El Retablo
Cuzco, Cuzco, Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, Peru
At a Glance
Less than 10 minutes from the main square, you are well located here to explore the highlights of Cusco on foot.
Inspired heavily by a form of Andean folk art called retablo, this brightly furnished hotel was designed by the Fine Arts School of Cusco. The blend of white walls and colourful folk art feels wonderfully ‘modern-Peruvian’!
Unwind with a pisco sour in the courtyard garden.
Coca tea, which can help with acclimitisation, is available 24h for those who require.
Relax at happy hour from 5.30pm with some live music and a bonfire.
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Best time to Visit
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Cuzco’s location and altitude result in only two seasons: rainy and dry. The rainy season typically lasts from November to March, with the heaviest rains arriving in January and February. The best time to visit Cuzco and the surrounding area is during April-October.
Call us on 020 3993 9308 to start planning your holiday to El Retablo or take a look at our itineraries to Peru
Description
El Retablo by Mountain Lodges of Peru is a new 17-room boutique hotel located in a beautifully renovated colonial building, three blocks from the main square in Cusco, and is a great base for visiting the city's highlights.
Vivid wall murals and splashes of primary colours can be found throughout El Retablo, in this sympathetically restored historic building, which is also walking distance to many of the city’s cultural sites. With interiors hand-painted by artisans from the Fine Arts School of Cusco, it is testament to the vibrant artisanal heritage of Peru, and pays homage to the country’s rich culture.
The 17 rooms continue the effervescence of the exterior, with white washed walls and simple wooden furniture allowing the playful murals and exquisitely painted ceilings to take centre-stage. Hand-woven soft furnishings add warmth to the crisp white linens, while the tiled, neutral-toned bathrooms offer a calming haven.
Breakfast is served in the lounge, adjacent to the garden patio, which creates a welcome gathering space for guests to relax after a day of sightseeing. A second floor garden patio provides additional space to unwind.
Just three blocks from the Plaza de Armas, the lively heart of the city, El Retablo is within walking distance of many of Cusco’s cultural highlights, with the Pre-Columbian Art Museum, Cusco Cathedral and the Inca Museum all within a six-minute walk.
Experiences
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Andean Textiles Tour
Peru's brightly coloured textiles are iconic and can be seen throughout the country, each region boasting its own distinctive style. Pay a visit to the Sulca family Textile Gallery and admire the skills of this generations old art form.
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Chinchero, Maras & Moray (optional hike)
Enjoy a fascinating private guided tour to the local village of Chinchero renowned for its archaeological site and colourful market (best on Sunday), the Inca terraces of Moray and the astounding salt pans of Maras.
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Cooking Lesson Palacio Nazarenas
Enjoy the best of Peruvian cuisine and learn all about delicious local ingredients by visiting a local market in Cuzco and joining a bespoke cooking class (prepare 4 delicious dishes) at the Belmond Palacio Nazarenas.
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Cuzco Off-Road Mountain Biking
Peru offers some of the best mountain biking down-hills in the world. Using a mix of rarely used dirt roads, ancient Inca Trails and smooth mule tracks enjoy an action packed off-road adventure outside of Cuzco.
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Cuzco Walking Tour - Half Day
Explore the magical city of Cuzco on foot with a local guide visiting the highlights from Qoricancha Temple, known as the heart of the Inca Empire, as well as local markets, where you can shop for fine silver, ceramics and famed alpaca crafts.
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Family Inflatable Canoeing Urubamba
White-water rafting & inflatable canoeing are fun sports, suitable for pretty much any one. No experience is needed to take part in this great day out to a beautiful section of the Urubamba River.
The Pinipampa section is class I-II outside of Cuzco.
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Horse Trek to Huchuy Qosqo
A fantastic one day horse trek climbing high into the Andes to experience huge views, local farming techniques and some rarely visited Inca ruins - a real wilderness treat for riders looking to get off the beaten track.
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Inca Rail Machu Picchu - 360°
Boasting expansive panoramic windows and an outdoor observation carriage, the 360° carriage on Inca Rail is all about the views, and the perfect way to enjoy the spectacular scenery as you journey by train to Machu Picchu through Peru's Urubamba Valley.
