I’m taking a very short hiatus to spend some quality time with family for the holidays. I’ll be back in early January!
I hope you all have a wonderful holiday break and enjoy a prosperous New Year!
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The older I get, the more I hate clutter. Yet I also love giving (and receiving) thoughtful gifts. It’s such an obvious way to show your love. So I’ve come to love the idea of giving “consumable” gifts. Here are my top clutter-free gift ideas!
Homemade Treats with a Note
This one is simple and personal. Cookies, caramel, toffee, or bread wrapped with care and a handwritten note always feels more special than store-bought gifts. It’s made with intention, enjoyed fully, and then gone.
I’ll provide instructions for my favorite – and EASY – treat to give out at Christmas below!
Nice Dinner Out (or In)
A gift card to a favorite restaurant, or a thoughtfully chosen new one, is such an underrated gift. It turns into a planned evening instead of another thing to store. I think people are afraid to give gift cards because it seems lazy and impersonal, but in reality, it’s pretty perfect! It provides a date night without adding stuff to pile somewhere.
Consumable Subscription (Coffee, Snacks, Wine, Tea)
I’m definitely no fan of pickles, but Chris’s aunt gave her mom (Chris’s grandma) and subscription to monthly pickles! Each month she got a new flavor of pickles. Not my cup of tea (and speaking of which, you can probably gift a subscription for that too) but Chris’s grandma sure loved it. It’s the kind of gift that keeps showing up and feels exciting every time, without creating a long-term obligation or mess.
Audiobook or E-Book Credits
This is perfect for readers, commuters, runners, or busy parents who don’t have time to sit and read. Stories without shelves. Entertainment without clutter. It’s also incredibly flexible: they get to choose exactly what they want, when they want it.
Cooking, Art, or Fitness Class
I love gifts that teach you something new or help you rediscover a hobby you forgot you loved. Whether it’s a pottery class, cooking lesson, or yoga series, this gift becomes an experience instead of an object. No clutter required.
Concert, Theater, or Live Event TicketsThis is a great idea because it lingers long after the event is over. There’s something really special about counting down to a night out, getting dressed up, grabbing dinner, and sharing an experience together. Long after Christmas decorations are packed away, you’re still talking about that concert or that show.
Massage or Spa Gift Card
This is the kind of gift people rarely buy for themselves, but always appreciate. It’s thoughtful, practical, and sends a very clear message: you deserve rest. Unlike physical gifts that end up tucked into a drawer, this one forces the recipient to slow down and take care of themselves, which has long term benefits.
National Parks Pass or Museum Membership
This is a gift that encourages adventure, curiosity, and time together. Instead of another toy or decor item, you’re giving access to places and experiences. Every visit becomes a memory, and nothing needs to be dusted afterward. You know me and Chris are diehard National Parks fans – if you seriously consider gifting a Parks Pass, make sure the recipient doesn’t already have one and has parks nearby enough they can reasonably get to.
Quality Time (Planned and Promised)
This could be a hike together, a movie night, a monthly lunch date, or even a coupon for babysitting. It’s not flashy, but it’s often the most appreciated gift of all. Time is something we all want more of, and giving it intentionally is truly clutter-free.
My Favorite Christmas Treat
This is seriously so easy and freaking DELICIOUS. It combines salty with sweet. They can really be made any time of year, this is just so perfect to give to neighbors so I end up making them at Christmas.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting my blog!
Ingredients:
Pretzels – I prefer the rectangle ones by Snyder’s of Hanover
RolosThat’s it. I’ve seen variations that include pecans or m&ms, but just pretzels and rolos is my favorite.
- Preheat the oven to 250°
- Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper
- Add a bunch of pretzels
- Put unwrapped rolos on half of them
- Bake for 3-5 minutes (not too melty, just barely melted enough to smoosh)
- Stick the pretzels that don’t have a rolo on them on top of the rolos and smoosh down a little, not too much
And voila! Let them cool in the fridge just long enough to not be sticky for packaging. Add to a cute box or bag, and hand deliver!
If you prefer, smoosh a pecan or an m&m on top of the melted rolos instead of another pretzel.
Happy gifting!
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I don’t always feel like a creative person, even though I try to be.
