Peru's Skylodge: A Cliffside Hotel Requiring a Two-Hour Climbing Check-In
Skylodge Adventure Suites in Peru offers transparent sleeping pods suspended 365 meters above the Sacred Valley. Access requires a guided two-hour via ferrata climb, while departure involves a six-line zipline descent. The experience costs approximately $480 per person and includes meals and transfers from Cusco.
Key points
- Location: Pachar, Peru, near Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley.
- Access: Guests must complete a two-hour guided via ferrata climb to reach the pods.
- Departure: Guests descend via six ziplines ranging from 150 to 700 meters in length.
- Cost: One-night stay costs 1,640 Peruvian soles (approx. $480/£350) per person.
- Facilities: Pods include beds, windows, and a dry toilet; no showers are available in the main Skylodge pods.
- Alternative: Starlodge offers a lower, walkable access point with showers and a hot tub.
Background
The Sacred Valley was historically the agricultural heartland of the Inca Empire. The Urubamba River below the hotel was considered by the Incas to be the earthly mirror of the Milky Way. Skylodge is located in the village of Pachar, approximately 10 kilometers from the Inca town of Ollantaytambo.
Why it matters
This property exemplifies the trend of extreme adventure tourism, where the physical challenge of access is a core part of the guest experience. It highlights the engineering required to create luxury accommodations in remote, high-altitude environments while maintaining ecological considerations like dry toilets.
What to watch
Guests can book either a half-day experience with lunch or a full overnight stay. The dry season, from April to October, is recommended for optimal stargazing conditions.
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