Cusco Elevation

1. Elevation of Cusco

• What does the elevation of a city or town indicate?
  • The elevation of a city or town tells us how high it is above or below sea level.
• What is the elevation of Cusco?
  • Cusco has an elevation of 11,152 feet (3,399 m), making it higher than many mountains and higher than any city in the United States.
• Why is Cusco's elevation so high?
  • The city is located among the Andes Mountains, which contribute to its extremely high elevation.
• Can the high elevation of Cusco affect visitors?
  • Yes, the high elevation can trigger altitude sickness in some visitors.
  • Altitude sickness generally begins to occur at elevations above 8,000 feet (2,500 m).
• How does high elevation impact the body?
  • The air at high elevations is thinner and colder, which can make it difficult to adjust.
  • Visitors may need some time to get used to the conditions when arriving in Cusco.
• Why is Cusco’s elevation important for travelers?
  • It is an important factor to consider when planning a trip to Cusco, as travelers may need to prepare for the effects of high altitude.

The highest point in all of Peru is the Huascarán mountain, located in the province of Yungay and having an elevation of 22,205 feet (6,768 m), while the lowest point in the country is an area called the Bayóvar Depression, located in the Sechura Desert, and this location has an elevation of 112 feet (34 m) below sea level. Many of the major tourist destinations and cities in Peru have very high elevations. The Nevado Huascarán Mountain, for example, has an elevation of 22,132 feet (6,746 m) and the Inca Trail, at its highest point, has an elevation of 13,780 feet (4,200 m). Machu Picchu has an elevation of 7,927 feet (2,430 m), so it's not quite as high as Cusco.

The three most populous cities in Peru are Lima, Arequipa, and Trujillo. Lima has an elevation ranging from as low as 0 feet (0 m) to as high as 5,090 feet (1,550 m), Arequipa has an elevation of 7,661 feet (2,335 m), and Trujillo has an elevation of just 112 feet (34 m). So, when compared to the biggest cities around the nation, Cusco has a higher elevation in general.

2. Climate Related to the Elevation of Cusco

The city of Cusco has a subtropical highland climate, meaning it has two major seasons. The dry and sunny season runs from May through to the end of August, with relatively high temperatures in the days that can drop very low in the nights. Then, from late November through to March, the wet season begins with a huge amount of rainfall and quite high humidity ratings. Cusco is also the spot on the Earth with the highest amount of ultraviolet light exposure on average.

As previously mentioned, there are plenty of things to do in Cusco as it’s the most popular tourist hotspot in all of Peru. Many old buildings from centuries ago are still standing and can be explored and photographed. Incan, Kilike, and Spanish architecture can be found around the city, with Machu Picchu just nearby as well.