Yes, if you’re going to Peru I will assume you shall be seeing Machu Picchu. You are, right? I hope so, and if that’s the case, if you are going to scale the mountain to the Incan high-rise, you should remember to pack this list of all-important additions to what will be an experience of a lifetime.

Let’s get the obvious out of the way: Take a camera. I recommend a good one, a photo will never do justice to the actual experience, what you see with your own eyes; but a good camera will certainly be a big improvement over a phone for instance.

Good footwear. There are a few different ways to get up there, but for the sake of this article let’s say you’re doing it the hard way, the 5-day trek along the Inca Trail from Cusco. You’re going to be walking, a lot, so pack a pair of comfortable, reliable, sturdy and waterproof shoes.

Speaking of waterproof, you need to be. While the area doesn’t normally experience a lot of rainfall, you don’t want to get caught out if there is. The rainy season is November to April, so if you’re heading there during this time take sure you take a raincoat and other waterproof materials to protect your belongings, in case of a downpour.

Layers. Take those nice thermal under layers, they’re light and effective. It’s important not to forget you’ll up nearly 2,500 metres above sea level, the air can be brisk and chilled, the last thing you want is to catch a cold!

Sun screen, insect repellant, hand sanitizer, toothpaste/brush, toilet paper and a first aid kit. This is a trek, there are no shops or hotels for those accessories, so pack them yourself. All those things that you take for granted each day are in short supply up there, so arm yourself with anything you think you’ll need.

Pack light. While I might be giving you a list of things you should take, it’s important to remember that there’s a lot of walking, so be careful to only take what you need. It’s also important to take your patience with you, the walk up is traveled often by many tourists but it is regulated so that only a certain number can go each day. What’s more, it is closed whenever there is maintenance that needs to be done, or the weather conditions are unsuitable.

A couple of final notes: Due to the popularity of the trek, you’ll need to book early, as there is a limit of how many can travel each day, it is very necessary to book your place to avoid any disappointment upon arrival. Another thing to note is that, while there are English speaking guides to take you up, knowing a little Spanish will improve your experience; this is especially true if you plan on seeing more of Peru than just Machu Picchu — Something I also would recommend — So take a look at some classes or inquire for more info!