PatrickSch

We will be visiting Lima, Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca in August. Has anyone had any experience with altitude sickness at these heights. We have been between 9 and 14 thousand feet(briefly) in Colorado and had no problems so I am optimistic about Peru.

yestravel

I got altitude sickness for the first time in my life in Arequipa, Peru with an altitiude of around 7,000 ft. Lake Titicaca is several thousand feet higher being around 12,500 ft. I have traveled many times at high altitiudes and never had a problem and was in Argentina last year at a high altitiude and no problem. Not sure what caused me to get sick in Arequipa. I followed all the guidelines, but was sick anyway. I'm not sure what u mean by "briefly." Did u drive thru an area or were u there a day or so? That might make a difference. Anyway, altitiude sickness can just be random from what I read before our trip to Peru and since then. Good luck, hope you'll have no problems as millions don't. Skip the alcohol and drink plenty of water and enjoy Peru -- it's fabulous!

P_M

You say you were at that altitude briefly--are we talking a few hours or a couple of days?

We went from Lima straight to Lake Titicaca, which is about 12.5K. A few people in our group got sick but after a day or two of chewing coca leaves they were OK. Headaches and loss of appetite seemed to be the worst problem. A few members of my group took Diamoxx and they said it helped. Also bring plenty of Ibuprophen.

There's really no way to predict who will suffer and who will not. Altitude sickness has nothing to do with age for physical fitness. As mentioned above, drink lots of water and no alcohol or caffeine.

PatrickSch

We stayed for a weekend at 9,000 in Colorado and spent an afttenoon and evening at 13-14 thousand feet. It sounds unpredictable so we will hope for the best. Thanks P-m and yestravel for your replies.

kittest

This is just one article, but it gives you an idea:

"...we surveyed 205 participants in a scientific conference at 3,000 m (9,840 ft)...28% reported having three or more symptoms and hence met the case definition for AMS. At least one symptom was reported by 73%, with headache being the most common (59%). Insomnia (28%) and unusual fatigue (23%) were present in many visitors, but dizziness (17%), anorexia (14%), and vomiting (2%) were seen less commonly."

Full text of "Sea-level physical activity and acute mountain sickness at moderate altitude" is available at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1303003/

mlgb

It's more important where you sleep at night, Cusco is at 11000 and it's more common to experience effects at that level than at 9000 ft, you might consider not sleeping in Cusco but rather in the Sacred Valley which is 1000-2000 feet lower, also if you're going to Cusco and SV first that will help acclimatize you to Titicaca.

I had a slight headache at Cusco even after 3 nights in the Sacred Valley, but at least I wan't nauseous. I've read about a fair numbe people who fly straight to Puno and get very sick for a few days. Not a great way to go sightseeing.

crellston

I have been affected twice by altitude. The first time was in Borneo where we climbed Mount Kinabalu (c4300m). This was not too bad - just a bad headache and sore throat, both of which dissappeared as soon as we descended.

In Peru/Argentina we were at altitude for a couple of months and really got aclimatised but the worst part was the arrival by plane in Cusco when the sudden change in altitude affected me quite badly (mainly a severe headache and insomnia). Luckily we stayed for the first couple of nights in a hotel which had oxygen which rapidly alleviated the symptoms. On balance, I would take mlgb's advice and move straight to the SV to acclimatise. There is no way of predicting how one person may be affected (age/sex/fitness) seem to have no bearing. Apart from one day on a hike around an island in Lake Titicaca my wife was unaffected. I do think that Titicaca will be the biggest challenge for most people.

On our Lares trek I did find that chewing coca leaves helped a lot and, to a lesser extent drinking coca tea also made a difference. If affected badly, the only safe course of action is to descend to a safe level or, in extreme cases get to a hyparbaric chamber. For your first nights at altitude, check your hotel has oxygen.

qwovadis

Big deal I live at sea level ALWAYS take Diamox so no worries

Lots that do not have their trips ruined...

Altitude sickness may develop in travelers who ascend rapidly to altitudes greater than 2500 m, including those in previously excellent health. Being physically fit in no way lessens the risk of altitude sickness. Those who have developed altitude sickness in the past are prone to future episodes. The risk increases with faster ascents and higher altitudes. Symptoms of acute mountain sickness, the most common form of the disorder, may include headaches, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, malaise, insomnia, and loss of appetite. Severe cases may be complicated by breathlessness and chest tightness, which are signs of pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs), or by confusion, lethargy, and unsteady gait, which indicate cerebral edema (brain swelling).

Altitude sickness may be prevented by taking acetazolamide 125 or 250 mg twice daily starting 24 hours before ascent and continuing for 48 hours after arrival at altitude.

www.mdtravelhealth.com Peru correct CDC info.

mlgb

I know qwovadis always promotes take Diamox however you should consult with your doctor first as not everyone can take it. And it isn't without side effects which can be as annoying as altitude sickness.

I decided not to take it but had the luxury of starting in the SV. I wasn't planning on hiking Dead Woman's pass or going any higher than Cusco, either.