My brain doesn’t naturally work in a “make something out of thin air” kind of way. I’m not great at inventing images, scenes, or backgrounds from nothing. But give me something to look at, such as a photo, a reference, a starting point, then I can recreate surprisingly well. I can draw a fairly realistic portrait if I have a picture to work from. But when I try to create something from thin air, my mind draws a blank. Just a big fuzzy nothing.
A while ago, we graduated our daughter from her crib to a real bed. My husband built a beautiful bed frame and headboard, and I was assigned the task of painting. We originally planned an elaborate scene: mountains, a castle, maybe even a unicorn. It quickly became obvious that this was more ambitious than I had time for. The castle and hills were scrapped, and I decided to just have it be a unicorn on a mountain backdrop.
Chris used his CNC machine to cut out unicorn shapes, and then they sat. For over a year.
They sat because I was overwhelmed. I wanted them to be right, and without a clear vision in my head, I kept putting it off. Every time I thought about painting them, I felt stuck.
A couple of weeks ago, I finally did it.
I found a few unicorn images online to use as references, took a deep breath, and started painting. Chris had made two unicorns in different sizes because he wasn’t sure which would work best, so I painted both.
Now it’s a mommy unicorn and a daughter unicorn, and Mae is thrilled.
That’s how I’m creative. It’s less “burst of inspiration” and more “two years of procrastination followed by a weekend of confidence.” In this case, I think it was worth the wait!
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This was such a meaningful trip for us, and Peru will always be the place that truly opened my eyes to how big and beautiful the world is. We’d love to return someday. We’d repeat our favorite spots, skip the parts we didn’t need a second time, and add in a few bucket-list experiences we missed. Here’s how I’d travel to Peru differently on a future trip.
Cusco & Surrounding Area
Sacsayhuamán
It’s a shame we didn’t make it the first time around, though I’m not sure I would have appreciated it as much as I would now. Have you heard of Graham Hancock? He’s got some fascinating theories on the true age of the earth, and he points to places like Sacsayhuaman as his evidence.The stonework is unbelievable. Massive blocks fitted so tightly together that you can’t even slide a piece of paper between them. Next time I’d plan a slow wander through the entire complex, exploring the zig-zag walls, the viewpoints over Cusco, and the surrounding sites like Q’enqo and Tambomachay. This whole area has that mysterious, ancient energy Graham Hancock loves to talk about, and being there makes you wonder how much history we still don’t understand.
Q’iswa Chaka (Incan Hand-Woven Suspension Bridge)
This is one of the last remaining traditional rope bridges, rebuilt by local communities every year with braided grass. It hangs over a canyon with nothing but the rushing river beneath it. It’s a living piece of Incan engineering you can still walk across. Carefully.
Sacred Valley
Ollantaytambo
We rushed through this gem way too fast. Next time I’d stay overnight in the old town, explore the Sun Temple ruins without feeling hurried, and wander the narrow stone streets where water still flows through ancient channels. It’s one of those rare places where modern life and Incan history blend together so naturally that you feel like you’ve stepped into another time. If we brought the kids, they would love the llamas (me too, of course), the market stalls, and watching the trains come and go on their way to Machu Picchu.
Machu Picchu Region
Machu Picchu & Huayna Picchu
I’d absolutely return to Machu Picchu, it’s the kind of place you never forget and can’t get enough of. But instead of hiking up Machu Picchu Mountain again, I’d maybe try to get tickets for Huayna Picchu, the iconic peak that towers over the citadel. The trail is steeper, narrower, and carved right into the rock in places, but the views from the top look unreal. Plus, you can explore the Temple of the Moon, tucked into caves on the backside of the mountain.
Beyond the Sacred Valley
Nazca Lines
If we could make the travel work, I’d finally book the small-plane flight over the Nazca Lines. Seeing the hummingbird, monkey, astronaut, and condor from above feels like the only way to really appreciate their scale. It’s a longer detour than most people expect, but it’s one of those “once you’re already in Peru…” opportunities that would be worth the effort.
Please comment and let me know what I’m missing!
And with that, this wraps up my thoughts on how I’d redo a future trip to Peru. If you get a chance to visit, let me know what you’d recommend!If you like this post, you can subscribe for free using the Subscribe button on the bottom right corner of your screen!
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My mom got me a book for Christmas every year growing up, and I always felt like she did a great job picking a book that I’d love to read. I imagine this gets difficult to pick a new age-appropriate book as each year passes! My own kids aren’t old enough to know how to read yet, but I enjoy reading to them. Here are some of my favorites, for little littles and older!
