High in the Peruvian Andes, a verdant valley cuts a pathway between the imperial Inca city of Cusco and the dramatic peaks that protect the citadel of Machu Picchu. This is the Sacred Valley of the Inca, once the heartland of the Inca Empire and still shrouded in the mysteries of their great civilization. Perched on a slope overlooking the valley floor, Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba reflects the region’s Andean and Spanish-colonial influences, capturing the essence of a destination with many cultural layers.
Upon arrival at Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba, you might first be struck by the spectacular vistas—in a lodge where nearly every window shows a panoramic view of the Andes, it can be difficult to look away. But once you start exploring the beckoning slopes, it quickly becomes apparent that this is much more than a mountain hideaway. Each excursion provides cultural insights into the storied Sacred Valley—opportunities to uncover the secrets of the Inca and the vibrant traditions of their descendants.
Many visitors to Peru’s southern highlands treat the Sacred Valley as the road to Machu Picchu, and some bypass it altogether by boarding a train in Cusco bound for the legendary Inca citadel. Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba invites guests to stay awhile and soak up the spirit of the valley—an enigmatic place where ancient fortresses mark Inca-Spanish battlegrounds, traditional weaving still lives on in hillside hamlets, and the majesty of the surrounding mountains inspires awe in onlookers.
The lodge helps tell a different part of the Inca story: one of life in the empire’s heartland. Guests can spend time in local farming communities and attend spiritual services to hear Quechua, the language of the Inca; walk through the surrounding hills to see evidence of Inca agriculture and architecture; and sit on the lodge terrace to gaze at the same celestial bodies that inspired the building of Inca temples. Here, traces of the empire are everywhere, and Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba strives to help guests discover them.
- Hike the emerald slopes of the magnificent Andes, taking in views over the terra-cotta-colored towns of the Sacred Valley.
- Pick your own produce from the lodge’s ecological farm and give your bounty to the chef to prepare for your evening meal.
- After sunset, settle into one of the terrace’s comfortable leather chairs and gaze up at the constellations of the southern hemisphere.
- Take part in a pachamama, or “pay the earth” ceremony, joining a local shaman to give thanks to the Andean gods.
National Geographic Exclusive
When you reserve your space through National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World, you'll be invited to learn the secrets of chicha de jora, or corn beer. Join a naturalist in the lodge's on-site Chicha House for a hands-on lesson in brewing this popular local drink.
- 12 luxury rooms in the main lodge and 24 private casitas, all with panoramic views of the Andes
- Eco-center with information on lodge conservation projects
- Bar with large selection of specialty drinks, lounge area, and fireplace
- Dining room with floor-to-ceiling glass windows revealing mountain views
- Terrace with cozy oversized chairs and blankets
- Wine cave
- 10-acre organic farm
- Gift shop with a selection of local crafts
- Free Wi-Fi internet throughout the lodge
Spotlight on Sustainability
The lodge works closely with the National Geographic-sponsored Inkaterra Asociación, a nonprofit organization that develops scientific, technological, and cultural research projects geared at managing and protecting the biodiversity and local communities of the Peruvian Andes. Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba purchases produce from the association’s Andean Farm Project, which has gardens in the nearby town of Huayoccari. Here, cutting-edge agro-ecological techniques are applied to the growth of organic produce and medicinal plants. The cultivation techniques were carefully selected for their ease of replication, with the initiative’s long-term objective being to establish an agricultural training center for local farming communities.
- PURE Life Experiences Awards: Contribution to Experiential Travel - José Koechlin, 2015
Photos From Our Lodges and Travelers
