How to Get to Machu Picchu: The Definitive Guide
- 25 April, 2026
- by Konsti Sobon
To reach Machu Picchu, fly to Cusco, ride the train to Aguas Calientes — then bus or hike up to the site entrance.
Read more
Peru’s Hidden Gem: Exploring the Mountain View Experience in Cusco
- Last update: 25 July, 2026
- 51 Comments
- 4 minutes
- Last update: 25 July, 2026
- 51 Comments
- 4 minutes
The dramatic landscape of the Sacred Valley holds many secrets, but few capture the modern traveler’s imagination quite like the Mountain View Experience. Seamlessly merging the raw, untouched majesty of the Andes with refined, eco-conscious comfort, this spectacular destination provides an unforgettable escape from the standard tourist tracks.
Nestled in the rolling high plains of Maras, surrounded by golden wheat fields and framed by soaring, snow-capped peaks, a visit here is an open invitation to slow down. Here, you can soak in the natural beauty of the valley, unwind with premium amenities, and enjoy intimate, face-to-face interactions with free-roaming alpacas and llamas.
Whether you are looking for a magical afternoon lunch stop or an overnight stay under a blanket of crisp Andean stars, this guide breaks down everything waiting for you at this spectacular eco-luxury sanctuary.
Key Takeaways
- The High-Altitude Plains: Located near the historic town of Maras, this experience plays out at an elevated mountain plateau. Because it sits at a high altitude, ensuring you have properly acclimated in lower valley sectors beforehand guarantees a completely comfortable experience.
- Optimal Visual Timing: The early morning hours offer the most stable weather, brilliantly clear skies, and soft, dramatic light perfect for photography. Afternoon conditions can occasionally pull in shifting alpine cloud banks and brief mountain showers.
- Rapid Thermal Shifts: Weather in the high Andes changes in a flash. Always pack adaptable, high-quality layers, windproof outer shells, full-spectrum sun protection, and a refillable water bottle to stay comfortable from sunny midday to chilly dusk.
- Tailored Activity Scaling: Adventure looks different for everyone. You can customize your excursion based entirely on your personal style—ranging from low-impact wine-and-cheese painting picnics to rugged ATV trail tours and scenic horseback riding.
- The Prime Seasonal Window: Planning your visit during the dry winter season (May to September) yields the most reliably clear blue-sky panoramas, firmer trails, and flawless visibility across the mountain chain.
🦙 The Peer-to-Peer Reality Check: If you look at the generic notes above, it mentions “choosing routes based on fitness levels” and hiring a guide for “remote viewpoints” as if the Mountain View Experience is just a municipal network of public hiking trails. Let’s clear that up directly: The Mountain View Experience is an exclusive, boutique eco-sustainable glamping resort and ranch! It features gorgeous, minimalist, glass-front A-frame eco-cabins powered entirely by solar energy, complete with indoor wood-burning stoves and private outdoor hot tubs. It is a highly curated property where friendly resident llamas literally wander onto your private deck to eat right out of your hand—not a rugged wilderness trek.
Where Is the Mountain View Experience?
The Mountain View Experience is strategically positioned in the heart of the Sacred Valley, right in the scenic, rustic outskirts of the Andean village of Maras.
- The Commute: It is a smooth 1 hour and 15-minute drive north from the historic city of Cusco.
- The Proximity: It sits just 10 minutes away from the famous, terraced ancient Salt Mines of Maras (Salineras de Maras).
- The Elevation: Perched on a high alpine plateau at 11,090 feet (3,380 meters) above sea level, the cabins offer an entirely unobstructed, 360-degree look at the jagged Vilcanota mountain range, with the majestic Mount Chicón acting as your personal backdrop.
The Inspiring Story Behind the Sanctuary
To fully appreciate the magic of this property, it helps to understand its deep-rooted history. Local siblings Maria Garcia and her brother Ronny are the creative minds behind this remarkable sustainable project.
During the global standstill of the COVID-19 pandemic, the siblings inherited a large, blank canvas of high-altitude farmland left to them by their grandmother. Driven by a deep passion for their roots, they transformed the family plot into a collection of minimalist, glass-fronted A-frame glamping chalets. Within an incredibly short window, their dedication positioned the ranch as one of the most unique and sought-after eco-luxury stays in all of Peru.
