Altitude sickness in Peru
Cusco is at 3,430 meters, Puno (Lake Titicaca) at 3,800 meters, Chivay in the Colca Canyon is at 3,650 meters and on the way there you even cross a 4,896-meter high pass (Patapampa Pass). In the north, you will also find cities worth seeing, such as Huaraz at 3,050 meters and Cajamarca at 2,750 meters.
The Andes run across the country from north to south. Many of the sights in Peru are located in the Andes. You're bad at handling them. Altitude sickness, called “Soroche” in Peru, can even affect Peruvians.
When altitude sickness occurs, we don't get enough oxygen. We are talking about "thin air", which does not necessarily mean that there is not enough oxygen. Rather, there is a loss of pressure. As altitude increases, air pressure decreases and less oxygen gets into our lungs. As a result, we are undersupplied with oxygen. This is called hypoxia.
It can become problematic if the body does not have enough time to adapt to the new conditions and it is additionally burdened by physical exertion, which is greater when traveling.
Altitude sickness can affect anyone, young or old. The probability of getting altitude sickness is low.
Very few tourists I met in Cusco had serious problems with altitude sickness. Usually, there are mild symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, slight nausea, and general malaise in the first few days.
Simple tips and tricks will also help against the slight signs of altitude sickness, ensuring that you can enjoy your trip through Peru without any worries. Much can even be prophesied in advance. A secret concoction or tablets against altitude sickness have not yet been invented. You should avoid hypocritical “miracle pills” against height.
If the symptoms (severe fever, shortness of breath, unsteadiness when walking, very severe headache, vomiting and loss of consciousness) are worse, then you should see a doctor immediately. Oxygen therapy may then be necessary or you will be advised to descend immediately since altitude sickness can be life-threatening in the worst case.
Tip 1: The right itinerary!
The be-all and end-all against altitude sickness in Peru is proper acclimatization! The right itinerary will help you continuously acclimate to the different altitudes in Peru. You will always start your journey at sea level in Lima (The capital of Peru). From here you can theoretically fly directly to Lake Titicaca (Juliaca), but I would advise against that.
From 0 to almost 4,000 meters is an extreme strain on the body. Unfortunately, many travelers don't know any better beforehand and plan their trip that way. Also from Lima to Cusco is a change for the body, but it is doable. In the worst case, you simply travel further to the Sacred Valley, which is about 800 meters lower than Cusco.
My travel suggestion: Travel from Lima overland or by plane to Arequipa. Here you can get used to the upcoming altitude of 2,300 meters. From there it goes either into the Colca Canyon or directly to Lake Titicaca. Here you can expect altitudes of 3,000 - 4,000 meters. Since you are traveling by coach, you can naturally approach the heights.
When booking a round trip, I recommend that you seek advice from travel experts who know the country. The travel agency Fairaway puts you in touch with such experts on-site in Peru who will design your trip in such a way that problems with altitude sickness do not arise in the first place.
Tip 2: Where is the brake please?
Even if you want to see as much as possible during your trip, take it easy! Acclimatization also includes putting your physical activities on the back burner for the first few days, because the body has less oxygen available than usual. If you notice that you still feel fit, then you can do your thing as normal.
Also, try to get used to the Peruvian day and night time as quickly as possible. Sufficient and good sleep are extremely important so that the body can recover during the day and is less vulnerable.
Do not compete with other fellow travelers. Everyone has a different pace to adjust to the altitude.
Tip 3: Drink a lot of water (AGUA AGUA AGUA)
Drinking plenty of fluids is extremely important at altitude. I'm neither a doctor nor a scientist, but that's what EVERYONE says :) Drinking a lot should help, since altitude sickness is also compared to dehydration of the body.
To compensate for the high water consumption, you should eat sweet/salty snacks and/or sports drinks to balance your electrolyte balance. If you drink a lot, you also lose important nutrients and minerals more quickly.
