When I booked my flight to Peru, the first thing that came to mind wasn’t Machu Picchu — it was Natura Vive’s Skylodge Adventure Suites.
Nearly a decade ago, I discovered there was a once-in-a-lifetime experience in Peru where you could sleep in a glass pod suspended on the side of a cliff in the Sacred Valley, just outside Cusco. I knew instantly that whenever I finally made it to Peru, I had to stay there.
And spoiler alert: it was even better than I imagined.
Here’s my full, honest breakdown of what it’s like staying at Skylodge Adventure Suites in Peru, how to prepare, what it costs, and whether it’s actually worth the hype.
Table of Contents
What are Natura Vive’s Skylodge Adventure Suites?
Natura Vive’s Skylodge Adventure Suites consist of three transparent glass capsule suites (what I’ll lovingly refer to as “pods”) and a separate glass dining pod, all anchored to the side of a cliff 1,200 feet above the Sacred Valley.
Each pod offers nearly 300-degree panoramic views of the Sacred Valley of Peru, making this one of the most unique hotels in the world.
The pods were built about 15 years ago by Daniel, the founder of Natura Vive, using aerospace aluminum and weather-resistant polycarbonate. He combined his love for rock climbing with his passion for Peru to create an experience that allows regular travelers — not just expert climbers — to do something truly extraordinary.
How Do You Get to the Skylodge Pods?
Honestly, getting to the pods is half the fun.
You’re picked up from Cusco (or the Sacred Valley) around 2pm in a comfortable van and driven about 1.5 hours to the base of the cliff. Once there, you’ll store your large luggage securely in their office and get fitted with a harness, helmet, gloves, and safety equipment.
Before you start climbing, Daniel and his team give a full safety briefing and let you practice opening and closing your two safety carabiners on the ground so you feel completely comfortable.
Climbing the Via Ferrata
To reach the Skylodge, you’ll climb a via ferrata for about 1.5 to 2 hours.
Via ferrata means “iron path” in Italian, and it’s essentially a series of metal rungs and ladders built directly into the cliff. Unlike traditional rock climbing, this requires no prior experience, and with the double safety tethers, it’s extremely secure. It’s just like climbing a very long ladder in nature.
If you’re in moderate physical condition, you’ll be totally fine. In our group, we had a couple in their early 60s from the UK who made it up without any issues.
Is Getting to the Skylodge Scary?
Short answer: not really.
I’m fine with heights, but my friend is not so much. She spent weeks spiraling with anxiety beforehand (she agreed to my wild idea without actually clicking the link I sent her before I booked). And yet — she had zero issues once we started climbing and thoroughly enjoyed the entire experience.
Some travel bloggers really play up the dramatics, but in person, it felt much more manageable than expected. There are plenty of natural ledges to pause on, making the ascent less steep and intimidating. It’s like a video game with levels, rather than one giant 2 hour climb without a break.
And, you climb as a group with three guides and a photographer, so you’re never alone or unsupported.
My Experience Climbing Up
The climb honestly felt surreal. The views were jaw-dropping and somehow even better than the photos. I experienced so many “Is this really my life?” moments during the ascent.
It was far easier than I anticipated, and the time flew by. We booked the photography and drone package, which I highly recommend. It’s worth every sole (Peruvian currency).
Fabian — our photographer and real-life Peruvian Spider-Man — captured some unreal shots along the way. If you’re going to climb a cliff to sleep in a glass pod in Peru, you might as well document every second of it.
We were worried about rain since it poured that morning in Cusco, but the sky cleared and the weather ended up being perfect, with only a light sprinkle during the last few minutes.
Daniel explained that if it rains before the climb, they’ll wait it out half an hour or so— but that often means finishing in the dark. If it starts raining during the climb, you simply continue, just more carefully. We felt incredibly lucky to get ideal conditions. As safe as everything felt, I would have been stressing out if it were pouring while we were climbing.
Dining in the Sky: The Skylodge Dining Pod
Before heading to your sleeping pod, you’ll stop at the Skylodge dining pod for one of the most memorable meals of your life.
