Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel – this is one of those places where you want to be when you opt for a luxury hotel surrounded by nature. We were lucky enough to be there and to have an amazing experience during our visit to Machu Picchu. Located just 7-10 minutes from the train station, the hotel is set in a 5-hectare green area and has a tasteful, rustic, ‘Andean village’ look.

Our day started in the sacred city of Machu Picchu, where we spent several hours. On the way down to Machu Picchu Pueblo (not the ciudadela built by the Incas, but the village also known as Aguas Calientes) we decided to walk. This was an exhausting 1-hour walk (firstly because we are not that young anymore, and secondly because descending about 500 meters down irregular steps is not that easy …) and the first thing we were hoping for was that this hotel was at least close to our expectations. We were wrong … Our expectations were very much exceeded during that 2-night stay.

The hotel had already welcomed us several hours beforehand when we arrived at Aguas Calientes by train. Someone from the hotel was already waiting for us at the train station to offer us the courtesy of taking our backpacks to the hotel while we were exploring Machu Picchu during the day. That saved us the effort of carrying the backpacks to a locker and then later to the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel.

But as I said, after a long and very pleasant trip to Machu Picchu, we just wanted to spend the night in a comfortable place. Noah was also very tired and although he also enjoyed the ruins and played a bit among the llamas and alpacas, he was exhausted and needed somewhere to sleep.

Our Room on the first night at Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel

When we arrived at the hotel we were welcomed with some refreshing lemonade and taken to our casita (hut). On the way, our host explained a bit about the hotel and facilities.

Our Junior Suite was beautifully decorated and the 2 double beds were enormous (it could easily fit a family of 4 … not kidding).

One of the amenities provided is some Andean slippers crafted from recycled material that can be purchased by guests upon checking out, emphasizing Inkaterra’s commitment to the environment.

Apart from that the room included a colonial-style wardrobe, a heater, robes, a safe, iPod speakers and toiletries (all environmental friendly). The separate reading area also had a fireplace that we didn’t need on the first night as it wasn’t cold.

I think Noah particularly enjoyed the large TV screen with many satellite channels. We had to wait for him to sleep before we were able to watch some movies, because there were several channels with cartoons that he liked to watch.

Our dinner at the restaurant

The main restaurant of the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo hotel is located just next to the lobby area, and our stay included a-la-carte dinner (open from 7 to 10pm) and breakfast buffet (open from 5 to 10am). It was a good chance for us to enjoy some Peruvian dishes in a luxury hotel. The menu had several options for starters and main courses and I believe we made the right choices (à-la carte lunch may also be served from 12 to 4pm).

That delicious meal was more than enough for us to finally chill out and come back to our room for a relaxing night’s sleep. The next day had several activities in store for us.

The Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo offers their guests several in-house activities surrounded by nature.

Due to the beautiful setting in the middle of a cloudy forest in this ancient area, and very close to the sacred city of Machu Picchu, the hotel offers their guests several activities surrounded by beautiful nature. Of course visitors can hire the Eco Centre (where Inkaterra’s explorer guides are located) for activities outside of their facilities, such as guided tours to Machu Picchu, but we decided to try some that are held inside the hotel.

I woke up at 6:30AM to do a bird-watching activity with a guide from the hotel. That might have been a nice activity for Noah and children in general, but Noah was a bit tired so I let him sleep. At first I was hoping that we wouldn’t need to walk far from the hotel area, as my legs were still tired from climbing down Machu Picchu the day before. To my surprise, I walked just few meters from the Eco Centre where I met the guide from the hotel and saw the first birds flying over that beautiful forest.

It was not difficult to see different species flying as we walked around the perimeter of the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo. Different species, sizes and colors, such as the silver-beaked and the blue-necked birds … After about an hour we stopped right by a place where many hummingbirds were drinking water – that made me realize that they are used to hotel guests.

After a rest I was able to enjoy the delicious breakfast buffet served at the restaurant with Ruth and Noah.

Ruth then took a tour to see the different species of native orchids around the hotel. 372 species in total!!!

Along the orchid trail she was able to observe some of these native species in their natural habitat. It was just beautiful to see large and tiny orchids in different colors.

The last activity of the day for us was the tea process. This is a great activity for families and although very young, Noah was able to enjoy this activity a bit. First the explorer guide took us to the organic tea plantation and explained how tea is produced. Noah got to pick some tea leaves and chose some mint leaves to mix them with.

Then we were told how to crush and filter the plants to eventually put them into tea bags. That was the best part for Noah as he was in charge of pressing the machine to close the bags 🙂 . The explorer then told us to come back to the lobby, as we were about to try our first self-made tea. I think Noah had put the right portion of crushed leaves in the bag as the tea was delicious. This activity coincides with tea time offered to all guests at the hotel, when they serve some cookies and cake.

Change of plans and change of room

Initially we were only supposed to stay one night, but there was much more to explore at the hotel so we asked to stay one more night. This was a tough one for the team as the hotel is usually in high demand, but after some shifting here and there the manager was able to offer us a casita which was superior to the one where we had spent the previous night. This dedication to us and our comfort will not be forgotten – not just because of the last-minute request, but because of the room they made available to us.

Eduardo (the hotel’s general manager) told us that a surprise was waiting for us. Indeed! We were given a Suite that was very spacious with our own heated pool and covered terrace for reading. The pool was made from rocks and it was so warm that even if it was cold we could be in it.

Of course Mr. Noah enjoyed the pool more than us and started to play in it like there was no tomorrow.

At night we asked reception to light the fire, as it was a bit colder that night, and to provide us with DVD equipment so Noah could watch a movie. We very nearly requested one of the services that the hotel provides, which is movie night (popcorn, movie, tea, ice cream and grilled cheese), but we were not sure Noah would stay up that long so instead we just went for the movie (Puss in Boots).

It was another perfect night for us. We even had the chance to try different dishes at dinner, which were all delicious as well.

We were able to enjoy 2 of the different casitas but guests can also opt for inferior (superior and superior deluxe) and superior (Inkaterra suite and Inkaterra Villa) rooms with different rates.

Other facilities and services at the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel

We did not have the time to enjoy all of them, but the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel also provides other facilities that ensure that the guests experience maximum comfort and luxury in the middle of the forest. These include the UNU Spa, the Café Inkaterra restaurant (open from 12 to 4pm), the boutique gift shop and the Eco Center from which depart all in-house guided activities and tours, which schedule and conditions guests may coordinate with the explorer-guides.

There are also many other services that it would take us days to try, but some of them are private dining, cookery classes, enjoying the Andean Earth ceremony and the renewal of vows, as well as other activities and tours in and around the hotel.

Seeing the Oso de Anteojos Andino and the final goodbye

We had a short morning at the hotel as our train was leaving at 10:55am, but we still had time for one last activity after our breakfast.

This time I did not join Ruth and Noah, but it was the one that our little one enjoyed the most. I think that this would be the case for all kids.

At Inkaterra they look after a species which is common in the Andes and endemic to South America: the spectacled bear (oso de anteojos). Ruth and Noah saw 2 bears called Mika and Pepe.

There is the option of making a voluntary donation to the project and at the end of the activity the visitor receives a certificate.

This was the end of the day for us after 2 pleasant nights at the fabulous Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel, a place where a large or small family, like ours, would spend unforgettable moments.

We, from Family Travel Secrets, thank Inkaterra Hotels, Eduardo, Vanessa, William, Carol and all the team who were so kind to us throughout our whole stay.

Family Travel Secrets stayed at Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel as guests. All opinions and oodles of pictures remain our own.