Tip 4: Eat light meals
You probably know it when you've eaten a lot, then you feel weak afterwards, you're tired and you can't really concentrate.
Imagine, now the height is added, which puts an additional strain on your body. When we have a full stomach, the body is busy digesting the food and for this, it needs a lot of energy, which it does not have at high altitudes. So, at best, eat light food. Food containing carbohydrates is said to be better than fats and proteins since these consume more oxygen.
Tip 5: Drink coca tea
Chewing coca leaves or drinking it as tea is a centuries-old tradition in the Andes and what the Incas saved from altitude sickness could also help you ;)
For many, drinking coca tea is on the to-do list anyway. There are many myths surrounding the coca leaves, which are banned in Germany and other countries. Coca is a sacred plant for the indigenous people of Peru. They are used as offerings in ceremonies and are considered the link between human life and the gods. In Peru you can even read the future with coca leaves! :)
The coca leaves contain just around 0.4 percent cocaine, but a lot of carbohydrates, calcium, proteins, iron, vitamins A and B. To feel an intoxicating effect, you would have to chew numerous coca leaves for hours. Locals add a paste of minerals or ash (llujt'a) to the leaves to speed up the effects.
The coca leaves help suppress hunger and tiredness. They ensure increased heat supply and they are very effective for altitude sickness because they promote oxygen uptake.
Tip 6: Avoid sunburn!
Another tip that is often underestimated is to avoid sunburn. Sun worshipers should also protect themselves well from the sun's rays in Peru. Due to the altitude, the UV radiation is much higher. The sun really burns the skin and, in addition to sunburn, leaves a feeling of exhaustion, malaise and even a slight fever.
There is a risk of sunburn even when the sky is cloudy. So the solution is always to use sunscreen with a high sun protection factor, ideally lip cream with a sun protection factor, sun hat and sunglasses.
Tip 7: Better no alcohol
I know that's really hard - especially when you've been looking forward to Pisco Sour and Co. Nevertheless, it is better to abstain from alcohol once you arrive at the altitude. Alcohol removes water from the body and puts additional strain on it. If you feel comfortable, then of course there's nothing wrong with it :)
The Best Hiking Tours In Peru
You should have noticed that in the Travel Blog. We already talked about several trails that tourists can enjoy in the Peruvian territory, right? Just to remember what they are, and also not to think that just because the Inca Trail is the most famous, it is also the only one. And you can also take advantage of the links to read our other publications and get more information about each one:
The best-known Inca Trail in Peru is also one of the 7 most famous trails in the world. A must-see!
Inca Trail
The path passes through remote paths, full of beautiful landscapes between valleys and mountains. Hike in Inca Trail 4 days or Short Inca Trail.
If you want to have the best experience, we recommend you the Salkantay to Inca Trail
Rainbow Mountain
It was only in 2015 that Rainbow Mountain was discovered for tourism and gained worldwide attention via Instagram - although the mountain has always been there, the 7 different color layers (overlaid minerals that were deposited over millions of years) only became visible when the snow cover covering them melted (Keyword: climate change) visible. Despite the very strenuous hike, the mountain enjoys increasing popularity every year.
Lares Trek
The Lares Trek is a special thing about this hike is that this trek takes you to one of the most original areas of the region, where traditional agriculture and weaving are still used today. Added to this is the scenic beauty of the route: from small settlements, it goes past lagoons in high alpine terrain and over a pass with breathtaking panoramas of the highest peaks of the Andes.
Salkantay Trek
Similar to the Vinicunca, the Inca Trail is also a real crowd-puller, the high demand requires booking months in advance. The Salkantay Trek is a scenic alternative, is less frequented and also not insignificantly cheaper.
Choquequirao Trek
The Choquequirao complex is located at 3085m and can only be reached by hiking for several days.
Choquequirao's location at the foothills of the Salkantay mountain range, surrounded by snow-capped peaks, results in a challenging trek that takes you first through the Apurimac Canyon and then from 1,650m up to over 3,000m.
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