Some people think 11,000 feet is nothing, a small hill, a little bump on the earth’s surface. For the rest of us humans, 11,000 feet is no joke. If you go to Cusco, Peru, the launching point for Macchu Picchu and a city in the bottom of a ring of mountains, be prepared for a shock to your system. The air is thinner as you go higher, so ascending too high too fast can prevent your body from getting the oxygen it needs. This can result in altitude sickness. There’s no telling who will get it – and being fit is no defense. While nothing is going to make it a piece of cake, some things will make it easier.

Plan Ahead

If you’re smart, you’ll get ready for it. Visit the doctor to get pills to deal with the heights. Most doctors will give you acetazolamide or dexamethasone, which you should start taking 24 hours before you ascend. Both have their side effects; so make sure you know as much as you can before you take anything. These will usually help with mild cases of altitude sickness.

The Natural Route

Peruvians will tell you to drink coca tea and eat coca candy, which is said to help you acclimate. Coca, obviously, come from the coca plant most famous for the drug cocaine. Don’t worry, however, because the leaves have to undergo a chemical process to become the stimulant, and in its natural state, coca is no stronger than coffer. It is a digestive, so you may find your bowels a little more active than usual.

The Ideal Route

Aside from what you can take, there are things you can do. In an ideal world, we would ascend 1,000 feet at a time, taking a few days to get used to the altitude. Altitude starts to affect you over 8,000 feet – Cusco is at 11,000, you do the math. Unless you have weeks and weeks of vacation, you’re most likely going to fly to Cusco. So when you get there, take it easy the first few days to give yourself a chance to acclimate. The first uphill steps you take will make you feel like a 150-year-old asthmatic. Don’t push yourself. And take it easy on the booze.

The Luxury Route

If you have a few extra soles to spend, there are a few hotels that offer oxygenated suites to make it easier for you to sleep. Check out the Monasterio and the Casa Andina Private Collection. They are beautiful hotels that will help you get a beautiful night sleep.

What to Watch For

Your first day up in the mountains may initially seem like a piece of cake. That’s because it can take 8 to 12 hours for symptoms to occur. Symptoms include headaches, shortness of breath, lack of appetite, nausea, and dizziness. While these are not fun, they will generally subside when you get to lower altitudes.

So take your oxygen and your health seriously. With a few careful measures, you will be able to slowly walk the streets of Cusco and enjoy the overwhelming beauty of Macchu Picchu.