Hip Getaways - Tambo del Inka Resort & Spa, Peru

Machu Picchu has been on my bucket list for a long time and I finally checked it off earlier this month. Aside from the lure of visiting a lost city and one of the new seven wonders of the world, I was sold on going to Peru after seeing a photo of THIS in a travel magazine...

So leave your backpacking stereotypes behind please because this is the posh side of Peru with no dusty tents but just divine hot water showers! Even Susan Sarandon and Kate Moss gave it their thumbs up after their stay last summer at the Tambo del Inka Resort and Spa.


Getting there:
To get there, you fly into the Cuzco airport and then take a cab for 45 mins to the town of Urubamba. The beautiful countryside drive will keep you entertained - so have your camera ready because you never know what you'll see on the way!


Stay:
Upon entering through the big wooden doors I honestly thought I've arrived in heaven! Completely tucked away in its own oasis and nestled among the trees and lush foliage of the Sacred Valley, this 128 room resort and spa is part of the Starwood Luxury Collection that just opened last summer. Each room boasts views of the Andes Mountains and Vilcanota River. The bed is the most comfortable bed I've ever slept on and the pillows are like fluffy clouds - and believe me, you appreciate all these little things after a day hiking Machu Picchu!

Machu Picchu: the new 7 wonders of the world

The Facts:

Machu Picchu stands 2,430 metres above sea-level and is literally in the middle of a tropical mountain forest! It has recently earned its place on the list of the new 7 wonders of the world. And rightfully so for its breathtaking natural setting on the eastern slopes of the Andes and the upper Amazon basin with a rich diversity of flora and fauna. Who wouldn't be absolutely enthralled by the surrounding mountain range, the mystery and intrigue of the "Lost Cities of the Incas" and the well-preserved ruins!

Getting there:

It was extra special being there to celebrate Peru's 100th Birthday. We skipped the Inca Trail (the famous 4 day hike which you have to book at least 6 months in advance) and opted for a more relaxed trek to the top instead. The fastest and most efficient way is via Peru Rail. Most people arrive/depart from Cuzco train station ($125 usd for a two-way ticket) and then take a 20 mins bus ride up the long windy road to the top ($15 usd). The journey takes approximately 3.5 hours and departs at 6am each morning. When you arrive at Machu Picchu Town, don't forget to get a visitor's permit ($30 usd) as this serves as your entrance ticket. To avoid disappointment, plan ahead since the Government only issues 500 permits a day.

The view from the top:

Machu Picchu is perched in the most dramatic setting amidst the high peaks of the Andes - the grass is a carpet of the softest lush green, there are llamas running free and maze-like ancient ruin walls and giant terraces to explore to your heart's content. This place is a photographer's dream! Words cannot describe the beauty so I'll let these pictures speak for themselves...