How To Deal with Altitude Sickness in Peru

[@mromagnoli]

I've been to Peru five times, and to some of the highest places in the country. One trick I figured out was taking aspirin. If your stomach can handle aspirin, take 3 x 325mg pills. This not only mitigated altitude sickness quite well, I shared this with Peruvians I was with and they were shocked at how well it worked. I would also not recommend using the pills they sell in Peru for soroche (which is what they call altitude sickness in Peru). Coca tea never worked for me - it's essentially a stimulant and that increases your heart rate, which I'm not sure is actually good for altitude sickness anyway.....

[@jawadarif5676]

Aspirin thin you blood so that more work quote well as your blood carrying oxygen get to the body quicker

[@lauraabadie8296]

Great information though most US citizens will overlook this important point! The Andes are the second highest mountain range IN THE WORLD, and Cusco is definitely higher than Denver or Lake Tahoe. I’ve just returned and found that our tour did not allow enough time for MY system to acclimate (I was the oldest in the group at 55). I purchased altitude capsules, drank plenty of water and coca tea, and chewed coca leaves. Day two of the Salkantay trek I struggled with headache and fatigue. (actually day 4 in Peru) Afterwards my body adjusted UNTIL Saturday’s trip to see the Rainbow Mountains. The elevation, @18,000 ft, is equal to the Mt. Everest base camp. Locals recommend spending only 30 minutes at the summit. Our group was up nearly an hour, then the hike/pony ride back down and a very rough and rambunctious bus ride to our « lunch » stop...equalled a splitting headache, nausea and tossed cookies even WITH the altitude capsules. Our driver gave me oxygen and monitored my heartrate. Definitely train 6 months in advance using an altitude mask! ...and be prepared! The views are spectacular, the people are kind, generous and hard-working. The food; HIGH carbs. Glad to have checked this off the bucket list. 👍🏻

[@julie707]

When I trekked the Inca Trail in 2001, I had terrible altitude sickness, and our local guide knew very little about what to do. (He kept telling me it was my asthma kicking up.) An IMPORTANT thing I learned: NEVER take any sort of sleep aid when you have this,! As you said, the tea that the hotels give you can make you jittery, but taking a sleeping pill can kill you. I actually did take an ambien one night, but a respiratory therapist in our group read me (and our guide) the riot act the next day.

[@adolfobriceno1635]

Thanks. This is the best explanation of altitude sickness in all Yoube. It covers everything that you need to know. When me and my friends traveled to Cusco to do the Inca Trail which is a 4 day hike to Machu Picchu we made sure that the first day we relaxed and did nothing, just to get acclimate The second day we just did a leisurely walk and the thirst we started the 4 day hike. It was all well planned and we had no problem at all

[@darnavillanueva2794]

I had that experience too in Cusco. I had to use oxygen to relieve the symptoms. I was having shortness of breath. Thanks for sharing.

[@liz2880]

Hope Jocelyn feels (or felt) better fast!

[@woltersworld]

+Liz it took her a few days but she ended up ok

[@jocelynwolters293]

Liz you're sweet! Thanks much 😊

[@EinkOLED]

I had a high heartbeat and shortness of breath and fizzy eyesight, but it wasn't too serious. Part of my reckless but stunning mini bus trip to Ollantaytambo reached 13,000ft. When I closed an empty bottle of inca kola whilst in cusco, after landing in lima it was completely squashed. It is now my souvenir.

[@woltersworld]

+EinkOLED I'm glad you ended up ok. And that happened to one of our Inca Kola bottles too :) was pretty cool

[@javierhernandez215]

I live at an altitude of 198ft above sea level, and I went 8000ft in a day with not warning, although a have anxiety and I know the symptoms of anxiety very well when I was up there I knew that my symptoms were very different I was having shortness of breath increase headaches by the minute, high blood pressure, disoriented, incoherent speaking and poor visibility, wich I coul not understand why I was blinking so fast, anyway I started to feel better after was taking down to a lower altitude, but I had to spend 2 day in the hotel in recovery , on a side note while I was up there I drank so much water and my mouth was all the time dry , is that normal?

