Skylodge Adventure Suites: A Night in a Cliffside Capsule Hotel Above Peru's Sacred Valley

When people think of traveling in Peru, Machu Picchu and Cusco usually come to mind first. But Peru also has unusual places to stay that are just as memorable as its ruins. Today we're introducing one of them: Skylodge Adventure Suites, transparent capsule suites set on a cliff above the Sacred Valley near Cusco.

In Korea, it's also known as the Peruvian cliff hotel visited by YouTuber Kwaktube and actor Kang Ki-young on Jigumabul World Travel 2, a travel show on the Korean channel ENA. Coverage of the show described it as a hotel on a 122 m cliff in Ollantaytambo, where you check in by rock climbing.

Transparent Capsules Hanging Above the Sacred Valley

Skylodge Adventure Suites is a transparent capsule lodge in the Sacred Valley near Cusco, Peru. Unlike an ordinary hotel where you drive up and check in, this is a place where you climb up to capsules hanging on a cliff and spend the night. Opened in 2013 as a hanging lodge, it is described as having 3 capsule suites with room for up to 8 guests.

Spending a night looking down over the Sacred Valley from a capsule on the cliff is why Skylodge is remembered not as just a place to stay, but as a highlight of a trip to Peru. Peru is a destination where altitude, routing and travel time matter, from Machu Picchu to Cusco and the Sacred Valley. If you want to add a hotel where the stay itself is the activity, like Skylodge Adventure Suites, it's best to plan it around the flow of your whole trip.

See also: The Jewel of Peru Travel: Machu Picchu — From Ticket Types to Circuit Features

A Hotel Where the Adventure Starts at Check-In

At Skylodge Adventure Suites, the journey to the hotel is part of what makes it special. To stay overnight, you either climb a via ferrata or take a zipline course to reach the capsules. Guests arrive at the capsules by climbing a 400 m via ferrata or hiking about 40 minutes to the first zipline.

The stay package is described as including round-trip transport from Cusco, a professional guide, dinner and breakfast. That makes it less a hotel for simply relaxing and more one where adventure and accommodation go hand in hand.

A Night Inside the Capsule

From the outside, Skylodge's capsules look dizzying, but inside they are set up for a night's stay. Each suite has a bed, a dining area and a private bathroom, and the structure is made of aerospace aluminum and weather-resistant polycarbonate. The capsules have vents and ventilation ducts, and the lighting runs on solar panels.

Rather than a spacious bathroom with a shower like a regular hotel, the bathroom has a dry eco-friendly toilet and a washbasin. Meals are best thought of not as in-room dining, but as a special experience included in the stay program. Dinner and breakfast are part of the stay, served while looking out over the Sacred Valley.

Skylodge Adventure Suites: Who We Recommend It To

Skylodge Adventure Suites isn't a hotel we can easily recommend to every traveler. Because the stay involves climbing a cliff, it may be difficult for those with a fear of heights or limited stamina. It's also hard to bring a large suitcase, so it's best to pack a small, light bag. Storing large luggage separately and bringing only a small bag is recommended.

On the other hand, it can be an unforgettable day for travelers like these.

• Travelers looking for a special Peru experience beyond Machu Picchu
• Travelers who want to enjoy activities and accommodation together
• Viewers who were curious about the cliff hotel from Jigumabul World Travel 2

See also: Peru in August and September: Weather, What to Wear, and Packing Essentials

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