Ausangate Trek Packing List

We’ll be carrying your duffle bag for you, which means all you need to take during the day is a backpack. You want it to be lightweight and just hold the essentials—snacks, water, camera, sunscreen, etc.We recommend a model with compression straps to reduce weight stress on your back, and side mesh pockets for quick access to your water bottle. The Osprey Talon is our recommended backpack.

It’s important you bring a rain cover for your backpack as you never know when it’ll rain in the Andes. If you decide to use an Osprey backpack, then make sure you get an Osprey Rain cover that matches the bag size for a snug fit—the same goes for other brands.

There’s always the likelihood of rain when trekking in Peru, especially during the rainy season (October-March). You should carry a hard-shell jacket for ultimate protection when it’s wet, like the North Face Resolve Jacket.We also suggest you take a compact rain poncho that can quickly be put on in the event of light showers.

This is sometimes referred to as the next-to-skin or first layer—here, we’ll call it the base layer. This is essential when you reach higher parts of the Ausangate Trek where it gets very cold and often below freezing.The best first layers fit snugly to the body (reducing air pockets and flow) and are made of high-wicking materials to facilitate moisture transfer.

Another extremely comfortable item of clothing you need for the trek is trekking pants. Our top recommended brands are Craghoppers, Columbia, or O’Neills. Bring a couple of pairs to last a few days on the trail.

The outer layer or third layer is usually made up of a windproof, waterproof, and most importantly, warm jacket and pants. These items are essential in the colder parts of the Ausangate Trek at high altitudes.We suggest you equip yourself with a high-quality jacket because it’s one of the few essential items that’ll ensure your warmth and comfort along the route.

We are fans of the North Face Nuptse Jacket—a market-leading winter jacket—but there are many synthetic alternatives that do a great job.

In terms of the Nuptse, the warmth and weight characteristics are outstanding. The Nuptse is a lifetime investment—the jacket will last years of active trekking and double well as a winter jacket in the city. Other top jacket brands include Patagonia Down Jacket, Arc’Teryx Atom, and Mountain Hardwear Down Jackets.

Similar to your outer layer jacket, outer gloves are like a shield that protects you from very low temperatures. They need to be warm, waterproof, and durable. Gore-Tex gloves from Dakine or similar options from The North Face, Outdoor Research, or Black Diamond are some of the best.

Inner gloves are like the next-to-skin layer for your hands—or the base layer. You need a lightweight model that dries quickly. A fleece material is ideal.We really like Pearl Izumi Thermal Lite Gloves, which can also be used as standalone gloves when the weather is moderately cold. Karrimor is another excellent brand.

A hiking hat is a must on the Ausangate Trek. You’re extremely close to the sun here and need to protect your face and neck from the UV rays. You can burn in minutes if you aren’t protected.Your hat should be light and easy to bend/fold so that it can fit into your backpack or rucksack. Trekking hats with a neck cover are great to give you ultimate protection.

Another headgear essential is a headband or beanie to withstand the freezing temperatures in the evenings and early mornings. As you reach higher altitudes, you’ll feel your head get cold very quickly, like your hands.A warm fleece beanie or fleece headband are absolute must-haves. Berghaus and The North Face make some wonderful beanies that are perfect for trekking in the cold.

The most crucial piece of trekking gear is your hiking boots as they’re what get you from one place to the next. You wouldn’t be hiking without them!Boots that don’t fit properly are a trekkers nightmare and can cause damaged toenails, painful blisters, and all-around sore feet.

To find a pair that fits you just right, put your foot in a boot without tying the shoelaces. Once in, slide your foot all the way forward until the toes hit the front end. You should be able to place your index finger down the back of the boot between your heels. If your finger has lots of room to move then the shoe is too big, but if you find it difficult to get your index finger into the boot, then the shoe is too small.

Some of our top-recommended hiking boot brands are: Scarpa, Salomon—we like the Quest range—, Berghaus—we like the Explorer range—, Hi-Tec, and Karrimor.

You know that the Ausangate Trek will get cold, so thermal socks are a must. Bring a few pairs for the highest parts of the trail where temperatures drop.We really like Smartwool thermal socks, as they’re really warm, provide great cushioning for the foot, and have flat seams (bulky seams result in blisters).

Other reputable brands include Wigwam and Bridgedale.

Another essential footwear item for optimum comfort is hiking socks. You need a pair a day as well as high-wicking sock liners.We applaud Coolmax hiking socks, as they provide superior breathability and have incredible wicking properties. Smartwool, Bridgedale, and Point 6 also make great socks.

Don’t use cotton socks on the trek, as these will lead to nasty blisters and sweating.

Gaiters are made from waterproof material and extend up from your boot to the top of your calf.Trekkers use gaiters to stop water, dust, mud, snow, ice, and small stones from getting into their hiking boots.

Even though you won’t be heading out on the trail after dark, you’ll still sometimes need to go to the bathroom or perhaps read before going to sleep. A lot of the campsites are poorly lit or have no electricity whatsoever, so extra lighting is very helpful.Petzl Tikka is the best headlamp brand. Don’t forget to bring spare batteries, too.

Walking poles are an optional item but one we tend to recommend. They can really help the tough impact on knees and ankles by up to 20%. They are fantastic for descents, as this is when you’ll experience the most pressure on your joints.We advise getting light-weight (around 350 grams per pair) and adjustable trekking poles, as they are simple to store and very adaptable. Black Diamond walking poles are great, as are Leki poles.

At high altitude, it’s much easier to suffer from dehydration, and keeping your body topped up with 2–3 liters a day is a must. Otherwise, you risk suffering from heatstroke or dizziness, which could lead you to missing out on the rest of your hike.Water can be taken in a standard water bottle—we recommend getting 2 x 1L CamelBak Water Bottles.

Or, if your daypack includes a place for a hydration bladder, then the 2L Platypus Hydration Bladder is a wonderful item.

There’s no doubt that the most spectacular part of the Ausangate Trek is the scenery, so you’re bound to want to capture some incredible photos. If you don’t have a great HD camera, it’s time to invest.Below are some recommended and affordable Digital SLR cameras. Remember, you want to ensure your camera is lightweight but still able to capture high-quality images.

We suggest the Panasonic Lumex. If you’re more likely to take videos, then you might want to consider a GoPro.