Welcome to the Travel Forums

Why join TravelBlog?

Membership is Free and Easy
Your travel questions answered in minutes!
Become part of the friendliest online travel community.

Join Now! Join TravelBlog* today and meet thousands of friendly travelers. Don't wait! Join today and make your adventures even more enjoyable.

* Blogging is not required to participate in the forums

Altitude Sickness

From sea level to La Paz

11 years ago, January 23rd 2013 No: 1 Msg: #165412 Delete Edit

Tashita
Tasha Triana

N Posts: 4

I will be traveling in Bolivia and Peru for 6 weeks and am curious about people's experiences with the high altitudes. My main concern is that I will be arriving in La Paz and will be coming from sea level. Has anybody done this? Any tips/suggestions would be appreciated. 😊 Thanks! Reply to this

11 years ago, January 23rd 2013 No: 2 Msg: #165413 Delete Edit

Jo Trouble
Jo McCarthy

B Posts: 11.5K

hi Tasha,

I've gone from sea level to Cusco a few days before doing the Inca Trail, and was ok. I did take one diamox tablet in Lima the first day, but none after that, including during the Trail.

What are your plans while in La Paz, and where do you head after that? The best thing you can do is allow a few days where you can wander around comfortably at your own pace and acclimatise. Reply to this

11 years ago, January 23rd 2013 No: 3 Msg: #165424 Delete Edit

Tashita
Tasha Triana

N Posts: 4

Hi Jo,
My plans in La Paz are to acclimate and adjust to the altitude. I plan to be there a few days and then head to Cochabamba. It seems that most of the cities I will be visiting in Bolivia are between 9,000-13,000 feet .I plan to take Diamox with me and see if it is needed. I think I scared myself by reading about "worse case" scenarios. Thanks for the input!
Reply to this

11 years ago, February 1st 2013 No: 4 Msg: #165818 Delete Edit

Jo Trouble
Jo McCarthy

B Posts: 11.5K

The idea is not to be scared out of doing something, but to scared into being wise about how you go about it :-)

Check the fine print of your insurance as well, to make sure it does cover you for everything you'll be doing. Reply to this

11 years ago, February 15th 2013 No: 5 Msg: #166355 Delete Edit

carin
carlos zegarra

N Posts: 3

Do you know any pills for altitudesickness I will be in Cusco soon Reply to this

11 years ago, February 19th 2013 No: 6 Msg: #166550 Delete Edit

Tashita
Tasha Triana

N Posts: 4

Yes, a common pill that is prescribed is Diamox (trade name) acetazolamide (generic). Luckily, I did not need to take any medications, but it is handy to have with you just in case. Enjoy your trip! Reply to this

11 years ago, April 3rd 2013 No: 7 Msg: #168475 Delete Edit

Wanderled
Wanderled

N Posts: 20

I've also gone from sea level to Cusco, Peru in a day (3,400 m / 11,200 ft). When I arrived my host encouraged me to drink coca leaf tea. It worked for me, but I don't believe there is any quantitative data out there supporting its medicinal properties.

Thanks for sharing about Diamox and acetazolamide. Now I know there's pill out there I can bring. However, if you'd prefer a herbal remedy, and a endemic one at that, try the coca leaves.

In response to: Msg #165412 Reply to this

11 years ago, April 11th 2013 No: 8 Msg: #168998 Delete Edit

eviejones
Evie Jones

D Posts: 50

Thanks all for sharing the medicine name and also the herbal remedy. Reply to this

10 years ago, May 31st 2013 No: 9 Msg: #171301 Delete Edit

Beata and Tomek
us At Home Abroad

B Posts: 242

chewing on coca leaf helped us a lot...we had no problems at 5000m high:-)
B&T Reply to this