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Little Little to Little Kids (0-5 ish):
- Pout Pout Fish by Deborah Diesen
- I bought this for my little little kids after reading it at a doctors office a few years ago. It’s a really sweet story about taking a seemingly negative attribute about yourself and turning it into something positive. I am not ashamed to say the first time I read it, it made me tear up a bit (I may have been pregnant at the time…)
- Best Mother Goose Ever by Richard Scarry
- Every child everywhere must know Mother Goose rhymes, and it must be illustrated by Richard Scarry – no ifs ands or buts! In my mind, Mother Goose rhymes go hand-in-hand with Richard Scarry illustrations – no one else does it better!
Little Kids (4-7 ish):
- The Best Little Monkeys in the World by Natalie Standiford
- This was my FAVORITE story when I was around 4-5 and before I learned to read. I asked my mom to read it to me so much that I had it memorized, and I could “read” it to my neighbor friends and wow them with my magical ability to read. The trick to this book is that you HAVE to emphasize the phrase “BEEEEEST little monkeeeeeys in the woooorld” just the right way.
- The Lorax by Dr. Seuss
- Really, just about any book by Dr. Seuss could make it on my list of best books for kids. I own probably half of his oeuvre and picking the best was difficult, but as a kid I was always wowed by the colorful trees and bushes and creatures in this book.
- Thomas’ Snowsuit by Robert Munsch
- Robert Munsch books are hit or miss for me, but he has a lot of really good ones! But no doubt, my favorite is Thomas’ Snowsuit! It’s the hilarious story of a boy who refuses to wear his ugly brown snowsuit and chaos ensues at home and at school.
Little to Little Bigger Kids (6-9 ish):
- Heckedy Peg by Audrey Wood
- This book is equal parts spooky (thus I’m rating for kids a bit older) and sweet. I was always enchanted by the illustrations in this book, and the story of the mother who is able to save her beloved children from Heckedy Peg has always been a favorite of mine.
- Ramona Quimby, Age 8 by Beverly Cleary
- I love Beverly Cleary books. You could pick and love pretty much any of them, and she has a good span of books for different aged readers. I always loved Ramona – my mom said I reminded her of Ramona, which made her endearing to me. She’s fun and smart and mischievous!
- Matilda by Roald Dahl
- Like other authors on this list, it’s hard to pick a favorite Roald Dahl book. All of them are magical. And make sure when you get a book by Roald Dahl, it is illustrated by Quentin Blake! Matilda is the story of an extraordinary girl who is able to attain extraordinary powers!
Tweens (10-12 ish):
- Holes by Louis Sachar
- Louis Sachar has written several books, but Holes is definitely the best that I’ve read. I just found out there’s a sequel! I’ll have to read it. I read Holes before the movie came out (before it was cool haha) and I loved it. The movie version is pretty good too, but nothing beats the magic of reading a story yourself. This book makes you feel all the feels!
- Goose Girl by Shannon Hale
- Another magical story, this time of a princess who is usurped by her handmaid on her travels to her betrothed. She hides in plain sight working at the royal palace as a goose girl while also learning to communicate with the geese. It’s a magical and very rewarding read! It has 3 sequels.
Any Age
- You Are Special by Max Lucado
- This is a story good for ages 0-99+. Everyone everywhere sometimes needs a reminder that we are all uniquely special, and we all deserve love.
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- Pout Pout Fish by Deborah Diesen
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Philadelphia has been on my travel wishlist for a long time, and more especially since our Pizza Crawl. You know I love a good excuse to eat my way through a city, and I’d LOVE to try an authentic Philly cheesesteak. What really draws me in is the blend of history, culture, and energy packed into such a walkable place.
It’s one of the few cities where you can stand on the same cobblestones where the country was shaped, then turn a corner and find vibrant neighborhoods, incredible museums, and art installations tucked into unexpected spots. I’d love to see Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, wander through Reading Terminal Market, and take my time exploring the Museum of American Revolution. Maybe run up the Rocky Steps?
Philadelphia feels like the perfect mix of meaningful sightseeing and laid-back exploring, where every block has a story. One day, sooner than later, we’ll make it there!
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At what point does a person actually become an adult? I still haven’t figured it out, and I have two children of my own. We received some of these gifts from our parents over the years to help with the transition of adulthood.
