Tag: Aguas Calientes

Top 8 Sustainable Places to Stay in Peru

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There are so many fascinating destinations in Peru that the potential adventures there are limitless. Because of this, the difficult part for me is figuring out where to stay after deciding on my next adventure’s location. Often I use Agoda. Regardless, I do a lot of investigating to know which place will make my experience the awesome-est.

Also, sustainable tourism is important in Peru, since so much tourism there is dependent on conserving the local environment. Because of this I prioritize hotels/hostels that are locally run and green. Finally, I only want to stay somewhere if I think it will be fun and add to my experience. After all, this is an adventure!

These are my top recommendations for where to stay in some of Peru’s most visited destinations: Lima, Cusco, Sacred Valley, Aguas Calientes, and Puno. These have been selected for their sustainability standards, quality, and ability to add to your overall experience.

Enjoy and good luck with your trip planning!!!

Lima

By my professional estimation, there are a million hotels in Lima, a city of over 10 million people. Which can be… overwhelming. But in reality, only a handful of neighborhoods cater to tourists. Of these, Janina and I prefer the Bohemian coastal enclave of Barranco. We always end up here, drinking on a terrace and overlooking the Pacific Ocean, as we finish our latest adventure.

I recommend staying at Kaminu Backpackers Hostel. Its location is ideally set close to the main plaza and within walking distance to some delicious cevicherias. Good ceviche alone is worth it, really. Always.

Plus, you can spot and easily reach Barranco’s famous bridge of sighs (Puente de los suspiros) from Kaminu. According to legend, your wish will come true if you hold your breath while walking the length of this bridge. Be strategic, since this only works once!

I also like Kaminu because they cater to lovers of fun. There’s foosball and other games, a public grill, and a terrace from which guests can enjoy the sunset. The eco-friendly aspect comes from the establishment’s free filtered water for guests. Since disposable plastic bottles are a scourge in Peru, this is a big deal.

Kaminu Backpackers Hostel: It’s located in a hip, artsy district with great food and nightlife options. Additionally it has fun options for guests and promotes sustainable water practices.

Cusco

As one might imagine, there are TONS of hotel options in Cusco. But year in and out, I see one place consistently getting high marks. Ninos Hotel started off as Jolanda van den Berg’s mission to fund safe childcare for underserved children in Cusco. Today it has grown into two establishments (Meloc and Fierro) and a restaurant. The restaurant really hits the spot after walking around Cusco all day (get the pumpkin soup if it’s available!). Today I still recall viewing the Andean sky from the hotel’s courtyard, too.

Ninos Hotel is also a TripAdvisor-recognized Green Leader. That means they recycle, use energy and water-saving practices, and compost their organic waste to grow food for the restaurant. The two locations are two blocks from each other.

Summary of Ninos Hotel Cuzco Meloc and Fierro: This is a socially responsible enterprise that offers an excellent experience to visitors. It’s walking distance (10 minutes) to the main plaza in Cuzco and offers a range of services. The packed lunches are particularly nice if you are waking up at the crack of dawn to catch a car for the Sacred Valley or Rainbow Mountain.

Sacred Valley

I’m always finding myself wanting to spend more time in the Sacred Valley. There are dozens of traditional villages with their own histories and sights to see. They are less crowded than Cuzco and located at lower altitudes, too. For this reason some tourists stay in the Sacred Valley for a longer amount of time and shorten their time in Cusco, instead of the other way around.

Of the many villages in the Sacred Valley, I picked three that stand out to me: Pisac, Chinchero, and Ollantaytambo. These are known for their archaeological sites, cultural expressions, and locations.

Pisac

The word is out! Pisac was once a hidden gem, largely due to its incredible indigenous market. Today the market has transformed a bit due to the increase in tourists, yet it’s still a top experience in the Sacred Valley. The town’s archaeological site is impressive, too.

Pisac is about one hour from Cusco. You can take a private taxi or one of the many mini-buses (combis) that leave Cusco and pass by Pisac throughout the day. The village lies between Cuzco and Ollantaytambo and so can easily fit into your plans to visit Machu Picchu!

Hatha Art Yoga is a 15 minute walk from Pisac’s main plaza. Views of Pisac’s archaeological site are available in some rooms, in addition to a great vegetarian breakfast. You can rent a bike from the hotel, and as name implies, yoga classes are available if you need to stretch out those muscles before hitting the trails again!

Chinchero

This is a less-visited village compared to Pisac, but is still in the middle of the Sacred Valley. This makes Chinchero a perfect spot from which to explore the region. Chinchero has its own traditional market, fascinating Incan and Spanish buildings, and mesmerizing views of the mountain range. Chinchero is a cultural capital, too- the rebirth of Andean textiles started here, and the village’s textile collective is a great place to find souvenirs.

There aren’t as many options for staying in Chinchero. But check out Hospedaje Encanto de Chinchero. It’s practically adjacent to the Chinchero market, AND the town’s archaeological site is just a 5 minute walk away.

They provide free bicycle rentals, too.

