Altitude sickness, or Soroche, comprises a variety of symptoms that result from a too rapid change in air pressure and oxygen level (both of these being lower at higher altitudes) without giving the body enough time to adjust. These symptoms range in severity from fairly mild --- including headache, insomnia, reduced co-ordination and dizziness, shortness of breath, and vomiting --- to more severe pulmonary and cranial edema. Most cases are mild and resolve within 24 hours of being at a higher elevation.
High altitude is considered to be from 8,000 to 12,000 feet, very high altitude from 12-18,000 feet and extremely high above 18,000 feet. Chinchero will be our highest elevation on this trip at just over 12,000 feet and that is why we are attending workshops and doing activities with minimal exertion for the first couple of days, allowing our bodies time to acclimate before we begin our optional hiking day. It is rare that anyone will have any altitude sickness while visiting the Citadel of Machu Picchu, but it is possible that folks may have mild symptoms while hiking Huayna Picchu Mountain - we strongly recommend that folks who are still having symptoms of altitude sickness, even mild, after their first couple of days around Cusco do not attempt this hike.
Physical fitness has not been determined to effect the likelihood of someone developing altitude sickness, but some higher risk factors include lung or heart conditions, pregnancy, living at lower elevations, and a history of having had altitude sickness in the past.
Some general recommendations for decreasing the likelihood of developing symptoms are increasing fluid intake, avoid the use of alcohol and cigarettes while at the higher altitude, as well as avoiding the use of any depressant drugs as sleeping pills and tranquilizers. There are also some locally available over-the-counter potential remedies for purchase in Cusco including the most popular Coca tea.
There are also prescription medications that can speed up the acclimation process if taken 24 hours prior to reaching the higher elevation, but there may be side effects involved; therefore, we strongly recommend that all travelers check with their healthcare providers as to their risks and recommendations for symptom control.
Other websites for further information include: CDC, NIH, and Cleveland Clinic as well as several others.
High altitude is considered to be from 8,000 to 12,000 feet, very high altitude from 12-18,000 feet and extremely high above 18,000 feet. Chinchero will be our highest elevation on this trip at just over 12,000 feet and that is why we are attending workshops and doing activities with minimal exertion for the first couple of days, allowing our bodies time to acclimate before we begin our optional hiking day. It is rare that anyone will have any altitude sickness while visiting the Citadel of Machu Picchu, but it is possible that folks may have mild symptoms while hiking Huayna Picchu Mountain - we strongly recommend that folks who are still having symptoms of altitude sickness, even mild, after their first couple of days around Cusco do not attempt this hike.
Physical fitness has not been determined to effect the likelihood of someone developing altitude sickness, but some higher risk factors include lung or heart conditions, pregnancy, living at lower elevations, and a history of having had altitude sickness in the past.
Some general recommendations for decreasing the likelihood of developing symptoms are increasing fluid intake, avoid the use of alcohol and cigarettes while at the higher altitude, as well as avoiding the use of any depressant drugs as sleeping pills and tranquilizers. There are also some locally available over-the-counter potential remedies for purchase in Cusco including the most popular Coca tea.
There are also prescription medications that can speed up the acclimation process if taken 24 hours prior to reaching the higher elevation, but there may be side effects involved; therefore, we strongly recommend that all travelers check with their healthcare providers as to their risks and recommendations for symptom control.
Other websites for further information include: CDC, NIH, and Cleveland Clinic as well as several others.