Altitude sickness is one of the biggest concerns for
travelers visiting Cusco, Peru. Located at 3,400 meters
above sea level, Cusco is one of the highest cities in
the world. This complete guide will help you prevent and
treat altitude sickness so you can enjoy your trip fully.
🏔️ WHAT IS ALTITUDE SICKNESS?
Altitude sickness (also known as Acute Mountain Sickness
or AMS) occurs when your body cannot get enough oxygen
at high altitude.
Cusco is at 3,400 meters above sea level.
Machu Picchu is at 2,430 meters — lower and easier.
Rainbow Mountain is at 5,020 meters — very high.
Symptoms usually appear within 6-12 hours of arrival.
🤒 SYMPTOMS OF ALTITUDE SICKNESS
Mild symptoms:
✔ Headache
✔ Fatigue and weakness
✔ Dizziness
✔ Nausea
✔ Loss of appetite
✔ Difficulty sleeping
Severe symptoms (seek medical help immediately):
⚠️ Severe headache not relieved by painkillers
⚠️ Vomiting
⚠️ Shortness of breath at rest
⚠️ Confusion or disorientation
⚠️ Loss of coordination
💊 HOW TO PREVENT ALTITUDE SICKNESS
1️⃣ Acclimatize properly
Spend at least 2-3 days in Cusco before doing
any strenuous activities or high altitude tours.
2️⃣ Take it slow on arrival day
Rest when you arrive in Cusco.
Avoid alcohol and heavy meals on day 1.
3️⃣ Stay hydrated
Drink at least 3 liters of water per day.
Avoid alcohol and caffeine first 2 days.
4️⃣ Drink coca tea
Coca tea (mate de coca) is a traditional Andean remedy
for altitude sickness. Available everywhere in Cusco.
5️⃣ Take Diamox (Acetazolamide)
Diamox is a prescription medication that helps your
body acclimatize faster. Consult your doctor before
traveling to Cusco.
6️⃣ Eat light meals
Avoid heavy fatty foods on arrival.
Eat soups, quinoa and light local food.
7️⃣ Sleep at lower altitude
Machu Picchu (2,430m) is much lower than Cusco (3,400m).
Consider spending your first night in the Sacred Valley
(2,800m) before going to Cusco.
🍵 NATURAL REMEDIES FOR ALTITUDE SICKNESS
✔ Coca tea — most popular remedy in Cusco
✔ Sorojchi pills — available in all Cusco pharmacies
✔ Ginger tea — helps with nausea
✔ Garlic soup — traditional Andean remedy
✔ Rest — most important remedy
🏥 WHEN TO SEE A DOCTOR
Seek medical help immediately if you experience:
⚠️ Severe headache not getting better
⚠️ Vomiting more than once
⚠️ Shortness of breath at rest
⚠️ Confusion or disorientation
Cusco has several good clinics including:
✔ Clinica Pardo — recommended for tourists
✔ Hospital Regional del Cusco
📅 RECOMMENDED ACCLIMATIZATION SCHEDULE
Day 1 — Arrive Cusco, rest at hotel, drink coca tea
Day 2 — Light city tour, walk around Plaza de Armas
Day 3 — Sacred Valley tour (lower altitude 2,800m)
Day 4 — Ready for Machu Picchu or Rainbow Mountain
This schedule is what TripCusco recommends to all
our clients for the best experience.
❓ FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How long does altitude sickness last in Cusco?
Most travelers feel better after 2-3 days of acclimatization.
Mild symptoms usually disappear within 24-48 hours.
Does altitude sickness affect everyone?
No — altitude sickness affects about 25% of travelers
to Cusco. Fitness level does not determine who gets it.
Can I take Diamox for altitude sickness?
Yes — Diamox (Acetazolamide) is effective for preventing
altitude sickness. Consult your doctor before traveling.
Is Machu Picchu lower than Cusco?
Yes — Machu Picchu is at 2,430m while Cusco is at 3,400m.
Most travelers feel better at Machu Picchu than Cusco.
What is coca tea?
Coca tea (mate de coca) is a traditional Andean herbal tea
made from coca leaves. It is legal in Peru and very
effective for mild altitude sickness symptoms.
Should I visit Cusco before Machu Picchu?
Yes — we recommend spending 2-3 days in Cusco first
to acclimatize before visiting Machu Picchu.
🎒 PLAN YOUR CUSCO TRIP WITH TRIPCUSCO
TripCusco is your local expert agency in Cusco since 2018.
We help all our clients acclimatize properly and enjoy
the best experience in Cusco and Machu Picchu.
📞 WhatsApp: +51 973 309 975
🌐 www.tripcusco.com