GrannyJoan

Hills, I have noted suggestions for Lima you made from another thread and will keep them in mind for Lima.

Thanks,
-Granny Joan

dunedincarol

I was in both last year. The one thingI wish I had remembered to do was to lay down for the majority of the day after arriving in Cusco. I did that on arrivingin Tibet, and had no altitude problems. I forgot in Peru, and suffered, despite the abundant cocoa leaves. I even fly to New Mexico a day early and stay overnight in a lower altitude to adjust when I go there each year. Hopefully you won't be affected by the altitude. Many were, many were not!

GrannyJoan

Hills and DunedinCarol,

I received my documents from tour company today and they don't recommend diamox because of side effects. I really trust everyones judgement in the suggestions for altitude sickness and will call doctor and take some along any way.

Hills, hotel in Lima is the El Pardo in Miraflores area of town. We will have overnite there on way to Cusco (we have dinner on own that nite, any suggestions?) ... and way back before flight to Lima. (dinner included and assume will be at restaurant not listed on way to airport flights).

Documents highly suggest duffle bags for trip and having a hard time convincing my husband we should take a duffle this trip. He is insisting on taking very very small roll on type suitcase. Is this going to be a problem to take on the train to MP or the small boat in GI?

Still debating on snorkeling.

-Granny Joan

hills27

Hey GJ, just got back from an unexpected overnight trip. I will reply in detail tonight.

GrannyJoan

Thanks hills for taking the time to answer. If you are too busy to answer right away, I certainly understand.

I just caught a glimpse of some of the MP on Travel Channel (Samantha Brown Episdode). Am recording it later tonite and also episode about Cusco as we are going out for late dinner.

Am I crazy? Will I be able to climb all those steps everywhere or what?

-GrannyJoan

Janetwh

I have returned from walking the Inca Trail just this past April. Here are some of my responses to you posts.
Machu Picchu is at a lower elevating than Cusco so if you spend anytime in Cusco, a day or two, you should be okay for climbing around in MP. MP is at a lower elevation than Cusco. I watched Samantha Brown last night and she decided to walk rather than take the bus up to MP. Those stairs she climbed was something you can avoid if you take the bus. Check out the site Google Earth and you can see MP and the road leading to it on the satellite map. I have read posts that the bus ride up is scary. It is not. Riding around in a bus in the Andes Mts. is!
A few of the trekkers took Diamox for the trek. One threw up a couple of times and the others suffered other side effects. I decided not to take it but I did suffer altitude sickness at 14,000 feet on the trek, headache, and nausea, unable to walk a straight line and my legs kept giving out from under me. But that was at 14,000 ft. Higher than Cusco or MP.
In response to the post on taking a walking stick into MP. They are not allowed. As you enter MP you see many sticks left by tourist leaning against a wall.
The steps in MP are not that bad. It is a slow pace with everyone taking their time to enjoy the sites. I am 52 years old and 20 pounds overweight and I walked the trail so the steps at MP really seemed minor to me.

Janetwh

I just remembered concerning the walking sticks. You can have treking poles as long as they have a rubber tip. It was the wooden sticks that they sell through out Peru that are not allowed in MP. We came off the trail into MP and we all had our treking poles. My knees were shot from the trek so the poles made it easier to go up and down the stairs.

MarthaT

GrannyJoan, I also resisted taking the Diamox when I went to South America in 2005 but the travel med doc said please take it with me just in case. I had been to high altitude before with no problems. I did not take it before I got there and ended up with the worst headache ever!!! Nothing made it go away.
I started on the Diamox and it really helped. I only had a little bit of tingling in my fingertips which only lasted about 15 minutes.
I read all about the side effects and was really scared to take it but I would not hesitate to take it if I went to high altitude again.

GrannyJoan

Janet, thanks for all the tips and encouragement about the walk at MP. I will give it a try. I had planned to buy a walking stick with rubber tip to use and glad you told me about the wooden sticks not being allowed.

Martha and Janet, thanks for your inputs on diamox. I have been reading about the medicine, side effects etc and trying to decide if it will be right for me and DH. It is basically a diuretic of sorts and since we both take blood pressure medication which also has diuretics, not sure it will be advisable for us to take more of same.

Thanks
-Granny Joan

Tess_Durberville

I've already described my experience w/ altitude (last year in Ecuador & more recently, Peru) and would like to chime in here with an alternative point of view.

NOT everyone will get 'soroche' at higher elevations. I'm 50, have asthma & about 25 lbs overweight, so not am not exactly the poster-child for perfect health. Yet, I had few problems when in Peru last month. My one issue was in Puno (Lake Titicaca), which is at 12k feet; my first night there I had difficulty w/ my breathing and when I arose in morning, I went down to lobby of hotel (Casa Andina) and had a 15-minute oxygen treatment. After that I was I good to go. Never had a headache. And likely, the breathing problem was due to my asthma.

Before I went to Ecuador last year (fyi -- Quito is up at 9200 ft) I talked with my Dr. about Diamox and decided to pass on it. From seeing & talking w/ others during my Peru trip, it's clear that some people are dramatically affected and certainly would have benefited from the drug. However, do be aware this is a medication that's prescribed for various other conditions such as glaucoma and epilepsey, AND is contraindicated for some people (diabetics, for example) -- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acetazolamide

Also, due to your travel itinerary (Quito-9,200 ft, then Lima-sea level) that you'll have an opportunity to experience high elevation for a short period of time and then know whether Cusco-11,000 ft & MP-8,000 ft) will be problematic.

