I’m sure I have mentioned this before but I absolutely LOVE planning trips. I usually start by creating a board on Pinterest and then just start pinning! After I have a bunch of pins I will head on over to Google to get more in-dept information. Plus, I’ll start to look at flights and places to stay. I always begin with “what is there is to do?’ somewhere before I even look at flights! I love compiling a list of attractions and adventures and trying to see how I can fit everything in. The Skylodge Adventure Suites in Peru was the 1st thing I pinned in Pinterest. As soon as I saw it I knew I wanted to go there. Machu Picchu and the Skylodge were the two things I did not want to miss!
The Skylodge Adventure Suites was the last adventure I got to take in Peru before everything shut down because of Covid-19 and I was quarantined/stuck there for an extra 10 days, but more on that later. When things start to open back up in Peru (which I believe in around October) the Skylodge needs to be on your list, I cannot recommend this hotel enough. I usually do not spend a lot of money on hotels. I would rather spend more on experiences but this is a hotel and experience all rolled up in one. Plus the views were unbeatable!
Booking
You will not able to book Skylodge Adventure Suites online, you have to email them to find out availability and to place the booking. I booked Machu Picchu the day the tickets for the Inca trail went on sale. Tickets are limited (post coming soon) so after securing tickets I planned everything else from there. I knew I wanted to fly into Lima and take Peruhop (post here) to Cusco; However, I just wasn’t sure on where I wanted to stop along the way or for how long. Even without knowing all the details of the trip, I knew around what day Hector and I would get to Cusco because we needed to allow time to acclimatize.
I had originally planned to book the Skylodge for the night after we arrived in Cusco. However, when I looked closer at the date I realized it was Friday the 13th! Something about being 400m up and attached to the side of the mountain by just ropes made me decide just to push it one day out. We did it on the 14th! Once I decided on a day I paid a 50% deposit to reserve our spot.
The cost of one night with pickup, drop off, the Via ferrata (climb up), dinner, breakfast, a snack, and zip lining down was a little under $500 per person. (I believe they are running discounts now with everything that is going on). There are 2 other combinations (Zip line + 1 night and Via Ferrata + 1 night) that can reduce the cost a little. I believe there is a trail that doesn’t involve climbing if you do not opt for the Via Ferrate.
Arrival
The Skylodge is located in the Sacred Valley of Cuzco and is about a 1.5 hour drive from Cuzco. Picked up was around 2pm. In the van we found out there were 4 other people (2 couples) that would be hiking the Via Ferrate with us. As you arrive you can see the tiny pods way up on the side of the mountain. Once we signed our waivers and paid the rest of our balance we then got ready for the safety/instruction briefing. This only lasts about 20 minutes!
At the briefing you get all your equipment (harness, 2 pairs of gloves, and head torch). Make sure you come dressed appropriately. No shorts or open shoes and I would recommend layers (It does get chilly!). You also need to bring 1 small backpack with a liter of water per person and whatever you will need for the night. Hector and I shared a bag and made sure to pack as little as possible. We each packed one change of clothes plus a rain jacket because we were worried it was going to rain.
During the briefing they also show you how to use their system. It was pretty simple once you got the hang of it. There have two carabineers and you must make sure one is always connected to the cables! Before setting off you are asked if you would like having pictures taken along the way. Hector and I were not going to do this but then thought ‘why not?’ Keko, the photographer, was very good and I would definitely recommend adding this option on. It was about $90 for both Hector and I.
On the way up…
Now you are ready for the climb! I loved this! You climb a mix of ladders and small narrow paths plus a wire bridge. The wire bridge was slightly intimidating because it is just a straight drop down below. One of the guides helps hold the top wire back so you can walk and balance better. Go check out Instagram to see me cross (@lotsofLove_Buffy), I have never been one to hide my facial expressions!
Once you make it up the 400m to the food pod the guides tell you which sleeping pod you will be in, there are 3 in total. Each has a double bed, 2 twin beds, and windows that open. There is also a bathroom with a dry toilet and a sink. The best part: the platform on top and the 300 degree views of the valley. Mats are provided so you can take them to platform if you want to sit up there and enjoy the view. They also give each of you a mini bottle of wine so you can take it up there with you (or just enjoy it in your pod!). Just make sure you clip in!
Our Pod
We had the pod furthest over. One of the guides stops by to show you around and tell you how everything works. I won’t go into detail about the toilet but there is a whole system. You also want to make sure you close the curtains or you will be looking into the bedroom of the pod next door (and they can see into yours)!
We had a little time before dinner so we just explored the pod and took in the view! The walk to dinner was one of the strangest I had ever had. You put your harness and hat on and then start climbing out. You make sure to clip yourself in and then start edging sideways along the metal rungs of the ladder. Once in the food pod you can unclip and take off your hat.
Dinner
The guides cooked a 3 course meal and it was delicious. We had some juice (or water) to drink, but you also have the option to drink your wine if you would like. Our starter was a soup with cheese and croutons. Chicken, vegetables, and mash potato followed. For dessert we had camel banana creation. We all sat at one big table. It was nice to sit and talk to the other guests. One couple were from Brazil and the other from the US. After dinner we geared up and climbed pack to our pod. I will say it is very different climbing in the dark! We sat at the top and enjoyed the view before playing dominos and heading for bed!
The next morning we headed back over to the food pod for breakfast. We had an array to choose from: fruit, granola, bread, cheese, and ham. Plus juice, water, tea, and coffee to drink. After breakfast we packed up our stuff into the backpack and got ready for our decent from the mountain. There was also time for pictures so we waited our turn. Keko came to each pod and took a variety of pictures inside and outside the pod. Then we were off to the zip line!
Zip Lining
There is a series of 7 zip line cables ranging from 150m to 700m to get you off the mountain. Between each zip line you walk a path and are still clipped by your harness to the wire. You end your last zip line on top of the small building where you signed your safety waivers. Once on the ground you return all your safety equipment and complete a review form (I gave 5*s for everything!). There you exchange email addresses with Keko so he knows where to send your pictures and where you can email him if you do not receive anything. Then you are given a snack bag with a variety of different thing (fruit, nuts, etc). From there they drive you back to wherever you are staying in Cusco.
If you are thinking about adding this to you itinerary while in Peru and you like climbing, adventure, and staying in unique places do not hesitate to add the Skylodge Adventure Suites! This was such a fun and unique experience. I actually had some of the best sleep I’ve had in the pod. I look back at the pictures and just remember how much fun I had. If you don’t want to stay the night they have other options such as lunch and/or just doing the Via Ferrate and zip line. Make sure to check it out. You can thank me later!
Dessert camping up next!
Buffy xx