Built on Community and Culture
Mountain View isn’t just a picturesque backdrop for social media; it is a business built fundamentally on a philosophy of mindful, circular tourism:
- Collaborative Economic Framework: The lodge relies on active, cooperative interaction with the local indigenous families of Maras. Every booking directly funds fair-wage hospitality jobs and resources that support the well-being of the people who call this region home.
- Ancestral Tributes: The cabins themselves carry profound family history. For example, the Wayra cabin (“wind” in Quechua) is named in memory of their late grandfather, whose presence the family feels through the crisp mountain breezes rolling off the nearby glaciers.
- Cultural Preservation: The project serves as an authentic gateway for travelers to experience genuine Peruvian country life, acting as a protected sanctuary for a resident herd of friendly alpacas and llamas.
🧘♂️ The Savvy Traveler’s Altitude Strategy: Pay close attention to that elevation marker—11,090 feet (3,380 meters). Because this stunning plateau sits at almost exactly the same altitude as downtown Cusco, your lungs will notice the thin alpine air immediately. To make sure you can fully enjoy the private wood-fired hot tubs, wine picnics, and ATV trails without a sudden wave of soroche (altitude sickness), we strongly recommend booking your Mountain View escape for Day 3 or Day 4 of your Peru itinerary. Give your body a couple of days to acclimate on the lower valley floors first, and the mountains will reward you with pure, uninterrupted comfort
The Premium Amenities of the Mountain View Experience
The moment you arrive at the Mountain View Experience, the frantic pace of standard sightseeing instantly evaporates. You are immediately welcomed onto the high alpine plains by a resident herd of free-roaming llamas and alpacas who serve as the property’s charming, everyday co-hosts.
The layout blends clean, minimalist architectural lines with the raw textures of the Sacred Valley, offering sweeping 360-degree views of the surrounding glaciers from every single corner. At the heart of the ranch sits the signature Ancestral Restaurant, a gorgeous glass-walled culinary pavilion warmed by indoor wood stoves where guests can savor modern, organic interpretations of traditional Andean cuisine.
Inside Your Luxury A-Frame Sanctuary
The property features six carefully spaced, eco-sustainable A-frame chalets engineered to provide simple luxury while leaving a minimal carbon footprint.
- Panoramic Glass Fronts: Massive floor-to-ceiling glass walls frame the Andes like a living canvas, allowing you to wake up directly to the sunrise over the peaks.
- Alpine Temperature Control: To combat the brisk mountain nights, every cabin is equipped with an indoor wood-burning stove situated directly in front of your plush bed.
- The Celestial Bathroom: A fully modern private bathroom includes hot showers and a perfectly positioned stargazing window to view the Milky Way right from your room.
- Private Outdoor Terraces: Step outside to find a private campfire pit—perfect for roasting marshmallows under the stars—and a premium outdoor hot tub.
🦙 The Bucket-List Hot Tub Interaction: If you choose a cabin configuration featuring a private outdoor hot tub (such as the Munay, Maras, or Ancestral suites), you can coordinate with reception to have the llamas wander right down to your deck. You can enjoy a warm hydro-massage soak while hand-feeding the friendly local wildlife with the massive glaciers framing your backdrop.
Immersive Activities at the Maras Plateau
The Mountain View Experience is designed to be far more than just a place to sleep; it operates as a full-scale launchpad for deep connection with the local geography and traditional country culture. You can customize your daily schedule with several low-impact, highly rewarding on-site activities:
Wine, Cheese & Artisanal Picnics
Settle into a beautifully arranged, private open-air tipi out in the golden wheat fields. The kitchen staff sets up an elegant spread of local, handmade cheeses, fresh seasonal fruits, rustic breads, and a bottle of fine South American wine to enjoy as the afternoon sun transitions over the mountain range.
Guided Landscape Painting
For creative souls, your picnic can be paired with an open-air painting kit. The lodge provides premium canvases, easels, and watercolor palettes, inviting you to slow down, use the majestic Apus (mountain spirits) as your direct muse, and craft a completely custom, handmade souvenir of your time in Peru.
