I have always wanted to visit Machu Picchu and finally managed to book; however, I’m now stressed about issues with altitude. Can anyone share past experiences and recommendations? Thank you!
I personally had no issues…but everyone is different! I think as long as you allow a few days in Lima or Cusco before you jump into hiking, you will be fine 
as long as you are comfortable with a lot of walking, and are generally active at home, you should be okay. Someone on my Salkantay Trek had some issues with the altitude, but they just went a bit slower than the group, and a guide hung back with them a bit. They also have coca tea and leaves, which help 
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Hi, I am planning a trip to Peru, specifically to Machu Picchu. I want to ask experienced travelers, how physically demanding is going to Machu Picchu? I do a lot of exercise like running, but I do not think I’m experienced in hiking or trekking. Thanks!
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I went in with little hiking experience, and I was personally fine! As long as you have a good general level of fitness, I think you will be fine 
I had never done a multi-day hike, and I did the Salkantay Trek! If you are just going up to Machu Picchu by bus for the day as well, then I would say it’s very easy
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I didn’t hike Machu Picchu yet but I did Kilimanjaro a year and a half ago and my friend was also very worried. We are both in good shape and do a lot of sports but then in the end you never know how your body reacts. We ended up being completly fine. We did take altitude sickness pills though as prevention. Just make sure you hike slowly at your pace, take plenty of breaks and drink a lot of water.
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It does really depend on the person - so as others have said, if you’re looking to do the Inca Trail hike, then I would spend a few days in Cusco first. I spent maybe 4 days there before the trek, the first couple of days I could definitely feel some effects, like getting out of breath more easily (as we stayed up at a place that had many, many steps up the hill to get to it!), and feeling a bit more tired. But this passed after a couple of days.
On the trek itself I was fine, Im not sure how much fitness levels play into it, I was moderately fit, but others in our group varied from super fit to a lot less fit than me. No one had any specific altitude issues.
Agree with @bagelabroad , I personally found coca tea and leaves helps, we got coca teas every morning, it is the local remedy to help with altitude. All the local guides and porters chew these on the trek and offer them out. My partner and I were the only 2 to accept these, and while chewing them doesn’t taste the best, we were always at the front of the group, and the first people out of all trekkers on that day to make it to the Sun Gate (so I definitely think they helped).
Do as the locals do when it comes to coca tea and leaves. And if you feel the effects of the altitude, you’ll generally find the guides attentive and they’re there to support you and keep you safe.
(And if you aren’t doing the trek and just visiting Machu Picchu itself, then it is actually at lower altitude than Cusco, by quite a bit, so you should be fine there!
@ck_explorer1000 is spot on: spend a few days in Cusco before you go and do the hike. This will allow your body enough time to adjust to the higher altitude. The effects of altitude are different on everyone and not specifically related to your fitness… it’s genetics and luck of the draw, but a couple of days will see you ready to go. On both of my trips there I found that some basic headache relief tablets helped on the first day as you can get a dull headache from the elevation.
Cusco (at 3,400m), is much higher than Mach Picchu itself (2,430m) - but if you’re doing the full Inca Trail hike then I think it’s on Day 2 that you’ll go over the high point which is the ominously named ‘Dead Woman’s Pass’ which is around 4,200m. The absolute best advice is to pace yourself when hiking. By going slow and steady and drinking water your body will reward you with the energy you need at the high point. I also chewed the cocoa leaves - even if it’s only a placebo effect - it helped. Tasted terrible though so I kept some chewable sweets to mix in with it 
Don’t stress about… just get excited. It’s a magical place. Take your time to soak it all in and you’ll avoid any side-effects from the altitude.
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I went on the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu and I am not super active at home. It’s very much doable. If you feel like you need to slow and feel the altitude just take your time on the hike, I know I did and I got to see more things that the main group missed out on like seeing a bear (from a safe distance away). Also, our guide recommended chewing on Coca leaves which helped a little.
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