Health & Safety

Health & Safety

Altitude: Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail are a breath-catching 300-700 meters (980-2,300 feet) lower than Cusco. But to be on the safe side about altitude effects, locally known as soroche; get an ample intake of fluids, but eliminate or minimize alcohol and caffeine consumption. (Both can cause dehydration, already a problem at high altitudes.) Smoking aggravates the problem. Some large hotels have an oxygen supply for their guests' use. The prescription drug acetazolamide can help offset the alkalosis caused by low oxygen at high elevations.

Water: Tap water is generally not safe to drink. Stick with the bottled variety, con gas (carbonated) or sin gas (plain). The San Luis brand is for sale everywhere.

Crime: Aguas Calientes employs a cadre of tourist police, decked out in baseball caps and white or blue shirts that say tourist security machupicchu.