Once inside, you can finally take off your helmet and gloves, relax, and enjoy the sunset with your group. The dining pod is a masterpiece — a fully functioning kitchen built into the cliff itself.
Daniel and his team carry everything up on their backs: food, water, wine, and fresh linens. So you’d expect something basic like sandwiches and juice boxes… but the dinner ended up being my favorite meal in all of Peru.
We had multiple courses including pumpkin soup, salad, a main entrée, and dessert. Each pod also gets two bottles of wine. I recommend saving one for later — climbing to your pod in the dark is not the time to be tipsy.
You can hang out in the dining pod as long as you like. When you’re ready, a guide escorts you to your sleeping pod and walks you through how everything works.
Sleeping in the Glass Pods
You enter your pod from above, almost like climbing into a submarine.
Each pod is 24 feet long and 8 feet wide, with four twin beds. You only ever share a pod with your own group — never strangers. We used the extra two beds for our backpacks and gear.
Inside, you’ll find:
- A thermos with hot water, mugs, and tea
- Games
- A little mirror
- A walkie-talkie to communicate with guides and other pods 24/7
If you want to step outside or move to the dining pod, you must radio first. Safety is taken very seriously.
Despite being 1,200 feet in the air, it was surprisingly warm and cozy. I was initially expecting a temperature drop like when you go camping in a tent. There are extra blankets, and the beds were incredibly comfortable. There are curtains for privacy throughout the pod, which you can tie up to see out. On a clear night, I imagine the stargazing would be unmatched.
There are solar lights, but no outlets, so bring a battery pack to charge up your phone and camera. You can charge your phone in the dining pod during meals, if you didn’t bring one though.
The Bathroom Situation (I Know You’re Curious)
Naturally, you’re probably wondering how the bathroom works.
Each pod has a private bathroom area with arguably the best toilet view in the world. It’s a compost toilet system with a removable pan that you empty the liquids after each use down a tube next to the toilet. Not glamorous — but manageable. However, I am very happy I am not born in a time where bed pans were a thing.
If you have to poop, you remove the pan from the compost toilet and use one of the bags filled with ash to do your business. Afterwards, you tie it tightly and put it down a tube within the toilet where it goes on its own little adventure to elsewhere.
There’s a sink with a large jug of potable water for brushing your teeth and washing hands. Since hauling water up the cliff isn’t easy, be mindful and conserve.
The Next Morning at Skylodge Adventure Suites
I slept incredibly well and woke up around 5:30am with the sunrise. Breakfast is at 7am, with a wake-up call around 6:45am to see if you want help climbing over.
I highly recommend waking up early, enjoying the views, and maybe sitting on top of your pod before breakfast. It’s so peaceful watching the world wake up from above.
Breakfast includes coffee, fresh-squeezed juice, a bowl of fruit, yogurt, and granola, as well as a hearty plate of eggs, toast, and cheese. Afterward, you’ll have about an hour of free time.
If you booked the photography package, this is when they’ll capture drone footage and do a mini photo shoot inside your pod.
Getting Down: Ziplining Through the Sacred Valley
You’re not done yet.
To get down, you’ll hike about 10 minutes and then take six ziplines back to the valley floor. I’ve zip-lined all over the world, and this easily ranks in my top three.
Best part? You’re not out of breath — all the climbing was the day before. It’s all downhill 😊 Just soaring through the Sacred Valley with insane views.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How much does Skylodge Adventure Suites cost?
The full experience costs around $488 to $529 USD per person, which includes:
- Via ferrata climb
- Overnight stay in a pod
- Dinner, breakfast, and wine
- All the gear
- Professional guides
- Zipline descent
- Roundtrip Transportation from Cusco or the Sacred Valley
If you’re traveling solo, you still get an entire pod to yourself for the same price.
Considering how exclusive it is (only three pods total), this is an absolute steal. In the U.S., something like this would easily cost $1,000+ per person.
How much is the photography & drone package?
Prices vary slightly, but we paid $60 per person for photography and drone footage.
