How High is Machu Picchu and How to Acclimate The High Altitude
Machu Picchu captivates every person who likes to venture to travel and know the world. This cultural and natural heritage of humanity is a unique and rare place, for all the mysteries that, more than a hundred years after its discovery, continue to hide in the sight of all travelers.
Altitude of Machu Picchu
No matter how physically fit you are, this UNESCO world-historic site is located at an altitude of 7,972 feet (2,430 meters) above sea level. Cusco, the entry city before your trek to Machu Picchu, is located at an elevation of 11,152 feet (3,399m) above sea level. This is significantly higher than the Incan citadel. Acute mountain altitude sickness typically occurs at heights of 8,000 feet (2,500m) and above, so if you plan on going to Cusco and Machu Picchu, you can be at risk of getting altitude sickness.
To reduce your risk of getting altitude sickness, the best thing you can do before traveling around Cusco or Machu Picchu is spending the extra time allowing your body to acclimate to your new altitude before any serious sightseeing. When you are at higher altitudes, the air pressure drops, and there is less oxygen available.
Arrival in Cusco
When you arrive in Cusco, particularly if you have flown in directly from Lima, you should try to set aside at least 24 hours to acclimate to the new altitude, during which time you should take things easy. Lima is located at sea level, so flying directly from Lima to Cusco involves a significant altitude increase in very little time, giving your body no chance to adapt during the journey.
Also, new visitors arriving by plane have the option of visiting nearby towns to Cusco in the Sacred Valley. These towns are at slightly lower altitudes, providing a more gentle form of acclimation before heading back to Cusco.
If you take a bus from Lima to Cusco, which is about 22 hours, your body will have a more gradual period of adjustment, and you should be able to handle the altitude in Cusco once you arrive.
What to do to avoid altitude sickness in tour Machu Picchu?
Travelers who want to know Machu Picchu without any inconvenience, have the option of moving from Cusco to other nearby cities of the Sacred Valley and stay in some of the towns such as Ollantaytambo, Pisaq or Urubamba which are at slightly lower altitudes than those of Cusco and Machu Picchu. Staying about 24 hours in these places provides visitors with a smoother form of acclimatization before returning to Cusco or continuing the great Machu Picchu tour package.
When in deep breathing, sleep is an important time for body adaptation, but avoid sleeping pills and alcohol both affect your breathing while you sleep. Keep in mind other effects of height during Machu Picchu travel. Some people, especially women, experience swelling in the hands, face and ankles. For what is recommended, avoid wearing tight jewelry and contact lenses.
Coca leaves have been used in the Andes for thousands of years, and are an important part of the high Andean culture. It was one of the most important food sources for the population that has lived and lives in the Andes.
It should be noted that it is not a hallucinogenic drug, the coca leaf, it has proteins, vitamins and minerals, which make it an excellent nutritious option with medicinal properties, well recognized and proven. Therefore, its analgesic effect helps to diminish, the symptoms of height, such as headache and fatigue.
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