Years down the track when I am reflecting on life, I know that I will definitely have great fond memories of my 30^th birthday in Peru. I was a little uneasy travelling to South America PLUS I wanted to trek the Inca Trail, so I thought it was best to join a tour – something I had NEVER done before… I ended up booking the YOLO, Peru on a Shoestring Tour with G Adventures and I was so so glad that I did… what an adventure it was!

After reading several blogs, websites and getting advice from friends – below is what I actually took (thought I should give back to the travel community…). It turns out, that careful research actually paid off and EVERYTHING that I took was actually useful – except the hand towel, one towel is enough people….

Gear

Osprey Ariel 65L Backpack (which came with a rain cover)

Osprey airporter bag (to put the 65L in to and lock it)

Osprey Talon 33L Daypack

Osprey Raincover for Daypack

1 x Goretex gloves

2 x travel towels (hand & bath)

30L Osprey Hydration bladder

VANGO Ultralite 1300 Sleeping Bag

Mountain Warehouse headlamp with infrared

1 roll of plastic bags

1 rain poncho (bought from Cusco, Peru)

Clothing

1 x The North Face 2-1 Rain jacket with fleece

1 x The North Face fleece

3 x The North Face walking trousers

1 x genie trousers

1 x dressy top (not really it was just a check printed top)

1 x track suit

1 x t-shirt

2 x Uniqlo thermal leggings

2 x Uniqlo thermal long sleeve tops

2 x Gap thermal long sleeve tops

2 x regular long sleeve tops

1 x beanie

8 x socks (including 3 hiking socks + 1 wool socks knitted by grandma)

1 x Mountain Warehouse waterproof overt trousers

Footwear

Salomon Quest 4D GTX Ladies Walking Boots

The North Face Light Trail Hiking Shoes

A pair of Toms

Havaianas flip flops

Toiletries & Medication

Boots Extra Strength Water Purification tablets

Sudafed – cold and flu tablets

Nurofen – ibuprofen

Panadol – paracetamol

Itch Cream

Sun burn cream

Hand Cream

8 packets of tissues

1 packet of wet wipes

lip balm

deodorant

toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, soap, facial cleanser)