Imagine drifting off to sleep suspended nearly a kilometre above Peru’s Sacred Valley. The stars glow so close you feel you could touch them. Below you, the Urubamba River winds through ancient Inca terraces. This is Skylodge Adventure Suites – the world’s first transparent hanging hotel and one of the most iconic bucket-list experiences on Earth.
Built into the sheer granite face of the Peruvian Andes, Skylodge combines heart-pounding adventure with unexpected comfort. You don’t just stay here – you earn your bed. Skylodge Adventure Suites
The Sacred Valley lies between Cusco and Machu Picchu, a fertile corridor that was the spiritual and agricultural heart of the Inca Empire. From snow-capped peaks to ancient ruins and colorful villages, every curve of the valley feels timeless.
Skylodge is perched on a towering cliff near the village of Pachar, close to Ollantaytambo – about a 90-minute drive from Cusco. Its gleaming aluminium-and-glass pods can be spotted from far below, clinging to the rock like giant eagle nests. Skylodge Adventure Suites
Getting to Your Pod – An Adventure in Itself
You don’t simply check in at reception – you climb to your room.
Guests reach the pods via a 300-meter via ferrata (cable ladder) or a series of six zip lines that zig-zag across the mountain. Harnesses, helmets and expert guides keep everything safe – but the adrenaline rush is real. Skylodge Adventure Suites
It takes roughly one hour to ascend the via ferrata, with rest platforms and unforgettable views along the way. Once you arrive at your capsule, the reward is beyond imagination. Skylodge Adventure Suites
Tip: Those with a fear of heights can choose to climb up and zipline down – it’s a thrilling combination.
Inside the Skylodge Capsules
Each pod is hand-crafted from aerospace aluminium and polycarbonate, designed to withstand high Andean winds while remaining fully transparent.
Size: about 24 ft long (7 m) × 8 ft wide (2.5 m)
Capacity: up to 4 people
Facilities: two double beds or four singles, dining area, solar lights, and a separate bathroom pod with dry toilet.
Inside, soft linen, thick blankets and ambient lighting make it surprisingly cozy. You can open small windows for fresh mountain air, or close the curtains for privacy – though most guests never do.
At night, you float in darkness with the Milky Way spread across the sky. It feels like sleeping inside a planetarium.
Dining Among the Stars
Meals are served in the sky. Dinner arrives in a sealed container delivered by your guides – a three-course Andean-fusion meal paired with Peruvian wine or pisco sour. Skylodge Adventure Suites
Breakfast is served in the morning as sunrise pours gold light over the valley. Coffee never tastes so good as when you’re 900 meters above the world. Skylodge Adventure Suites
Signature Moment: Toasting to sunset with a glass of Malbec while the Urubamba River glitters below you.
Morning Descent – Zip Lining Through the Valley
After breakfast, you’ll descend using six connected zip lines – the longest stretching 700 meters. Each section offers a different perspective of the valley and mountains. It’s a glorious finale to the Skylodge Adventure Suites
What to Bring
Comfortable clothes and layers (the altitude can be cold at night).
Small backpack with water, snacks and essentials (no suitcases allowed).
Hiking boots or trail shoes with good grip.
Camera or GoPro for those epic zip line shots.
A sense of adventure – and maybe a bit of courage.
Price & Booking
Prices start around US $450 – $600 per person per night, including guides, gear, climb, zipline, dinner and breakfast.
1. Machu Picchu
2. Pisac Market & Ruins
3. Via Ferrata & Zip Line Park
4. Maras Salt Mines & Moray Terraces
5. Horseback Riding & ATV Tours
6. Luxury Retreats & Wellness Spas
