Sanctuary Lodge
Intimate mountain lodge with Andean character. Local stone and wood interiors, orchid gardens, hummingbirds at the windows. Not a flashy resort — the setting does all the heavy lifting.
Book the First Light experience at least 60 days in advance — tickets are capped and sell out
Why It Matters
The only hotel adjacent to the Machu Picchu citadel entrance, operating within the protected sanctuary zone. Guests can visit the ruins at first light before any day-trippers arrive, and again at dusk when the site is nearly empty. No other hotel in the area comes close to this access.
The only hotel actually positioned at the entrance to Machu Picchu — full stop. When the last bus of day-trippers heads back down the mountain, Sanctuary Lodge guests are the ones still up there, watching clouds roll over Huayna Picchu from the terrace with a Pisco Sour in hand. It's 29 rooms and 2 suites, all sitting within the UNESCO World Heritage buffer zone at roughly 7,970 feet above sea level. Small, intentionally so.
Where You'll Stay
4 room types available
Deluxe Room
Deluxe rooms share the same base footprint as standards but come with upgrades in finish and positioning. Some include a terrace — worth specifying when booking. King-size or twin beds, marble bathroom with shower only, minibar, and satellite TV.
King-size or twin · 15 sqmOne-Bedroom Suite
At 35 sqm, the suites are more than double the size of the standard rooms and the only accommodation category with a proper bathtub. A separate living area gives real breathing room after a day of hiking. The large furnished terrace faces the mountains — Huayna Picchu is right there. Nightly turndown service included. Only category that allows rollaway beds (for guests aged 12-17, subject to availability, at extra cost).
King or twin · 35 sqmStandard Patio Room
The same footprint as the standard rooms but with a furnished patio added on — useful for sitting outside in the cloud forest air without going far. Twin-bed configuration. Marble shower-only bathroom. Great if you want a little outdoor space at the entry price point.
Twin · 15 sqmStandard Room
The entry-level rooms are compact — 15 sqm is honest about that. But you're at Machu Picchu, so you probably won't be spending much time inside. Each is ecologically designed with a king-size or twin bed configuration, marble bathroom with shower only (no bath), and Andean-inflected decor. LCD TV with Chromecast, minibar, and radio/docking station round things out.
King-size or twin · 15 sqmThe Property
Eat & Drink
3 venues on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
A guided tasting and preparation session covering local Peruvian cacao and coffee traditions. Guests grind beans, try chocolate, and learn about the region's produce.
A shaman performs this ancestral Andean practice — interpreting the arrangement of coca leaves to address questions about health, love, and work. A deeply personal experience, around 25 minutes per person. Reserve at least two weeks in advance.
An Andean shaman guides guests through a Pachamama (Mother Earth) offering ceremony — cereals, grains, fruit, and coca leaves presented as thanks. Takes place on rugs with views directly over Machu Picchu. 30-minute experience, max 4 guests. Reserve at least two weeks ahead.
Available as part of the Art of Gastronomy package. Guests learn Peruvian cooking techniques using local and Andean ingredients.
The headline experience. Guests wake before dawn, sip an energising smoothie, and are among the very first people inside the Inca citadel as the sun rises over Huayna Picchu. A private guided tour follows, then back to the hotel for breakfast with the ruins still bathed in early morning light. Max 4 guests per group. Must be reserved at least 60 days in advance. Tickets are non-refundable.
Breakfast on the terrace as the first light hits Huayna Picchu. Available daily from 6:30–9am, subject to weather conditions. Reserve at least 72 hours in advance.
A traditional Andean-style vow renewal led by a shaman with prayers and offerings. Approximately 45 minutes. Available April to October only. Reserve at least two weeks in advance.
The relaxation garden facing Huayna Picchu doubles as a yoga and meditation space. No better backdrop. Available through the spa / relaxation area.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
Extensive gardens behind the main building filled with orchids and a wide variety of Andean birds. The stone path through the orchid garden leads to the spa relaxation area.
Concierge coordinates Machu Picchu citadel entrance tickets (required for package bookings), guided tours, and shaman ceremony reservations.
Available in One-Bedroom Suites.
Open-air garden relaxation deck facing directly onto Huayna Picchu. Used for spa treatments, yoga, and meditation. Sun loungers with colourful Andean blankets.
BUILD YOUR SANCTUARY LODGE, A BELMOND HOTEL, MACHU PICCHU PLAN
Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
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