How I Experienced Altitude Sickness When Travelling From Lima To Cusco, Peru

“Will I experience altitude sickness in Cusco, Peru?’ You might! Altitude sickness is real, so don’t let the internet tell you anything different. 

According to the internet, internet stories and other travellers, altitude sickness is a health issue that may temporarily affect you when travelling too fast to a high altitude. 

If you want to visit Machu Picchu or any of the other Inca ruins in Peru located around Cusco, you will have to take a direct flight from Lima, the capital of Peru, to Cusco, where you might experience altitude sickness. 

This is the story of how I experienced altitude sickness, and I even made this video on my YouTube channel to give you an idea of what to expect. 

I wish I had more footage, but the reality is that it was hard to talk to the camera, and I couldn’t put my happy face on during those two days I spent in Cusco. 

However, if you want to avoid altitude sickness, you can.

After landing in Cusco, you should proceed to visit the Sacred Valley first, which is at a lower altitude, and that way, your body will have enough time to acclimatise without you feeling it. Then you can return to Cusco later, and you should be fine. 

So here is everything you need to know about altitude sickness when travelling from Lima to Cusco in Peru. 

Cusco altitude

The issue is that Cusco is located at an altitude of over 11,152 feet, which is about 3,499 meters.

Going from almost sea level to that altitude will create an unwanted reaction in many people, which is called altitude sickness. 

This is not to say that everyone will experience altitude sickness in Cusco, but from my personal experience, a lot of people will.

Your age, fitness level, or muscular mass doesn’t really matter.

If you are not used to this altitude, then it might affect you as well.

That’s why I strongly recommend that you do not book any activities during your first two days in Cusco after you land (coming from Lima). 

Speaking of Lima, I have the most detailed guide on all the best things to do in Lima when visiting for the first time. I’m sure it will help you plan your trip and make it epic.

I strongly recommend that you get acclimatised to the altitude in Cusco before attempting to visit Lake Titicaca or Rainbow Mountain.

How to avoid altitude sickness in Cusco, Peru?

Cusco is the gateway to visiting some of the most important Inca ruins, including the famous Machu Picchu. Some optional places in Machu Picchu involve some hiking (Wayna Picchu hike), so that’s going to be impossible if you’re not used to the altitude.

It is the place you will land in, and you will probably feel a bit dizzy for a couple of days. 

But if you want to try to avoid altitude sickness, then you should not stay in Cusco and transfer as soon as you land in the Sacred Valley.

The Sacred Valley of the Incas is only one hour away by car from Cusco, and its altitude is lower, depending on location, at around 2800 meters (9186 ft).

Use that time to acclimatise to the altitude and visit some of the most popular attractions in Peru, such as Pisac, Moray and Ollantaytambo. 

If you have experience driving in Peru or similar countries, consider renting a car.

If not, you can easily ask the hotel to arrange a private transfer, or you can book a transfer yourself. This is a common practice, and there are many travel agencies offering tours and transfers in and around Cusco. 

What are the mild symptoms of altitude sickness you might experience in Cusco?

There is no need to be alarmed because most people who experience altitude sickness will only experience mild symptoms. 

Of course, it will differ from one person to another, but from my personal experience, the mild symptoms to expect after landing in Cusco are:

• Short of breath sensation (dyspnea) – you might feel something tight in your chest and difficulty breathing, like a cramp in your chest. This sensation might become more obvious when walking, especially when climbing steep streets. 
• Dizziness – the brain will get less oxygen than it’s used to, so you might become a bit dizzy if you’re moving too fast or trying to exercise. If you feel that, just slow down; you’ll recover. 
• Feeling tired – because you get less oxygen, your body’s first reaction might be to feel sleepy. 
• Lack of appetite – For the first couple of days, I felt tired, and although I occasionally remembered I was hungry, when I had to eat, I would feel full really fast. So I didn’t eat much during the first two days in Cusco. This doesn’t help with your recovery, so just take it slow and let your body adjust. 
• Bowl movement – I don’t know if this is something that’s necessarily a symptom of altitude sickness, but it seemed to me that it also affected the bowls, especially if you have any digestive issues. 

Obviously, I am not a doctor, and I can’t speak for everyone, so this is only my experience, and the symptoms might be different for you. I’m sharing this to give you an idea of what can happen and to prevent you from getting too alarmed if this happens to you once you land in Cusco, Peru. 

After the third morning in Cusco, I was feeling much better, and most of these symptoms were gone. 

But I think that was also because I took it really slow during those first days in Cusco and stayed in bed when I wasn’t feeling too great. 

I wrote my 3-day easy Cusco itinerary in great detail to explain everything I did, and I think it strikes the perfect balance between sightseeing and taking it easy to let your body acclimatise to the altitude.  

How to ease the altitude sickness symptoms? 

I found that taking it easy was the best way to get through those first couple of days in Cusco. 

If I have to mention three things that helped me to feel better when I experienced altitude sickness in Cusco, that would be:

• Drinking lots of water – I was feeling dehydrated and lacking appetite, so I always made sure I was drinking water. 
• Having coca tea – All hotels in Cusco will offer complementary coca tea at the reception and at breakfast. It’s a mild-flavoured, soothing tea that will calm you and make you feel slightly better. 
• Resting enough – I spent a lot of time resting, much more than I would usually do when travelling to a new place. For instance, I wasn’t out exploring for more than a maximum of 6 hours, which only happened on the last day, because the first two days, I wasn’t capable of walking that much. 

It is also recommended to take altitude sickness medication, which is plant-based, and you can easily find it at pharmacies in Lima and Cusco. 

It would be better to buy it from Lima and start taking it before you board the plane to Cusco, and then continue taking it for a couple of days. 

Also, please avoid alcohol. Your body is already struggling, so there is no need to make it harder.

Remember that we are all different, and our bodies might react differently to the altitude in Cusco. This was my experience, and I hope it helps you better understand how altitude sickness might develop once you arrive in Cusco, the Inca capital of Peru. 

Safe travels!