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Altitude in Cusco: how to acclimatize before your trek
Cusco sits at 3,399 m and most treks go above 4,000 m. Simple habits in your first days make the difference.
Machu Picchu From Cusco
· 4 min read · Updated Oct 21, 2026
Almost everyone feels the altitude when they land in Cusco: a light headache, shortness of breath on stairs, poor sleep the first night. It usually passes in a day or two if you give your body time.
Our advice
- Plan at least two nights in Cusco before any trek above 4,000 m
- Take it easy on day one: a short walk and the city tour are ideal
- Drink water regularly and try coca tea
- Eat light meals and avoid alcohol for the first 48 hours
- Sleep lower if you can: the Sacred Valley is about 600 m lower than Cusco
Plan your itinerary in the right order
Start with the Sacred Valley or the Cusco city tour, then do Humantay Lake or Rainbow Mountain, and leave the multi-day treks for later in your trip. Our packages are already ordered this way.
If you have heart or respiratory conditions, talk to your doctor before travelling and tell us when you book.
Written by our team in Cusco
Guides, trip planners and porters who walk these routes every week. We update our guides when rules, prices or seasons change.
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