Lastly, I'd like to comment on Machu Picchu and the steps. I live in a very flat area, work in an office bldg (elevators) and rarely climb stairs. I debated whether to bring along a walking stick (I own one w/ a rubber tip). Decided I didn't want to schlep it along with me ..... and regreted that decision. I really wish I'd brought it with me.

GrannyJoan

Tess, thanks for advice about diamox and cane. Am out the door this afternoon to get my walking cane (collapsible) to take along. I feel I can use it in Galapagos as well.

-Granny Joan

flbronc

I never go above 9000' elevation without diamox. The only side effect (if you want to call it that) is all carbonated beverages taste 'flat'... lucky for me that I don't drinks sodas or beer so... my other half drinks beer and therefore did not enjoy it It is a wonder drug for me... have a great trip.

hills27

GJ, if you've seen my posts on Lima, then you've probably seen my restaurant recs. I really love Jose Antonio (traditional Peruvian), Astrid & Gaston (Peruvian with a twist), and La Mar (seafood, same owner as Astrid & Gaston).

As for the walking, I don't think you'll have issues. My 60-year old mom was fine, and she was not in good shape at the time.

GrannyJoan

Thanks hills. I will write these restaurants in my notes for trip.

Got a 23" rolling duffle today, I think similar to the one you had ordered from LLBean. I think it will be perfect for trip. Have you used yours yet? I like to pack as light as possible.

I got a folding cane today and will give MP my best efforts. I try to walk each day and will do the stairs a few extra times from now til trip. Walking is really good for my back, it is the standing in one place that is hard on back. So will just keep moving along.

The Galapagos itinerary has already changed due to repairs at the San Cristobal airport until late August and we will be flying now into Baltra airport and thus missing one island completely. Just hoping I see the blue footed boobies on the other islands, as this is one of the birds I really have wanted to see. Also one less snorkeling adventure. So looks like more hikes than snorkeling.

Granny Joan

GrannyJoan

Janet, Just had a chance to download Goggle Earth app on my Mac. Great shots ... really zooms to next destination. Thanks for the mention of this site.

-GrannyJoan

hills27

GJ, actually, I bought the LL Bean regular duffle. The 20-inch rolling carry-on duffle I bought is from Victorinox.

I think you'll be fine with the walking. It's not that much, just take it slow. You have all day, and there are plenty of walls to sit on and just enjoy the scenery.

Btw, I knew there was a reason I like you...you're a mac person too!

GrannyJoan

Yes I am a Mac person. We were all excited last nite and about to purchase an iphone for the trip. We thought it would be a great way to store our extra photos without lugging our Mac laptop. But it turns out you still have to have a computer to sync photos to an iphone. Also need to have a newer Mac with USB2 type connector. We have 4 Macs now and none with USB2 connector. Will wait for a later release and upgrade one of the computers at that time.

Looking into a small storage device about 4x6 with small screen that will store photos from camera directly and also mp3 files and has an FM tuner as well. Sometimes it is nice to have music in your cabin or room.

Glad you are a Mac user too!
-Granny Joan

hills27

If you aren't taking gazillions of pictures (e.g. 300-500 per day), the iPod works well for photo storage backup. All you need is the iPod and this little converter ($29) so you can plug the USB cord into the iPod. That's what I used in Peru for my digital point and shoot (still had my film SLR), and all my friends ended up borrowing it.

The only reason it doesn't work well for serious photogs is that transferring photos takes a lot of battery power. But it wasn't a problem for me in Peru, especially since it's so easy to charge the iPod in the hotel (it's dual voltage so no converter needed).

Since I'm a prolific photographer and now have a DSLR, I'm debating whether to buy a more serious photo storage device or just use my old photo iPod (just bought a new video iPod). Since I'm staying in hotels or lodges every night, charging it shouldn't be much of a problem. If I do buy a photo storage device, I'd prefer to buy one with a nice screen, but the price is so high compared to one without. And I've spent so much on photo equipment for this trip already!

gypsyluce

hiya, Im a tour leader and take groups to peru and bolivia, most people aged 50 and above. I live in Brasil. Not sure if you realise but in England a homeopathic remedy for altitude sickness is available. Unfortuantely it is not available here in Brasil, due to being made up of coca ingredients, the same as the tea etc, but obviously in homeopathic minute concentration.
Prepare for your trip by taking supplements of iron and ginkgo biloba, which can boost the supply of oxygen to the brain, a fortnight before departure. The body uses iron to make haemoglobin – the part of the red blood cells that carries oxygen around your system – so it is important to make sure that your iron levels are healthy before you leave.
See what your doctor says about the amount to take etc but it's always worked for me. In Bolivia I was able to get a coca syrup which was excellent and moe concentrated, avail;able there in health food shops.
Have a great time. Keep well

GrannyJoan

Hills,

Thanks for info on ipod. We actually have two ipods, unfortunately we purchased some of the first ones when they came out. "Music only" ipods. I will forward your comments to DH and see if he would want to buy the photo capable ipod for trip. I will check pricing on ipods versus this other device: Smartdisk Flashtrax 80GB LCD screen.

Also not sure about the USB2 connector. Might be smartdisk device maybe unusable with our Macs for transferring files back to computer later. DH is the hardware expert in family and I'm the software expert.

Gypsluce, Thanks for info on herbal remedies for altitude sickness.

-Granny Joan