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Trekking and Expeditions Specialists

Salkantay Trek Altitude Sickness

Altitude Sickness :

Measures To Prevent For High Altitude Sickness:

• Ascend slowly, acclimatization takes place gradually.
• Treat mild symptoms by resting.
• Paracetamol or aspirin can be taken for headaches.
• Drink extra fluids.
• Eat light, high-carbohydrate meals for more energy.
• Avoid alcohol as it may increase the risk of dehydration.
• Dress comfortably
• Hints for a fantastic hike: altitude sickness:

It is possible you will feel the effects of altitude on arriving in Cusco, ( 3,400 Mts) especially if you fly from sea level, i.e LIMA. It is best to wait at least two days before setting out on the trail, don¨t drink alcohol, smoke or take sedatives. Drink lots of water and coca tea. On the trek drink at least two litres per day, especially on the second day pass. In high altitude you breath rapidly and shallow causing you to dehydrate more quickly. Drink extra water or coca tea to avoid this as coffee also tends to cause dehydration. Always purify with water you take from the trail waterfalls and streams. You can purchase purification tablets (eg Micropur) from any pharmacy. You must leave micropur tablets in the water for at least 90 mins before drinking. Iodine only 20 mins. If you have any medical conditions, allergies or special food requirements etc. Please write this clearly in the registration book on your arrival to Cusco.

Water: We suggest you take at least a 1 ½ litre bottle of water on the first day and then you can refill this on the trek. We boil water each night which is available after breakfast each morning for your water bottles. We still suggest you take water purification tablets or filters for any unboiled water you take directly from streams or Waterfalls etc. You may be able to buy bottled water at certain points along the trek but definitely from the 4th day arrival in Aguas Calientes and onwards.

Regarding TEMPERATURES during the day...If you are walking in the sun it is very hot and feels like 26 degrees celcius, but when you walk through the forest or in the shadow of a mountain it can feel like 14 degrees almost immediately. At night on the first night (3800m) it could get to -minus 5 - minus 8 degrees celsius if you are really unlucky but more likely just freezing!
Main hint for dealing with the temperatures is to try and keep your body temp as regular as possible by using layers of clothes so when you feel cool put on an extra layer before you get cold and if you start to feel warm take off a layer before you perspire which will leave you with a chill later if you don´t take care.

he weather from Dec through to early March is usually the wettest on the trail and Salkantay treks are generally not possible at this time for snow on the high passes.

Somedays it may be drizzly all day or you may have a burst of rain and clear skies for the rest of the day or it could be wet off and on all day. You need good rain gear for walking as well as something to protect your pack. We have dining tents for all meals so you are protected at these times.

Therefore we recommend the next Medication

• Acetazolamide (NC.Diamox)
  1 tablet every 12 hours, 24 hours before the trip.
  Half a tablet every 12 hours until the third day in high elevations
• Paracetamol
  1 tablet every 8 hours, in case of headache.
• Ibuprofen
  1 400 mg pill before the trip and in case of headaches that don’t lessen with Paracetamol, take one Ibuprofen every 12 hours after meals (it may produce stomach ache).

In case of continued altitude sickness, seek medical help. You must receive oxygen or be promptly removed to a lower elevation.

Part II: General recommendations for people traveling to high elevations

The day before your travel:

• Sleep well.
• Don’t eat foods that are hard to digest.
• Don’t drink alcoholic beverages.

The day you arrive:

• Refrain from strenuous physical activity.
• Drink at least one liter of water a day.
• Eat small quantities of food, preferably carbohydrates.
• Wear appropriate clothing to stay warm.
• Complete rest is recommended for people with altitude sickness scores higher than six points (see below).Don’t take sleeping pills or tranquilizers.

The second to the fourth day after your arrival:

• Refrain from strenuous physical activity.
• Drink plenty of liquids, commensurate to your physical activity.
• Don’t eat foods that are hard to digest.
• Wear appropriate clothing to stay warm.
• Don’t take sleeping pills or tranquilizers.

During your first four days in high elevations refrain from any strenuous physical activity.

If you feel like you are choking or are breathing noisily, your lips and/or ears turn purple or blue (cyanosis), you have a persistent cough and your sputum is foamy or pinkish in color, you may be developing a serious pulmonary edema caused by the high altitude. If that is the case, immediately seek medical help.

You need oxygen or to be promptly removed to lower elevations.

Important Symptoms and Indications of Altitude Sickness (soroche)

Salkantay Trek Packages