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Which has more altitude Quito or Costco? Which has more altitude Quito or Costco?
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Photo by Alessio Corradini, on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia, of two locals

I haven't been everywhere...
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Photo by Alessio Corradini,
on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia,
of two locals



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  • 1 Post By Tim Cullis
  • 4 Post By PanEuropean

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  #1  
Old 31 Jul 2022
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Which has more altitude Quito or Costco?
I am making my travel itinerary for Peru and based on my knowledge of traveling too many feet high can cause altitude sickness, now I'm not sure if I should do Quito or Costco first based on their altitude.
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  #2  
Old 31 Jul 2022
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I presume your autocorrect changed Cuzco for Costco

A simple google finds you answer, Cuzco is higher.

Most habitations in Europe and Africa don't exceed 2,000m. I had been in Peru, at 2,500m and higher for some time before getting to Cuzco (~3500m) and it was quite debilitating. But what a magical place!

Main thing is to gain altitude slowly.
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  #3  
Old 31 Jul 2022
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Sleep low
Good advice from Tim.
I have gone to Quito from air level Both by bus and by airplane. Big difference when it goes slow.

One more: Try to avoid to sleep higher than needed.
Climbers say: Climb high, sleep low.
Ride over the passes, and try to get down again before bed time.

Well. Quito is in the bottom of a valley. So you do not find anything lower around. But you could use Quito as a base and do some trips.
E.g Chimborazo. And return to Quito for accommodation.

And avoid the challenge to sleep in the refugio on what is a base camp on Chimborazo. 4 800 m. Where the road ends. (Another one on 5 000 m. Walking up)

Watch this video. About sleeping at 4 895 m
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4x2i696-_2E

Drink a lot (not alcohol)and try to find some Coca leaves
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  #4  
Old 1 Aug 2022
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Not sure how high you live, how many times you have been over 6,000 feet, your age, your heart and lung condition. When I was in La Paz/ El Alto, I was younger, good health, not on meds - the altitude was not an issue. Now days, I probably would be caring a bottle of compressed air. If you are in great health, you will have few problems in the Alto Plano - Bolivia and Peru's high country. If you are a little out of shape, bad heart, lungs, try to spend a lot of time in the low country and don't exert yourself too much. Have fun, its a great country. If you can stand the taste, coca leaves help and are legal.
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  #5  
Old 1 Aug 2022
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Many years ago, I was delivering a new, non-pressurized aircraft from Canada to Peru, and in the process, training a Major from the Peruvian Air Force who was the pilot accompanying me on the delivery flight.

Going through Mexico, Air Traffic Control assigned us an altitude of 12,000 feet. I put on an oxygen mask, because Canadian air regulations require supplementary oxygen for pilots when the cabin altitude is above 10,000 feet. I asked the Peruvian pilot to also put on a mask, which he did out of courtesy, but after 10 minutes he took the mask off, saying "He didn't feel well breathing the supplementary oxygen".

Later that day, over dinner, I asked him what he thought caused him the discomfort, and he told me that he grew up in a village located at 14,000 foot altitude, and he didn't really like having to live or work at sea level.

I was quite embarrassed about having asked him to put on the mask.

Michael
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  #6  
Old 2 Aug 2022
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Erik_G View Post
...and try to find some Coca leaves
Well known and easy to find even allready in teabags. But don`t forget if you have problems with high blood pressure, it`s no good idea to consume coca.

In this case you can go for muña leafs.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minthostachys

Helps to ease stomach spasms, indigestion, diarrhea, colic and many other gastric issues caused through altitude sickness.
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Old 2 Aug 2022
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tim Cullis View Post
I presume your autocorrect changed Cuzco for Costco

A simple google finds you answer, Cuzco is higher.

Most habitations in Europe and Africa don't exceed 2,000m. I had been in Peru, at 2,500m and higher for some time before getting to Cuzco (~3500m) and it was quite debilitating. But what a magical place!

Main thing is to gain altitude slowly.

Thanks for your feedback!
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  #8  
Old 2 Aug 2022
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PanEuropean View Post
Many years ago, I was delivering a new, non-pressurized aircraft from Canada to Peru, and in the process, training a Major from the Peruvian Air Force who was the pilot accompanying me on the delivery flight.

Going through Mexico, Air Traffic Control assigned us an altitude of 12,000 feet. I put on an oxygen mask, because Canadian air regulations require supplementary oxygen for pilots when the cabin altitude is above 10,000 feet. I asked the Peruvian pilot to also put on a mask, which he did out of courtesy, but after 10 minutes he took the mask off, saying "He didn't feel well breathing the supplementary oxygen".

Later that day, over dinner, I asked him what he thought caused him the discomfort, and he told me that he grew up in a village located at 14,000 foot altitude, and he didn't really like having to live or work at sea level.

I was quite embarrassed about having asked him to put on the mask.

Michael
I don't think you should feel embarrassed about this, it could happen to anybody. Thanks for sharing your story!
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  #9  
Old 16 Aug 2022
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Travelling as a group of four (all over 55) we used Diamox tablets in South America. None of us had any issues at 14000 feet and I would use it again. You're not supposed to drink when using them, but stuff that!


Altitude sickness can get you even if you are young and fit, or the typical aged ADV rider...
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  #10  
Old 5 Sep 2022
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Originally Posted by reda_travel_fanatic View Post
...traveling too many feet high can cause altitude sickness...
A real concern. Sorojchi pills worked for me, available over the counter in Lima and other locations. Coca tea is available in Peru, but not as effective for me.

Plan your itinerary with altitude adaptation in mind. Don't sleep at 3000+ meters early in your trip. Keep hydrated.
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  #11  
Old 18 Sep 2022
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Pharmacies in Peru sell diamox (Acetazolamide) without a prescription, which can be used to treat altitude sickness, but they are no substitute for a staged ascent and acclimatization.
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Old 27 Feb 2023
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Quote:
Originally Posted by grumpy geezer View Post
Not sure how high you live, how many times you have been over 6,000 feet, your age, your heart and lung condition. When I was in La Paz/ El Alto, I was younger, good health, not on meds - the altitude was not an issue. Now days, I probably would be caring a bottle of compressed air. If you are in great health, you will have few problems in the Alto Plano - Bolivia and Peru's high country. If you are a little out of shape, bad heart, lungs, try to spend a lot of time in the low country and don't exert yourself too much. Have fun, its a great country. If you can stand the taste, coca leaves help and are legal.
No, that's not correct: fitness and age don't play a role.
You can become ill as a young boy/girl or if you're still old. Also a well trained sportsman can get the altitude sickness as well as an untrained person!

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