Explora Valle Sagrado is the Sacred Valley's all-inclusive adventure lodge. Explora built its name in Patagonia and the Atacama with a simple idea: you stay at a beautiful lodge, its own guides take you out each day on hikes and drives chosen to suit your fitness. Everything from meals to park fees is covered. The Sacred Valley lodge sits on a historic 32-hectare estate near the village of Urquillos, at about 9,514 feet, with more than 40 guided explorations to choose from.
For honeymooners, the appeal is effortless depth. You do not plan routes, hire guides or book transfers. You choose each evening what you want to do tomorrow, then return to a spa set in a restored 17th-century colonial manor with saunas, a steam bath, an outdoor pool and hot tubs. Explora's planning team can also arrange Machu Picchu entry, trains and guiding.
It is expensive. Explora sells multi-night programs rather than room nights, with a recommended minimum of five nights. We estimate roughly $1,800 a night for two all-inclusive. It suits active couples who want to see the Andes on foot with expert guides and never think about logistics.
Highlights at a glance
- All-inclusive with meals, explorations, spa and airport transfers
- More than 40 guided explorations
- Pumacahua Spa in a 17th-century colonial manor
- Historic 32-hectare estate near Urquillos
- Machu Picchu logistics handled by Explora's team
Why Couples Love Explora Valle Sagrado
The guiding is the heart of it. Explora's own guides lead every exploration and tailor routes to your interests and fitness level. One day might be a gentle walk through farmland to a weaving village. Another could be a long hike to a high pass with views of snowy peaks. Each evening, you sit with a guide and decide what comes next.
The lodge itself is calm and modern, with tall windows and natural materials that frame the valley rather than competing with it. Every room has mountain views.
Above all, it removes friction. Transfers, meals, park entrance fees and activities are included, so there are no bills to sign and no plans to negotiate. For couples coming off months of wedding planning, being told only to show up in hiking boots can feel like the real luxury.
Rooms to Book
Explora keeps its room offering simple: contemporary rooms in a single lodge, all with large windows and views across the valley and mountains. The design leans on wood, stone and textiles, with a restful, minimalist feel.
Room categories and their sizes change from time to time, so ask Explora or your travel advisor what is available for your dates. When you book, mention that you are on your honeymoon and request a room with the best mountain outlook. Small touches such as a bottle of wine or a private dinner can often be arranged.
The bigger choice is length of stay. Explora recommends at least five nights here, which allows time to acclimatize and to mix longer hikes with easier days. Couples combining the valley with Machu Picchu often stay longer, or link this lodge with another Explora property on a multi-destination program.
Food, Drink and the Spa
Meals are included and built around Andean dishes made with produce from the Sacred Valley and the rest of Peru. Expect native potatoes, grains such as quinoa, river trout, herbs and fruit, cooked with care and served in a relaxed dining room. Packed or picnic lunches accompany full-day explorations.
Beverages are part of the package, though Explora's FAQ refers to non-alcoholic drinks, so confirm whether wine and cocktails are included for your stay.
The Pumacahua Spa occupies a restored 17th-century colonial manor on the estate. It has saunas, a steam bath, an outdoor pool, hot tubs and a menu of massages and treatments. Spa facilities are included, while treatments may cost extra. After a long hike, a soak in the hot tubs under the Andean sky is one of the best moments of the day.
Why guests fall for it
Things to Do
More than 40 explorations cover the valley and the mountains around it. Options include hikes past Inca terraces and through high farmland, visits to rural communities and weaving villages, biking routes and longer treks to lakes and passes. Classic sites such as Moray, the Maras salt pans, Pisac and Ollantaytambo can be woven in.
Explorations are grouped by difficulty, so couples with different fitness levels are well served. One of you can join a challenging high-altitude hike while the other takes a gentler cultural walk. You meet at the lodge for the spa and dinner.
Explora's planning team can arrange Machu Picchu as part of your stay, handling the entry tickets, the train from Ollantaytambo and guided access. Permit and train fees may be charged separately, so check when you book.
Getting There
Fly into Cusco (CUZ), usually via Lima. The lodge is about 90 km from the airport, a drive of roughly 1.5 to 2 hours down into the Sacred Valley. Round-trip airport transfers are included, though Explora asks guests to confirm transfer details when booking.
The Sacred Valley sits lower than Cusco, so heading straight to the lodge on arrival is a smart way to start a Peru trip. The lodge's altitude of about 9,514 feet is still significant. Explora's guides build early days around gentler outings.
Machu Picchu trains leave from Ollantaytambo, within easy driving distance of the lodge. Explora can arrange the transfer to the station as part of your program.
Is It Worth It?
For active couples, yes. Explora's model of included guiding, meals, transfers and spa is a different product from a standard luxury hotel. It is hard to replicate by booking guides yourself. You will see corners of the Andes that most visitors miss.
It is not for everyone. Prices are high, the five-night recommended minimum is a real commitment and the experience centers on being outside every day. Couples who want to rest by a pool, wander markets on their own or eat in different restaurants each night may feel the format is too structured.
If you want independence and colorful character, Sol y Luna near Urubamba costs far less. If you prefer a classic farm setting, look at Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba. Choose Explora if hiking together is the point of your honeymoon.
Good to Know
Altitude matters. At about 9,514 feet, take your first day easy, drink plenty of water and let the guides set the pace. If you have health conditions, talk to your doctor before you go.
The dry season from May to September brings clear skies and the best hiking, with cold nights. The wet season from November to March brings afternoon rain and green landscapes. Pack proper hiking boots, layers, sun protection and a warm jacket for both of you.
Explora sells programs rather than individual nights. Some prices are quoted per person. Read the inclusions closely, including drinks and Machu Picchu costs, before you commit. Travel insurance is wise on any long, prepaid stay.
Insider tips
- Plan at least five nights, as Explora recommends, to balance acclimatization and longer hikes.
- Start with gentle explorations and build up to the high-altitude hikes later in the stay.
- Confirm whether alcoholic drinks are included in your program.
- Ask Explora to handle Machu Picchu permits and trains early in the booking process.
