Cuzco Travel Forum

Heading to Cuzco next April. Very excited but concerned about altitude and steps. I'm 66 years old and walk a mile every day. I am in good health HOWEVER I live at 7 feet above sea level (Miami, FL) and have no steps in or near my home.

I am considering having a simple set of steps built from concerete block in my back yard. Will this be helpful or am I getting carried away?

I also live about 7 feet above sea level on pretty flat terrain, and when I was in Colorado and Utah a couple of years ago I wasn't able to sleep at an altitude above 7000 feet, and any uphill hike left me gasping. Cuzco is a bit higher than 11,000---I checked. And surely you will be trekking higher still.
I am 48, in excellent health, and walk at least three brisk miles a day. My suggestion would be to pack in as much *aerobic* training as you can between now and then, perhaps via a gym class. Running, swimming, spinning, etc. I think that would be more helpful than just practicing on stairs.
In any case, you are going to be uncomfortable.

You can prepare yourself by not flying into Cuzco, but renting a car and drive across the Andes for 2 days, with mountain passes up to 13,000 feet high. When reaching these passes walk around for one hour and see how you feel.
If you feel terrible, stay in Cuzco for a few days and then move on.

You should be fine
Enjoy Peru, the Incas and M.P

The issue is not totally one of being out or in condition. It is the thin air or lack of oxygen. Give yourself time to acclimate to the the altitude. A better test would be heading for the Rocky Mountains this summer and see how you manage there. You should check with your physician and get his advise since he will be aware of your physical condition.

Plan on giving yourself a few days in Cuzco prior to undertaking any adventures. Keep up with the exercise that will be of help.

suerte
SAM

No general rule....
I was 55 years old when I went to Cusco, I don't practice any sports and at that time was quite a heavy smoker. Did not have any problems apart from short breath and going verrryyyy slowly. But know about younger and healthier people who did have problems....
Read Marissa's tip-risse73.

MP is, by the way, lower than Cusco. Another option is to stay in the Sacred valley instead of Cusco.

Hey Maryy.. well.. don't worry, i know people who never go for a walk, so don't worry.. but.. consider to rest at least to days in Cuzco (Hometown) after your journey, the altitude there is 6,000 feet.. (i think).. so.. care about it.. don't forget to ask for (mate a coca, coca tea).. it helps to be more strong.. (It was used by Incas, thousands of years ago, for a 8 hours non-stop work in farms) Enjoy your trip, any quest, just write me.

Don't worry, be happy! Just take it easy that first day. Drink some coco tea. Have you checked to see if your hotel has an elevator? Cusco is a beautiful town. Wish I could go back.

Rodolfo-as you are (also) in aviation you should know (or how to check accurately) that CUZ elevation is 10.860 ft.

Urubamba is 1500 ft lower than Cusco and MP is 3000 ft lower than Cusco.

Mary;
You have received good forum answers and there are lots of tips on VT about the danger of altitude sickness. (For example, you could see my tips.) But no matter how much you learn be sure to see your personal doctor before you leave on this trip for a specific assessment of your risks.
That having been said, I think the most important factors are time and your mental preparation. Time is important both to allow your body to adjust to the high altitudes (2 days or more), and in how lack of time may cause you to push yourself to go too fast and too far. The best explanation for why young and highly conditioned athletic people seem to suffer as much or more frequently than older people is that they may be less likely to pay attention to when their bodies tell them that they are trying to go too far, too fast, in too short a time.
Go slowly. Rest frequently and enjoy the vistas. Do not try to keep up or "prove your youth". Steps can be tricky because you are doing so much work to go such a short distance. Go even slower. The idea is not to drive yourself into an anaerobic condition.
The stairs rarely if ever have handrails and may be irregular. Good shoes are important; buy them and get used to them before you go to Peru. Another suggestion is to buy and take with you one (or two) walking sticks. This would allow you to try it out before you go. You might consider the light weight adjustable kind. It is important to consider whether the tip will hold its place on rock as well as dirt. If you buy one in Peru you may discover that what you find available does not work for you. Of course, if you buy an artistic one you can take it home as a souvenir or give it to a traveler you meet.
Although there can be no guarantee, you should not be uncomfortable if you remain sensible. The most sensible thing you could do is plan your trip and then add a couple extra days so you can take it easy, relax and enjoy every moment.

good luck, bob

We're leaving in 10 days for Lima, Nazca, Sacred Valley, Cusco, MP, Lake Titicaca, etc. We'll be spending a few days in Sacred Valley and elsewhere before Cusco and MP. We're 72M & 70F. Will let you know how it went when we get back.
Jerry

to answer your question you posted.

No, do not build steps in your backyard. That would do no good. What people are saying is not the physical muscle fitness needed but altitude acclimation.

Red blood cells fully saturated with iron helps in the intake of oxygen. Useful at high altitude.
Also, it is much better not to get altitude sickness at all than recover and go on. With that, starting slow and resting very often in the beginning when you land in Cuzco is key for people who are concerned. I heard spending the night is helpful and if you are fine in Cuzco, then you should be fine around all the other tourist hot spots.