So if your adult children are still texting you questions like “How can I tell if my milk has gone bad?” or “Can you help patch a hole in my jeans?”, congratulations! You’ve successfully raised a grown human who somehow skipped the actual adulting part! Christmas is the perfect time to gently shove them toward independence. Here are some ideas to help them finally level up in life!
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Adulting Starter Kit:
My kids are just starting school, so it’s hard for me to imagine sending them into the real world one day without a few of these key safety items.
- I think most adults being shoved out of the house probably don’t have many valuables worth locking up, but this fireproof safe is perfectly sized and great for keeping documents, passports, social security cards, birth certificates… safe.
- Carbon Monoxide is a silent killer. Make sure your adult children have this 5-in-1 Gas Leak and Carbon Monoxide Detector in their home. While they’re at it, have them check their radon levels if they’re in an area prone to radon.
- You never know when disaster will strike. Keep them safe with this 250-piece Survival Kit with all emergency essentials.
- This 4Patriots Emergency Food Kit includes 128 MREs with a 25-year shelf life!
Car Essentials:
- If you aren’t gonna be around to check their tires, make sure they have a good tire pressure gauge. This one is digital and easy to use!
- This small car escape keychain provides BIG benefits in an emergency situation. It’s small enough to always have on your keychain, and it will cut you free from a seatbelt and break the window in an emergency.
- This Roadside Car Emergency Kit includes jumper cables, tow straps, and other essentials your adult child will need in a roadside emergency.
Needs Help in the Kitchen:
- If your adult child is feeling homesick for delicious home-cooked dinners, give them this Sous Vide Precision Cooker. Not all Sous Vides come with a container and bags, but this set does. The Sous Vide works magic in the kitchen! It makes delicious and perfectly cooked meats a breeze.
- For your adult child prone to letting food go bad, this Vacuum Sealer will work wonders. It helps keep meats, cheeses, and vegetables fresh. It also works great for use with the Sous Vide and for marinades.
- Now that they’ve marinated and cooked a delicious home-cooked meal, they’ll need help cleaning up the mess. This Shark Steam Mop removes sticky residue from kitchen floors quickly and easily.
Keeps Asking for Help Mending Clothes:
Maybe kids these days aren’t mending their clothes, but I know from personal experience that choosing between paying the mortgage versus buying a new pair of jeans is not easy.
- Singer is well known for providing high quality sewing machines. This Singer Heavy Duty High Speed Sewing Machine can do just about anything!
- If you want, you can also throw in this beginner sewing kit with plenty of thread, needles, and scissors.
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This was our exact 10-day Peru itinerary including flights, hotels, transfers, and tours. It’s written day-by-day so you can easily follow the same route. It includes Lima, the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Cusco, Puno, and Lake Titicaca, all in an efficient, no-backtracking loop.
Here’s how our trip unfolded:
Day 0: Trip Preparations
- Clean to come home to a clean house
- Last minute packing
- Dropped pups off with dog sitters with food and their favorite toys
Day 1: Fly to Lima
SLC → Atlanta → Lima
9:45 AM — Depart Salt Lake City
3:33 PM — Arrive in Atlanta
5:50 PM — Continue to Lima
11:35 PM — Arrive in Lima, PeruCheck-in: Wyndham Costa del Sol Lima Airport
Conveniently connected to the airport, perfect for early flights the next morning.After landing late at night, we were supposed to check into the Wyndham Costa del Sol Lima Airport. However this was the one and only hiccup we ran into on our trip – they didn’t have a place for us to sleep. We got it worked out after a lot of phone calls…
- No baggage claims necessary if you are able to use carry ons
Day 2: Travel to the Sacred Valley
Fly to Cusco • Transfer to the Sacred Valley
10:50 AM — Fly from Lima to Cusco
12:15 PM — Land in CuscoFrom the Cusco airport, we had a private transfer straight to the Sacred Valley, which helps with altitude adjustment.
Check-in: Sonesta Posadas del Inca Yucay
A peaceful hotel set in a former monastery, perfect for resting before Machu Picchu.Day 3: Machu Picchu Tour
Train to Machu Picchu • Group Tour • Lunch at Inkaterra
This was our big travel day into Aguas Calientes.
We took the Expedition Train toward Machu Picchu, then met up with our group tour of the ruins.
