Have you ever heard of the SkyLodge Adventure Suites in Peru? SkyLodge Adventure Suites offer a truly unique and thrilling experience for adventure seekers. These transparent capsule suites hang 400 meters high on a cliffside in the Sacred Valley, with breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding natural beauty. Well, let me share my experience as someone who had very little hiking experience, had never done via ferrata before, and had a fear of heights. I will walk you through my experience and tell you everything you need to know to prepare for this adventure.
How to Book Your Stay at Skylodge Adventure Suites
To book a stay at Skylodge Adventure Suites, visit their official website at “naturevive.com” where you can browse all of the activities offered. You can book through third-party sites like Viator or other agencies, but I don’t recommend it because you’ll end up paying more. The official site is simple enough, and they are very responsive. After choosing the one you want, click the book now, and that will take you to a page prompting you to fill out a contact form expressing interest in the service you want. There are several options available, including a day trip to the capsules for lunch, staying overnight in the capsule, or even just ziplining. I chose the via ferrata + zipline + overnight option, which cost 1575 Sol (around 415 USD) at the time. There’s also the option to book the Starlodge Adventure Suites, which are less strenuous physically with just a walk to your pod and have open-air baths where you can take a quick dip while enjoying the gorgeous views of the Sacred Valley.
If you’re short on time but still want to have this experience, you can choose to do a day trip and have lunch in the pods for about $213 to $236 USD, depending on the option you choose. If you choose the lunch option, your day will begin at 9 a.m. and end at 5:30 p.m. If you choose the overnight option, your day will begin at 1:00 PM and end at around 3 PM the next day.
All of the offered activities include private transportation to and from your hotel in Cusco, guides, and all of the equipment you will need. Since I was staying overnight in the capsules,the package included a snack for the ascent, a gourmet dinner with a bottle of wine, and breakfast. Soon after submitting the contact form, you will receive an email from “Nature Vive” with an itinerary outlining what to expect as well as a request for detailed information needed to finalize my booking, as shown below. After paying, you will receive a confirmation email for your booking.
Packing Essentials for the Skylodge Adventure Suites
When it comes to packing for your overnight stay, I recommend traveling as light as possible. If you have extra luggage or bags, don’t worry; they offer free storage at their office in Urubamba. Personally, I only brought an overnight backpack and left my suitcase at my hostel in Cusco. Here are some essentials to bring:
Water: Carry at least 1 liter of water, or bring an empty bottle to fill up on-site, as part of their eco-friendly approach.
Footwear: Wear comfortable hiking boots or sneakers with good grip. If you don’t have hiking boots, regular running sneakers work well.
Clothing: Dress in hiking and active wear clothing, keeping in mind that shorts are not allowed; your legs must be fully covered. Layer your clothing for comfort and warmth. Under-layers should be made of materials like fine merino wool, polyester, or nylon. Your OP should include a waterproof jacket and a windbreaker. Nature Vive does not cancel just because it’s raining, only in harsh weather conditions like storms or strong winds. Bring one set of pajamas and one set of clothes to change into for day 2.
Hygiene Items: Don’t forget personal hygiene items like a toothbrush, toothpaste, and maybe 2-3 of your skincare essentials. Only bring what’s essential; do not bring your entire skin care routine. Consider bringing baby wipes for freshening up since there are no showers in the pods.
Weight Limit: Keep in mind that there’s a weight limit of 265 pounds for the activities at SkyLodge Adventure Suites.
Cash: Bring some cash to tip the guides who make your adventure memorable.
Misc: Bring a phone charger, a portable charger, and a Go Pro if you have them.
What to Expect Inside of the Capsules
The capsules (pods) at SkyLodge Adventure Suites are surprisingly luxurious and spacious and offer everything you’d find in a hotel room, except for a shower. The main area of the pod contains the beds and even a coffee maker. These capsules are 24 feet in length, 8 feet in height and width, and can accommodate a maximum of 8 people. As a solo traveler, I had the entire pod to myself! Each capsule suite has six windows, including one on the dome, which offers panoramic views of the Sacred Valley. Each capsule has its own bathroom, which is in a separate section, divided by zip curtains. The private bathroom includes a sink and a dry ecological toilet. The unique toilet operates without water, but don’t worry; you’ll receive instructions on how to use the toilet from the guides. Yes, the bathroom is transparent, but curtains are provided for privacy. There’s ample lighting in the pods, but there is no internet service.
