THE PERFECT ANDEAN MOUNTAIN VIEW LODGE FOR YOUR NEXT STAY IN MARAS, PERU!

If you are looking for a mountainous lodging experience near Cusco, Peru, or already have a trip planned to Maras, Peru, this guide is for you. The Mountain View Experience is perfect for nature and cultural lovers, and adventurers seeking relaxation, nature, and community. I stayed in the Mountain View Lodge in March 2024 during their rainy off season. If I had found out about this harmonious Andean lodge during the earlier planning stages of my trip, I definitely would’ve altered my trip itinerary to stay longer. Hopefully after reading this blog you can take advantage of the Andean views, dwell in nature, and breathe in the spirit of the mountains during your stay at the Mountain View Experience.

WHAT IS THE MOUNTAIN VIEW EXPERIENCE?

The Mountain View Experience has only been established for a few years after construction began during COVID-19. The vision for this lodge combines inspiration of nature, community, and the Andean mountains while encouraging guests to disconnect and revel in the harmonious views of the Sacred Valley. The architecture is especially unique where they took inspiration from ancient Incan huts and tipis to transform the spaces into a sanctuary for adventurers, and nature lovers alike. You’ll connect with nature on a deeper and relaxing level and wake up from your tipi basked in the rising sun or greeted by the on site llamas. The staff is friendly, accommodating, and passionately provide you a unique and lovely experience. It is truly a magnificent experience to choose for your next stay in Maras, Peru!

WHERE IS THE MOUNTAIN VIEW EXPERIENCE LODGE?

The Mountain View Experience is located in Maras, about an hour from Cusco, Peru. It’s in the heart of the Sacred Valley which makes it a perfect lodging choice if you are already planning to visit the Salt mines of Maras. It is only a quick 10 minute drive to the Salt mines. Keep reading to learn more about the picture perfect views of the Andes mountains during your stay, amenities, and things to do.

HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST TIPI EXPERIENCE

Let’s dive into the type of lodging experiences Mountain View offers. As I explained earlier, depending on the type of traveler you are, there are three core options to choose from each at different price points and amenities. Each option is an enriching experience for guests blending either modern or contemporary design with natural beauty and stunning landscapes. If you’re worried this lodge is a glamping experience centered on the outdoors, don’t worry. The amenities are similar to a regular hotel with full bathroom and water access. Both suites and the Maras A frame include breakfast, hairdryer, bathrobes, andean sandals, and a bottle of water with glassware. They also include outdoor jacuzzi’s, fire pit, full bathroom with all amenities, and indoor wood stove.

ANCESTRAL SUITE A - FRAME or RITI SUITE A - FRAME

If your goal is utter relaxation, romance, ultimate comfort and majestic landscapes these suites are built for you in mind. Both of these suites offer the same amenities including a queen bed as well as a mezzanine with a double bed, large bathroom, outdoor jacuzzi, and wood stove. These are their largest suites which can be perfect for a romantic getaway or even for small families due to the added mezzanine structure and bed. The price per night is $399 USD.

MARAS A - FRAME

If your goal is stunning landscapes and comfort, with a little relaxation, the Maras A frame is a perfect choice. The price point is nestled in the middle of their suites but still offers more than the standard option with their outdoor jacuzzi at $199 USD per night. Although I booked this last minute to squeeze into my itinerary, I was still mindful of my budget. I would have chosen the standard option but I was gunning for some much needed relaxation in the outdoor tub with the beautiful landscapes. Since I was also traveling solo, the larger suites and price point weren’t as necessary for my trip but I wouldn’t stop another solo traveler from going all in as I am certain the suites are even more amazing.

For both the suites and Maras A Frame, you can schedule the llamas to visit you during your dip into the outdoor pool. This alone made it such a unique experience in itself. Waking up to the rising sun nestled between the clouds and dewy mountainous view was breathtaking. I hiked for three days straight at the beginning of my trip, making this experience completely worth the extra $200 USD.

