With the opening of explora Valle Sagrado in Peru’s Sacred Valley on July 1, the explora group will be welcoming guests to its first hotel outside Chile. An early leader in luxury lodges whose all-inclusive experiences focus on adventure and exploration in remote Chilean corners, explora Valle Sagrado occupies the land of a historic Peruvian hacienda, its 50 guestrooms all offering views of the Urubamba Valley cornfields and the impressive Andean mountain range that once sheltered the Kingdom of the Incas.
Located an hour from Cusco and at 9,500 ft., lodge facilities include a dining room whose menu features Peruvian specialties, a lounge and bar. There are 44 standard rooms (430 sq. ft.) and six suites (570 sq. ft.), all with spacious bathrooms. Rooms were designed for maximum silence and privacy, hence are not equipped with WiFi, TV or minibars. Opening in October will be the Spa Casa Pumacahua, which occupies a restored 17th century colonial house, fitted with saunas, steam rooms and hot tubs; there is an outdoor pool, and, of course, massage treatments for explorers returning home from daily expeditions.
explora Valle Sagrado will be a journey in itself, encouraging travelers to experience the natural wonders, rich culture and history of the region through more than 27 excursions on foot, bicycle or van, led by the company’s specially trained exploration team. In the Urubamba River Valley, guides will concentrate on Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Moray and other archaeological sites. On the Huaypo Lagoon plateau, travelers will move along local routes, passing between tranquil lakes, cornfields and farming communities. Expeditions will also take guests trekking and mountain biking in the Andes, while other explorations will include the city of Cusco and the sanctuary of Machu Picchu.
explora Valle Sagrado will offer three exploration programs including Pisac (three nights), starting at $2,160 pp dbl; Vilacabamba (four nights), starting at $2,628; and Moray (five nights) starting at $3,020. These rates are valid to Oct. 31, and include 10 percent service. For additional information, call (866) 750-6699 or visit explora.com.
