If you like to travel and have been alive during the age of the internet, you might have come across startling pictures of glass-like pods doubling as rooms hanging thousands of feet off a cliff. Turns out this curiosity-inducing hotel is nestled along the Sacred Valley—just an hour and a half off Cusco in Peru.
So here at Terra Explorer Peru, your (new) favorite adventure travel consultants, resolved it would be only fair to assuage that inquiring mind and answer all of your questions.
The exact location is the lesser-known hamlet of Pachar, fifteen minutes away from Urubamba in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. If you’re parting from Cusco, consider an hour and a half drive, which is splendidly wasted as you take in the mirage that is the Andean scenery. Cusco is the gateway city to Machu Picchu, so there is no need to deviate from the itinerary.
Related: What is there to do in the Sacred Valley of the Incas?
Climbing. But not intuitive climbing, there is a vertical trail—a via ferrata (literally, Italian for iron path). And so, a sort of iron ladder provides a firmer grip and a steadier footing. Still, we have to say it is a workout mostly because of how long it takes: anywhere from an hour a half to two hours.
Full disclosure: There is a cable “bridge”—we use the word bridge very loosely. Picture two cables running parallel where your feet are supposed to go and one other for you to grab onto. But don’t get all apprehensive; the guides are the most safety-conscious people you’ll find in Peru. They will chaperone you through it all, even more, if you’re not the Alex Honnold kind. And, of course, they have all of the proper gear and measures in place.
The pods hang off a cliff 1400 feet (around 400 meters) up from the ground. Just imagine the kind of views you get from a glass capsule this far up.
One night is more than enough. You can even go just for the fun of climbing and then slide ziplining all the way back to the ground. There are four zipline sections: the longest, 2300 feet (around 700 meters). That is one joyous glide overlooking the Urubamba River and the ringing imposing mountains.
For starters, there is a dining area—more accurately, a dining capsule. It isn’t dazzling and luxurious. Instead, it has a warm and homey feel to it. And that is the whole theme around Skylodge; the pods are unexpectedly womblike. And you don’t need much else, to be honest: just tables, chairs, and an open kitchen serving the handful of cavorting tourists in there. What must be said is that the food is terrific, especially for a place this far from the hustle and bustle of a real chef’s kitchen.
As for the rooms, they are small pods with just beds, storage space, a small table and chair, and a bathroom. The latter boasts the best view you will ever have, for sure.
Around 500 USD per night, per person. We know, we know, it sounds like a lot. But with a flood of immaculate five-star reviews on Tripadvisor, who are we to disagree with the hundreds of people who have already been there? Suffices to say that some of these enthusiastic reviewers—and content creators documenting their voyages—even favor it over Machu Picchu.
If you’re planning on embarking on a luxurious vacation or a remote expedition into the Andean landscapes, look no further. We’re the ones to go with. Tailor-made trips are encouraged at Terra Explorer, so get on our website, get inspired, and let’s set a date.
To ensure the well-being and safety of our travelers and staff throughout our operational chain, Terra Explorer will comply with the health and safety measures and protocols established by the Peruvian Association of Adventure Tourism and Ecotourism (APTAE), and implement the Covid-19 health and safety guidelines for adventure tourism developed by the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA).
Our experiences are designed considering the least possible exposure, where the final destinations are usually remote places. By their very nature, our adventure activities are considered to be low risk, mainly because they are performed outdoors where ventilation is constant and making it easy to achieve social distancing.
During these times we are working together with a small staff of honorable people who have been part of the Terra Explorer family for many years. They and their families are aligned with the established health and safety measures. Employing these staff members also seeks to reactivate the local economy.
We guarantee a safe, soul-fulfilling trip to all our travelers for whom we make these adventures possible.
Terra Explorer will strictly comply with the safety, cleaning, and hygiene protocols during our internal processes, third parties, and throughout your trip. This involves:
Follow the instructions related to health and safety given by the Terra Explorer team and your guide, before and during your trip.
Stay home if:
With the intention of delivering the most flexibility at the time of confirming your trip, we will determine the amount of the initial deposit individually and according to your itinerary characteristics.
Secure your trip with a deposit and pay the rest in one or more payments, at a time that suits you best. Please make sure you adhere to our policy and pay in full at least 31 days prior to your trip date.
If you need to cancel your trip, we will apply the following flexible policies.
For more detailed information on our terms and conditions and Covid-19 policies, please contact us at [email protected]
