The moment you land in the city of Cusco, you can feel that you have arrived at a very special place. Located in the Central Andes, the capital of the Inca Empire will welcome you among large meadows, brick-colored houses and smiling faces ready to show you everything this magical place has to offer.
Among so many new things, it is normal to suddenly feel a faster heartbeat and more intense breathing than usual. Yes, partly it may be due to the excitement of having landed in the area where a new civilization was created, but it may also be due to the altitude.
Machu Picchu and all its tourist attractions
Machu Picchu has various tourist attractions such as: the Inca City, Machu Picchu Mountain, Huayna Picchu Mountain, the Site Museum and more.
The Inca City, Machu Picchu Mountain and Huayna Picchu are located in the Historical Sanctuary, a natural area protected by the Peruvian State.
The Machu Picchu Site Museum is in Aguas Calientes, the closest town to the Inca City.
Where is Machu Picchu located?
Machu Picchu is on the eastern side of the Andes Mountains, surrounded by the abundant vegetation of the Peruvian highland jungle.
It belongs to the department of Cusco, province of Urubamba, district of Aguas Calientes.
This Inca archaeological site is 80 kilometers from the city of Cusco, the ancient capital of the Inca Empire.
To the north of the Inca City is the famous Huayna Picchu mountain. To the west is the Machu Picchu mountain.
A little further away in front of Machu Picchu is the Putucusi mountain.
At what altitude is Machu Picchu?
Machu Picchu is located at an altitude of 7,972 feet or 2,430 meters above sea level (m.a.s.l.).
At this altitude it is not common to suffer from the symptoms of altitude sickness.
At what altitude is the city of Cusco?
The city of Cusco is located at 11,151 feet (3,399 m.a.s.l.).
At this altitude it is normal for tourists to feel the symptoms of altitude sickness such as: fatigue, shortness of breath and even nausea.
Recommendations to avoid altitude sickness in Machu Picchu
In Machu Picchu tourists can experience altitude sickness (acute mountain sickness).
This discomfort is usually experienced when an altitude of 2,500 meters is exceeded.
The peaks of the Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu mountains would be the only places where the tourist may be prone to experience this illness.
In general, few visitors to the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu get to suffer from this discomfort.
Once you have acclimatized in Cusco or the Sacred Valley of the Incas, you should not have problems with the altitude of Machu Picchu.
In Machu Picchu you may still feel out of breath on your tour of the site. However, the risk of altitude sickness will have been reduced.
Questions and answers about altitude in Machu Picchu
1) How high is Machu Picchu?
Machu Picchu is located at 2,430 meters above sea level.
2) How high is Huayna Picchu Mountain?
Huayna Picchu Mountain is located at 2,693 meters above sea level.
3) How high is Machu Picchu Mountain?
Machu Picchu Mountain is located at 3,082 meters above sea level.
4) How high is Huchuy Picchu Mountain?
Huchuy Picchu Mountain is located at 2,497 meters above sea level.
5) How high is the town of Aguas Calientes?
The town of Aguas Calientes is located at 2,040 meters above sea level.
6) How high is the city of Cusco?
The city of Cusco is located at 3,399 meters above sea level.
7) At what altitude do you suffer from the symptoms of altitude sickness?
Altitude sickness or mountain sickness can occur in people who are located in geographies higher than 2,500 meters above sea level.
8) How high is the highest mountain in Cusco?
Ausangate is the highest mountain in Cusco. Its summit is located at 6,384 meters above sea level.
9) How high is the mountain of 7 colors?
Vinicunca or the 7-color mountain is located at 5,200 meters above sea level.
10) How high is Sacsayhuaman?
The archaeological site of Sacsayhuaman is located at 3,600 meters above sea level.
Cusco, the cosmopolitan jewel of South America, is more than just a city; it is a cultural heritage that captivates every visitor with its architecture and history. Declared a World Heritage Site, Cusco is home to archaeological wonders such as Sacsayhuamán, the Sacred Valley of the Incas and, of course, the majestic Inca citadel of Machu Picchu.
