Skylodge Sacred Valley: An Honest Review with Food & Stay
The Skylodge Adventure Suites in Peru’s Sacred Valley sounds, like, seriously unreal, right? It’s those super cool capsule hotels that hang off a cliff face. The whole thing feels, you know, pretty wild – and more than a bit nerve-wracking too. You’re probably thinking, “Is this actually as great as all the photos make it look, or is it all just some fancy advertising?” Having spent a night way up high, hanging off that very cliff, I’m here to give you, like, a straight-up review of my complete experience – food and sleep included.
What Exactly is the Skylodge Adventure Suites?
Okay, so here’s the lowdown. The Skylodge Adventure Suites involves, in some respects, sleeping in a clear capsule that’s bolted onto a mountain face. That’s the core experience. We are talking about a spot in the Sacred Valley, close to Cusco. It is an adventure as much as, you know, it is a hotel stay. To actually get to your room for the night, you, usually, either hike up a pretty challenging trail that includes using fixed ladders, or you can choose to, rather, zip-line your way across. Then, the next morning, you get your breakfast brought to you, and you hike or zip-line your way back down to, basically, earth. Now, that I have written it out, it definitely sounds intense!
Getting to the Sacred Valley
First things first, you need to make your way to the Sacred Valley. Cusco tends to be, sort of, the jumping-off point for most trips in this region of Peru, yet the Sacred Valley itself has a few key towns. Ollantaytambo is probably the most famous and is a common spot to, kind of, catch a train to Aguas Calientes which leads on to Machu Picchu. The Skylodge sits near the town of Urubamba. You can arrive by bus, taxi or, actually, with a pre-booked transfer. That said, a taxi or a private transfer is, arguably, the simplest choice. It usually takes you around an hour and a half to travel from Cusco to Urubamba. The scenery all the way is really, truly spectacular, too. So, anyway, you may even want to factor in some extra time for photo stops along the way.
Check-In and Preparation
You, generally, don’t actually check-in at the Skylodge capsules themselves. So, it’s just a bit more of a standard reception area in the town. You will meet the team, get all your safety gear and receive an orientation. That includes a, somewhat, very full safety briefing. There is, honestly, some paperwork to fill out too. This gets all the risks confirmed and some medical disclaimers sorted, and that stuff. It’s a bit like signing up for a very extreme sport. After that, there’s, actually, a little bit of waiting around as you prepare to, sort of, transfer to the base of the mountain.
The Climb (Via Ferrata)
Okay, this is where it begins to, literally, get interesting. So, anyway, I opted for the climb. It’s, really, named the Via Ferrata. This basically means you’re scaling the rock face with, kind of, fixed ladders and cables. The whole thing, actually, sounds intense – and in some ways, it actually is. That said, the entire route is surprisingly manageable, and, still, the guides give you very clear instructions on what to, properly, do. Even someone who isn’t an, unusually, experienced climber (that’s me!) found the entire climb exciting, not, actually, scary. I think the only part that could, literally, cause an issue is anyone that has an issue with heights, anyway. Looking down is seriously not a good idea for them, at all! The entire climb took me about three hours, and it gives you some absolutely unreal views of the Sacred Valley, too. So, in a way, you get rewarded for your effort.
Arriving at Your Capsule
Reaching the capsule actually gives you a feeling of, kind of, huge accomplishment. It is, arguably, tiring, yet the novelty of it all kicks in, too. The capsules themselves are bigger than you would believe and they offer, seemingly, pretty complete comfort. There’s a, somewhat, private toilet, very comfy beds and even a small dining area. That said, it does feel a bit warm. So, it’s just good to be aware before you actually go.
The Food Experience
I think one of my biggest questions before the trip was, “What is the food like?” You can bet, too, you aren’t exactly near to any restaurant to buy another dinner if it turns out badly. So, it is really something to check out. It’s more or less surprisingly decent! The package I got includes both dinner and breakfast. Dinner, that day, involved a very tasty, hot meal, prepared, usually, with local ingredients, brought to you by one of the guides. Honestly, it really was restaurant standard. And then, that next morning, you will also get a pretty nice breakfast before you actually head down.
Sleeping in a Capsule on a Cliff
The million-dollar question is – can you sleep? That, is that the view you get before closing your eyes is like something from a movie and the idea that you are hanging hundreds of feet from a cliff face does enter your brain at some point. The bed is, actually, really comfy, and I believe that tiredness won that day, anyway. I got to sleep pretty quickly. It’s, basically, hard to describe how magical waking up there actually feels, too. So, you, in fact, watch the sun rise across the whole valley and it’s pretty unforgettable.
The Descent (Ziplining)
I opted to, properly, zip-line down. The views all across the zip-line are pretty unreal and it’s such a thrilling experience too. You have to get re-attached to the safety gear and, then, sent across to the next point by one of the guides, which you need to make sure you follow really carefully. The only problem is, I’m just not great with heights! The zip-lining took about an hour, or a little bit more.
What Does a Night at Skylodge Cost?
Let’s not avoid talking numbers – it is, basically, very costly. At the very least you could be looking at paying around $1400 or more for a one-night stay for 2 people, plus all your food. It definitely counts, that, as a ‘bucket list’ spend.
Would I Recommend It?
Despite that very large price tag, that said, this is absolutely an experience I would encourage, you know. The entire stay at Skylodge in the Sacred Valley is completely unforgettable and pretty one-of-a-kind. The Skylodge isn’t just somewhere to rest your head, but it’s, more or less, an incredible experience from the climb (or zip-line!) up, all through the superb food and right through to sleeping suspended on a cliff edge. This is for the adventurer and those actually after something pretty unforgettable.
Tips for staying at Skylodge
Before actually heading to the unforgettable Skylodge experience, these simple tips can add to the memories.
- So, acclimatize: Spending time in Cusco, too, helps your body adapt to the altitude.
- Basically, pack light: Only carry what’s crucial for the climb and overnight stay.
- Usually, hydrate: Drink, you know, water to tackle altitude sickness.
- Basically, layers: Weather changes rapidly, thus, layering clothing offers adaptability.
FAQs About Staying at Skylodge
Is staying at Skylodge safe?
Skylodge is definitely developed with safety at its very core. You, actually, get complete safety briefings and all the appropriate equipment.
Can you use the toilet at Skylodge?
Yes, it has a, slightly, private toilet in each pod. So, don’t worry about actually needing to dangle out of the door!
How difficult is the climb to Skylodge?
The climb isn’t too difficult. It might be very challenging for people that have never tried that sort of thing, and the height thing could, definitely, cause issues. Yet anyone with average levels of fitness should be, basically, fine.
How long does it take to climb?
This, seemingly, depends on your level of fitness but typically it is around 2-3 hours for either activity.
Is there electricity in the Skylodge capsules?
Each capsule will give you electricity for, basically, lights and charging your gadgets. I did find it pretty limited, though, if I remember right.
What is the best time to visit?
The dry season between May and September typically offers the very greatest conditions for climbing and enjoying the views.
What kind of meals will you get?
Dinners offer hearty Peruvian cuisine, typically, using regional ingredients; breakfasts will, usually, feature fresh fruit, bread, plus local spreads.