Has anyone been to Peru and experienced altitude sickness.If so, how did you cope?

Show all answers

Geoff M

Firstly, I flew from the UK via New York to Lima and then straight to Cusco - effectively sea level to 11,000ft in an hour. That's not really the best way of doing it - but it's the quickest. Our hotel, who picked us up from the airport, actually insisted that we take a nap for a couple of hours. Avoid alcohol for a day or two. Take it easy - don't run. You can get altitude sickness pills from your doctor which help. The locals either drink coca leaf tea (tolerable) or chew the leaves themselves (not to my liking) to help with the altitude. I suffered from a little insomnia and tiredness, that was it really.

The next day I took a tour to a lower valley. This was a good move as it lets the body acclimatise a bit better. I wouldn't try going below sea level as one poster suggested as you might suffer from drowning instead - all you need to do is go *lower*, not all the way down.

The day after that I started the Machu Piccu trail - and that goes even higher (and lower)! At the very highest pass I could only take a few steps up before needing a short break. Frustrating when you can see the summit just a few hundred feet ahead but the progress is slow! I'm not fit - but I'm not a slob either, just your average middle-aged, very slightly overweight bloke.

David M

No problem in Lima but there could be altitude sickness in Cuzco. The hotels generally have extra oxygen piped to your room for a fee. Worth it. You will sleep easy. The coca tea is a good remedy. So also the pills the hotel desk can give you. Best bet is to take it easy and dont overdo the walking and climbing.

cabhite

When I went Cuzco I had that sickness, it was difficult to me to breath, coz oxygen is rare. It is very easy to say you have to go to sea level when you have already paid for such expensive trip. How did I cope with; I took a nap, instead of running I walked slowly at my own pace, I did not eat too much. I took some pills against dizziness. I just took my time, to adjust my body to high altitude; and I enjoyed the trip a lot.

lucia16

coca leave tea is the best remedy! Usually the hotels offer it for free. At the beginning it will be bitter for you, but eventually you become a little addictive, like coffee (nothing bad), and you really enjoy it. you can purchase the tea bags in any store and it's not illegal to bring it into the US.

Brian H

Never been to Peru! Is the altitude sickness any different there? Regardless of a location, anytime that one must suffer from this humbling disease, the best bet is to get below sea level as quickly as one possibly can!

Enter Your Message or Comment

User Name:
User Email:
Post a comment: