Acclimatization For The Ausangate Trek

For the Ausangate Trek with its daily high mountain passes, at least three acclimatization hikes are recommended before setting off. The best way to do that is to go on a day hike from Cusco City (3,300m/11,00 feet) to Cristo Blanco (3,700 m/12,139 feet) and do the tour of Maras Moray. Both of which are higher than Cusco. Don’t sabotage your trip for the sake of saving a couple of days. It is a poor decision. Altitude sickness is no joke. It is not fun and it can become very dangerous. It is better to take the time to get used to the altitude properly before leaving on the long trek.

Try to rest the first day in Cusco, don’t walk much.

Drink enough water. Local people in the Andes drink a lot of coca tea a hot drink made with coca leaves – It helps with acclimatization.

Don’t drink alcohol. It is not nice hiking with a hangover over 4000 meters.

You can take Diamox or soroche pills. There are plenty of them in pharmacies in Cusco city.  Those medications speed up acclimatization, ask your doctor before taking them.