Top 5-Star Luxury Hotels in the Sacred Valley (2026)
The definitive guide to acclimatizing in 5-star Andean elegance before Machu Picchu.
Breathe Easy in
Paradise
The biggest mistake travelers make when visiting Peru is flying directly into Cusco (11,152 ft / 3,399 m) and sleeping there on their first night.
To prevent altitude sickness, our travel architects always recommend descending immediately from the Cusco airport into the Sacred Valley of the Incas (9,160 ft / 2,792 m). Not only does this lower elevation allow your body to acclimatize effortlessly, but the valley is also home to some of the most acclaimed 5-star resorts and Andean wellness spas in South America. Below are our flagship properties featured in our 7-Day Incan Empire Package.
Tambo del Inka, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa
Located in the heart of Urubamba along the Vilcanota River, Tambo del Inka blends contemporary 5-star architecture with rich Andean textiles and stonework. It stands as the only hotel in the Sacred Valley with its own private on-property train station offering direct departures to Machu Picchu.
The VIP Experience: After a private day exploring Pisac, Maras, Moray, and Ollantaytambo, retreat to Kallpa Spa—one of the finest thermal hydrotherapy circuits in South America—featuring a heated indoor-outdoor pool with panoramic views of the Andes and farm-to-table dining harvested from the resort's organic riverside garden.
Belmond Hotel Rio Sagrado & Sol y Luna Relais & Châteaux
Designed to resemble an authentic Andean village of terracotta villas and eucalyptus groves, Belmond Hotel Rio Sagrado offers an intimate sanctuary directly on the banks of the rushing Urubamba River—while nearby Sol y Luna (Relais & Châteaux) captivates guests with private casitas set amidst 25 acres of hummingbirds and botanical gardens.
The VIP Experience: Every suite and villa at Rio Sagrado features expansive terraces overlooking the river. Guests can participate in private Andean Despacho ceremonies, feed the resident baby alpacas, or enjoy a secluded riverside picnic before boarding the Belmond Hiram Bingham luxury train—which makes a dedicated stop right beside the property.
Sacred Valley Luxury Hotels FAQ
Which Sacred Valley luxury hotel has its own private train station to Machu Picchu?
Tambo del Inka, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa in Urubamba, is the only hotel in the Sacred Valley with an on-property private train station offering direct departures to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu), while Belmond Hotel Rio Sagrado features a dedicated boarding stop right beside its riverfront gardens for the Hiram Bingham train.
Why is staying in the Sacred Valley first better than staying in Cusco upon arrival?
While Cusco sits at 3,399 meters (11,152 feet), the Sacred Valley around Urubamba sits at a much lower elevation of 2,792 to 2,870 meters (9,160 to 9,416 feet). Descending directly to a Sacred Valley resort upon landing in Cusco allows your body to acclimatize gently in oxygen-rich gardens before visiting Machu Picchu and returning to Cusco.
How many nights should we spend at a luxury resort in the Sacred Valley?
We recommend spending 2 to 3 nights in the Sacred Valley. This gives you a full day to explore Pisac, Ollantaytambo, Maras, and Moray with your private historian while leaving ample time to enjoy your resort's thermal spa circuits, riverside gardens, and farm-to-table gastronomy.