Top Peru hotels
Altitude Sickness - Soroche Cusco
28 Reviews This is very real and can be extremely dangerous if you don't take care. Most people will get mild symptoms including breathlesness and tiredness. The first day may also give you a headache and...
See All 59 Warnings Or Dangers in Cusco
Trail Dangers Machu Picchu
6 Reviews Being so high above the sea level, most visitors suffer the "altitude sickness". In the first 2-3 days you will feel a little headache and some stomach problems. To fight that is advisable to drink...
See All 37 Warnings Or Dangers in Machu Picchu
Weather Wise Machu Picchu
3 Reviews Visiting Machu Picchu in January, during the rainy season, we'd read to dress warm and expect rain and fog. The day we went it turned out warm, bright and very sunny. I knew about the higher altitude...
See All 37 Warnings Or Dangers in Machu Picchu
Food / Drink Machu Picchu
6 Reviews Coca tea and chewing coca will help you adjust to altitude sickness. For most, chewing coca will make you a little slap happy. I guess everyone reacts to it differently. I felt my heart racing like I...
See All 37 Warnings Or Dangers in Machu Picchu
Bathrooms Machu Picchu
4 Reviews Quite simply, there aren't any. You'll quickly lose your inhibitions about relieving yourself in the great outdoors, because you won't really have a choice when necessity calls. The trek group with...
See All 37 Warnings Or Dangers in Machu Picchu
Timing Machu Picchu
2 Reviews If you want to experience the mysticism of Machu Picchu without distractions, then you better plan to rise bright and early in order to catch a few quiet moments of sanctity and solitude....the tour...
See All 37 Warnings Or Dangers in Machu Picchu
Sponsored Links
Be careful when handing over large notes in restaurants. 100 or 50 soles notes.A friend handed over a 100 note which he had just taken out of an ATM. The waitress came back saying it was a forgery. The note had obviously been changed and my friend had to pay for the meal and lost a 100 soles note.Always check the serial number on the note (in the presence of the waiter/waitress) and remember a few digits before handing it over.I was advised to do this by a local.
Soroche, or altitude sickness can be a real problem in Maccu Picchu and Cusco. Be sure to take care of yourself and prepare ahead of time. Altitude sickness can be miserable at the least and potentially deadly at the worse.I noticed that a lot of people around me were sick but I didn't have too many problems BUTI didn't want to take the chance of going all that way and not feeling well so I took all the precautions I could think of. See tI took 120 mg Ginko Biloba orally twice a day, starting 5 days prior to the ascent, and continuing at altitude. I did some research on this on the internet and herb books and this was the recommendation. It is thought that Ginko increase brain circulation by putting more oxygen to the brain. I also got a prescription for Diamox from my doctor before I left, but did not feel I needed to use it. The list of side effects didn't look good. I had taken it on...
The statement that you either get altitude sickness (AMS) or not independent of who you are and what you do is misleading. It probably comes from the observation that severe cases seem to strike athletes, children and young adults at greater rates than average people. Pre-existing medical conditions do not increase the incidence of altitude sickness, but the associated hypoxia can significantly increase the risk of death. There is really a continium from the mildest form of AMS with headache and perhaps some shortness of breath, to the life threatening conditions of pulmonary or cerebral edema. Since a rapid ascent from sea level to over 3000 meters causes at least 40% of travelers to get some form or degree of altitude sickness you might want to consult your doctor about possibly taking Diamox for some added protection.Here I am only discussing carrying Diamox for prophylaxsis (ie. some...
When you are visiting Parque Nacional Huaraz north of Lima through a commercial tour bus service, do not stray too far from your group. I and my friend did when we went for a walk near Lagunas Llananuco, and we got left behind miles away from civilization.
Be careful if you allergic for the bites of bird fleas when handling the birds and bird nestles. I had bad symptoms in my legs, arms and stomach. There is a pre-Inca citadel of Pikillacta, quechua name for "City of Fleas", one of the most spectacular centers of the Wari culture. Don't go there if you are allergic for fleas!!!Of course fleas of cats, dogs and specially rats can cause more dramatic and serious problems.
On November 9th 2006, I crossed peru-bolivia border between copacabana and yunguyo.Just before i went to peruvian immigration to get the exit stamp. Peruvian border guards took me to a back room in their office and searched me. Two guys pulled everything from my hand carry bag, and one searched my body and unbuckled my belt sack hidden in my clothes. The guy took my money out and asked whether i was carrying any illegal drugs and these money were counterfeits. Later he put the money back to the belt sack and let me go.I was a little worried at that time, but i thought i kept watching the money and other valuables. But when i arrived at a hotel in copacabana and checked the money, i found two hundred dollar bills were stolen. I had 10 hundred bills in a serial number. Last two serial number bills were lost. I am 100% sure i always carried the beltsack with me and i did not use these...
altitude sickness is very real. my guide told me that some of the tourists just pass out after arriving in cusco airport that they have to give them oxygen right away and that some develop fever nausea and vomiting. thank heavens i didn`t have any of those. i had my MD prescribe some diamox pills before going there and i also listened to the advice of fellow travellers who`ve been there........light meals on the first few days or not eat at all, take it easy on the first day( i just slept in my hotel room after the flight from lima) and drink lots of coca tea......... it works!!!!!
If you are looking at this in 2006, please be aware that there was a lanslide that wiped out the Inca Trail right before you reach Machu Picchu. So until it is fixed, you can not hike directly into the site. Although this was somewhat disappointing for us on the 4 day hike, it would practically ruin the two day hike. The are working to reopen the trail, but it may be a few months. You can see the landslide over my shoulder in the picture. This only underscores how fragil this incredible site is...
If traveling to Cusco the entire city is at such a high altitude that you will more than likely devlope intnese headaches. I don't look like a happy-camper here in this picture becuase my head was splitting.Still it was the most awesome experience in my life and would put up with a 100 more headaches for the experience!The locals say drinking cocoa tea helps relieve the pain. I didn't think so.It was good tea anyways.
Peru has a dad reputation as a theft ridden country. However I found that if you watch yourself in a sensible but necessarily paraniod manner, that your trip through Peru will be highly uneventful with regards to theft. I personally did not suffer any form of theft or violence while travelling around this country nor did I meet anyone who did. I did however hear second hand of a theft of a camera left by a tourist on a bus while the bus had stopped for a break. The warning here is to keep your valuables with you. Also be aware around the bus stations themselves. Supposedly they are rife with pickpockets but again I suffered no problem here. In fact I did not even find them in the least way threatening compared to some Eastern European places I have visited. However do not judge a book by its cover. Be wary about walking about alone at night in Peru. Some young men did try to lure me into...
7 Reviews and 251 Opinions We did not stay here, but it was pointed out to us as the hotel used for some of the VIPs that came...
Hostal Rumi Punku Cusco
7 Reviews and 486 Opinions Very nice hotel including all amenities, even wi-fi. Recommend the tours booked via Sergio at the...
Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel Machu Picchu
303 Opinions
Reviews and photos of Peru attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Peru sightseeing.
More Cities in Peru
More Regions in Peru
Q: We will be traveling in Dec. can only spend about 6 days in Peru. Would appreciate any suggestions on how to best use our time. ...
A: Firstly, if you stay on the coast, be prepared for heat and humidity. If you go inland, be prepared for altitude. I imagine you will be arriving first off in Lima? Six...
Read 8 Replies
Sponsored Links
