Honest answer: maybe a little, and that’s completely normal. Cusco sits around 11,000 feet above sea level, and parts of the trip take you even higher. Most people feel the altitude as shortness of breath, a headache, or trouble sleeping the first night or two. It usually passes as your body adjusts. We’ve designed the itinerary to give you time to acclimate, so you’re not thrown into the deep end on day one.
How is the trip designed to help me acclimate?
Instead of dropping you straight into Cusco, one of the highest points on the itinerary, we start lower. Your first two nights are spent in the Sacred Valley, around 9,000 feet, which gives your body a chance to adjust before we head up to Cusco later in the week. For this reason, it’s best not to arrive early on your own.
What can I do to prepare before I go?
A few simple things make a big difference.
- Start drinking a lot of water several days before you travel, and keep it up once you're there.
- Pack electrolytes and use them daily.
- In the weeks leading up to the trip and during it, go easy on greasy or heavy food since lighter, smaller meals are gentler on your digestion at altitude.
- Skip the alcohol on your flight down.
- If you want to talk to your doctor about altitude medication beforehand, there are options worth asking about.
What if I start to feel sick during the trip?
We’ll be prepared. Our hotels and transportation carry oxygen, so it’s there if anyone needs it. We also have a dedicated team member on this trip whose role is to help make sure everyone is comfortable at altitude. Because of the way we’ve paced the itinerary, we don’t expect altitude to derail the experience, but we always prefer to be overprepared.
How strenuous is this trip?
We build in relaxed days on purpose because altitude can be hard on your body, and we want you to actually enjoy your vacation. Thankfully, many of the most beautiful views on this trip don’t require much effort to reach. There is hiking, including at Machu Picchu, but we take it slow, and there are more accessible ways to experience the site if needed. You don’t need to be an avid hiker to enjoy Peru.