Colca Canyon Altitude Sickness

First Impact: What Hits You When You Arrive

Colca Canyon isn’t just deep. It’s high. The town of Chivay, where most travelers sleep before heading into the canyon, is around 3,600 meters. That’s already enough to feel the altitude. Some people say they’re fine until they walk uphill. Others feel it right after getting off the bus. The air is dry, colder than expected, and thinner. You breathe, but it’s not the same. Your body starts adjusting, but it’s not instant.

The Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint is even higher. Some guides say it’s around 3,800 meters. If you’re coming straight from Arequipa, which is lower, the change is fast. That’s when altitude sickness shows up. Not always strong, but annoying. Headache, dizziness, short breath. Some travelers say they feel like they’re walking underwater.

Symptoms That Travelers Actually Mention

• Head pressure, not just pain
• Feeling slow, like everything takes more effort
• Nausea, sometimes just a weird stomach
• No hunger, even if you haven’t eaten all day
• Lightheaded when standing up
• Trouble sleeping, even if you’re tired

It doesn’t hit everyone the same way. Some say it’s mild. Others say it ruined their hike. It usually starts within the first 6 to 12 hours. If you’re doing the descent into the canyon, it gets worse. The bottom is lower, but the climb back up is brutal if you’re not acclimatized.

What Locals and Guides Actually Do

Forget the textbook advice. Here’s what people on the ground recommend:

• Coca tea. It’s everywhere. Hotels offer it, guides carry it, and it’s cheap. It doesn’t taste great, but it helps.
• Go slow. First day, don’t hike hard. Don’t rush. Just walk, look around, rest.
• Eat light. Soups, rice, quinoa. Skip heavy meat and fried stuff.
• No alcohol. Not even one beer. It makes everything worse.
• Water. More than you think. Even if you’re not thirsty.
• Sleep early. Even if you’re not tired. Your body needs it.

Some travelers carry altitude pills, but you need a prescription. Others use oxygen bottles, but they’re not common in Colca. In Chivay, some hotels offer oxygen in the lobby. Not always, but you can ask.

What Happens If You Ignore It

If you push through, it gets worse. You’ll feel exhausted, even on short walks. You’ll get cranky. You won’t enjoy the canyon. And if you’re doing the full descent and climb, you might have to stop halfway. Some people end up in clinics. Not common, but it happens. Especially if you’re older or coming from sea level.

Colca vs Other Places

Compared to Cusco or Puno, Colca is intense because of the fast change. Arequipa is around 2,300 meters. Chivay jumps to 3,600. That’s a big leap. If you came from Cusco, you might feel better. If you flew in from Lima, it’s rough. The canyon itself drops to around 2,100 meters at the bottom, but the climb back up is what hits you.

Comments from Real Travelers

One guy said he felt fine until he started the hike down. Then halfway back up, he couldn’t breathe. Another said she felt dizzy just walking to the hot springs. Someone else said coca tea helped, but only after two cups. A couple said they skipped the hike and just stayed in Chivay. They didn’t regret it.

Final Advice Before You Go

Colca Canyon is worth it, but don’t rush it. Spend a night in Arequipa first. Then one night in Chivay. Walk around, eat light, sleep well. If you’re doing the full descent, be honest with yourself. It’s steep. It’s long. And altitude makes it harder. If you feel bad, stop. Rest. Drink tea. Don’t push through just because others are doing it.

Let me know if you want this adapted for trekking groups, older travelers, or Spanish-speaking audiences. I can restructure it.