[@woltersworld]

Sorry for the super fast talking

[@joepvn6402]

Wolters World didn't mind it. Very informatic

[@MoQambique]

You should become a travelling rapper :)

[@namankumar9478]

No problem l heard your each word correctly even without captions.

[@hlynnkeith9334]

No worries, Mark. That just means you are excited about the place and the topic.

[@jgw5491]

It's the coca lol. ;-)

[@CP140405]

One of the most common meds for altitude sickness is acetazolamide... and of course a slow ascent to altitude is a wise precaution...

[@jocelynwolters293]

CP140405 that is good advice. I wish I had been able to ascend more slowly.

[@claubaznest]

Good advice!!! I recommend also to take an altitude sickness pill called Sorojchi Pills, you can buy it in Lima or other city in Peru before you get to Cuzco. Take it in the plane or the bus and it will help you to reduce the risk.

[@woltersworld]

+Clau Estuvo Aquí thank you!!

[@jocelynwolters293]

Clau Estuvo Aquí I'll use those next time! Thanks.

[@mno185]

What is lima?

[@azprosyx]

Its 2019 decemeber 27 those pills dont exist anymore am currently in puno and the pills are not on the Peruvian mark anymore and am only 13 and i have symptoms of altitude sickness and i drank coca tea and took other pills but i still feel bad am 12500 feet above sea leve btw i live in miami and i came to puno and now i feel bad and cant think it hurts

[@azprosyx]

@@mno185 lima is a capital city in peru

[@chazmichael7967]

Wow, this guy had a lot of coca leaves lots of energy! Now I know how they built that ancient city up there.

[@Metdiva1]

Good to know before hiking Mt. Fuji as well.

[@Morphxeus]

This helps me so much because I just arrived in Colorado from Florida!!

[@LeanneTorio]

omg now I am so freaked out! I get really sick on boats. I am going to BA and want to take a trip to Peru but now I am really reconsidering it.

[@isakito1997]

i'm from lima so i don't used to the altitude and when i travel to the country side which is high i usually spend 1 or 2 days to let my body get use to. And also if you're going for treeking don't eat any kind of fat.

[@stephrainspirite9985]

Love it! Thank you. We will be taking chlorophyll, probiotics and other natual O2 drops to add O2 to our body before and during our trip. I am also focuse on hydration and clean water. I bought inexpensive water tablets and a backpack that holds 2 liters clean water for hikes. I also bought travel size 100 deet since I hear bugs can be nasty on machu picchu. We plan to eat and drink lots of coco leaves and stay in Cusco only overnight and move down to adjust in Olly which looks like and incredible town.

[@PhantomUniform0]

I have had this before, when I was in the mountains west of denver

[@woltersworld]

+PhantomUniform0 yikes.

[@johndaugherty7779]

So what!

[@professorx1739]

What were your symptoms (phantom). I'm a truck driver and been traveling west to Arizona and California. All of a sudden everything in my body started getting tight chest tight hard to breathe head throbbing and all, Now I have a phobia of high altitudes and my symptoms are lingering around now for a couple of weeks. My friends think I am experiencing anxiety attacks because I'm having time struggling to get that deep breathe. Went to the heart specialist no signs of heart problems

[@Captain-Cosmo]

Here in Denver, we live at 6000 feet, and we frequently camp at 11,000 - 12,000 feet. We try not to take it for granted when friends visit that we're acclimated to these higher altitudes. Even for us, however, altitude sickness is real. After 2 days at the higher alts, we can expect hiccups (treated well with a nice cannabis indica). After three days, we expect headaches -- sometimes severe -- before we've completely descended.

[@woltersworld]

+Michael that's cool of you. I'm guessing some of your friends from out of town don't even think about it. That's super cool of you.

[@nooranik21]

Growing up one of my friends lived in Denver. I went and visted him every summer and vice versa. Starting in high school both of us started running cross country. He came and visted me and at my team's practice blew me out of the water. I went and visted him and ran with his team and was just about out of steam after 2 miles.

[@jocelynwolters293]

Michael I camped in the west, Estes etc frequently when I was younger. Never had a problem. Cusco kicked my butt! It's good of you to be so aware for friends.

[@ReallyReal_1]

nooranik21 omfg same what's ur 5k pr?

