The Nature Vive Skylodge hotel, in Cusco, Peru, is made up of three transparent capsules attached to the side of a cliff, 1,312 meters above the beautiful Sacred Valley, once the heartland of the Inca Empire. Reaching this unique hotel is an adventure in itself, but once inside the pods, thrill-seekers can enjoy a stunning view of this natural paradise.

Each of the three 24×8-foot hanging capsule suits are built from an aerospace-grade aluminum frame and weather-resistant polycarbonate. Furnished with four beds, a small dining area, and a separate bathroom, the rooms can accommodate up to eight people. The transparent walls allow visitors to enjoy an almost 360-degree view of the Sacred valley, while four ventilation ducts let in the fresh mountain air. High quality mattresses, cotton sheets, down pillows, quilts and curtains for privacy are provided to ensure your your stay is as comfortable as possible.

But all the amenities in the world couldn’t make Nature Vive Skylodge comfortable for safety-conscious people who can’t get over the fact that these pods are located on the side of one of the highest peaks overlooking the sacred valley. The light-yet-sturdy aluminum pods are fixed to the cliff using iron, and Nature Vive Skylodge insists there is no need for safety concerns, and yet considering their precarious location, I can’t blame anyone for thinking it’s a terrifying venue. 

Reaching the three suites would normally be impossible to most tourists, as it involves navigating very high, and extreme vertical sections of a mountain that would usually only be accessible to experienced rock climbers. However, Nature Vive Skylodge has created a ‘via ferrata’ – a mountain path with a permanently-installed safety system – that allows virtually anyone to reach the extreme hotel. Still, it’s no walk in the park, as visitors are required to climb metal ladders, cross narrow bridges and hang on to metal cables in order to reach their destination.

As you might have guessed, staying in one of the suspended Skylodge capsules is not cheap. A package including one night’s stay, the adventure of actually reaching the cliff-side hotel and a zip-line descent will set you back $300. It is however a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Photos: Natura Vive Skylodge

via Slate