Machu Picchu - Lake
Titicaca
(11
days/10 nights)
Machu Picchu - Lake
Titicaca
(12 days/11 nights)
Machu Picchu - Lake
Titicaca
(14 days/13 nights)
Colca Canyon - Machu
Picchu
Lake Titicaca
(16 days/15 nights)
Archaeological & Ecological
Treasures
Galapagos - Machu Picchu
Lake Titicaca (or Amazon)
(18 days/17
nights)
Colca Canyon - Amazon
Machu Picchu - Lake Titicaca
(22 days/21 nights)
Machu Picchu
(10
days/9 nights)
Machu Picchu
(13 days/12 nights)
Machu Picchu - Galapagos
(15 days/14 nights)
Galapagos - Machu Picchu
(18 days/17 nights)
Manu National Park
(8 days/7 nights)
Enchanted Isles of the Galapagos
Galapagos
(11
days/10 nights)
Galapagos & the Kingdom of Quito
Galapagos - Andes
(16 days/15 nights)
Galapagos - Amazon
(16 days/15 nights)
Historic Haciendas of the Andes
Cotopaxi - Antisana
- Otavalo
(7 days/6 nights)
© 2010
Inka's Empire Corporation.
All rights reserved.
At the End of the Rainbow...
Bungalows, Sol y Luna Lodge, Sacred Valley.
Photo: Sol y Luna Lodge.
But the favorite residence of the Incas was at Yucay, about four leagues distant from the capital. In this delicious valley, locked up within the friendly arms of the sierra, which sheltered it from the rude breezes of the east, and refreshed by gushing fountains and streams of running water, they built the most beautiful of their palaces. Here, when wearied with the dust and toil of the city, they loved to retreat, and solace themselves with the society of their favorite concubines, wandering amidst groves and airy gardens, that shed around their soft, intoxicating odors, and lulled the senses to voluptuous repose. Here, too, they loved to indulge in the luxury of their baths, replenished by streams of crystal water which were conducted through subterraneous silver channels into basins of gold. The spacious gardens were stocked with numerous varieties of plants and flowers that grew without effort in this temperate region of the tropics, while parterres of a more extraordinary kind were planted by their side, glowing with the various forms of vegetable life skilfully imitated in gold and silver! Among them the Indian corn, the most beautiful of American grains, is particularly commemorated, and the curious workmanship is noticed with which the golden ear was half disclosed amidst the broad leaves of silver, and the light tassel of the same material that floated gracefully from its top.
-- William H. Prescott, The History of the Conquest of Peru, 1847
Garden, Sol y Luna Lodge, Sacred Valley.
Photo: Sol y Luna Lodge.
Where the Holy River runs through the Sacred Valley
Sol y Luna (Sun and Moon) is a hotel oriented to the tourist who is interested in living side-by-side with nature, in its conservation and in the discovery of other cultures. The hotel is in Huicho, at 2 kilometers from the village of Urubamba, on the way to Ollantaytambo. Urubamba is located 57 km. from Cuzco, on the flanks of the Cordillera Sur of the Andes, where the Vilcanota River, called Wilka Mayu or Holy River, runs through the Sacred Valley of the Incas. On the right side you can see the Cordillera del Vilcanota and on the left side the Cordillera del Vilcabamba.
Terraces of Pisaq, Sacred Valley.
Photo: Mylene d'Auriol Stoessel.
The Sacred Valley of the Incas
A few kilometers north of Cuzco, the beautiful valley of the Urubamba river stretches out. It is called the Valle Sagrado de los Incas, or the Sacred Valley of the Incas.
The valley is about 2,700 meters above sea level, but you can already feel the influence of the nearby Amazon basin. The climate is warmer and more humid than in Cuzco, which is only an hour away by car. This protected region is perfect for agriculture and was the major food source, at higher altitudes, of the Incas' civilization. Although the valley has become a major tourist area, agriculture is still abundant. The fertile fields and tropical flowers make a sharp contrast to the stark mountains of the Andes. Because the valley is narrow, a sophisticated system of terracing on the mountain slopes was used by the Incas to utilize all available productive land. These terraces remain to this day and are still in use by local farmers.
The area is also a center for a number of important Inca ruins: Pisaq, the largest fortress-city complex of the Incas; Ollantaytambo, site of a great battle between Manco Inca and the Spanish, in 1536; and Yucay, where you can find the remains of Sayri Tupac's palace and where the impressive terraces behind the village remain completely intact.
Rustic interior, Sol y Luna Lodge, Sacred Valley.
Photo: Sol y Luna Lodge.
Sol y Luna
The hotel is designed to promote the allure of nature and the magic of the Sacred Valley. Here you will enjoy the highest quality of service and comfort in a rustic Andean ambience, surrounded by a landscape of whispering eucalyptus and the majestic mountains of the Andes.
Bungalows
Sol y Luna has 14 bungalows; 9 doubles, 4 family bungalows and 1 suite. The bungalows enjoy all the comforts: tastefully appointed interior, telephone, king-sized beds, private bath and hot water all day. Each bungalow has its own private terrace.
Swimming pool
On the pool terrace, you can enjoy the Andean sun and delight in the Sol y Luna buffet.
The magical setting of the Sol y Luna Lodge, Sacred Valley.
Photo: Sol y Luna Lodge.
Details
The hotel is decorated in a rustic style. Each detail has been carefully chosen to reflect the ambience of the Andean culture in the Sacred Valley.
How it was constructed
With much love and effort! An integration of adobe, wood, stone and clay from the area results in construction that lives in harmony with nature. Local craftsmen were used in all aspects of building.
Restaurant & pub
Sol y Luna's restaurant features a variety of examples of Peruvian gastronomy, featuring typical dishes as well as international plates. The restaurant is made welcoming with the warmth of an open fireplace. On the second floor, in the pub, you will find a pleasing atmosphere to enjoy a drink and good music, or to talk about the activities of the day.
Spa
The spa allows guests to enjoy a sauna, jacuzzi or massage after a day of activities.
Peruvian Paso Fino horse, Sol y Luna Lodge, Sacred Valley.
Photo: Sol y Luna Lodge.
Services & staff
Sol y Luna offers everything necessary for a pleasant stay as well as the following services: e-mail, mail, telephone, safe, tranportation, transfers and laundry. We also provide tourist information regarding the Sacred Valley as well as adventure tours through our Viento-Sur agency.
Your hosts
Franz Schilter, Swiss, instructor in paragliding has lived in Perü for the past eight years and has dedicated his time to gliding and adventure sports, in particular paragliding.
Petit-Pois, French, has lived in Peru for the last six years. In discovering the Andes, she became an avid parasailer; and, after some years in Lima, she decided to move to the Sacred Valley and dedicate her time to adventure tourism.
The Sol y Luna team
Sol y Luna is proud to have at its service a staff which has been personally selected by your hosts and which is of the highest caliber.
© 2010 Inka's Empire Corporation, Luxury Peru Tours & Travel. All rights reserved.
