20 21 NATURAL FOCUS – TAILOR-MADE EXPERIENCES WWW.NATURALFOCUSSAFARIS.COM.AU | E: [email protected] | T: 1300 363 302 MACHU PICCHU T he 15th century "Lost City of the Incas" has one of the most impressive locations of any archaeological site in the world. Perched on a mountaintop above the Urubamba Valley, and often swathed in mist, Machu Picchu (meaning "Old Mountain") is 2,430m (7,979ft) above sea level. Below the mountain is the village of Machu Picchu Pueblo (also known as Aguas Calientes), which can be reached by rail or road from Cusco 80km away. A short bus trip (30 minutes) takes visitors to the Inca citadel itself. The citadel is built in classic Inca style with polished dry stone walls. It contains a number of temples, royal houses, roads and agricultural areas. Once hidden in dense rainforest, the awe-inspiring site was re-discovered by the American explorer Hiram Bingham in 1911. Magnificent view, Machu Picchu © Shutterstock Llama watching over Machu Picchu © Shutterstock MACHU PICCHU & MACHU PICCHU PUEBLO • PERU SUMAQ MACHU PICCHU A A A A Sophisticated, spacious Sumaq invites guests to unwind in luxurious comfort, with 59 premium guest rooms and 3 suites furnished with the finest lines and personal coffee-maker. The hotel also boasts a fusion restaurant, bar and fabulous day spa. EL MAPI A A A A This chic, light-filled hotel in the village of Machu Picchu Pueblo offers 122 comfortable rooms and 8 suites in a friendly down-to-earth environment. Delicious food is served in the airy onsite café, whilst the bar offers tapas and classic pisco sours. SACRED VALLEY T he spectacular Sacred Valley of the Incas or Valle Sagrado de los Incas is a patchwork of picturesque villages, Inca ruins and agricultural terraces. Cleaved by the Urubamba River, the valley runs from the village of Pisac with its famous market and ancient ruins, to Ollantaytambo, site of a large Inca fortress and gateway to the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu. Lying 500m below Cusco, the Sacred Valley is a great place to acclimatise to Peru's altitude. See pages 16-17 for a sample itinerary. BELMOND HOTEL RIO SAGRADO A A A A A Located on the banks of the Urubamba River, this tranquil Belmond hideaway is built in the style of an Andean village. Guests are accommodated in 21 character-filled rooms or in 2 private villas. The hotel offers a pool, restaurant, bar and spa. INKATERRA HACIENDA URUBAMBA A A A A A This luxurious 36-room Inkaterra hotel features contemporary decor with colonial inspiration in the heart of Urubamba Valley amongst mountains and trees. Delicious meals here are prepared with produce from the onsite organic farm. Casa Andina Premium Sacred Valley Hotel & Villa © Casa Andina Aranwa Sacred Valley Hotel & Wellness © Aranwa Belmond Hotel Rio Sagrado © Belmond CASA ANDINA PREMIUM SACRED VALLEY HOTEL & VILLAS A A A A Set over 3 hectares in the heart of the Sacred Valley, this hotel offers 91 comfortable and cosy guest rooms with mountain views, whilst facilities include a day spa, restaurant, and an observatory. SONESTA POSADAS A A A Part of the upscale Sonesta portfolio of hotels, the Sonesta Posadas del Inca Yucay is located in a former monastery amid manicured gardens. It offers 88 charming ensuite guest rooms, a bar, coffee shop and two restaurants. Inca Trail Chinchero Pachar Machu Picchu Ruins Poroy Wanchaq Abancay & Ayacucho Paruro Urubamba Pisac CUSCO © Natural Focus Ollantaytambo Machu Picchu Pueblo 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Aranwa Sacred Valley Hotel Inkaterra Hacienda Urubumba Sonesta Posadas del Inca Yucay Tambo del Inka Resort & Spa Belmond Hotel Rio Sagrado Casa Andina Premium Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo El Mapi Hotel by Inkaterra Casa Andina Standard Casa del Sol Machu Picchu Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel Belmond Sanctuary Lodge 8 6 5 4 3 2 1 12 11 SACRED VALLEY OF THE INCAS 10 9 7 The captivating Sacred Valley © Shutterstock PERU • SACRED VALLEY ARANWA SACRED VALLEY HOTEL & WELLNESS A A A A This peaceful retreat occupies a 17th century colonial homestead on the Vilcanota River just 90 minutes from Cusco. It offers 101 rooms, 14 suites, 2 restaurants, a bar, day spa, pool and Jacuzzi. TAMBO DEL INKA A A A Nestled in the Sacred Valley, around 50km outside Cusco, this hotel has 128 elegant, spacious rooms and suites fitted with balconies and every modern amenity. Facilities include a restaurant, bar, and a private train station to Machu Picchu. Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba © Inkaterra Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel © Inkaterra INKATERRA MACHU PICCHU PUEBLO A A A A A Located in Machu Picchu Pueblo, this charming hotel offers a restaurant, spa and 83 whitewashed guest cottages set in 12 acres of lush gardens filled with orchids and colourful native birds. The famous ruins are a mere 3 kilometres away. Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel © Sumaq Hotel Peru BELMOND SANCTUARY LODGE A A A A A Situated at 2,400m, this is the only hotel within the sanctuary of the Machu Picchu Inca Citadel. It offers 31 rooms and suites with wonderful views of the surrounding landscape, a restaurant, bar, tranquil gardens and a wellness centre. Belmond Sanctuary Lodge © Belmond CASA ANDINA STANDARD MACHU PICCHU A A A This friendly modern hotel is conveniently located in Machu Picchu Pueblo. There are 53 rooms equipped with cable TV and ceiling fans. Guests enjoy daily buffet breakfasts and free Wi-Fi in the lobby. CASA DEL SOL MACHU PICCHU A A A Located five minutes from the train station and opposite the bus depot in the village of Machu Picchu, this boutique hotel offers 30 beautifully decorated rooms. It also features a spa, free Wi-Fi and an onsite restaurant and bar. Casa Andina Standard Machu Picchu © Casa Andina