Trekking hill Guane Guane, Pomerape and Parinacota Volcanoes, 
in the heart of Lauca National Park. 

 In the foreground, a wide spot in the Lauca River forms a cushion bog, or "bofedal". 

Guallatiri's most prominent fumarole,  with at least 20 more on the 
other face of the mountain.  Elevation: 6,071 masl. 
 Guallatiri described on the Global Vulcanism Program web site.  Also here.  

Centro Internacional de Estudios Andinos (INCAS), the University of Chile's high-altitude research station in Putre.  In the background: the Nevados de Putre, (Taapaca) guard the village.  

Remember that Lauca National Park and 2 of the 3 other wilderness areas we visit are situated mostly above 4,300m in elevation.  This is above 14,000 feet. Alto Andino tours don't include mountain climbing, but we sometimes drive over passes of about 4,800m. The village of Putre is at 3,500m, or about 11,400 feet. 

Proposed Natural Treatments for Altitude Sickness
Reduction of Mountain Sickness with Chinese Herbs
Gingko biloba reduces incidence and severity of acute mountain sickness
Ginkgo was not significantly different from placebo for any outcome; however participants in the acetazolamide group showed significant levels of protection.     

The Breathing Book (1996)  by Donna Farhi.  ISBN 0-8050-4297-0  Get the most out of the oxygen available to you!