{"id":4652,"date":"2023-03-23T23:23:29","date_gmt":"2023-03-23T23:23:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vidalexpeditions.com\/blog\/?p=4652"},"modified":"2025-09-29T02:41:55","modified_gmt":"2025-09-29T02:41:55","slug":"how-to-prevent-altitude-sickness-in-cusco-and-peru","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vidalexpeditions.com\/blog\/how-to-prevent-altitude-sickness-in-cusco-and-peru\/","title":{"rendered":"Altitude Sickness in Cusco and Peru; How to Prevent it?"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

6 Tips to Avoid Altitude Sickness in Cusco<\/span><\/h2>\r\n\r\n

\r\nCusco<\/a><\/span><\/strong> is located in the middle of the Andes at 3,390 meters (11,122 feet) above sea level<\/strong>, which can be difficult for many visitors who are not used to this altitude on their first days. As a result, it’s not surprising that altitude can have a significant impact, where a lack of oxygen is the only thing that can keep you from enjoying your trip. Don\u2019t waste one day feeling sick; prevent the altitude sickness in Cusco<\/strong> before you reach Peru with some tips from this article.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

\"Cusco
Cusco city 3,360 meters<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n

Keep in mind Cusco Treks Elevations<\/h3>\r\n\r\n

\r\nAltitude sickness<\/strong> could ruin your trip to Machu Picchu<\/a><\/span><\/strong>. People in a hurry who want to do the Inca Trail, Salkantay, or other treks frequently fly from Lima, which is at sea level. Then they find themselves in Cusco, at an altitude of 3360 m (11,023 ft). To put things into perspective, mountaineers enjoy climbing the “tres mils,” or 3000 masl, mountains. You can understand that Cusco is high, and from there you climb even higher because the Inca Trail<\/a><\/span><\/strong> crosses 4,215 meters (13,828 ft). The Salkantay Trek<\/a><\/span><\/strong> crosses the Salkantay Pass at 4,630 m (15,190 ft). There are some good “four thousand”.<\/p>\r\n

\r\nOur trekking experts always advise those interested in hiking different treks around Cusco to spend at least one day in Cusco, preferably two days, so that the body can adjust to the altitude.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n

What is the Altitude Sickness?<\/h3>\r\n\r\n

\r\nAlso called as “mountain sickness,” altitude sickness is a group of symptoms that can strike if you walk or climb to a higher elevation, or altitude, too quickly.\r\nIt typically occurs above 2,400 meters and primarily affects people who are not accustomed to living in high altitude areas, usually less than 900 meters above sea level. If you are going to travel to mountainous countries such as Peru, Bolivia, or Nepal and you are going to visit places located at high altitude, such as Machu Picchu<\/a><\/span><\/strong>, the Salar de Uyuni, or the Aconcagua<\/strong>, you should be aware of altitude sickness, how to prevent and combat it, and what kind of symptoms it usually presents.\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Symptoms of the Altitude Sickness in Cusco<\/h3>\r\n\r\n

\r\nAll the symptoms of the Altitude Sickness normally occurs in the first hours after arriving in Cusco. As your body makes normal adjustments to adapt to the altitude, you may experience a few symptoms that are bothersome but are not cause for concern. They include rapid (still comfortable) breathing, shortness of breath with strenuous exercise, occasional short pauses in breathing while you sleep, and frequent urination. The last two symptoms are caused by a low carbon dioxide level, it produ brain and kidney adjustments\r\n The first symptoms that you could feel in the first 8 to 36 hours are:<\/strong>\r\n<\/p>\r\n