by Jeffrey L. Peachin with photography by Stu Gibbs and Jeffrey L. Peachin
Jun 2000, Vol. 4 No. 9
Arriving in the ancient city of Cuzco, my friend Stu and I felt a slight feeling of lightheadedness. There is a dramatic change in elevation from the sea level elevation of Lima to Cuzco’s 11,000 feet. After a good night’s sleep, which helped us adjust to the high altitude, we hired a guide, cook, and two porters ($250.00 for each of us) for the 4-day hike to the famous Inca ruins of Machu Picchu.