[@nooranik21]

16:30 something.

[@julianalenty]

This is so scary! I went to Cuzco a year ago and I had so much fun but I experienced some awful symptoms. It lasted two days but still very scary!

[@RickFidelisReed]

In 2016 I relied on Coca Coca leaves for the first three days. The rest of the two were a breeze. Returning in March.

[@sandybazan731]

I’m here now and thankfully my breathing is fine (except of course getting tired fast when going up steps) but my headaches are awful!

[@valeriebenson8770]

I was there The locals chew coca leaves. Drink coca tea. What happened to me wss that I lost my appetite and couldn't eat. They had these wonderful buffets and I just couldn't eat the scrumptious delicious food . I couldn't eat !

[@travel-center-uk]

Very useful advice and guidance, I just consider this video as a service! Hats off "Wolters World"

[@EBMbish]

Thank you for This! I really want to go but I'm afraid of the altitude. I had a really hard time in Breckenridge so I know Peru will be a challenge for me.

[@woltersworld]

+Tamara take it easy the first day. Get some meds from your doctor at home and don't be embarrassed to ask for oxygen. Our guide was like ASK FOR IT :)

[@joplinh.w.8555]

I went when i was 16 and wasnt able to move out of bed. My tour group was going everywhere and all fine and i had to stay behind because I was so weak and tired. I believe i had a cold at the same time or something but the medicine i was given made made me unable to eat or drink anything AMD for two days I couldnt eat or drink without immediately puking and it felt like I couldnt think straight. Im pretty sure i almost died and I still feel like I burdened everyone who I may have put a downer on their trip but at least I was able to pull through. Luckily the day we actually hiked Machu Picchu was the last day before heading back to lima and I felt much better for that hike. Want hing this I shouldve asked for oxygen because pills werent working but its in the past now.

[@SierrasTravel]

Great advice! We're planning a trip to Cusco and this was very helpful.

[@ser610ml]

Very nice video! I’m Peruvian, thanks for visiting, I love cuy!

[@putzboy]

I don't travel but still love to watch your video's.

[@woltersworld]

+Ron236 thank you Ron

[@tomcorridan5236]

Ty so much . Super useful information..

[@lukasbocker6740]

Hey Wolters Family. I am going to Tyrol this month and the video was really helpfull to prepare for the trip. Thanks a lot :)

[@woltersworld]

+Robb Stark awesome. It's gorgeous there.

[@Afrinaturality]

I fainted at altitude in Peru...so embarrassing. I came round literally with a man slapping something around my face (I don't know if it was alcohol) and my legs raised in the air. I'm so glad very few people know me out there!

[@woltersworld]

+Afrinaturality yikes. I'm glad you weren't hurt.

[@Afrinaturality]

Wolters World Thanks. I lived to tell the tale! 😊

[@jocelynwolters293]

Afrinaturality that's frightening. But now you have a funny story to tell. 🤗

[@lauraabadie8296]

It was likely Aqua de Florida; an herbal tincture to help revive you.

[@anam9621]

Wow! Glad you are okay

[@DOUGandNIKI]

Great video...we are going in a couple of months.

[@nathanjw940]

For me it is tired. Went to Costa Rica slept a lot went to bed at 9 which is not usual. Grand canyon I slept 12 hours.

[@MarkBH70]

Also in Lhasa, Tibet, I would imagine. I just saw an advertisement for Georgia before this video. Seems interesting. I'd like to go rather to Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan--but from what I've heard it's hard to get in. We lived in Roanoke Virginia and would go to the mountains. However at maybe 700 feet to 1500 feet, the altitude felt refreshing and clean!

[@andreaorbzy31]

Mark, idea for a video for you, sure you’ve gotten it before. But you’re a smart guy, and you seem to speak several languages, maybe a language series from you? A bit more in depth than your current language videos? I really appreciate your advice and insights and I think a language series would be wonderful from you! Safe travels!

[@woltersworld]

+Andrea Orbegozo I've thought about it but the language video series just don't get many views so I switched to focusing more on the travel tips side. I loved doing the language videos though

[@ekanatha2107]

Great thing travel on vacations to feel sick.

