Good news for spa lovers! Thanks to the new and sophisticated spa facilities in our favorite first-class and deluxe hotels, Southwind travelers to Machu Picchu can expect comfort and deep relaxation in the high Andes. Maybe you’re planning on hiking the rigorous one-day Inca Trail from km 104 and you’d like to treat your body to a soothing sauna session afterward. Maybe you’re traveling to Peru for your wedding anniversary and want to join your partner for a romantic couples massage. Or perhaps you’re traveling with family and need a break from the kids to reward yourself after an active day.
Southwind will help you find just the service you’re looking for and work with you to schedule it into your Southwind itinerary. Also, we can expertly design a custom trip that is wellness- and spa-oriented, upon request.
Below is a preview of places to indulge your senses with first-class spa treatment on the way to Machu Picchu.
Note: spa category and prices are based on the following:
$$$$ = USD $60 – $80 for a one-hour massage
$$$$$ = USD $80 – $100 for a one-hour massage
Top Spas in Cusco (11,150’)
Palacio del Inka Spa at Hotel Libertador (Cusco)
Palacio del Inka Spa at Hotel Libertador
The five-star Palacio del Inka Libertador in Cusco is founded on opulence – it’s a renovated palace that was once home to Francisco Pizarro, Peru’s first Spanish governor. The palace, in turn, was built on the foundations of the Aclla Huasi, where the chosen virgins of the royal Inca lived.
The modern-day incarnation of royal treatment can be found in Libertador’s spa. On its exquisite menu of services, you’ll find a special section called “luxury therapies”. The options:
• Temptation of Quillabamba. Named after a small town in southern Peru famous for its cocoa export, this is a pure cocoa treatment that will scintillate the senses.
• Qoricancha Highlights. Taking its name from a renowned temple that was once covered in gold, this treatment maximizes glamor and sophistication in a revitalizing body therapy based on 24K gold emulsion that covers the skin with golden highlights.
• Bath of Grapes. Immerse yourself in the antioxidant and anti-aging power of grapes, for skin that looks and feel luminous.
• Inka Mud. Clear, stimulate, and normalize the skin’s vital functions with a fine mud wrap.
In addition to these ultra-lavish offerings, Palacio del Inka offers traditional spa offerings. Choose from a variety of facials, aromatherapy, a couples experience, foot reflexology, hydrotherapy, and specialty massages such as hot stone, pre-natal, and the Samay Inka massage specifically catering to those who have been on a long walk or hike.
Spa price range: $$$$$
Spa hours: 2pm to 10pm
See Palacio del Inka Spa treatment menu (English and Spanish)
See a list of prices (English and Spanish) in Peruvian Soles
Hypnôze Spa at Palacio Nazarenas Hotel (Cusco)
Hypnôze Spa at Palacio Nazarenas Hotel
A historic former palace and convent, Palacio Nazarenas has emerged from years of restoration to become one of Cusco’s most exclusive five-star hotels. Its opening in 2012 drew a flurry of excitement from the luxury travel press. Aside from having the only heated outdoor pool in Cusco, another of its many marvels is the lavish Hypnôze Spa. This is the only spa in Cusco that is oxygenated to help those who are acclimating to high altitudes.
The spa has worked closely with two local shamans (traditional medicine men) to utilize Andean herbs and flowers in the most healing and revitalizing way possible. After a special themed massage, choose from a menu of wraps, scrubs and baths infused with special oils and fragrances.
Spa price: $$$$$
Spa hours: 10am to 9pm
See Hypnôze Spa treatment menu and price list
Health Club Spa at JW Marriott Hotel (Cusco)
Health Club Spa at JW Marriott Hotel in Cusco
The much-anticipated JW Marriott Hotel Cusco opened in September 2012, becoming the luxury collection’s highest-altitude property. The 153-room hotel was built on the grounds of a colonial monastery and exhibits ancient Incan artifacts, imbuing it with distinction and preserved history.
Aiming to impress, JW Marriott designed its spa to be the biggest in Cusco. Its state-of-the-art fitness center and spa cover 3,229 square feet, featuring dry saunas, steaming rooms, and a relaxation pool. By appointment, guests can pick from a full menu of body treatments, including an en-suite massage.
Spa price: $$$$
Spa hours: 7am to 10pm
Qoya Spa at Casa Cartagena Hotel (Cusco)
Qoya Spa at Casa Cartagena Hotel
The Casa Cartagena differentiates itself as luxury boutique hotel in Cusco by taking on a modernist twist. The building is a restored colonial palace, updated with contemporary trappings like an oversize sphere of light in the courtyard and stylish furniture. Casa Cartagena’s suites are some of the largest in its category in Cusco. It also offers the increasingly popular oxygenated room amenity to help beat the effects of altitude.
The hotel’s Qoya Spa delivers the same feel. Wavy contours and stark white surfaces are accented with bright colors that pop. As part of the very recent trend to provide world-class luxury to Cusco travelers with lofty international standards, the spa’s menu promises quality and sophistication. For guests of Casa Cartagena, enjoy a combination of massage treatment, facials and salon options.
Spa price: $$$$
Spa hours: 8am to 10pm
Butler-drawn bath service at Monasterio Hotel (Cusco)
En-suite Massages at Monasterio Hotel
In 1592, on the site of the Inca Amaru Qhala Palace, a magnificent monastery was given the seal of royal approval in 1692 as the San Antonio Abad Seminary. Centuries later, in 1995, it was converted into Cusco’s best and most delightful five-star hotel at that time – Monasterio Hotel. Only two blocks from Cusco’s main square, the Monasterio is ideally located for strolling around and shopping.