Afternoon:
We toured Machu Picchu with a guide, the classic upper viewpoints, terraces, and temples.Lunch:
Inkaterra Café (included with the tour), located right by the river and the train tracks.Check-in: Tierra Viva Machu Picchu
We stayed here for two nights, giving us time for more exploring the next day.Day 4: Machu Picchu Hike
This was our self-guided day back inside the site.
We hiked to the top of Machu Picchu via the Sun Gate (Inti Punku).
We explored more of the little town of Aguas Calientes after the hike, and spent a second night at Tierra Viva Machu Picchu.
Day 5: Return to Cusco
We took the train back from Aguas Calientes toward Cusco and checked into:
Hotel: Los Portales Hotel Cusco
We stayed here to two nights and we were able to get some well-needed rest after the big hike the prior day.We used this day to explore Cusco at our own pace before our tour the next morning.
Day 6: Tour of Qurikancha
This day centered around the Qurikancha (Temple of the Sun) — one of the most important Inca temples in Cusco.
We learn about the Inca stonework and the colonial church built on top of it.
Second night at Los Portales Hotel Cusco.
Day 7: Travel to Lake Titicaca
Fly to Juliaca • Transfer to Puno
11:10 AM — Depart Cusco
12:05 PM — Arrive in JuliacaWe had a private transfer from Juliaca Airport to Puno with an English-speaking guide.
Check-in: La Hacienda Puno
We stayed here for two nights while visiting Lake Titicaca.Day 8: Exploring Lake Titicaca
Floating Islands of Uros • Island of Taquile Tour
This was our Lake Titicaca tour day.
We took a guided boat trip to:
- The Floating Islands of Uros — man-made reed islands
- Taquile Island — famous for textiles and terraced hills
This was one of the most memorable cultural days of the trip.
Second night at La Hacienda Puno.
Day 9: Return to Lima
Puno → Juliaca • Fly to Lima
We had a private transfer from Puno to the Juliaca airport.
1:15 PM — Fly from Juliaca to Lima
2:50 PM — Arrive in LimaWe had this night on our own in Lima before our red-eye flight home. We visited the Larco Museum.
Day 10: Return Home
Lima → Atlanta → SLC
1:05 AM — Depart Lima
9:00 AM — Arrive in Atlanta
2:00 PM — Final flight to Salt Lake City
3:56 PM — Land in SLCAfter picking up the puppies, unpacking, and catching up on laundry, we ended the night with full hearts: grateful for the memories and the rewarding journey we’d just experienced.
Stay Tuned: the next post will detail the places in Peru we’d love to see next time!
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This is an impossible question to answer. Every place I’ve visited has given me something different. And while I haven’t exactly birthed any vacation spots, the classic mom line of “I love you all equally” feels pretty fitting here.
Peru was my first international trip, and nothing compares to that eye-opening feeling of stepping into a new country for the first time. Thailand amazed me with its beauty and vibrant culture. Hiking Half Dome in Yosemite and trekking down to Phantom Ranch pushed me to my limits and rewarded me in unforgettable ways. And wandering through the towering Redwoods reminded me just how small we really are in this world.
Sure, there have been a few places that were disappointing or underwhelming, but most destinations have been incredible. And when it comes to National Parks, I’ve yet to visit one I didn’t love.
Each place has been special for its own reason, which is why choosing a single favorite feels impossible. They’ve all shaped me in their own way – just like kids do.
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Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting my blog!
This is a long one, but stay with me, there’s a lot of great info for a trip to Peru!
Know Before You Go
Paperwork
- Passports must be valid for more than 6 months beyond your travel dates. Make sure to check the status of your passport well in advance. When we went, my passport was going to expire five months after our return from Peru, which meant I had to get a new one, which takes time. So get on it!
- Make two copies of your passport. Keep one with your luggage and one with a family member at home.
- Print and keep safe copies of your itinerary details and tickets in case you run into problems accessing them digitally.
- Also leave a copy with a family member so they know your planned locations in case of emergency.
- Print and keep safe copies of your vaccination history in case it comes up – see next section
- Contact the US Embassy in Peru and sign up for alerts on their website to ensure you have a plan in case of an emergency during your visit out of the country https://pe.usembassy.gov/
Vaccinations
If traveling to Peru from the United States, there are no required vaccinations UNLESS you are traveling to or from the Amazon jungle. In those cases, a Yellow Fever certificate may be required. For example, one of the couples that joined us on our Machu Picchu tour had stopped in Brazil to visit the Amazon rainforest prior to coming to Peru. They were required to get a Yellow Fever vaccination.