[@colinburke3758]

Planning on a summer trip.... hiking the salkantay.... any thoughts or tips... not sure of the seasons there

[@xXPyrophorusXx]

Don't forget: dispose of anything coca related before you leave Peru

[@juliorojo6536]

Just came back mexico city after 5 days of walking the city (7,350 ft elevation) didn't drink a lot of h2o while there, on the 5th day starting feeling those symptoms Question, how long before symptoms go away once back at normal elevation?

[@tw25rw]

I had this is Switzerland. It's like bad flu, but without the snot. Horrible feeling.

[@woltersworld]

+tw25rw seriously horrible

[@azprosyx]

@@woltersworld yea am having it currently am in peru puno with my dad for vacation and am having it and am only 13 and am 12500 feet above sea level btw i live in miami florida which is normal sea level and i think i might die bc thinking hurts and eating hurts i drank like 4 coca teas today and i feel worse

[@samuelrivera3534]

Thanks for the advice I’ll be seeing my doctor ✌🏼

[@thegeneral123]

In the description, breathe, not breath. Not doing the grammar nazi role but that jumped out to me. Great vid.

[@jocelynwolters293]

thegeneral123 I tease Mark often about his English. But I am secretly doing it because he excells in several languages and I've only got him on our native tongue. Bad wife. 😆

[@anam9621]

Thanks for all the tips! My family and I are planning to go to Peru this July.. Did your kids got sick?

[@mollyrobbins6996]

Did you fly straight to Cusco for your trip? Or somewhere with a lower altitude first?

[@mno185]

Hye My name is Naren and i am from Nepal(Kathmandu) so i have a question for altitude sickness can you tell about it? Because i like to travell and i have already done ABC trek more then 12 times, i have a not that problem but i like to know about altitude sickness and best solutions?

[@jawadarif5676]

We plan at 3.00pm but it he a good idea to spend anther day and night in Cuzco, before I start to do the jungle trex or is it ok to do it next day

[@niallers8572]

Hi Mark the 5 tings you will love and hate about Australia?

[@woltersworld]

+Pacman_ king_01 this summer ;)

[@MrVikingsandra]

Omg, your Mom looks like Diane Keaton! That's awesome 😃

[@woltersworld]

+Vikingsandra I've had that comment before on my mom. And they both are awesome :)

[@bleachedout]

Great advice and video! :)

[@woltersworld]

+mitchellbot thank you

[@marsgal42]

I've been to high-elevation places in New Mexico (Santa Fe, Taos, both about 7000 feet), and after the initial breathlessness I get a headache. It clears after a day and then I'm fine. When flying an unpressurized plane you're allowed 30 minutes between 10,000 and 13,000 feet (in Canada), then you must have oxygen for longer or higher.

[@woltersworld]

+Laura Halliday thanks for the heads up

[@abhiksaha3629]

Thanks

[@woltersworld]

+KrispyIsLegit you are welcome

[@chrisf247]

Was Jocelyn able to work her way off of the oxygen, or was the trip basically a wash for her?

[@woltersworld]

+Chris F just the 1st couple days she would have the oxygen then she was fine

[@PrimiusLovin]

3400m is just everyday life for the ~2.4 million people living in La Paz (3600-4000m)! XD

[@ahmd5]

People can die from Altitude Sickness

[@astralyummycandy888]

Lol I chuckled when you said it's like falling in love...hahaa it does kill

[@Drewinvan]

How many cups of coffee did you have before this video? Lol...just kidding.. thank you for your videos, they are great! My wife and I are going to Peru in January... regards from Vancouver, BC. Keep up the great work!

[@namankumar9478]

Iam currently facing sinus problem.Indian surgeons know nothing.

[@gustavoslavic6859]

Coca Leafs 👍

[@In1998able]

Most be the Birkenstocks the problem

[@lizaltman1200]

does being obese as hell make you more likely to get AMS or?

[@guccimane99]

wow

[@adolfobriceno1635]

Thanks for the tips. It can ruin your trip

[@ekanatha2107]

There's no way to deal with "soroche". I did almost die because of it. I had to stop my vacation and back home. Peru never more.

