Around half a million people are estimated to visit Machu Picchu each year. The Inca ruins are on the bucket list of most world travelers and should be on yours, you may be thinking.
Machu Picchu is in the Andes Mountains in Peru; as you can imagine, the site is high. Not many travelers usually take Machu Picchu’s altitude seriously, but you have to. You are most likely coming from a lower altitude, so you are unsure how it will affect you. Therefore, with Machu Travel Peru, we have prepared a small article discussing how high Machu Picchu is.
No matter how fit you are, you don’t know how altitude sickness will affect you. You may have run a marathon, done the Inca Trail alternatives, or visited Cusco, but that won’t matter if you suffer from the effects of the altitude. A mountainous landscape surrounds the archeological site of Machu Picchu.
Therefore, it is obvious to assume that it is in the middle of the heights. But… How high is Machu Picchu? Everyone knows Machu Picchu, but not many know its sacred location. That is why it is very important to know about the altitude of Machu Picchu and its holy sites.
All you need to know about how high is Machu Picchu
- Machu Picchu altitude
- Cusco altitude
- Peru, a mountainous country
- Altitude Sickness, symptoms, and prevention
- Preparing for the height
- What to expect from the height
Machu Picchu Altitude
Have you ever wondered about Machu Picchu’s height and elevation? If you look at a Machu Picchu map, you will see that the archeological complex is 7,972 feet high, which means it is about 2,430 meters above sea level.
The altitude of the Inca citadel does not compare with that of the city of Cusco, which is much higher.
However, the Inca citadel appears much higher due to the Machu Picchu pictures and perspectives. But Why? The citadel is in the mountains and can seem much higher than elsewhere. This is due to the cliffs around the Inca site.
The mountains around Machu Picchu
The mountain of Huayna Picchu, which is in the background of the citadel, can give you a better perspective. This peak is about 8,923 feet high, about 2,720 feet above sea level.
There is also Machu Picchu Mountain, another peak offering beautiful site views. Both mountains are pretty high, which gives us an idea of Machu Picchu’s altitude. The two mountains can be climbed on attractive hiking trails, but these must be reserved in advance next to the entrances to the citadel. The mountain of Machu Picchu is about 10,111 feet high, about 3,082 meters above sea level. So, this mountain is about 650 meters above the Inca citadel.
Wiñay Wayna Mountain is southeast of Machu Picchu at an altitude of 8,654 feet. Inca agricultural terraces are divided into two parts (high and low) on its slope. On the side of them, an Inca water channel flows down until the mountain bottom. If you take the Inca Trail, you will see them just a few meters before you arrive at Machu Picchu Citadel.
Cusco altitude
Is Machu Picchu higher than Cusco? To your surprise, Machu Picchu is not higher than the city of Cusco. If you were surprised by how high Machu Picchu is, you must wait to get to know Cusco.
Cusco is about 11,152 feet, or 3,399 meters, above sea level. As the third-highest city in Peru, it is likely to cause altitude sickness. It is the third-highest city in Peru, so it is expected.
Most visitors to Cusco feel the unpleasant effects of altitude sickness. Anyone visiting Machu Picchu must first pass through the Imperial City of Cusco. It is necessary to face the high altitude of Cusco before knowing the altitude of Machu Picchu.
Peru, a mountainous country
Peru is known for the world’s climate synthesis. This is due to its sea, mountain range, and jungle. In this form, you can pass from the hot and warm climates of its Amazon area, over 600 ft above sea level (east of Peru), to its dry and cold Andean cities, 11,152 ft above sea level (Peru center), in minutes. Unbelievable!
In the same way, extreme climate change can be felt when you pass from the Andean to the Peruvian coast, which is 180 ft above sea level. Following, you will have the elevation of the central Peruvian cities:
- Cusco 11,152 ft.
- Puno 12,556 ft.
- Arequipa 7,661 ft.
- Ayacucho 9,058 ft.
- Iquitos 341 ft.
- Puerto Maldonado 183 ft.
- Lima 228 ft.
- Piura: 180 ft.
You must remember the altitude no matter what part of the Andes you plan to visit. The incredible steep Andean landscapes and valleys characteristic of the Peruvian Andes cannot be avoided.
Despite this, traveling to high places requires some preparation, especially if you want to enjoy the many things to do in Machu Picchu because the citadel is in the middle of the heights.
