Planning a trip to Peru between May and October for an unforgettable trek to Machu Picchu or exploring the enchanting city of Cusco? Dive into crucial insights on dealing with Altitude Sickness, especially at the challenging Machu Picchu altitude.
Uncover the symptoms, precautions, and remedies before you embark on your journey. Remember, while this information is valuable, it’s not a substitute for professional medical advice. Consult your personal physician for comprehensive guidance on Altitude Sickness. Your adventure awaits, prepare wisely!
You can develop Altitude Sickness, also called Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) or Soroche, when you travel to an elevation higher than 2,500 m / 8,202 ft. above sea level.
When you travel to such high climes, your body goes through a few changes. Don’t worry you’re not going to morph into a teenage mutant ninja turtle or anything like that.
All that happens when you travel to higher elevations is, the atmospheric pressure drops, making the air thinner. This reduces the amount of oxygen your body can take in at a time. So, it’ll feel like you have to take in more breaths to really get a good gulp of air. This prevents the regular oxygenation of your blood.
Altitude Sickness can strike regardless of your age, gender, or fitness level. So, whether you’re a high performance athlete or a cute little couch potato, Altitude Sickness can affect you all the same.
That being said, if you have any pre-existing medical conditions, like heart problems, breathing difficulties, or diabetes, you should consult your physician before you set off on such a physically demanding trek.
Peruvians who live in Cusco’s heavenly climes have acclimatized to the high elevations that the ancient Incan capital rests upon. But if you’re a first time traveler visiting Peru’s Cusco, a sudden change in elevation could shock your body into developing Altitude Sickness symptoms. The symptoms of Altitude Sickness, which could develop within the first 12 – 24 hours of you landing in Peru’s Cusco, include:
Where AMS persists it can develop into a more serious condition: High-Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE), which could domino into High-Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE).
The symptoms listed below are on the severe end of the Altitude Sickness spectrum of symptoms:
Here’s a little guide to the top 12 most visited Peruvian cities and their elevations:
So, with Cusco lying at an elevation of 3,400 m / 11,150 ft. above sea level, you would think the Incan citadel of Machu Picchu lies at an elevation not far off. But think again. Contrary to popular belief, Machu Picchu lies at an elevation of 2,430 m / 7,972 ft. above sea level, that’s over a whopping 1,000 m / 3,280 ft. lower than the city of Cusco.
This then begs the question, ‘Could I get Altitude Sickness in Machu Picchu’? Well, technically, no. Machu Picchu’s elevation puts it into the Altitude Sickness free zone. However, considering all roads that lead to Machu Picchu start from Cusco and take you on treks that lie well above the 2,500 m / 8,202 ft. above sea level limit, if you’re planning to hike to Machu Picchu, you’re going to want to make sure you take all the necessary precautions to keep Altitude Sickness at bay.
Follow these 6 tips to prevent and alleviate the symptoms of Altitude Sickness so that you can enjoy the rest of your travels in Cusco, living your best life!
Upon your arrival in Cusco, you’re really going to want to go out and explore the city. But don’t. Fight off this urge and your body will thank you later. If you’re travelling to Cusco from Lima, then the sudden change in elevation could induce the onset of Altitude Sickness. We highly recommend taking it easy on your first day in Cusco, so that you give your body all the time and space it needs to acclimatize to this sudden change in elevation.
The quickest way to get rid of symptoms of Altitude Sickness is descending back down to normal altitudes. But where’s the fun in that? According to the UK’s National Health Service, you should avoid climbing more than 300 m – 500 m (984 ft. – 1,640 ft.) a day. So, plan your itinerary accordingly. Some travelers, upon arrival in Cusco from Lima, even descend down to the nearby lower lying city of Arequipa before ascending back to Cusco’s higher altitudes, to avoid the rude awakening that is Altitude Sickness.
Considering Altitude Sickness is brought on by a lack of oxygen, you’re going to want to get your hands on some Oxishot, an 8 litre portable can of oxygen. When in need you can take a few puffs of pure oxygen from the cannister, and it should help alleviate any mild symptoms. If this doesn’t help, you can always get oxygen at your hotel as hotels in Cusco usually have a supply of oxygen on standby for their guests.
For more severe symptoms, please go straight to the hospital where they’ll administer Oxygen Therapy and whatever other treatment your body may need.
The higher the altitude, the more dehydrated your body tends to get. And, considering the human body is made up of 60 % – 70 % of water, make sure you carry a bottle of water around and try your best to drink more than the recommended dose of H2O. The Institute of Altitude Medicine (IAM) recommends drinking 1 – 1.5 liters more than your daily dose each day in high elevations, like the Peruvian city of Cusco.
As both alcohol and caffeine can contribute to dehydration, you’re going to want to take a rain-check on that round of Pisco Sours for at least the first few days of your trip in Cusco. Instead get plenty of water in along with some delicious Coca Tea.
Drunk by the Peruvians of Cusco and hailed as one of the strongest Altitude Sickness remedies, is Coca Tea (Mate de Coca). Chewable and brew-able, the leaves of the Coca plant contain the psychoactive alkaloid, cocaine which only acts as a mild stimulant when chewed. Infuse the leaves of the Coca plant into a hot cup of water, allow it to brew and then you’ll have yourself a warm cup of Coca Tea. Drink up to prevent the hangover resembling symptoms of Altitude Sickness.
For over-the-counter treatments, Sorojchi Pills are touted as a great way to prevent and alleviate Altitude Sickness. With a composition of acetylsalicylic acid, salophen, and caffeine, Sorojchi Pills are thought to help with blood circulation and headaches. Always consult your doctor before taking any type of medication.
So now that you’ve got the lowdown on Altitude Sickness, you can plan your trip to Peru, book your tickets to Machu Picchu and explore the very best that Cusco has to offer!
For more details on Altitude Sickness, please contact a medical professional. This article is intended to be educational and is not a substitute for professional medical advice given by your doctor.