[@blacksnowflake8574]

i had a similar experience on the Himalayas.. first trip at 3300 mt no problems, second trip same altitude i was really really bad, couldnt breathe, my driver had to brave one of the most dangerous roads on the planet in the dark to get me to a lower altitude; now i am toying with the idea of flying to Cuzco from Lima and back same day and just stay 4 hours...

[@francescogamba8280]

0.75x speed is the way

[@SunriseFireberry]

R u doing anything special for 300K?

[@woltersworld]

+TimeAndChance Sunday we will have a little something something

[@SunriseFireberry]

Cash giveaway? Live show? Soon you'll have 1/3M, first of 3 steps to gold. Fame. Influence. Riches? And one day, Antarctica & maybe space.

[@jocelynwolters293]

TimeAndChance you're funny!

[@SunriseFireberry]

Jocelyn do you want to go to space? Save your shekels. Get sponsored. The trip of a lifetime. :-)

[@jocelynwolters293]

TimeAndChance I'm afraid to fly. I'm not sure there's enough Jack Daniels in Tennessee to get me to space.

[@seattlesharksfan]

Coca is a helluva drug :P

[@effie-Toronto]

Are you guys in Peru now???

[@woltersworld]

+Effie Colida back home now

[@Rotful]

So if high altitudes make it harder to exercise, does that mean that if someone who was born in Cuzco and never left beforehand would feel super-human when they visited somewhere close to sea level?

[@khalidcarrillo1132]

I think it does help. I've heard Olympic athletes train at high altitudes. Also with football (soccer), home nations with high altitudes have a big advantage over visitors that come from lower altitudes. Example: Bolivia.

[@henrysantiago5997]

People who suffer from high blood pressure should not drink coca tea. Instead opt for muña tea

[@Iammarlonbrown]

Dude it hurts when I breath like my lungs are inflamed

[@usmclongrangebrainsurgeon]

I think it's important to mention that obese individuals traveling to a high-altitude destination should take extra precautions

[@samuelsofa]

360 degree video of Peru *Duh...* 🙄

[@woltersworld]

+Samuel.S Jocelyn dropped the good camera and broke the lense the day before Machu Picchu. So all I had was my phone

[@nooranik21]

I work in a drug free work place and we are required to submit to random drug testing. If I were to go to Peru and use the traditional remedy of Coca leaves to treat altitude sickness, will this show up on a drug screening back home?

[@woltersworld]

+nooranik21 I have no idea

[@khalidcarrillo1132]

I doubt it will. The leaves have very little traces of any "cocaine" properties in them. After you see Gordon Ramsays show about cocaine it really opens your eyes. They fill about a swimming pool full of leaves to end up with a handful of cocaine powder after all the processing.

[@filofito]

It probably will. There is a recent case here in Peru about a football player showing positive in a doping test for "cocaine" consumption and was suspended for a year, turns out he just drank a coca tea to calm his nerves before the match and the penalty was reduced but still. You can see that here: medium.com/@JuanG_Arango/paolo-guerrero-sample-is-a-bit-more-complicated-but-simpler-b63cadf846c8. Same thing has happened to other athletes here.

[@lauraabadie8296]

Actually yes, it will. There were multiple health care and IT professionals in my group who had to forego the coca tea/leaf option.

[@wh1t3bo111]

Lol thought it said ‘ATTITUDE’ Sickness.

[@jocelynwolters293]

Wizard Tips well, to be honest I often have that ailment when we have 6am flights. It's exacerbated by Mark who is a huge happy morning person. 🤔

[@johndaugherty7779]

Please slow down your speech.

[@kaiser5486]

It is True the Altitude can Kill you!!!!! is Why before do you go to this expedition of Altitude is better to take an ASPIRIN to Prevent Recurrent Heart Attack & Ischemic Stroke., 225 MG is recommended, ask your Physician for the doses. To travel more than a thousand, or more than two thousand kilometers, or more than Eleven thousand Feet above the sea level., requires to be consulted first to your doctor, otherwise you can die., even when you are sleeping. Take care!!!!!!!!!

[@azprosyx]

Dam what a great way to scare the shit out of a 13 year old kid on the internet with his family in puno peru for vacation and currently above 12500 sea level what a nice way to scare the shit of me lady