Hospedaje Encanto de Chinchero Summary: This is a small business that provides regular services (ie, laundry) in addition to room and board. Take advantage of the free bicycle rental to explore the Sacred Valley. You can also take a short stroll to the local archaeological site, market, or Chinchero’s famous textile cooperative.

Ollantaytambo

MOST trips to Machu Picchu involve going to Ollantaytambo, and the town was a pleasant surprise for me. Its archaeological site’s architecture is as impressive as Machu Picchu’s, and its history is arguably more interesting (the Spanish lost a battle to the rebel Manco Inca here in 1537). The train station is the last stop before Aguas Calientes (aka Machu Picchu Pueblo). So lots of stores and restaurants cater to the international crowd.

One place that really stands out is El Albergue Ollantaytambo. It is walking distance to the main square, close to the archaeological site, and adjacent to the train station. You’re guaranteed organic, local food and drink here, since El Albergue is next door to the owner’s farm, distillery (Destileria Andina) and coffee roaster (Cafe Mayu). Plus there are excellent views of the Andean landscape. Cooking classes and cultural shows are available, too.

And there’s a sauna!

Summary of El Albergue Ollantaytambo: This is a strategically-located hotel and restaurant that uses local, organic ingredients. In addition, it has received awards from TripAdvisor, TripExpert and Green Hotelier for sustainable tourism practices. From here you can rent bicycles for free, walk to the main attractions of Ollantaytambo, and then recuperate your muscles in the sauna.

Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo)

I used to hate Aguas Calientes. Honestly, it’s a tourist trap. You see, only the Inca Trail (or the roundabout way) can reach Machu Picchu without stopping in AC. They literally changed the nickname of the town to Machu Picchu Pueblo.

BUT, it turns out there ARE things to do here (besides leave for Machu Picchu)! At the very least I’d recommend soaking in the hot springs after a long day. These hot springs are from which the town gets its name. And some people climb the sacred mountain Putucusi to get views of the area, even of Machu Picchu.

Your trip may involve an early wake up (think 3AM) to see Machu Picchu. Because of this, I recommend a quiet, comfortable place to stay in Aguas Calientes. Check out Rupa Wasi Eco-Lodge. Its comfortable beds, wooden design, and mountain views are great for getting rest. Plus its restaurant, the Tree House, is an excellent option, with vegetarian and vegan dishes.

Rupa Wasi offers massage services, too.

Summary of Rupa Wasi Eco-Lodge: This beautiful lodge has a garden, terrace, massage services, and bar area. It’s a 3-minute walk to the bus station for Machu Picchu. The packed lunches are a nice touch for those waking up early (there are no food or drink options in Machu Picchu).

Lake Titicaca

There is nothing like the view of Lake Titicaca at night. The night sky is practically untouched by air pollution at 12,500 feet (3,810 meters) above see level. The stars and moon reflect off of the highest freshwater lake on Earth. Few souls experience this, due to the fact that most tourists do not stay on the actual island. They instead spend the night in the city of Puno.

BUT a homestay in the islands of Puno is a once-in-a-lifetime experience! You only need one night, and you’ll be able to explore the entire island and get to know a family with a different culture and worldview. And you won’t be herded around like sheep from one tourist stop to the next (ahem, boat tours). These are rustic experiences but incredibly authentic, and they directly contribute to the local economy.

Homestay opportunities are available on the two largest islands, Taquile and Amantani:

Taquile Island

Taquile is an UNESCO world heritage site thanks to its rich textile traditions. The island is small enough to walk its entire length (2.2 square miles, or 5.7 square km) in under half a day. With a one-night homestay you can check out the textiles, take in the panoramas of the lake, and enjoy a home cooked meal with your local hosts.

Summary of Homestays in Taquile: You will be taken in by a local family, who will cook meals for you and perhaps share a bit of their culture and lives. This experiential tourism also provides you with the chance to enjoy the island without other tourists or a fixed tour schedule. Seeing the sunset over Titicaca may be worth it in itself.

Amantani

Amantani (3.6 square miles, or 9.28 square km) is not much larger than Taquile. But there’s a lot to discover for such a small island: its two mountain peaks, Pachatata (Father Earth) and Pachamama (Mother Earth), each have buildings from the Incan and Tiwanaku cultures.

There are also miradores (lookouts) throughout the island providing the best views of Lake Titicaca. Just as those of Taquile, the residents of Amantani hold on to very old traditions. In fact, there is a temple in the island that is still used for “offerings” (and not open to the public)!

Kantuta Lodge is a solar-powered lodge run by a local family, the Caris. It’s known for providing high-quality experiential tourism to tourists and is accredited by the local tourism committee. The Caris share with visitors their beliefs, daily lives, and meals (which are included in the price).

Kantuta Lodge summary: This is an excellent, locally-run and owned operation. It will provide an experience you will never forget!!!

So…

Have YOU stayed at one of these locations? Leave a comment below with your tips or questions. I’d love to help out.

OR are you going to one of the destinations listed? Check out our packing list tips, too!

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