We went to Machu Picchu around 10 years back, and as I'm slightly asthmatic I was a bit worried about the altitude sickness. I'd read beforehand than coca leav

We went to Machu Picchu around 10 years back, and as I'm slightly asthmatic I was a bit worried about the altitude sickness. I'd read beforehand than coca leaves help prevent it, and made sure I drank lots of coca tea during our time there. I don't know if it was the coca, but I barely felt the effects of altitude. We even went up the mountain beside the ruins (Huayna Picchu?), and it was no problem at all (at the time I was of medium build, but not particularly fit). Cocoa tea tastes quite nice anyway, and the locals swear by the stuff - I recommend it.