CHUCLLA STANDARD A - FRAME

If your goal is to enjoy the landscapes and be mindful of your budget, this standard option is a wonderful choice as well. Although you won’t have an outdoor jacuzzi, you’ll still have a fire pit to sit and relax at a campfire as well as bikes to explore the area. This option is only $114 USD per night.

Don’t hesitate - book here to input your request and they will contact you via Whatsapp to confirm. I originally booked via Instagram praying they had availability. Once they confirmed the dates that were available, I rearranged my itinerary and immediately paid in full. Their popularity is increasing so if you’re interested - inquire and reserve!

MOUNTAIN VIEW AMENITIES AND THINGS TO DO

As a guest at the lodge you’ll enjoy these amenities in their main lobby and restaurant throughout the day:

• Hot drinks available in the hotel lobby from 7 am to 3 pm.
• Wood stove in the restaurant lounge
• Cozy seating
• Free use of hats and colorful ponchos
• Free use of bicycles for the main outdoor area
• Staff to schedule the preparation of the outdoor jacuzzis and llama visits
• Plugs are available to charge cell phones and cameras in the hotel lobby
• Wifi zone in common areas (not located inside the accommodations)
• Firewood
• Scheduled taxi transportation service with additional cost
• Bar and restaurant at the property with hours of operation from 8am to 8pm.

Just when you thought that was all, there’s even more to do at the Mountain View Experience. What is even more unique about this lodge, are the experiences offered during your stay. These experiences combine nature, relaxation, and adventure for a full well rounded Peruvian experience. You can choose from outdoor picnics for $60 USD, ATV Riding for $31 USD, ATV to the Salt Mines $50 USD, horseback riding $50 USD, or bike riding for $28 USD. If you have the time, I highly suggest booking one of these experiences to explore the area, take a walk to enjoy the landscape, or sit on their outdoor patio and read a book. I definitely wish I would’ve known about the Mountain View Experience earlier as I would’ve planned for at least two days instead of rushing back to Lima. Since my flight was pre-booked, I could only squeeze in one night and booked a picnic experience for the next morning.

My picnic experience included a charcuterie board of fruits, bread, a bottle of white wine, and coffee, tea and water. The staff committed fully to me having a great experience even though it was rainy and muddy outside. They set up my tipi picnic indoors and took all of my photos and videos for me. Oh and I definitely finished the entire bottle of wine before my scheduled taxi arrived. Not the brightest choice as I had to beg the driver along the hour drive to stop nearly three times for me to use the bathroom in random towns along the way, but TOTALLY WORTH IT. Enjoy my tipsy selfies below with a llama! *muah*

EXPLORE MARAS

One thing I highly suggest doing while you are in the Sacrey Valley is to visit the Mara Salt Mines. The Salt Mines are the largest prehistoric salt extraction center in the area of Cusco and have produced salt for nearly 500 years. Ubers are not available in the area so you will need to arrange a taxi ahead of time with the staff. If you prefer a tour, you can consider booking on GetYourGuide, or even more convenient is the ATV experience to the Salt Mines from the Mountain View Lodge. My original itinerary actually included visiting the salt mines, but since it was an hour away from Cusco, I wanted to make sure I could see as much as I could on the other tours while staying in the city to get acclimated to the altitude for a day.

If I could rewind time and adjust my itinerary now that I know about the Mountain View Experience, I would’ve definitely booked two nights at the beginning of my trip instead of squeezing in one night at the end of my adventurous journeys. This would have been the perfect time to acclimate to the altitude, relax and soak in the hot tub for a day, and walk around the area. The following day I would’ve booked one of their adventure experiences, like ATV riding to the salt mines and an outdoor picnic, before returning to Cusco and starting my daily 4 AM hiking activities. Either way, I still really enjoyed my one night experience and I was glad to relax after three straight days of hiking Lake Humantay, Machu Picchu and the Rainbow Mountain. Therefore, your choice to stay at the Mountain View Experience whether for one night or two nights won’t be wasted. Instead, it will be a truly unique Peruvian experience you’ll remember for years to come.

Have questions about my one night stay at the Mountain View lodge? Comment below!