I spent a night in an altitude sickness clinic in Cusco on my way there! When we’d arrived (I was traveling with a large group for my friend’s wedding) we had s

I spent a night in an altitude sickness clinic in Cusco on my way there! When we’d arrived (I was traveling with a large group for my friend’s wedding) we had some tours planned. They tell you not to hike, not to eat a big meal, and not to drink alcohol. So of course most of us did all three. I’ve never had problems before even at similar altitudes, but my O2 sat got down to nearly 80 by the time I was put in the ambulance. It wasn’t pleasant. But, a night hooked up to oxygen and I was fine. The hospital mostly catered to people with altitude sickness (even the locals get it, and it is seemingly random in who gets it and when) and was nicer than my hotel. I got an ambulance ride there and a night in the hospital. They made me sign a waiver saying I agreed to pay it no matter the cost, and I was thinking about how many organs I’d have to sell to pay for it. Final price: $130. The place was cheaper and nicer than my hotel, and with decent meals and all the oxygen you can huff, so next time I’ll just book it. Edit: one piece of advice. If you’re going to somewhere with that altitude, get a cheap pulse oxymeter on Amazon first! The hotels don’t have them.