it weren’t for the hiking part, my budget would’ve been much smaller.
***Items in pink are pictured in the photo.

Things I’m Carrying:

• Camera Backpack* : Quick reflex-ready holster for my other pair of eyes.
• Silk Money Belt* : Gut feeling? Oh no, just your passport & soles (Peruvian money) wrapped in silk and safely against your belly.
• Other Bag (TBD) : For everything else from A to Undies.

Things I’m Bringing:

• Common sense.
• Toiletries | BB Cream
• Toiletries | Chapstick with SPF
• Toiletries | Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss
• Toiletries | Contact lens, case, travel-size solution
• Toiletries | (If the obvious isn’t listed, I’m buying it)
• Reading | Lonely Planet Peru* : I like to highlight, rip, dogear my travel books.
• Reading | Easy Spanish Phrase Book* : Over 770 phrases for $2? No debate.
• Gadgets | iPhone 4S : For all my handy-dandy apps.
• Gadgets | Nikon D700 DSLR : Really debated between bringing this chunk of metal and my much lighter, petite D3100.  Full versus cropped frame?  Peru’s meant to be experienced full-frame.
• Gadgets | MacBook Air (on loan) : I’ve some pre-work to do.
• Gadgets – Accessory | Extra camera battery*, battery charger, extra memory cards
• Gadgets – Accessory | Gorillapod Focus/Ballhead X* : I honestly do not trust my camera in anyone’s hands besides my own.  How’m I to take the iconic Machu Picchu self-portrait then?  Easy. Funky alien tripod and timer.
• Gadgets – Accessory | International Travel Charger – unnecessary, same as U.S.
• Gadgets – Portable clip-lights | for dark hostel rooms
• Misc | Towel : DryLite Towel*
• Misc | 2 Zip-loc bags : For things you don’t want touching your other things
• Misc | 1 Bobby Pins.
• Misc | 3 Hair ties : The ponytail is the best travel style
• Misc | Moleskine & pen
• Misc | Aspirin
• Misc | Altitude pills*
• Misc | Money, money, money!

Things I’m Wearing:

1. A scarf : This was a gift from someone I met at Turkey.  Better than souvenirs bought from hawkers.
2. Blue cap* :  Y’know, to block the sun
3. 2 Sets of water-resistant pants* : it’s light and rolls up
4. 2 Pairs of running capris* : also serves sweat-wicking baselayer
5. 1 Fleece Jacket* : Cold weather protection
6. 1 Flannel Hiking Shirt* : ExOfficio Plaid Long Sleeve Shirt
7. 3 Technical shirts* : 100% Nylon. Breathable, sweat-wicking, quick-drying.
8. Bathing suit : Left behind.
9. 1 Baselayer shirt : Uniqlo Heattech shirt for chillier nights
10. 1 Baselayer pants : chilly nights
11. 6 Pairs of socks* : Merino wool. Mostly Point6 socks.
12. 3 Sets of undies* : ExOfficio Give-N-Go
13. 2 Sports bras
14. Goretex hiking boots* : for the actual hike
15. Flip flops
16. Cheap $10 sunglasses
17. Eyeglasses : I have 3 pairs of Warby Parker glasses.  I won’t miss one less should anything happen.

Things I’m Leaving Behind:

• MacBook Pro w/ Retina : My own workhorse swapped for the lighter loaner (see above).
• Amazon Kindle : Already in my iPhone as an app.
• Theory Collar Shirt : My favorite shirt switched for camping shirt.
• Makeup : no lipgloss or nailpolish. Just grit under fingernails and grin on my face.
• Ignorance.
• Worries.

Resources:

Packing List for Peru Trip | Quixo

The Universal Packing List | Wish I had discovered this before I left on my trip!

How to Pack for a Nomadic Life | Taylor Davidson

Hiking Machu Picchu … On Your Period | Girl Guides

Cusco Clubhouse | SAE

Travel Independent | My favorite go-to site for backpacking and traveling on a budget, check out the country summaries