Day 1: Climbing to the Capsules
The adventure began when I was picked up from my hostel in Cusco at 2 p.m. The drive to Pachar took about 1 hour and 30 minutes, offering beautiful and scenic views. As we got closer to our destination, my fear of heights began to intensify. Believe it or not, I started to pray for courage. I had a crippling fear of heights, and my heart was beating fast. I began to think maybe I couldn’t do this. I’d never attempted anything like this before, and my anxiety was through the roof. Upon arrival, the guides greeted me, introduced themselves, and provided a safety briefing, along with instructions on using the equipment and what to expect. There is a waiver to sign before you can begin the activity.
Around 4 p.m., we commenced our climb with 3 travelers, including me, and 2 guides. For the first 45 minutes, I was terrified and refused to look down. My legs were shaking uncontrollably, but I was determined to get to the top. The guides were incredibly patient and encouraging with me. I was slower than the other two people in our group, so one guide stayed with me for extra support. There’s a section where there’s a suspension bridge and where you have to walk over two cables. That part was the scariest part of the whole climb for me.
Throughout the climb, one guide captured photos of our adventure (available for an additional cost of about $85 USD). After an hour, I finally mustered the courage to look down, and the view was simply stunning. The sight of the river and the Sacred Valley was worth every bit of anxiety. It got colder as we climbed, so I was grateful for my layered clothing to stay warm. We reached our capsules as the sun was setting. I was so proud of myself for getting up there.
Upon arrival at the capsules, the guides will show you your designated pod and give a brief orientation, including how to use the toilet. They also provide radios (walkie-talkies) to communicate with them. I was left in my pod to enjoy the view while the guides began preparing a four-course meal from scratch, using ingredients they had brought up with them in their backpack! Around 8 p.m., the guide used the radios to let everyone know dinner was ready. At that point, it was fully dark, raining, and very cold. I wasn’t confident that I could go to the dining pod alone, even with the provided headlamp, so I asked one of the guides to come help get me to the dining capsule. It only takes about 5–10 minutes to get to the dining capsule from your respective capsule, depending on which one you’re assigned. The food was absolutely delicious, it was a 4 course meal including a salad, soup, mashed potatoes, chicken with steamed veggies, and a peach cobbler for dessert. The portions were generous, and I couldn’t finish all of my food. After dinner, around 8 p.m., everyone goes back to their respective pods. I spent my time looking at the stars and feeling like the luckiest girl in the world before falling asleep.
Day 2: Descending to the Base and Ziplining
The following morning, I freshened up and headed to the dining pod at 8 a.m. for breakfast. I felt confident enough to go alone this time, but the guides are more than willing to assist if you’re still nervous about taking a few steps on the via ferrata. Breakfast included options like eggs, bread, yogurt, milk, and juice—lots of options. After breakfast, I returned to my pod to relax, and one of the guides, who was also a photographer, came around to take pictures of me. The guides later went to every pod to collect the bed sheets and any garbage.
At 9 am, it was time to begin the descent, which took about 3 hours and involved a mix of via ferrata, hiking, and 7 ziplines with the longest one being 700 meters. At first, I was a bit of a chicken, and the guides joined me for the first few ziplines. I refused to go on the ziplines alone. But guess what? I got enough confidence to do the last 3 on my own !
Around 11 a.m., we got back to the base and said our goodbyes to the awesome guides. The driver was there, waiting to take us back to Cusco. I was dropped off at my hostel in Cusco around 2:30 pm. There was a lot of traffic because there was a movie shoot going on. Two days later, I got an email with a folder via “We Transfer” with all of the photos( unedited) the guide took of me.
I Conquered My Fear of Heights
In the end, this whole journey pushed my boundaries and left me feeling proud of myself. The jaw-dropping Sacred Valley views, the guides who cheered me on, the ziplines that gave me an adrenaline rush, and the awesome fellow travelers made it a truly epic experience. I am counting down the days I can go back to Peru to do it again.This is a once in a lifetime experience that I highly recommend. If you have a fear of heights but some determination, just go for it, trust me!
