Peru -- Primarily Machu Picchu (Dec 2010)

This is the next day. We had flown to Cuzco and were on a combination bus/walking tour of the city and several surrounding sites.

Cuzco is at elevation 11,200 feet above sea level. The previous day, we had been in Lima, which is on the ocean (although the area we stayed at might have been 200 feet above sea level). Cuzco seemed to be in a valley surrounded by mountains. I don't recall how the plane approached the airport -- or even if I noticed at that time.

I was not feeling well during the entire city tour -- almost certainly because of the altitude. In addition to not feeling well, I was surprised. I'd been at altitudes similar to this previously and never had any ill effects -- including skiing at similar (and, on a few occasions, even higher) altitudes. One difference here was going from near sea level to this altitude in just a few hours. When skiing, you are usually staying at a base that is 3000 feet (or less) lower than the peak altitude -- also you ski down to a somewhat lower elevation after (usually) spending just a few minutes up at the top.

This day at Cuzco apparently was, however, pretty effective acclimatization for the remainder of the trip, since I had no more problems -- including during the return to Cuzco about 3 days later.

I'm going to claim altitude sickness as an escuse for what seems like some pretty bland photos taken on this day.