High-Plains ATV Adventures
If you are craving a burst of adrenaline, rev up an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) for a rugged guided tour across the sweeping Maras pampas. These trail rides navigate dirt tracks through ancient farming communities, bringing you to dramatic, uncrowded canyon rims that showcase the sheer verticality of the Andes.
Equestrian Trail Rides
Connect with the local landscape the traditional way on horseback. You will be matched with a calm, expertly trained horse from the on-site stables to enjoy a peaceful, slow-paced trek through the surrounding agricultural fields and rolling hills of Maras, accompanied by an experienced local equestrian guide.
By choosing to participate in these curated activities, you aren’t just collecting once-in-a-lifetime travel memories; you are actively supporting the resort’s commitment to community-first, circular tourism that provides fair-wage employment to the native families of Maras.
If you want to seamlessly weave a luxury afternoon picnic or an overnight glamping escape into a broader, stress-free route through the Sacred Valley, explore our collection of customized Peru tours and let our expert travel designers take care of all the logistics.
Making Memories at the Mountain View Experience in Cusco
The Mountain View Experience in Cusco has quickly evolved from a hidden local secret into a certified bucket-list phenomenon. By completely rethinking traditional mountain accommodation, it has become an irresistible magnet for world travelers, luxury glampers, culture enthusiasts, and photography lovers alike.
Whether you are seeking a meditative retreat to disconnect from digital noise or an action-packed day roaming across high alpine plateaus, this unique ranch leaves an indelible mark on your journey.
A Tailor-Made Escape for Every Travel Style
The true beauty of this Andean sanctuary lies in its incredible versatility. It adapts seamlessly to your personal travel tempo, offering an immersive slice of Peru’s magic:
- The Photography & Content Creator: Capture flawless, crowd-free frames of minimalist, glass-front architecture backdropped by towering, snow-capped peaks while friendly llamas pose directly in front of your lens.
- The Slow-Travel Recharger: Cozy up inside your private cabin next to a crackling wood-burning stove, watch the Milky Way blaze across the pitch-black sky through a celestial ceiling window, or soak away trail fatigue in a private hydro-massage hot tub.
- The Active Adventurer: Spend your morning roaring across the golden Maras pampas on a high-powered ATV, then pivot to an elegant afternoon equestrian trail ride through ancestral wheat fields.
🗺️ The Peer-to-Peer Logistics Tip: You don’t necessarily have to commit to a multi-night stay to experience the magic of this property. If your travel schedule is tight, a highly popular insider strategy is to book an exclusive 3-course Mountain View Lunch or an Andean Painting Picnic. It serves as the ultimate, refreshing midway stop on a private day-loop transfer connecting downtown Cusco to your train terminal in Ollantaytambo. You get the animals, the views, and the gourmet food without altering your core transit route!
Let Us Craft Your Perfect Andean Journey
Immersing yourself in the landscape of the Incas should be completely inspiring, not weighed down by the stress of coordinating reservations, local drivers, and language barriers. If the idea of waking up in a luxury A-frame cabin, drinking rich hot chocolate by an open campfire, and feeding friendly llamas from your private deck sounds like your dream vacation, we are here to handle the heavy lifting.
We can effortlessly weave an overnight stay or an exclusive day-excursion at Mountain View directly into any of our premium, hand-crafted Peru tours. Simply reach out to us, outline your ideal travel windows, and let our dedicated local travel designers handle the bookings, private transport, and boutique details while you focus entirely on making memories.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mountain Views in Cusco
What is the Mountain View Experience in Cusco?
The Mountain View Experience is an exclusive, eco-sustainable glamping resort and ranch nestled in the high-altitude agricultural plains of Maras within Peru’s Sacred Valley. Celebrated as one of the region’s most unique boutique stays, this private estate features minimalist, solar-powered A-frame cabins equipped with floor-to-ceiling glass walls, indoor wood-burning stoves, and private outdoor wood-fired hot tubs. Guests can interact face-to-face with a resident herd of free-roaming llamas and alpacas right from their private decks, enjoy modern organic Andean cuisine at the glass-walled central restaurant, or participate in premium on-site activities like high-plains ATV tours, guided horseback riding, and open-air wine-and-cheese painting picnics backdropped by the jagged, snow-capped peaks of the Vilcanota mountain range.
