Hanging High and Sleeping in the Sky

There are many fascinating stories of parents performing various feats of strength when it comes to their kids. This is usually seen in a life-or-death situation where adrenaline takes over and breaks the fear barrier. Fear is not an option when your kids are involved. Well, I didn’t lift a car or jump out of a burning building, but my son and I stayed in a hanging pod on the side of a mountain 1300 feet over the Sacred Valley in Peru.

Peru has many wonderful things to do, but even if you do nothing except marvel at the majestic hills and mountains you won’t be disappointed. There are Incan ruins to explore, and tons of hiking, white water rafting, and horseback riding to if you are big on nature. Then there are all of the cultural-related things like the salt mines, museums, and craft demonstrations you can find sprinkled here and there. These things are great, and I definitely recommend, but the extra adventurous know that the ultimate journey is to reach the pods that are bolted into a cliff face, hundreds of feet above the earth. Oh, and did I mention that these suspended pods are transparent? Welcome to the Skylodge Adventure Suites.

You have 2 options for accommodations, since one company owns both. Starlodge has six capsules with running water and things like hot tubs, showers, and you are served meals on the ground. Skylodge, on the other hand, has three pods that are much higher up the mountain and no running water. Can you guess which one my son wanted to try? Reaching the capsule isn’t part of the journey… it IS the journey! To get to your pod, it’s a big climb and the most adventurous thing I’ve ever done. You Jacuzzi under the stars and another climb for dinner. The next morning, you climb a very steep, 400ft via ferrata over their second property and zip line back down to the floor of the Sacred Valley. Once there, you’re rewarded with a 300-degree view of the Sacred Valley, a sunset seen by no one else, and a stillness that feels otherworldly. It is the ultimate way to appreciate the beautiful view and see the Milky Way when the stars come in.

The pods were very comfortable. Obviously, it was solar lit, but the bedding was plush and comfy. There are private bathrooms in these pods. Again, with no running water it’s basically a toilet seat over a trashcan with a sink and hand sanitizer, but it gets the job done. Besides, you are expected to arrive with very little items, having freshly showered, then you’ll get to shower once you are back down and back at your hotel. I did it for my son, but I still recommend the experience because now I can say you haven’t truly escaped the crowds until you’re sleeping above them.