Tired of walking? Although Monasterio doesn’t have a spa on site, it does offer private in-room massage treatment. Their Andean massage therapists combine ancient healing traditions and aromatherapy with techniques from the east and west. Choose from an adventurer’s massage for the weary traveler or a romantic couples’ massage, among other options. You can even request the butler to draw you a flowery bath to soak in after the treatment, all in the comfort and intimacy of your own suite.
Top Spas in the Sacred Valley (9,430’)
The Spa at Valle Sagrado, Tambo del Inka Resort (Urubamba)
The Spa at Valle Sagrado, Tambo del Inka Resort – Urubamba
Tambo del Inka Resort is a part of the global Starwood Luxury Collection, yet its special location near the Urubamba River makes it very appealing. Here, against the Andean landscape, its privileged guests are invited to a unique “lower indoor sensations pool.” This underground water circuit takes you from bubble beds in a dynamic heated pool to a dry sauna to a steam room and finally the Jacuzzi, with a cold plunge pool to round it out. Included for guests, must be age 16 or older.
In the spa’s fine menu of massages and salon treatments, you’ll find a section of luxury facials that incorporate local delicacies. Opt for a firming cocoa or quinoa facial, slather yourself in passion fruit, or find out what precious metals can do with the “gold from the gods” facial. For prolonged royal treatment, combine several therapies for a whole-day spa experience.
Spa price range: $$$$$
Spa hours: 7am to 10pm
See a list of prices (English and Spanish) in Peruvian Soles
Spa and Wellness Center at Aranwa Hotel (Huayllabamba)
Spa and Wellness Center at Aranwa Hotel – Huayllabamba
Aranwa Hotel has the feel of an exclusive boutique resort designed on the grounds of a 17th century hacienda. The resort’s spa and wellness center is its most famed amenity. All guests are welcome to its three indoor pools, large outdoor pool, and Jacuzzi included in the price of the stay.
Guests who want some extra pampering can peruse the spa’s long list of creative treatments. There’s the doubly-indulgent “four hand massage” as well as a variety of scrubs, wraps and facials that incorporate local ingredients. Choose an Andean cleansing with Maras salt exfoliation. Delving deep into holistic health, the spa offers wellness programs like integral beauty, weight control, anti-stress, anti-age, recovery and convalescence, acclimation, alternative medicine and Ayurveda treatments.
Spa price range: $$$$
Spa hours: 8am to 10pm
See Aranwa Spa treatment menu and prices
Yacu Wasi Spa at Sol y Luna Lodge (Urubamba)
Yacu Wasi Spa at Sol y Luna Lodge – Urubamba
As if the rural Andean setting of Sol y Luna Lodge in the Sacred Valley weren’t relaxing enough, the quaint boutique property has included the Yacu Wasi as one of its amenities. Yacu Wasi, which means The House of Water in the indigenous Quechua language, is a place for indulgence that implies purity, peace, and freshness.
Sol y Luna’s fitness center offers a sauna, steam room, Jacuzzi and Spanish bath included for guests, as well as tai chi and yoga sessions. The menu of additional services is rich. For an all-encompassing spa treatment, try the “Andean Experience,” a sampler of hydrotherapy, dry sauna, wet sauna, massage, Jacuzzi, and a glass of wine.
Spa price range: $$$$
Spa hours: 1pm to 9pm
Top Spas in Machu Picchu Town (6,700’)
Andean sauna at Inkaterra Machu Picchu
Unu Spa at Inkaterra Machu Picchu
The award-winning Inkaterra Machu Picchu is more than a hotel – it’s a small eco-village of private bungalows situated in the lush cloud forest adjacent to Machu Picchu Town just 25 minutes by bus from the entrance to the ruins.
Among Inkaterra’s many amenities are a cool spring pool and two small heated tubs, open to guests, who can also access a therapeutic Andean-style sauna at an extra charge.
For tired hikers and spa aficionados alike, the menu of services at the distinguished Unu Spa is enticing. Choose from foot therapy, reflexology, facials, a special de-stressing massage for singles or couples, and Andean hot stone massage. Therapists use local coca leaves for their signature Machu Picchu exfoliation and Inca purification treatments.
Spa price range: $$$$
Spa hours: 9am to 9pm
Aqlla Spa at Sumaq Hotel (Machu Picchu)
Aqlla Spa at Sumaq Hotel
Sumaq Hotel is Rainforest Alliance certified and winner of the TripAdvisor 2013 Travelers’ Choice Award. Aligned with its eco-sophistication is its Aqlla Spa. Aqlla is a Quechua phrase meaning “chosen one”. The special selection of services, each with touches of Andean influence, will truly make you feel selected.
Enter an unparalleled realm of Inca luxury, surrounded by soothing sounds and colors, where you will be pampered by the attentive staff. Services include steam sauna, hydrotherapy Jacuzzi, relaxing Swedish massage, foot reflexology, Champi Massage, or massage with Andean stones.
Spa price range: $$$$$
Spa hours: 9am to 9pm
How to Reserve
Most of these treatments require at least 24 hours advance reservation. So, there are several ways to go about it:
A) You can reserve once you’re in Cusco with your local guide’s assistance, and our local office can make that reservation on your behalf
B) You decide the day-of or day-before and charge it to the hotel bill for extras
C) Southwind can reserve it well in advance and invoice you accordingly as part of your trip, or even build it into a custom trip designed uniquely for you!
Options A or B provide more flexibility, allowing you to take any unforeseen delays or change or plans into account without losing a deposit on a reservation. Option C allows you to design a spa-themed trip blending exciting outdoor activities during the day with built-in downtime for pampering and relaxation in the late afternoons.