Altitude sickness is one of the most common illnesses that affect travelers who are coming from sea level. Symptoms of altitude sickness can be mild (dizziness, nausea, and headaches) or severe (difficulty in breathing, loss of consciousness, and death). If you plan to visit Cusco or Machu Picchu, then you need to know about how to prevent altitude sickness. We compiled 5 tips how to prevent altitude sickness in Cusco and Machu Picchu.
Altitude sickness is a condition that can affect some people when they travel to high altitudes. This happens because the air at these high altitudes contains less oxygen than that at lower altitudes.
Altitude sickness usually occurs when people travel to areas with an altitude of 2,400 meters (8,000 feet) or higher, as the amount of oxygen in the air decreases as the altitude increases.
Cusco altitude is located at a height of 11,1152 ft (3,400 m) above sea level, so when you arrive in this city there's a high chance you may feel altitude sickness. The altitude of Cusco is significantly higher than cities in America, double than Denver's altitude of 5280 feet.
Cusco is one of the most visited cities in Peru, located in southeastern Peru near the Urubamba Valley of the Andes mountain range. It is the capital of the Cusco Region as well as the Cusco Province. It has become a major tourist destination, hosting nearly 1.5 million visitors a year.
Machu Picchu altitude sits at an elevation of 7,972 feet (2,430 m) above sea level. Most people are surprised to learn that Cusco sits even higher at 11,200 feet above sea level. This is more than most of the entire state of Colorado!
Machu Picchu is considered one of the most popular tourist destinations in Peru because of its mysterious history and archaeological value.
Even though lower than Cusco, altitude pills for Machu Picchu and altitude supplements will still come in handy!
How might the altitude sickness symptoms affect your trip to Peru? If you don’t take altitude sickness seriously, it may even ruin your trip.
The first thing to keep in mind is that altitude sickness is unpredictable. It doesn’t matter if you are a super fit athlete or someone who hasn’t exercised in years. Altitude sickness can affect anyone – even kids!
What causes altitude sickness? It takes time for your body to adjust to the lower oxygen levels at higher altitudes. The lower oxygen levels cause symptoms like:
With these terrible symptoms that will set your trip back, knowing how to avoid altitude sickness is a must when visiting Peru.
Cusco and Machu Picchu are located in the Andean highlands, where the air is thin and the altitude is high. Many people experience some symptoms of altitude sickness upon arrival, which can include headaches, nausea, dizziness, and trouble sleeping.
Unfortunately, many visitors do not take this into consideration when planning their trip to Peru. Altitude sickness is real and can ruin your entire trip if you don't prepare for it.
Here's 5 tips how too prevent altitude sickness in Cusco & Machu Picchu:
Traveling to high altitudes is an adjustment. But with zaca chewbles, you can enjoy your Peru trip without losing your breath. Zaca chewables were created by two brothers who live in the mountainous state of Colorado and discovered the secret to fighting high altitude. These easy-to-eat, natural berry-flavored chewable tablets (no artificial colors or flavors, no preservatives) are loaded with antioxidants, amino acids and herbs so you can feel better faster during your high-altitude journey. Give zaca chewables a try before you fly.
1. Effect of high altitude (7,620 m) exposure on glutathione
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11320641/
