Acclimatizing-Machu Picchu
 

Hi All!

I am in the beginning stages of planning a trip to Peru and am interested in doing a 4day/3night trek on the Inka Trail to Machu Picchu. While I am in relatively good shape, I understand that this will be a challenging hike. I am wondering how much time I should allow for acclimatizing (to lower the risk of altitude sickness) and where I should acclimatize?

Thank you in advance for your assistance!

Various altitudes in the area:

Cusco = 10,500 ft.
Sacred Valley (Pisac, Urubamba, Ollantaytambo) = 9,000 ft.
Machu Picchu = 8,000 ft.
Aguas Calientes (the town near MP) = 6,000 ft.

The Inca trail itself takes you as high as 13,800 ft. on day 2. That's the killer day.

It depends on how much pre-trail time you have. I had several days to play around with before I tackled the trail. I started out in the Sacred Valley then worked my way up to Cusco. That's backtracking, since the trail begins near Ollantaytambo.

Generally you would want at least two or three nights sleeping in Cusco. If you have the time, spend a few nights in Ollantaytambo before that, to get used to Cusco's altitude.

Be sure to take it easy the first few days no matter where you are, eat lightly, drink lots of (bottled) water, avoid caffeine and alcohol. Enjoy the coca tea, it's tasty and free at most hotels.

I was thinking 3-4 days pre-trail. Possibly:

Nights 1-2 SV/Ollantaytambo
Nights 3-4 Cusco
Nights 5-7 on Inca trail
Night 8 Aguas Calientes

Yes that should be fine. Enjoy your trip!

When are you going? You need to get your permit for the Inca Trail well in advance.

www.mdtravelhealth.com/illness

good link to review.

consider Diamox 48 hours B4 and 48 hours after arrival

to adjust better...

Odds are good after 2 days at 8000 ft in SV and 2 days 11000ft

in Cusco you will be adjusted and ok for your trek.

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Have fun,

If you come from Lima by plane you need at least 2 days to get used to the altitude, we did last year the incatrail , and came from Puno, what is higher than Cusco, so we didn,t have any problem on the trail itselves. We dit the trail with Peru planet,
www.peru-planet.net, an agency in Cusco, great service, the food was amazing and the guide did support us a lot the second and hardest day. But be careful, i see on the incatrail permit website that the permits are alrady sold out till july, so reserve long time in advance !