How do you get to the Mountain View Experience from Cusco?
To get to the Mountain View Experience from Cusco, you will take a scenic 1-hour and 15-minute drive north via the Cusco-Chinchero-Maras highway directly onto the high valley plateau. The private eco-ranch is easily accessible by car and sits just 10 minutes away from the famous, ancient Maras Salt Mines (Salineras de Maras). Because local public transit routes and collective buses do not service the estate’s remote country location, the most seamless and secure transit method is to book a private transfer or coordinate a synchronized day-loop tour with a local operator, which allows you to utilize the ranch as a premium lunch or picnic stop while traveling from downtown Cusco toward your train terminal in Ollantaytambo.
What time do the llamas come out at Mountain View Experience?
The resident alpacas and llamas at the Mountain View Experience roam freely across the cabin fields every day between 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM. Outside of this specific daytime window, the herd is safely escorted back to their on-site stables to eat dinner and escape the biting, below-freezing alpine temperatures of the high-altitude Andean night. To guarantee the iconic bucket-list experience of hand-feeding the animals directly from your private outdoor hot tub or terrace, it is highly recommended to plan your day pass excursion or synchronize your overnight check-in arrival well within these core daylight hours before the animals turn in for the evening.
When is the best time to visit Maras and the Sacred Valley?
The absolute best time of year to visit Maras and the Sacred Valley for clear mountain views is the dry winter season, which runs from May through September. This peak window guarantees crisp, sunny mornings, minimal cloud coverage for landscape photography, and firm trail conditions for horseback riding or ATV adventures, though it does experience higher tourist volumes. For travelers seeking a quieter trail experience, the shoulder months of April and October offer an ideal alternative featuring lush green scenery and mild weather, while the formal wet season from November to March brings heavier mountain showers and dramatic cloud decks that require high-traction footwear and waterproof rain shells.
Do you need a reservation for the Mountain View Experience?
Yes, you strictly need a confirmed reservation in advance to enter the Mountain View Experience, as casual drive-in entry for unregistered visitors is completely blocked by security at the front gates. Because this boutique property intentionally limits its capacity to just six exclusive A-frame chalets and a select number of restaurant tables to preserve its peaceful, rural sanctuary atmosphere, availability routinely sells out months ahead. Travelers can secure their gate access either by booking a full overnight glamping stay or by reserving a dedicated daytime guest pass for a three-course alpine lunch or a guided wine-and-cheese painting picnic through an authorized local travel agency.
Adventure-focused Peru travel writer with a passion for local culture, nature, and off-the-beaten-path experiences.
Raffaele1 May, 2025 at 2:45 pm
Hello,
we are interested in the mountain view experience from 21-22th September. Is an A-Frame still available?
Thx
Kaitlyn29 April, 2025 at 4:24 pm
I would like to book this hotel for 7/16/25.
Konsti from Exploor Peru4 May, 2025 at 11:31 am
Hello Kaitlyn,
thanks for your comment and please check your emails.
I am looking forward to hearing from you.
Best,
Konsti
Pablo Tamayo8 April, 2025 at 8:16 pm
Hola, tienen aun disponibilidad para el 17 de Julio? Podrian porfavor darme información sobre los precios? muchas gracias! saludos
Pablo
Konsti from Exploor Peru15 April, 2025 at 8:21 am
Hi Pablo,
thanks a lot for your response.
Please check your emails.
Best,
Konsti
Jonathan3 April, 2025 at 7:56 am
How can I book transportation to your location?
Konsti from Exploor Peru5 April, 2025 at 6:43 am
Hi Jonathan,
I have just send you an email with more information.
I am looking forward to hearing from you.
Best,
Erik
heather30 March, 2025 at 2:01 pm
Hi – how far in advance must this be booked?
Konsti from Exploor Peru1 April, 2025 at 9:22 am
Hi Heather,
thanks a lot for your response.
Usually it is best to make the booking 1 – 2 months in advance.
Feel free to contact us for any extra support.
Best,
Konsti
Carla27 March, 2025 at 9:23 pm
I would like to book the A Frame for 2 nights in early October 2025
Konsti from Exploor Peru28 March, 2025 at 7:23 am
Hi Carla,
thanks a lot for your comment!
