Bill Kako's journey to Cusco
American travel journalist and director Bill Kako encountered altitude sickness during his trip to the Peruvian city of Cusco, which is located at an altitude of about 3400 meters. Despite warnings about possible symptoms, Bill experienced a mild headache and severely chapped lips on the second day. On the third day, during an excursion to Machu Picchu, which is located 400 meters lower, he felt temporary relief. However, upon returning to Cusco, the symptoms returned, including headache, shallow breathing, and fatigue.
Bill's blood oxygen level was 85%, which is below the normal range for an adult, which is 95-100%. At the hotel where he stayed, oxygen was offered for free to guests, as well as remedies for altitude sickness, such as coca leaf tea during the day and muña – Andean mint tea in the evening. Bill used a full-sized medical oxygen tank to alleviate his condition.
Bill's experience and reflections
He shared his thoughts on the journey:
“I thought I was ready for life at 11,000 feet. I was wrong.”He also noted:
“I was warned that altitude could cause dehydration, but I didn’t expect this.”Bill also mentioned that he felt broken during the trip but kept moving forward despite the discomfort: “The whole time my body felt like it was screaming: Why are you doing this to us? But I kept moving forward. Denial works... until it doesn’t.”
The trip to Cusco became not just an experience for Bill, but a test. “My time in Cusco was not relaxing. It didn’t allow me to rest. But that wasn’t the goal,” he concluded. Despite the challenges, he believes that such moments are part of the price for experiences: “There are moments when you sip a cocktail and see the Andes through the window, when Machu Picchu emerges from the fog, when you ride with a group of strangers in a train car, and you realize that all of this is part of the price for experiences.”
This case highlights the importance of preparation for trips to high-altitude areas, where risks associated with altitude sickness can significantly affect well-being. Bill Kako, despite the difficulties, managed to gain a unique experience that will likely stay in his memory for a long time. His story can also serve as an example for other travelers planning to visit such regions, by analyzing the risks and ways to overcome them.