Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel (Photo: Courtesy of Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel)Machu Picchu, Peru
For a Mystical Experience
Sunrise. The light breaks over the deep green of the Andes Mountains, 8,170 feet above sea level. Slowly the mysterious ruins of Machu Picchu appear through the morning mist. If you are brave (and have booked in advance), you can tackle the somewhat challenging climb up the green sugarloaf-shaped mountain, Huayna Picchu—the one you’ve seen on all the travel posters—for incredible views as the sun rises. Plan a full day exploring what many scholars now believe was the great estate of an Incan emperor, rather than a fortress. Stay at Inkaterra’s Machu Picchu Pueblo Resort in Aguas Calientes, the village below the ruins. This eco-friendly, 12-acre property, offers cozy white-washed casitas with fireplaces and thick alpaca blankets for chilly evenings. Guided bird watching and orchid walks are part of the package. Dine in the casual Fusion or the more formal Dining Room, both with views of the roaring Vilacanota River. Book a soothing couples massage, but most of all, bask in the silence.