I have just sent you an email with more information.
Best,
Konsti
Stefano10 March, 2025 at 5:13 pm
I want make a reservation for 2 people at 19-20 may 2025. Is possible?
Konsti from Exploor Peru11 March, 2025 at 5:22 am
HI Stefano,
thanks a lot for your comment.
Please check your emails to find my email with more information.
Best,
Konsti
Rachel10 March, 2025 at 2:37 pm
Hello i’d like to stay in an A-frame for 3 nights, what is the process to book?
Konsti from Exploor Peru11 March, 2025 at 5:24 am
Hi Rachel,
thank you so much for your comment.
Please check your inbox as I have just sent an email to you.
I am looking forward hearing from you.
Best,
Konsti
Julia6 March, 2025 at 3:10 pm
Hi! how do I go about booking a stay at one of your A frames?
Konsti from Exploor Peru7 March, 2025 at 7:12 am
Hi Julia,
thanks for reaching out to Exploor Peru.
I just sent you an email with more information about the booking process.
Best,
Konsti
Carmen18 February, 2025 at 4:19 pm
Es posible para 4 personas? ( 2 adultos y 2 ninos ( 12 y 16?) Gracias
Oliver from Exploor25 February, 2025 at 12:08 am
Hola Carmen, gracias por tu mensaje. Si, es posible para 4 personas. Pueden ser dos cabañas de 2 personas o una suite grande para los 4.
Saludos! 🙂
David Pratt15 February, 2025 at 4:57 pm
Hello, would like to book March 25th to march 28th. Will there be availability for the day tour to Machu Picchu on 26th or 27th for 2 people? Thanks.
Konsti from Exploor Peru22 February, 2025 at 10:14 am
Hello David,
thanks a lot for your comment.
I have just send you an email with more information.
I am looking forward hearing from you.
Best,
Konsti
Rian3 February, 2025 at 5:19 am
Wow amazing. Is it possible to book a driver from the Mountain View Experience Lodge for a half day, to drive to Moray and the Salinas Maras?
Best Rian
Oliver from Exploor6 February, 2025 at 5:06 pm
Hi Rian! Yes, absolutely! Moray and Maras are close by, so this won’t be a problem at all.
Saludos,
Oliver
Aldair23 January, 2025 at 12:49 am
Hello! I was wondering how I can get here from the Cusco airport and what the times were to ride the ATV/horses. Thank you!
Oliver from Exploor23 January, 2025 at 11:07 am
Hi Aldair! Thank you for your message. Getting to the Mountain View Experience Lodge from Cusco Airport is easy! You can either:
-Arrange a private transfer (which we can help coordinate for you).
-Take a taxi or rideshare directly to Maras. The trip typically takes about 1.5 hours.
As for the ATV and horseback riding activities, the schedules are flexible and can be tailored to your preferences. Most guests enjoy starting in the morning after breakfast or in the early afternoon (around 2:00 PM), depending on the weather and your plans for the day.
If you’d like assistance with this, feel free to email us via [email protected]! Saludos 🙂
Julia12 January, 2025 at 11:07 am
Hello! How is the availability in May for the house with the hot tub? (Price for two adults)
Oliver from Exploor13 January, 2025 at 10:49 am
Hi Julia, thanks for your message! We just sent you an email with more info! Cheers 🙂
Romina10 January, 2025 at 5:29 pm
Hola,
Me podría mandar más información sobre cómo llegar, tiempo recomendado y qué actividades se pueden hacer?
También cuánto cuesta el hospedaje?
Muchas gracias
Romina
Oliver from Exploor13 January, 2025 at 10:57 am
Hola Romina, cómo estás? Gracias por tu comentario.
Te acabamos de enviar un correo con más información. 🙂
Saludos,
Oliver
Abigail9 January, 2025 at 12:50 am
Hola me podrían dar información de costos por día para octubre 2025 seríamos dos personas y como es el clima
Oliver from Exploor9 January, 2025 at 10:14 am
Hola Abigail! Gracias por tu mensaje, te acabamos de enviar un correo con más info.
Saludos!🙂
Kavya7 January, 2025 at 11:16 am
Hello!
We are planning our stay in July 2025. We will be 2 adults along with 3 year old. Would you allow kids?