BabsB

We are just back from Peru. We took Diamox and it worked well for us. Only problem seemed to be we had to take everything slower when at altitude. I agree with crellston, the hike at Amantani island at Lake Titicaca what quite a challenge. I had to stop and rest a LOT! We also went to the Colca Canyon and crossing over the mountain range took us up even higher than Lake Titicaca. We tried the tea but it didn't seem to do anything as far as I was concerned.

Deb15July

My mother went to Machu Picchu last year and had no problems while on her trip, but had a BIG problem when she returned. She was quite agitated and had trouble sleeping and ended up having to take Ambien for a couple or weeks.

Several people on her tour did get sick while in Peru, so I would go ahead and take the meds just to be on the safe side and avoid ruining your trip.

torimooney

we live at sea level and we both are prone to altitude sickness so we took Diamox rather than experience those god awful headaches. we leisurely wandered around Cusco our fist day. we had no problems with the altitude and had no problems with the meds. Some people I hear have difficulty tolerating the Diamox.

singabob

I think with a slow journey and time, the effects could be minimized but for me, Cusco was the most uncomfortable I've ever been. There was no hope for sleep and I was concerned that the constant and loud throbbing in my head was the first signs of a stroke. Of course, it was all mediated by going to Machu Picchu the next day, which is truly one of the greatest and inspiring sites of the world. I guess I would do it again (and yes, Cusco is both a beautiful and interesting city) but will go much, much slower next time.

rosewillow

I got sick, breathless, insomnia, couldn't lay flat, in Copacabana, Bolivia (Lake Titicaca,) having been to Cusco on the same trip with no problems.

mcmcc

Take the Diamox with you just in case, and if you start to feel the altitude (headache, nausea) take the Diamox and you'll be better in a few hours. It's no fun to suffer, and you can't predict whether you will or won't. (I was fine our first night stopover in Cuzco, and then miserable when we came back 7 days later - go figure.)

quiltingmamma

Just returned from Peru. We were in Arequipa and then flew to Lake Titicaca before bussing to Cusco and MP.

We were a group of 10 between age 30 and 67 and most of us had some symptoms in Puno. None took Diamox beforehand. My roomie started feeling ill in Arequipa and in Puno was vomitting, bed ridden and somewhat dilerious. She started the Diamox in Puno but as she was sick shortly after, we couldn't tell whether she had it in her system. Eventually we had to get the doctor who gave her a shot of something and then meds to take before meals for the nausea for several days. 2 others called the doctor, but after oxygen and starting Diamox they were okay. Breathlessness, headache, chills (for first few hours only), insomnia and lack of appetite were the usual symptoms for the group. I had these. We climbed Taquile island the next day and it was very slow, but symptoms not necessarily worse. Most did not find the coca tea that beneficial, but the one who chewed coca leaves pretty constantly seemed to have no symptoms. Cusco and MP was less problematic, but still somewhat breathless on climbing.

Diamox comes with its own symptoms and problems, but worth having on hand if you want to achieve your high altitude goals. It's evident that every visit to high altitude is different - even for the same person.

Have a great time is a great country.

michele_d

I have a question if I may about altitude sickness. I live at 4300ft. We plan to fly into Lima then see Nazca, Cuzco, MP and the Amazon Basin in the Tambopata Reserve.

Is there a preferable order which you would recommend doing this trip to alleviate altitude sickness or do you think I shouldn't have a problem since we do not live at sea level. I have backpacked at 11,000 ft with no problems.

Thanks for the help,
Michele

yestravel

Conventional wisdom is to start at the lower altitudes and gradually work your way up. I believe Cusco is the highest in the areas u may visit. A lot of people fly to Cuzco and go directly to the SV where the altitude is a bit lower. I have hiked and traveled at high altitudes and never had a problem until Arequipa in Peru.

BostonHarbor

Diamox in my view is a great drug to have. If you are going to Peru, just take it for a couple days while at home. It isn't going to do anything to you except act as a diuretic (and I don't even think you will notice, I did get some tingling in my fingers one day--that's a normal side effect). This way, you will know before you go if you have a bad reaction to Diamox. The last thing you should do is wait until you are at altitude to try Diamox.

I'm heading to Cusco/MP/SV in three weeks. I'm taking Diamox. I have not had altitude problems in the past when hiking/sking in Europe, but "chance favors the prepared man".

I live on Boston Harbor. Can't get much closer to "sea level" ; )

hairamhc

We have trekked up and down a lot of mountains, crossed a number of high passes and spent extended time in various areas of the altiplano in South America.

Early in our journeys we experienced mild symptoms of altitude sickness (unpleasant headaches primarily and moderate lethargy).

We made the decision to consult with our personal physician. Although he had limited knowledge (limited to what he read in his PDR) regarding the use of (acetazolamide) Diamox®, he did consult with another physician experienced in high altitude medicine. Our physician concluded our use of Diamox Sequels® (the time release version of the drug), was probably a good idea. Since Diamox®, is a prescription medication, it is wise to speak with your physician. We have never experienced any adverse reactions to use of the medication, other than a slight sense of dizziness and lightheadedness.

It is possible to secure Diamox® or generic acetazolamide over the Internet without consulting a physician, but this seems a foolish act.