Key facts
- Cusco sits at about 3,399 m: it’s normal to feel the altitude for the first 48 hours.
- Rest, stay hydrated, eat light and avoid alcohol when you arrive.
- Do hikes above 4,000 m from your third day on.
- If you have severe symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.
In this guide
Cusco sits at about 3,399 m above sea level. If you arrive from sea level, your body needs a day or two to adjust to the lower oxygen pressure. That reaction is known as altitude sickness, or soroche.
Common symptoms
- Headache.
- Fatigue and shortness of breath when walking or climbing stairs.
- Nausea or loss of appetite.
- Trouble sleeping.
How to prevent it
- Rest on the day you arrive and walk slowly.
- Drink water often and avoid alcohol for the first 48 hours.
- Eat light; coca tea (mate de coca) is a widespread local custom.
- Consider spending your first nights in the Sacred Valley, which is lower than Cusco.
- Save trips above 4,000 m for your third day.
When to see a doctor
If your symptoms get worse, or if you have trouble breathing at rest, confusion or persistent vomiting, seek medical attention immediately. Talk to your doctor before your trip if you have a heart or respiratory condition, or if you want to take preventive medication.