Oliver from Exploor7 January, 2025 at 5:37 pm
Hey Kavya, thank you very much for your message! Yes, kids are allowed, but you should still double check with your doctor as the lodge is located at 11,090 feet (3,380 m) above sea level.
If that’s fine, feel free to send us a mail to [email protected] and we’ll be happy to help you plan an unforgettable trip.
Best,
Oliver
Giovana6 January, 2025 at 11:13 pm
Hola me podrias dar información para 2 adultos y los meses más óptimos para ir
Oliver from Exploor7 January, 2025 at 9:44 am
Hola Giovana! Gracias por tu mensaje, te acabamos de enviar un correo con más info.
Saludos! 🙂
Gian Sebastián5 January, 2025 at 12:34 pm
Buenas, me gustaría saber el precio para dos adultos, asi como disponibilidad en abril,
Muchas gracias
Oliver from Exploor7 January, 2025 at 9:44 am
Hola Gian! Gracias por tu mensaje, te acabamos de enviar un correo con más info.
Saludos! 🙂
Mauricio27 November, 2024 at 12:01 am
Hola.. quisiera saber si me podría dar información del precio para dos adultos por favor.
Oliver from Exploor27 November, 2024 at 10:11 am
Hola Mauricio, cómo estás? Gracias por tu comentario.
Te acabo de mandar un correo con más información sobre el tour.
Gracias y saludos,
Oliver
Emma Jones4 September, 2024 at 3:55 pm
Hello
Do you have any availability for the beginning of October please. I would love a mountain view stay with a horse riding. Thank you Emma
Konsti from Exploor Peru6 September, 2024 at 12:25 am
Hi Emma,
thanks a lot for reaching out to exploor!
I will get back to you within the next 24h with more information regarding the availability of the Mountain View Experience.
Best,
Konsti
Sandra16 August, 2024 at 4:50 pm
Hola…queria saber si me puedes dar información para 2 adultos y 2 niños para Marzo..
Oliver from Exploor16 August, 2024 at 6:44 pm
Hola Sandra, cómo estás? Con mucho gusto! Te vamos a mandar un mail a tu correo con más información. 🙂
Samantha Olmos1 January, 2024 at 2:33 am
Hi my friends and i are planning to book 2 nights with you guys March 2024 but want to check out Machu Picchu, were curious as to how transportation work from there to Machu Picchu? Thanks in advance.
Konsti from Exploor Peru9 January, 2024 at 8:25 am
Hi Samantha,
thanks for your comment. It depends on from where your journey starts.
Here are the two most common options:
Option 1 from Cusco: You will get picked up from our private driver and he brings you to the Ollantaytambo train station. From there you will take the train (included in the tour price) to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu town)
Optio 2 from Ollantaytambo: Many travelers discover the Sacred Valley the day before their trip to Machu Picchu. Therefore, the last site of this tour is Ollantaytambo and from there you will take the train to Aguas Calientes and stay the night there. This has the big benefit that you can enter the next day at 6am and enjoy the ruins without the big travel groups.
Do you have any other questions?
Best,
Konsti
Viveca1 October, 2023 at 1:18 pm
Planning a trip there with my partner February/March..And we can’t wait.
Would like to know the option of transportations from Cusco to Mountain View.
Are two nights enough?
Are there trains? taxi, what’s the cost for either or.
Best
Viveca & Joe
Oliver from Exploor5 October, 2023 at 6:32 pm
Hey Viveca & Joe, thanks for your comment! Our travel expert Alexia will reach out to you now with more information regarding your questions. 🙂
Best regards from Peru,
Oliver
Ana14 September, 2023 at 12:21 pm
I stayed here and loved it!!
Oliver from Exploor15 September, 2023 at 12:00 pm
Hey Ana, that’s great to hear! Thanks for your positive Feedback!
Jennifer Soltasiyak1 September, 2023 at 12:49 pm
This looks amazing, thanks for sharing!! How can we book this?
Konsti from Exploor Peru2 September, 2023 at 5:22 am
Hi Jennifer,
thanks a lot for your feedback. Glad that you like it.
Please send us an email to: [email protected] and our sales agent will support you with your unforgettable trip to Peru.
Best,
Konsti