If you are coming directly from the United States and only traveling to places in Peru, you shouldn’t be required to get any vaccinations, though these following vaccinations are recommended:
- Hepatitis A
- Typhoid
- Yellow Fever (if visiting jungle areas below 8,200 feet, also see above)
- Routine vaccinations up-to-date (MMR, Tetanus, Polio)
- Rabies (optional)
- Hepatitis B (optional)
- COVID-19 booster (though this wasn’t a thing when we went in 2017)
Currency
The local currency in Peru is the PEN – Peruvian Nuevo Sol. 1 PEN is about $0.30.
You will have lots of advice online about how to get the best currency exchange rates, but let me stop you and tell you that it is NOT WORTH IT. When we traveled to Thailand in 2022, the internet had us going to the lowest level of the Bangkok Airport to a little spot that had the best exchange rate for USD to THB. I ended up getting myself an extra 10 THB by doing this. It wasn’t easy to get there, and as I walked away and did the math, I realized we put in all that extra work to get an extra $0.30.
IT’S NOT WORTH IT. Regardless of where you go, the exchange rate differences will be NEGLIGIBLE. Do yourself a favor and just exchange currency where it is convenient. I mean, obviously make sure the place is legit. Don’t do exchanges with street money changers, only use official exchange houses or banks. It’s easiest to do this at the airport upon arrival. Exchange more money than you think you’ll need, and whatever you don’t use, you can exchange back when you fly home. And just know going in that you are going to take a loss when exchanging back to USD – there’s no getting around it. So make sure you have enough cash in the local currency, but don’t overdo it either. A lot of places accepted credit card, so for us, somewhere between $300-$500 was sufficient for our whole stay in Peru, and have plenty of small bills in the local currency for tipping.
Also keep in mind that when exchanging back, they will only exchange bills, not coin. So either give away your last coins as tips or keep as a souvenir!
TLDR: Don’t bother hunting down the best exchange rates, just exchange your bills where both convenient and legit – the airport or official banks. Stay away from street money changers. Have enough small bills for tipping, and $300-$500 for a week in Peru is probably sufficient.
Water
Don’t drink the tap water in Peru, and skip out on the ice as well. Stick with bottled water for the duration of your stay. The last thing you need on vacation is to get sick.
Altitude Sickness
This is a serious concern for many visitors to Peru, though it wasn’t as big of a deal for us coming from Utah which also has a high altitude. If you run into altitude sickness, don’t worry. They hand out coca tea and coca candies like it’s…. candy! Everywhere you go, someone will offer you altitude sickness remedies. If you are super worried, ask your doctor for Diamox.
Bug Protection
The biggest problem area in the specific itinerary we followed was the ascent up Machu Picchu, and this was not a problem in Lake Titicaca. We were advised to wear permethrin-treated clothing when hiking up Machu Picchu. The risk isn’t malaria, it’s more a risk of dengue. The risk is considered low to moderate at Machu Picchu, but still worth protecting yourself. The mosquitoes are sandflies, can’t be seen, and bites can be vicious. What we ended up doing is we sprayed our hiking clothes with DEET prior to rolling it all up and packing a day or so before we left the states. We also sprayed ourselves the morning of the hike using repellant purchased in Peru.
Travel Adapter
Peru uses mostly Type A and Type C plugs, and its voltage is 220v. Pick an adapter that you can use in places other than Peru so you don’t have to buy a new adapter with each place you visit. The one we use works great for standard electronics, but is not great for things like hair dryers. I never bother drying my hair while on vacation anyway.
What to Pack
We always try to fit everything into carry ons so we don’t have to worry about checking luggage. This can be tricky with a longer international trip, but the key is to rely on hotel laundry services, which can be surprisingly affordable in places like Peru. The other key is to decide ahead of time what to leave home and just purchase in Peru. If your airline allows one carry on and one personal item, plan for using a CamelBak (or other hydration pak) as your personal item and put your fanny pack in either your carry on or CamelBak.
What to Skip (and purchase in Peru)
- Water
- Snacks
- DEET (see note above)
- Washrag/Loofah – just use what your hotel provides
- Toiletries – just use what your hotel provides (unless you’re picky)
What to Pack in Carry-On
I’ll list separately what to keep in your Camelbak (personal item) and Fanny Pack (stuffed in either carry on or Camelbak), and I’ll also specify what to plan to have on you for the hike up Machu Picchu. Pack light! Use hotel laundry services when you run out of clean clothes, but don’t have them wash your DEET-sprayed hiking clothes until after you’ve hiked up Machu Picchu.