Altitude Sickness, symptoms, and prevention
Altitude sickness occurs at altitudes above 2,400 meters, with lower air pressure. It occurs when the body has insufficient time to acclimate to the altitude. It is much more frequent in people who take flights from low-altitude to higher-altitude sites. If you gradually increase the altitude or live in high-altitude areas, your body acclimatizes and adapts naturally.
But if you don’t give your body time to adjust, it will struggle to get the oxygen it needs. Altitude sickness affects people in different ways. Some seem to have no more than a mild headache, while others may have a wide variety of symptoms. Taking altitude and mountain sickness seriously is essential; thus, you will enjoy the citadel.
Some symptoms of altitude sickness are:
- Headache.
- Dizziness.
- Nausea.
- Vomiting.
- Fatigue.
- Trouble sleeping.
- Loss of appetite.
Symptoms usually appear 12 to 24 hours after entering altitude. They frequently improve a day or two later as the body adjusts to the change.
Some advice to prevent Altitude Sickness
- For the first few days in Cusco, you should avoid highly seasoned foods, red meats, and fish; digestion is slow in altitude cities. Therefore, eating fresh and light meals (like vegetable dishes, chicken soup, or cream soups) will be perfect during this time.
- Our second advice for avoid altitude sickness is demanding physical activities, such as running, carrying luggage, walking fast, and spending a couple of days in Cusco. Keep calm and take your activities easy.
- The third tip is to drink Muña tea after your meals (This is an ancestral plant used by the Incas to help digestion) and take a Coca-Cola tea whenever you feel tired, agitated, or have shortness of breath. Therefore, following these recommendations, visitors can be sure that they will enjoy their stay from the first minute of their arrival at Machu Picchu or Cusco and other famous landmarks in Peru.
- A good tip is not to drink too much alcohol for the first few days, as it worsens the effects of the altitude. Wait for your body to acclimate to start thinking about the delicious Pisco Sours.
Preparing for the height
Now that we know how high Machu Picchu is, we are a little more aware of what awaits us in the heights; you must ensure you are prepared.
Is altitude sickness a problem of how to get to Machu Picchu? Yes, especially for travelers who have never been to high-altitude areas. Acclimatization to the altitude and a little physical training are essential.
- A good idea is to start hiking around your home and train your legs a bit. Training that includes hiking can prepare you for the demanding height of Machu Picchu. But the essential thing is ideal acclimatization. A good way is to relax during the first days of your arrival in Cusco. If you acclimate perfectly, you can learn all the fantastic Machu Picchu facts during your tour. Likewise, whether you are an experienced traveler or an amateur, you can experience altitude sickness without warning.
- It doesn’t matter if you are a physically fit traveler; the effects of altitude sickness can also strike without warning. You can also travel to lower altitude points like the Sacred Valley. At lower altitude sites, it can be much easier to acclimatize. Spending time at the same heights as the citadel will make your body get used to the altitude.
- Try to go to gyms in your free time 3 or 6 months before you arrive in Cusco. Good fitness, healthy eating, and habits will increase your chances of affronting altitude sickness more effectively and quickly.
The citadel’s climate can also be varied and extreme. It may be cold at one point and hot at another. So, when visiting the magical Inca citadel, we recommend bringing a few essentials. Among them, a bottle of water, sunscreen, a hat, and a waterproof jacket are good ideas. More seasoned travelers dress in layers and remove some garments as it gets warmer.
What to expect from the height
Now that we know about high in Machu Picchu, what can you expect at such heights? Although it does not usually happen to everyone, in the same way, altitude sickness can be present. We hope this information and tips help you visit the UNESCO World Heritage site, the famous Machu Picchu.
Viewing all climates, factors, and characteristics before your Peru trip will always be essential to your schedule. You already know that you should keep good feeding habits and exercise before your trip to Peru, and your enjoyment will be 100%.
“NEVER MEASURE THE HEIGHT OF A MOUNTAIN UNTIL YOU REACH THE TOP. THEN YOU WILL SEE HOW LOW IT WAS”
It is essential to mention that Machu Picchu’s elevation is not as high as you might think. However, it is high enough to consider taking precautions for your trip. Take some medicine for altitude from home; it is better to have it than not.
Drinking fluids and taking it easy the first few days before going to Machu Picchu is also advisable. A trip to the citadel is one to cross off the travel list. We hope, together with the Machu Travel Peru team, to have been helpful.
If you would like more information about tours in Cusco or South America, do not hesitate to consult with our team of specialists. They will be happy to help you organize the trip of your dreams.
