Safety & Staying Healthy

Colca Canyon is not a particularly dangerous hike, by South American standards. But it is unpoliced. You are on your own. If this makes you uncomfortable, perhaps the Inca Trail is a better bet.

Altitude sickness is by far your greatest concern. mild symptoms are common: headache, loss of appetite, dizziness, difficulty sleeping severe symptoms: breathlessness, cough, lack of coordination, & worse most hikers get some symptoms above 2500m acclimatizing 2-3 days for each 1000m gain helps a lot Cuzco is at 3326m, Arequipa 2230m Acute Mountain Sickness <details> can be fatal Paso Cerani is 5100m! (15,420 ft) on the 5-day trek drug treatment is controversial <details> better is to immediately descend

Check this list. Forewarned is forearmed. Take responsibility for your own health & safety.

• Do I need accident insurance?
• Who administers First Aid?
• Who rescues me in case of emergency?
• Will it rain?
• Hypothermia?

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• Heat Exhaustion? Sunburn?
• Dehydration?
• Is there scorpion risk?
• Storing food safely
• Are there any dangerous snakes?

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• Blisters?
• Insect Bites & Stings? Thorns?
• Staying Warm

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• Staying Fit on the Trail
• Safe Water
• Be Prepared
• First Aid Kit
• Hiking Technique

Pains seem to disappear when you spot the swimming pools at the Oasis.

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