Introduction
Leaving Lima to catch our flight connection to Cusco, the plan was to visit one of the world’s most famous historical sites, Machu Picchu. Cusco was the ancient capital of the Incas, who were a large civilisation that spread over many western South American countries from 1300AD. Serving as a starting point for the famous Inca trail to Machu Picchu, the city is a haven for tourists due to its vast history, mountainous landscapes and range of accommodation, restaurants and museums. We were booked to stay in Peru for one week, visiting Machu Picchu and the other interesting sites around Cusco such as the Sacred Valley. With so much planned, I hoped that neither of us would suffer badly from Altitude sickness.
The Altitude
Arriving at Cusco airport, you are welcomed with a small yet practical building which offers a selection of tours, accommodation, tourist information and ATM’s. Just outside you will find many taxi’s waiting to take you into the city centre of Cusco for a very reasonable price.
My main concern was the altitude change and once we arrived at the airport, I felt my body responded to the high altitude fairly quickly. My heart was beating fast and I felt like I had just completed a session at the gym. In Ecuador, we had experienced altitude heights of over 2000m, Cusco’s altitude was a massive 3400m. To acclimatise to the altitude, we decided not to do anything too strenuous for the first couple of days.
We drunk Coca tea as a remedy to reduce the symptoms of altitude sickness. Most hostels and hotels will offer this free of charge but if not, it is widely available in the many shops and markets locally. If your altitude sickness gets really bad, oxygen supplementation in the form of bottled oxygen is available in most tourist accommodation and hospitals. The roads in Cusco are very steep, narrow and cobbled stoned, so I suggest that you wear comfortable walking shoes with good ankle support, as you adjust to the altitude, the roads will feel even more difficult to climb.
Over the first two days I had a painfully dry sore throat and throbbing headaches, my stomach was not great either. Like the majority of tourists, I just kept on going, drinking the coco tea and thankfully, the symptoms improved after a few days.
Arriving in Cusco is full of excitement and interest but I suggest you take it nice and easy in the beginning to get the most out of your trip.
The most common symptoms of High Altitude are:
Feeling queasy:
Headaches, stomach problems, dry throat and dizziness are all common symptoms of adjusting to altitude
Increasing Pulse:
Just as your respiration increases in altitude, your resting pulse rises during the first few days at high altitude. As you acclimatise, your pulse would drop back to the normal, indicating that your body is responding well to altitude.
Breathing Changes:
The most important difference you’ll notice as you gain altitude is the need to breathe more often when active and as well while resting.
Frequent urination:
You urinate more often and lose fluids at higher altitudes. If it doesn’t happen, be more wary of altitude illness; this doesn’t mean that you will get altitude illness, but you are slightly more susceptible.
Changes during sleep:
Most people at altitude find it difficult to fall asleep, it is normal, however, and diminishes with acclimatisation.
To help with the symptoms of increased Altitude:
Drink lots of water:
Dehydration is a common reason for altitude sickness
Drink Coca Tea
Very helpful and natural way in reducing altitude sickness. This is found everywhere is Cusco!
Rest:
Have plenty of sleep and don’t overdo it in the first 2-3 days
Don’t overeat:
Your digestive system reacts slower at high altitudes
Remember:
Altitude can effect people differently and is not determined by age, healthiness, weight, gender or experience. You may not be effected immediately and might have a delayed reaction after 24 hours.
For official and specific medical advice, please contact your doctor before travelling.
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