There is a cheaper photo-only option, but honestly — just get the drone footage. Trust me, you’ll regret it if you don’t. Just email them in advance to let them know you would like to book the photography and drone package. You can either pay in advance or in person, both card and cash are accepted.
What to Wear
Wear comfortable athletic layers:
- Leggings or hiking pants
- Moisture-wicking top
- Light rain jacket
- Wool socks
- Hiking boots or trail runners
This is a physical outdoor activity. Treat it like a hike, not a fashion show. Our guide told us horror stories of what people have shown up in to do the climb including a mini skirt and flip flops.
What to Pack for a Night at the Skylodge Adventure Suites
You’ll leave your main luggage at the base and climb with a small backpack. I recommend a backpack with chest and waist straps like a Camelbak for extra security and comfort. I also wore a fanny pack cross-body style across my chest so that I would have easy access to my phone for photos. Do not carry your phone in your pocket unless it has a zipper, it will fall out!
Packing list:
- Battery pack to charge your phone
- Medication
- Hand sanitizer to conserve water
- One water bottle for the climb up
- One change of clothes
- Lightweight rain jacket or packable puffer
- Basic toiletries (Toothbrush, paste, moisturizer, face wash)
- Zip-lock bags for electronics in case it rains
- Sunscreen
- Passport
Can solo travelers stay at Skylodge Adventure Suites?
Yes! Solo travelers still get an entire pod to themselves for the same per-person price. You’ll climb and dine with the group, but your sleeping pod is always private and never shared with strangers.
How do you book Skylodge Adventure Suites Peru?
Bookings are made directly through Natura Vive or Booking.com, and availability is limited since there are only three pods. I highly recommend booking well in advance, especially during high season in the Sacred Valley. I booked it before any of my other accommodations in case they were sold out and I had to choose another date.
Is there electricity or Wi-Fi at Skylodge Adventure Suites?
While there are solar power lights, there are no electrical plugs in the glass capsules themselves. Pack a battery pack to charge any electronics.
There is no Wi-Fi, obviously, but surprisingly there is cell phone service. Daniel can show you which cellular network to connect to so that your phone will work and you can access the internet if you have an international data plan or eSIM.
Is Skylodge suitable for couples or special occasions?
Absolutely! What better way to mark a special occasion than an once-in-a-lifetime experience! Many people do it as a birthday or anniversary gift.
It’s also perfect for couples because there is plenty of privacy in the pod with curtains if you catch what I’m saying 😉
How cold does it get at night in the Skylodge capsules?
It’s surprisingly cozy in the capsules. They warm up during the day like a glasshouse, so in the evening it’s not as cold as expected. With plenty of blankets, you’ll be comfortable all night in just a thin long sleeve shirt, leggings, and socks. I did wear a light packable puffer in the morning while getting ready until after breakfast, since it did get a little cooler by then, especially with the rain during the night.
We stayed during Peru’s summer in January (aka rainy season). It may be colder if you stay during Peru’s winter months like June and August.
What’s the difference between the Skylodge and the Starlodge?
If you check out Natura Vive’s website, you might get confused between Skylodge and Starlodge. Starlodge is Natura Vive’s latest addition of 6 luxurious pods. They are far lower to the base of the cliff and accessible via a short 30 minute hike on stairs instead of the via ferrata. The pods feature amenities like showers, larger beds, a hot tub, and running water toilets. The main differences are that Starlodge is more expensive, more luxurious, and much more easily accessible.
It’s a great alternative if you want ultimate comfort versus a true bucket list experience. I personally think the Skylodge capsules are exceptionally more fun and adventurous, but it’s nice that both options offer a unique experience in Peru’s Sacred Valley.
Did Skylodge Live Up to the Hype?
I had been dreaming about staying at Skylodge Adventure Suites in Peru for nearly a decade. My expectations were sky-high — and somehow, it exceeded them.
The guides, the food, the views, the adventure, the comfort, and the connections you make with fellow travelers all come together to create something truly unforgettable.
Without a doubt, this was the highlight of my entire trip to Peru — and an experience I’ll never forget.
