Cusco sits at 3,399 m (11,152 ft), high enough for most visitors to feel the altitude on arrival. The best way to avoid altitude sickness is to go up gradually: spend your first nights lower down in the Sacred Valley, take the first day easy and drink plenty of water.
Quick answer
- Cusco: 3,399 m (11,152 ft).
- Sleep lower first: the Sacred Valley is around 2,800 m.
- Day one: rest, light meals, water, no alcohol.
- Talk to a doctor before you travel, especially about medication.
- Serious symptoms: go down and get medical help.
How high is Cusco?
| Place | Altitude |
|---|---|
| Lima | Sea level |
| Machu Picchu | 2,430 m (7,970 ft) |
| Arequipa | 2,335 m (7,661 ft) |
| Sacred Valley | Around 2,800 m (9,200 ft) |
| Cusco | 3,399 m (11,152 ft) |
| Puno and Lake Titicaca | About 3,812 m (12,507 ft) |
| Rainbow Mountain | Around 5,000 m (16,400 ft) |
Machu Picchu is lower than Cusco, so many travelers feel better there than in the city.
What altitude sickness feels like
Acute mountain sickness, the common mild form, usually shows up in the first day or two at altitude. According to the CDC Yellow Book, typical symptoms are headache, tiredness, nausea or loss of appetite, dizziness and poor sleep. Many visitors feel short of breath on stairs and hills in Cusco; that alone is normal.
Rarely, altitude illness becomes serious. Confusion, loss of coordination, or breathlessness while resting are warning signs: go down to a lower altitude and get medical help straight away.
How to acclimatize in Cusco
Go up gradually
Fly into Cusco and drive straight down to the Sacred Valley for your first nights. Sleeping lower and visiting Cusco afterwards gives your body time to adjust.
Take it easy at first
Keep the first day light: walk slowly, rest in the afternoon, eat light meals and drink water regularly. Avoid alcohol for the first day or two.
Ask your doctor before you travel
Talk to your doctor or a travel clinic a few weeks before your trip, especially if you have heart or lung conditions or are pregnant. They can tell you whether preventive medication is right for you.
Travel tip
Coca tea (mate de coca) is served in almost every hotel in Cusco. It is a local tradition many travelers enjoy on arrival, but it does not replace gradual acclimatization or medical advice.
Plan your itinerary around the altitude
The order of your trip matters as much as what you see. Start in the Sacred Valley, then visit Machu Picchu, and leave Cusco and high day trips such as Rainbow Mountain for later in the trip. If you are also visiting Lake Titicaca, go there after a few days in Cusco or Arequipa, not straight from the coast.
A slower-paced Cusco trip
Our 7-day relaxed itinerary builds in time to acclimatize in the Sacred Valley before Cusco and Machu Picchu. See the trips →
Why travel with Arándano Travel?
At Arándano Travel we live at altitude, and we plan every private trip with it in mind. We usually start in the Sacred Valley, keep the first day light and place the highest excursions later in your trip. Your guide adjusts the pace each day, and our team in Cusco is reachable every day you are in Peru.
Frequently asked questions
How high is Cusco?
Cusco is at 3,399 m (11,152 ft) above sea level, higher than Machu Picchu (2,430 m) and the Sacred Valley (around 2,800 m).
Is it better to go to the Sacred Valley first?
For most travelers, yes. The Sacred Valley is several hundred meters lower than Cusco, so sleeping there first helps your body adjust before you spend nights in the city.
Does coca tea help with altitude sickness?
Coca tea is a traditional Andean drink and many travelers find it pleasant on arrival. It is not a substitute for going up gradually or for medical advice.
Who should see a doctor before traveling to Cusco?
Everyone traveling to high altitude benefits from asking a doctor or travel clinic for advice, and it is especially important for people with heart or lung conditions, pregnant travelers and families with young children.
What should I do if I feel unwell in Cusco?
Rest, drink water and avoid alcohol. If symptoms get worse, or you feel confused or breathless at rest, go down to a lower altitude and get medical help immediately.
Our advice
Altitude is part of every trip to Cusco, but with a gradual itinerary most travelers adjust within a day or two. Start low in the Sacred Valley, take the first day easy and ask your doctor for advice before you go. We will plan the rest of your private trip around how you feel.