What to Wear in Cusco

What to Wear
Altitude is the real wardrobe challenge in Cusco. At 3,399 metres, the gap between midday sun and evening or early morning can be dramatic — often a 20-degree swing within the same day. There’s no single packing strategy that works here; genuine layering is the only reliable approach.

A thermal or merino base layer, a warm fleece mid-layer, and a windproof outer shell will comfortably cover the full daily range. Plenty of visitors end up buying a locally made alpaca wool jumper around the Plaza de Armas market — both practical and a nice nod to the local craft, given that Peruvian alpaca genuinely ranks among the finest natural fibres available, at a fraction of what the same quality would cost in Europe or North America.

Sun protection at altitude matters more than people expect. UV exposure climbs significantly at 3,400 metres, and sunburn comes faster and worse than at sea level — even on days that feel cool because of the thin air. High-SPF sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses are genuinely necessary, not optional extras.

Comfortable, sturdy shoes with real grip matter for Cusco’s cobbled streets, which run uneven and occasionally slippery when wet. For Machu Picchu itself, closed walking shoes or light hiking shoes are essential given the stone paths and steps throughout the site.