Valle Sagrado
Rustic sophistication meets serious adventure base camp. Natural materials, minimalist design, and zero TVs or in-room Wi-Fi — the point is to sleep hard and go explore. High ceilings, Pisonay trees outside the windows, fireplaces in common areas, Andean blankets everywhere.
Book Machu Picchu at least 6–8 weeks ahead in peak season (May–August) — entry permits sell out fast and Explora coordinates this for you
Why It Matters
The only Explora property in Peru, and a five-time Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Award winner. The menu was designed exclusively by Virgilio Martínez, chef of Central in Lima — ranked world's #1 restaurant in 2023. The lodge took ten years to build because the team kept discovering Inca archaeological ruins on the property, and partnered with Peru's Archaeology Institute to preserve them. The spa is housed in a restored 17th-century colonial hacienda on the same grounds.
Explora Valle Sagrado sits on a historic 32-hectare corn plantation near the village of Urquillos, about halfway between Cusco and Machu Picchu at 2,900 meters elevation. The lodge is built around soaring blond-wood ceilings, adobe walls, and floor-to-ceiling windows that open onto working cornfields and the Vilcabamba mountain range. It's a fully all-inclusive operation — meals, 40+ guided explorations, spa access, airport transfers, and national park fees all come with the room rate — run by a Chilean hospitality brand that has honed this formula across Patagonia and the Atacama Desert.
Where You'll Stay
2 room types available
Standard Room
44 rooms arranged for maximum silence and privacy. All look out over the valley's cornfields and surrounding Andean peaks. Wood paneling throughout, cozy alpaca throw blankets, and a jetted bathtub. No TV, no in-room Wi-Fi, no minibar — deliberately stripped of distraction. Beds can be configured as one king or two twins; interconnecting rooms available for families.
King or Twin (configurable) · 40 sqm
Suite Room
6 suites with the same cornfield and mountain views as standard rooms, but considerably more space. The sitting area gets a full sofa rather than just chairs, and the bathroom layout separates the shower from the jetted tub. King bed only. Same no-tech ethos as standard rooms — designed for rest, not distraction.
King · 53 sqmThe Property
Eat & Drink
2 venues on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
Bike rides following the course of the Urubamba River through the valley, past cornfields and traditional communities. Available at various difficulty levels.
Explora's core offering: 40+ guided explorations led by bilingual guides trained at Explora's in-house School of Guides. Options range from half-day gentle acclimatization walks to full-day Machu Picchu trips, cycling routes along the Urubamba River, highland treks to glaciers, and overland van excursions to remote villages. Key sites include Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Maras Salt Mines, Moray agricultural terraces, and Chinchero. Difficulty and altitude are organized progressively, from 9,186 to 15,419 feet. All explorations are included in the all-inclusive rate (Machu Picchu incurs an additional surcharge for train and entry permits).
Full-day guided visit to Machu Picchu from the lodge. Takes the train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes (approx. 1.5–2 hours), then bus to the citadel entrance. Approximately 3 hours of guided site exploration. Entry permits and train tickets are booked in advance by Explora — in peak season (May–August), coordinate at least 50–60 days ahead as daily visitor caps sell out quickly.
Walk through the living Inca town of Ollantaytambo, passing through the old main gate and over cobblestone streets flanked by narrow water channels still flowing as they did 600 years ago.
Begins in the colonial downtown of Maras, descends through potato fields to the community-owned salt mines — a striking pre-Inca salt evaporation site still in active use. Half-day trip.
Yoga sessions available at the lodge. Exact scheduling to be confirmed with the lodge.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
Reading area and library within the main lodge building.
Dedicated space for reviewing exploration options and meeting with guides each evening to plan the following day's excursions.
Wi-Fi available in public/common areas only. Rooms have no Wi-Fi or TV by design — the lodge intentionally encourages disconnection.
Full open bar with spirits, wines, and soft drinks. Beer, cocktails, and premium wine list available. Included in all-inclusive rate.
Outdoor pool in the Pumacahua Spa grounds, open 9:00am–9:00pm. Included in all-inclusive rate.
Outdoor hot tubs within the spa area, open 11:00am–10:00pm. Included in all-inclusive rate.
On-site shop selling lodge and Explora-branded products and local items. Hours at reception desk.
Each room has a safety deposit box for valuables.
Round-trip transfers from Cusco (CUZ) airport to the lodge on pre-established schedules. Custom timing available for differing flight arrivals. Included in all-inclusive rate.
Free on-site parking available.
Steam room within the Pumacahua Spa colonial building. Included in all-inclusive rate.
Sauna in the Pumacahua Spa building, open 10:00am–10:00pm. Included in all-inclusive rate.
BUILD YOUR EXPLORA VALLE SAGRADO PLAN
Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
Start Planning