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Inca Rail Machu Picchu - The First Class Train
Travel to Machu Picchu in total comfort on the Inca Rail First-Class service, enjoying views from the large picture windows and outdoor balcony as you pass through stunning landscapes in the Urubamba Valley.
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Inca Rail Machu Picchu - The Private Train
The Private Inca Rail journey to Machu Picchu allows guests to travel in comfort, relaxing in the plush lounge chairs and soaking in the valley views along the way to this iconic ancient citadel. A private carriage is reserved exclusively for your party.
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Km 104 trek to Machu Picchu
Reach the iconic ancient citadel of Machu Picchu on the one-day KM104 trek, taking in the final portion of the Classic Inca Trail without the need to camp overnight. On arrival, soak in spectacular views over the Inca ruins and the dramatic valley below.
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Lares - Alternative Inca Trail
The Lares Trail to Machu Picchu is an excellent alternative to the busy Inca Trail for those who want to get off the beaten track and experience authentic Andean communities surrounded by stunning mountain landscapes. No permits required.
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Private Tour of Machu Picchu with lunch
On arrival at Aguas Calientes train station you will be met by your guide and assisted with boarding the 30 minute bus journey to the ruins. You will be able to take lunch before meeting your guide again to start your tour.
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Rafting the Source of The Amazon
Raft one of the world's top ten rafting rivers, the 3000 metre deep Granite Canyon of the Rio Apurimac. This 3-day mini-expedition is quite extraordinary, and an adventure lover's dream come true.
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Stand-Up-Paddle & Cycling adventure
Enjoy the sport of stand-up paddle boarding on the emerald Lake Huaypo before mountain biking to the agricultural terraces of Moray and the glistening salt pans of Maras. An adrenaline fuelled day exploring some of the highlights of the Sacred Valley.
Holiday Ideas
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Imagine Peru & Bolivia
Lima, Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Lake Titiaca, La Paz, Salar de Uyuni
from £5300 pp inc flights & transfers for 15 nights
- A real highlights tour of Peru and Bolivia
- Jam-packed with Andean culture and stunning scenery
- Visit the must-see Machu Picchu, beautiful Lake Titicaca and the other-worldly expanse of the Uyuni Salt Flats
-
Imagine Peru & Bolivia
Lima, Cusco, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Lake Titiaca, La Paz, Salar de Uyuni
from £5300 pp inc flights & transfers for 15 nights
- A real highlights tour of Peru and Bolivia
- Jam-packed with Andean culture and stunning scenery
- Visit the must-see Machu Picchu, beautiful Lake Titicaca and the other-worldly expanse of the Uyuni Salt Flats
-
Peru Uncovered
Amazon, Cusco, Inca Trail, Machu Picchu, Puno, Colca Canyon & Arequipa
from £4100 pp inc flights & transfers for 16 nights
- Famed for its outstanding diversity, this itinerary is packed with dramatic and spectacular landscapes and takes you on a journey to discover the very best of Peru.
- Experience one of the world’s most iconic treks as you hike the famous Inca Trail to Machu Picchu and delve into the pristine wilderness of the Amazon Rainforest in search of wildlife.
- Immerse yourself in Peru’s diverse culture and discover its ancient history as you step onto the floating reed islands of the Uros on the shores of Lake Titicaca and explore the remarkable colonial city of Cusco.
-
Peru Uncovered
Amazon, Cusco, Inca Trail, Machu Picchu, Puno, Colca Canyon & Arequipa
from £4100 pp inc flights & transfers for 16 nights
- Famed for its outstanding diversity, this itinerary is packed with dramatic and spectacular landscapes and takes you on a journey to discover the very best of Peru.
- Experience one of the world’s most iconic treks as you hike the famous Inca Trail to Machu Picchu and delve into the pristine wilderness of the Amazon Rainforest in search of wildlife.
- Immerse yourself in Peru’s diverse culture and discover its ancient history as you step onto the floating reed islands of the Uros on the shores of Lake Titicaca and explore the remarkable colonial city of Cusco.
Location & directions
Cuzco, Cuzco, Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, Peru
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