Skylodge Adventure Suites, The Most Scariest Hotel Experience

I’ve stayed in some pretty unique properties—ones with stunning atriums, infinity pools, world-class amenities, and five-star dining. But then there’s Skylodge Adventure Suites, Peru in South America— a place that makes you question every life decision as you cling to a sheer rock face.

Perched in the Sacred Valley of Peru, just outside Cusco (yes, I also did Machu Picchu and the Belmond Andean Explorer—but that’s a story for another time), this is one of the most outrageous overnight stays in the world. Imagine sleeping in a completely transparent capsule, suspended 1,200 feet in the air, held up by cables and (hopefully) some solid engineering.

"Honestly, when I book these experiences, I don’t overthink it—I just go for it. YOLO, right?"

The Journey: From Dubai to Hanging Off a Cliff

Let’s start with getting there because this is not a quick weekend escape. From Dubai, you’ll first need to fly to Rio de Janeiro or São Paulo, a journey of about 15 hours (I nearly missed my flight because of Dubai traffic). Also Thank God I had Emirates air miles because 15 hours in economy, hmm…?

We stayed one night in Rio because we were absolutely knackered. From there, it’s another 5-hour flight to Lima, Peru (boasting two restaurants within the top 10 of The World's 50 Best Restaurants list). Then we hopped on a 90-minute domestic flight from Lima to Cusco via LATAM Airlines (very good).

Once in Cusco, we checked into the JW Marriott Cusco (1,145 AED per night), which was really pleasant. Cusco, Peru, is situated at 3,399 metres (11,152 feet) above sea level, making it one of the highest cities in the world. Breathing can be difficult at this altitude, so we regularly drank Chachacoma Tea and Muña (Andean Mint) and chewed coca leaves to help acclimatise.

Once acclimatised, we were picked up by the Skylodge team and driven to the base of the mountain. The drive was mesmerising, with winding roads, towering peaks, and the stunning landscape of the Sacred Valley unfolding before us.

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The Ascent: Climbing to the Pods

At this point, you might think you’ve arrived. Nope. You now have to vertically climb 400 metres (1,312 feet) up the side of a mountain using a Via Ferrata (a metal rung climbing system). Alternatively, you can trek part of the way—but either way, your legs and lungs better be ready.

This is an experience for everyone—we even saw a 65-year-old lady make the climb! It wasn’t easy, though, because you have to pull yourself up on metal rods anchored into the rock. (Don’t worry, it’s safe… I think). There’s actually a route to trek, but the group collectively decided that climbing was the way to go.

Let me be honest, you need good upper body strength for this because the climbing steps aren’t exactly close to each other. At times, you’ll have to pull yourself up using just your arms, and if you can’t quite reach the next rod, you might have to push yourself up with your legs . It’s a proper full-body workout—just at 1,200 feet in the air. No pressure.

We packed light, only bringing the essentials in a backpack, since you have to climb with whatever you’re carrying.

The guides were Peruvian—two of them, one leading from the top and another at the bottom. They spoke perfect English, and one had even studied at Oxford Brookes, which led to an interesting chat about why he left the usual career path to run the hotel. Definitely a good talking point!

Before the climb, they gave us a full debrief covering health and safety, emergency procedures, and evacuation protocols. Thankfully, none of that had to be put into practice on our trip. There were about 10 of us in total, and everyone made it up in one piece!

One of the most terrifying moments? Tight-roping between cliffs on a single cable. And yes, I mean a single piece of metal with nothing but air below. You CANNOT look down. Easily the scariest thing I have ever done.

Throughout the entire journey, you are hooked to the rock—you have to clip on and off at every step. Forget to clip? Well… let’s just say it’s a long way down.

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Room with a View? More Like a Room in the Sky.

Each Skylodge capsule is a 7.5-metre-long (24 feet) by 2.6-metre-wide (8.5 feet) aluminium and polycarbonate pod, bolted directly into the rock face. It’s fully transparent, which means your floor, walls, and ceiling all offer uninterrupted views of the valley below. You’ll wake up to breathtaking sunrises—and possibly a mild panic attack if you forget where you are.

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Inside the Pod:

• Capacity: Each pod sleeps four people in super cosy beds (assuming you’re comfortable sleeping while hovering over a 1,000-foot drop).
• Bathroom: Yes, there’s a private bathroom—but it’s a black bag system, just like you would use while camping. We avoided using it for 24 hours—no explanation needed. 😅
• Electricity: Solar-powered lighting ensures you won’t be climbing down in the dark.
• Dining Area: You’ll eat in a separate capsule—because why not make everything an adventure?

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The Descent: Ziplining Back Down

Now for the fun part—the descent! Unlike the gruelling climb up, the way down is much easier and way more exciting. We zipped down via multiple zip lines, gliding over the valley and taking in the breathtaking views. It was an absolute blast and much easier than climbing down. A perfect end to an exhilarating adventure.
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‍Price & Value for Money

‍The experience costs around Soles/1,640 (approximately 1,623.60 AED) per person, which includes private transportation from/to your hotel, guides, equipment, snacks for the ascent, a gourmet dinner with a bottle of wine, and breakfast over the Sacred Valley. There’s also an optional photographer service, which I highly recommend—because trust me, you’ll want proof you did this!

I 100% think it’s worth it considering it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience. There’s nothing else quite like it. The service, amenities, and the sheer thrill of the adventure are absolutely amazing, and everyone is always in awe when I show them pictures.

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‍Final Thoughts & Next Adventure

‍If you’re thinking of visiting Peru, I’d suggest around 10 days to cover the highlights. You can take the train from Cusco or Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Pueblo), followed by a bus or hike to the site. Alternatively, for those looking for a true adventure, the Inca Trail is a multi-day trek that follows ancient pathways through the Andes.

A great itinerary would include three days on the Andean Explorer, a stay at Skylodge, and time exploring the Sacred Valley. But plan ahead—we booked this trip 10 months in advance because the best experiences fill up fast!

I also stayed at Belmond’s Iguazú Falls (another blog for that one), and it was absolutely worth it—the falls walk was breathtaking, and I even did the Sky Dive over the falls, which was next-level. Definitely an unforgettable experience!

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Next Blog: The Belmond Andean Explorer

‍Stay tuned for my next adventure aboard the infamous Belmond Andean Explorer—a luxury train that takes you on a breathtaking journey through the Peruvian Andes. With stunning landscapes, impeccable service, and the magic of old-world rail travel, this is an experience like no other. If you love the idea of luxury on rails, you won’t want to miss this one!