Where to Store Your Luggage Before the 2-Day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
Packing for the Inca Trail is a balancing act. You need enough gear for changing mountain weather, but every extra kilo counts once you’re climbing stone steps at over 2,700 meters above sea level. So what happens to the rest of your luggage the big suitcase, the city clothes, the things you simply don’t need on the trail? Here’s a full breakdown of how luggage storage works before, during, and after your 2-Day Inca Trail adventure.
Leave Your Main Luggage at Your Hotel in Cusco
The simplest and most reliable option is your hotel in Cusco. Nearly every hotel in the city — from budget hostels to boutique properties — offers a secure luggage storage room free of charge for guests, whether or not you’re staying with them the night you return.
Since most Inca Trail itineraries have you spending at least one night in Cusco before the trek to acclimatize to the altitude, this works out naturally: check in, unpack only what you need for the trail, and leave everything else locked away until you’re back.
Pro tip: Book the same hotel for your nights before and after the trek. It saves you from hauling luggage across town and guarantees your bag is exactly where you left it.
What Your Tour Operator Provides
Most Inca Trail agencies also offer secure storage at their own office, and many include this as a standard part of your package. During your pre-trek briefing, your guide will typically hand you:
- A duffel bag for the belongings your porter will carry (usually capped around 5–7 kg, including your sleeping bag if rented)
- A small daypack (25–30 liters) that stays with you for water, snacks, sunscreen, and a rain layer
Everything else — your suitcase, city shoes, spare electronics stays behind, either at your hotel or your operator’s office, until you finish the trek.
What to Pack in Your Daypack vs. What to Leave Behind
| Take with you (daypack) | Leave in storage |
|---|---|
| Passport & original Inca Trail permit | Extra clothing for the city |
| Cash (soles) or Dolar | Laptop and non-essential electronics |
| Rain jacket and warm layer | Suitcase or large backpack |
| Sunscreen, insect repellent | Jewelry and valuables |
| Camera | Excess toiletries |
Traveling light isn’t just about comfort trail regulations and porter weight limits mean overpacked bags can create real problems on trek day.
Storing Luggage Before Your Train Ride Home
If your return route includes the train from Aguas Calientes or Ollantaytambo, keep in mind that train operators enforce carry-on size limits typically one carry-on suitcase or a medium backpack per passenger. Anything larger needs to be stored ahead of time, which is one more reason to leave bulky items in Cusco rather than trying to bring them along for the round trip.
Safety Tips for Storing Your Belongings
- Use a small padlock on your suitcase, even in hotel storage rooms.
- Avoid leaving cash, jewelry, or electronics you’re not using in checked luggage.
- Take a photo of your bag and its contents before handing it over, just in case.
- Confirm pickup hours in advance — some hotel storage rooms have limited access outside reception hours.
Ready to Hike the 2-Day Inca Trail?
Luggage logistics are one less thing to worry about once you book with an operator who handles the details for you. From secure storage in Cusco to porter-carried duffel bags on the trail, everything is designed so you can focus on the hike — not your suitcase.
Book your 2-Day Inca Trail experience today and travel light, knowing your belongings are safe and waiting for you back in Cusco.