I am wanting to plan a trip with my Mom (she's 63 & non-athletic) to Machu Picchu. Any recommendations?

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Mrs. Obama rules!

Machu Pichu wont be a problem as the altitude there is not that high. The problem is Cuzco and you need to rest the first day (at the hotel, no physical activity) and drink a lot of coca tea (small sips at a time). Anyway, ask your doctor (there are some altitude pills such as Coramine) but I can offer you some new advice: Don't eat carbs!!! High altitude will cause digestive problems as your body has to function with less oxygen. Carbs are food which need a lot of oxygen to be digested and processed. Avoid (at all costs!!) eating bread, potato, chocolates, pasta, rice, etc. Eat sensibly while at Cuzco, eat "light" things such as chicken soups, boiled chicken, etc until your body adjusts to the altitude.
In Machu Pichu you will have NO problem at all as Machu Pichu is lower than Cuzco, it is what we called "the near jungle" or ceja de selva. You can walk and eat while at Machu Pichu. Remember that the problem is Cuzco, not Machu Pichu.
Some hotels have oxygenated rooms like El Monasterio (quite expensive) but if you are worried about the altitude contact the hotel and ask for an oxygen bottle on your arrival, they have done this for lots of tourists.

jason f

Fly to Cusco don't take the bus. Then get the fist class seats on the train. The train drops you off than you take a bus to ruins. In cuscus there are lots of tour agencies that will take you up for day trips. There is also a hotel on Machu Picchu that you can spend the night in.
But you might want to spend a day or two in Cusco to get used to the altitute before you go to Machu Picchu. Its pretty high. There are lots of things to see in Cusco also, while you are getting used to the Altitude.

In Testimony Whereof

u can either balst through cuzco real quick and avoid any adverse effects from altitude and just go staright to machu picchu. Or u could spend some time in cuzco first but u wood need to acclimate. Now as for any reccommendations to stay healthy in Machu Picchu, I would make sure to eat light meals, and nothing with cheese at any restaurants. And try not to buy any pills for anyhting at local pharmacy's, especially diarrhea pills. My mom(54) actually fainted at machu picchu because of adverse effects from a diarrhea pill she took that she bought in aguas calientes, becasue a cheese sandwhich she got at a restaurant gave her diarrhea. Altitude is not a big deal, and not too much walking is required at machu picchu and there are plenty of areas to sit and rest in the shade. Take plenty of water, and food, becasue the food court is expensive. And make sure u go to the bathroom at the entrance before u go in because its a hassle to have to walk all the way back up and go to the bathroom.

Jacky rox

thats a very good idea shes not that old and it doesnt matter if shes no athletic..

ps:u can try going to cancun too
http://www.caribeglobaltours.com/desinternacional/Mexico/Img/Omni_Cancun_1.JPG
http://www.caribeglobaltours.com/desinternacional/Mexico/Listado_Isla_Cancun.htm

or Tampico Tamaulipas it has a beach called miramar its really fun !
http://www.visitingmexico.com.mx/tamaulipas/imagenes/destino_tamaulipas_tampico_playas.jpg
http://www.visitingmexico.com.mx/tamaulipas/destinos-tamaulipas.tampico-playas.php

when u go to the beaches there is this really fresh air smell i bet shes really gonna enjoy the trip

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