- 2-3 moisture-wicking and SPF hiking shirts (sprayed with DEET)
- 1-2 quick dry hiking pants (sprayed with DEET)
- 2-3 casual t-shirts
- 1-2 casual pants
- 1 sweater/jacket for chilly evenings
- Your favorite ballcap
- 4-5 pairs of underwear
- 4-5 pairs of socks, including good hiking socks
- 1 pair of pajamas
- Hiking shoes
- Both me and Chris like Merrell. I wear these hiking boots, the ankle height helps with my stability, and Chris wears these – whatever hiking shoes you wear, make sure they are worn in!
- I also like Salomon hiking boots. Keep in mind that the waterproof kind seal in heat. Salomon sizing runs truer to normal sizing.
- Essential Toiletries
- Travel-sized shampoo, conditioner, body soap
- Travel-sized toothbrush, toothpaste
- Deodorant
- Brush, pick, hair ties, razor
- Glasses, contacts, travel-sized contact solution
- Make-up (keep it limited)
- Sunglasses – I love these polarized lenses and high UV protection
- Kinesiology Tape for targeted muscle support
- Fanny Pack full of items listed below (stuff in carry-on or Camelbak/personal item)
- Camelbak (or other hydration pack) full of items listed below
- Phone Charger
- Travel Adapter
- Camera (unless just using your phone camera)
- Compression Cube for holding dirty laundry on the way home if you’re concerned about space
Fanny Pack
This particular fanny pack has gotten me through many trips, it’s perfect! It is big enough with several pockets without being too bulky. Some of these items may not be necessary for a hike up Machu Picchu, but all of these items just permanently live inside my fanny pack and are not taking up extra space.
- Bandaids/Moleskin
- Chapstick
- Medicine (Ibuprofen/Tylenol/anything else you need)
- Inhaler (if needed)
- Lotion (travel-sized)
- Emergency blanket
- Tissues (travel-sized)
- Hand sanitizer (travel-sized)
- Phone
- Headphones (if you want to listen to an audiobook or music)
- Wallet/Money/Cash/ID
- Goldbond (we all hate chafing)
CamelBak For Hiking
- 3 liters of water (water bottles available for purchase everywhere)
- Snacks (purchased in Peru)
- Sunscreen (apply BEFORE spraying yourself with DEET)
- DEET (purchased in Peru)
- Wipes
- Packable rain jacket – rain can be unpredictable
- Portable Power Bank – in case your phone runs out of batteries from tracking your miles, listening to your audiobook, etc. This thing lasts forever!
- Trekking Poles (optional – we didn’t use these in Peru)
- Portable Fan with lights (optional – heat wasn’t a huge factor at Machu Picchu, the big obstacle was the stairs)
Worn on the Hike to Machu Picchu
- Good hiking pants sprayed with DEET – Chris wore something like this and I wore something like this
- Lightweight long sleeve UV protectant shirt sprayed with DEET – Chris wore something like this and I wore something like this
- Good shoes – both me and Chris like Merrell. I wear these hiking boots, the ankle height helps with my stability, and Chris wears these – whatever hiking shoes you wear, make sure they are worn in!
- I also like Salomon hiking boots. Keep in mind that the waterproof kind seal in heat. Salomon sizing runs truer to normal sizing.
- Good socks – I actually also put sweat bands around my ankles since I wear ankle height boots to protect from chafing.
- Sunglasses – I love these polarized lenses and high UV protection
- Your favorite ballcap
- Kinesiology Tape for targeted muscle support
- Goldbond
- CamelBak full of items listed above – We love this Fourteener model
- Fanny Pack full of items listed above – I love this one
Worst case scenario, you don’t have room for souvenirs to bring home. In that case, check your carry-on bag for the flight home and carry-on your souvenir bag. The bottom line is that you want your vacation to be as stress-free as possible – so make sure you have what you need but aren’t carrying too much weight!
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- Passports must be valid for more than 6 months beyond your travel dates. Make sure to check the status of your passport well in advance. When we went, my passport was going to expire five months after our return from Peru, which meant I had to get a new one, which takes time. So get on it!
Packing for Adventure 