Set within 12 acres of cloud forest steps from the train station in Machu Picchu Pueblo (formerly Aguas Calientes), Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel offers discerning travellers a rare blend of comfort, nature and Andean soul. Cloistered among terraced hills, waterfalls and tropical gardens, the hotel feels more like a secluded village than a conventional lodge.
Accommodations number 85 casitas and suites — elegantly simple yet rich in local character. Whitewashed adobe cottages, connected by winding stone paths, house rooms furnished with regional timber, handcrafted details and alpaca bedspreads. For those seeking extra privacy, there are two-suite villas featuring private gardens, terraces and heated plunge pools.
Days at Inkaterra unfold at the pace of the forest. A guided nature walk reveals part of the world’s largest native orchid collection — 372 species — alongside hummingbirds, butterflies and over 200 bird species including the golden-headed quetzal and Andean cock-of-the-rock. After a morning at the sacred citadel of Machu Picchu, return to unwind at the serene UNU Spa, where natural botanical therapies and an atmospheric Andean sauna turn every treatment into a ritual.
Meal times are an experience in themselves. Glass-walled dining rooms overlook the rushing Vilcanota (Urubamba) River, offering contemporary Peruvian cuisine inspired by Andean flavours. For lighter fare or a moment of calm after the day’s journey, the rustic charm of Café Inkaterra provides a perfect retreat.
