Before telling you how to avoid altitude sickness on your trip to Peru, let us explain what it is. Altitude sickness, known locally as soroche, happens when you travel to a place higher than you are used to. The higher you go, the less oxygen there is, and those low oxygen levels show up as discomfort in the body.
These are some of the symptoms to look out for:
- Headache
- Tiredness
- Fatigue or shortness of breath
- Dizziness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Irritability
As you can imagine, these symptoms can ruin a trip. That is why we have put together some tips to avoid altitude sickness in Peru, which will also help whenever you travel to other high-altitude destinations.
Tips to avoid altitude sickness in Peru
Acclimatise. This is the most important tip. When you arrive at a high-altitude destination such as Cusco, ideally spend the first day resting at your hotel and, if you go out, keep to short, easy walks nearby. If your journey was long and tiring, use the day to recover.
Go up gradually. Once you have acclimatised, control your pace of ascent: avoid, for example, visiting a very high mountain on your second day in Cusco. The key is to gain altitude little by little.
Avoid overdoing it. Skipping strenuous activities during the first two days makes a big difference.
Protect yourself from the cold. Keep your head warm, because it is easy to catch a chill through your ears and temples. That quickly leads to a headache and, combined with the lack of oxygen, the effects are immediate.
Carry oxygen. It is a quick fix and one of the most recommended. There are products designed for this, such as small portable oxygen canisters. If you travel with a professional agency, they will most likely carry small oxygen tanks in case a traveller feels unwell.
Stay hydrated and don’t skip meals. Water helps carry nutrients throughout the body. A balanced diet, without excesses that upset your digestion, is also important, especially if it includes foods that give you energy in a healthy, natural way.
Avoid alcohol and tobacco. You know your body: learn to listen to it. If you have any health condition, check with your doctor before travelling. And one last tip: consider travel assistance insurance, because you never know when you might need it.
We hope these tips to avoid altitude sickness in Peru, and in other destinations around the world, are helpful. If you would like to discover Cusco, the destination we used as an example, take a look at our tours from Cusco.
