Do you want to stay surrounded by nature, with the mountains of the Sacred Valley all around you? At Las Qolqas, you’ll find a special place to stay near Ollantaytambo, nestled between agricultural fields and the Andes. The accommodation consists of comfortable suites scattered across the grounds, with a strong focus on local materials and the surrounding landscape. You can enjoy the scenery while also exploring some of the Sacred Valley’s best-known and lesser-known archaeological sites. In this article, I’ll tell you more about Las Qolqas, its suites and facilities, and what you can do in the surrounding area.
I’ve been visiting the Sacred Valley for many years, and Las Qolqas is a place I always enjoy returning to. This small-scale resort consists of several luxury tent-style suites scattered across green grounds, surrounded by mountains, countless flowers and a river. It’s glamping at its best: you sleep in a tent, but with a comfortable bed, a heater and your own bathroom with hot water.
What I love about Las Qolqas is that you really are surrounded by nature. You can simply step outside your room and enjoy the outdoors. At the same time, your suite is spacious and comfortable, making it easy to spend several days here while exploring the Sacred Valley. Ollantaytambo is just around the corner, so you’ll have plenty of time to visit the town and its famous Inca ruins.
Do you also want to stay at Las Qolqas Eco-Lodge & Spa in Ollantaytambo? Here you can find the latest prices and availability. Looking for more hotels in the area? Take a look here.
Las Qolqas Eco-Lodge & Spa is located in the Sacred Valley, close to Ollantaytambo. The drive from Cusco takes approximately one and a half to two hours, depending on traffic and the route. Its location makes Las Qolqas a convenient stop on a trip around Peru, especially if you want to visit several places in the Sacred Valley.
You can also easily combine a stay here with a visit to Machu Picchu. Trains to Aguas Calientes depart from Ollantaytambo, which means you can include Las Qolqas as a place to stay before or after your visit to Machu Picchu.
Las Qolqas was designed as a small-scale eco resort, with nature and the surrounding landscape at its heart. The suites are spread across the grounds, and natural materials are used throughout. Herbs and vegetables are grown in the resort’s own gardens, with care for the natural environment.
The kitchen also works with local and seasonal ingredients as much as possible. Sustainability has been considered in practical ways, too, with the use of solar energy and the reuse of treated wastewater for irrigation. In addition, Las Qolqas works with local communities and craftspeople and supports projects focused on nature restoration and the preservation of cultural heritage.
The suites at Las Qolqas are spacious luxury tents scattered across the grounds. Each tent has its own name, inspired by a flower, plant or herb found in the surrounding area. The same plant also grows around your accommodation, making the names a lovely reflection of the setting. The different suites are connected by walking paths, so you can easily walk from your tent to the restaurant and other parts of the resort.
A lot of attention has been paid to style, design and natural materials. Each tent has a comfortable bed, a private bathroom with hot water and its own terrace, where you can sit back and listen to the sound of the flowing river. The tents are positioned well apart from one another, giving you plenty of privacy.
The little details have been thought through, too. During the evening turndown service, the heater is switched on and a hot-water bottle is placed in your bed, so you return to a warm tent. Tea made with herbs from the resort’s own garden is also waiting for you. In the evening, the grounds become quiet, and all you can hear are the sounds of nature.
Do you also want to stay at Las Qolqas Eco-Lodge & Spa in Ollantaytambo? Here you can find the latest prices and availability. Looking for more hotels in the area? Take a look here.
There are several places around the grounds of Las Qolqas where you can eat, relax and spend time outdoors. From the restaurant and bar to the spa and fire pits, there’s plenty to enjoy. You can easily spend a morning or afternoon here, even if you don’t feel like heading out to explore.
The restaurant at Las Qolqas serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Breakfast is included, and you can also have lunch here. In the evening, there’s a changing daily menu alongside the regular à la carte options. Dishes include delicious hearty soups, fresh trout and chocolate desserts.
After a day of hiking in the mountains of the Sacred Valley or a long day of travelling, the spa at Las Qolqas is a lovely place to unwind. You can book various massages or enjoy the Andean Circuit, which includes a sauna and hot tub. Especially after a walk through the Sacred Valley, it’s a wonderful way to end the day.
The lounge and bar are perfect for enjoying a drink. The bar team will do their best to prepare a delicious pisco sour for you. There are also several fire pits around the grounds, where you can enjoy a drink outdoors and make the most of the evening.
One of the special experiences at Las Qolqas is a traditional pachamanca, prepared by the river. Pachamanca is an ancient cooking method from the Andes in which meat, fish, herbs, corn, beans and potatoes are cooked on hot stones in a pit in the ground.
At Las Qolqas, several people work together to prepare the pachamanca. First, the stones are heated, after which the food is carefully arranged in layers. Everything is then covered with earth and cloths. This is followed by a small offering to Pachamama, Mother Earth, with flowers and a beer. After approximately half an hour, the pachamanca is ready. The food is dug out of the ground, and everyone can sit down to eat.
It’s the riverside setting and the traditional way the meal is prepared that make this more than just a dining experience. It’s a lovely introduction to the traditions and culture of the Andes.
Las Qolqas is not only a beautiful place to stay, but also a convenient base for exploring the surrounding area. You’re close to Ollantaytambo, and several other sights in the Sacred Valley are also within easy reach. This makes it easy to spend a few days here and take different day trips from the same base. In my article about the Sacred Valley, I go into more detail about the various sights and things to do in this region.
Ollantaytambo is close to Las Qolqas and is one of those places worth taking your time to explore. Wander through the narrow streets of the village, browse the market and visit the impressive Inca complex overlooking the town. In my Ollantaytambo travel guide, you’ll find more information about the sights, restaurants and things to do.
From Las Qolqas, you can also visit several other places in the Sacred Valley. Think of Pisac, Chinchero, Moray and Maras, as well as smaller villages, local markets and archaeological sites. The advantage of staying for several nights is that you don’t have to squeeze everything into a single day, leaving you time to discover places that aren’t usually included on a standard itinerary. For example, you could visit Perolniyoc, a waterfall and archaeological site in the mountains, or Naupa Iglesia, a fascinating and lesser-known archaeological site.
The area around Las Qolqas is wonderful for walking and hiking. You could, for example, hike to Pumamarca, an Inca site high above the valley, or walk towards Patacancha, a high-altitude valley where you can get a glimpse of traditional Andean life. The Inca quarries of Cachicata, near Ollantaytambo, are another beautiful destination. When you’re staying here for several nights, it’s especially nice to spend a day exploring the area on foot rather than driving from one sight to another.
Want to discover more? Read my comprehensive article The Sacred Valley of Peru: sights, tips and the most beautiful places.
You can also easily combine a stay at Las Qolqas with a visit to Machu Picchu. Several trains depart from Ollantaytambo for Aguas Calientes every day, so you could stay here for one or two nights before travelling to Machu Picchu. Personally, I find this the nicest way to include a visit to Machu Picchu in a trip around the Sacred Valley, rather than travelling back and forth from Cusco each time.
For me, Las Qolqas is one of the nicest hotels for spending a few days in the Sacred Valley. You sleep in a luxury tent surrounded by greenery, wake up in the morning with the mountains all around you, and have plenty of time during the day to explore the area.
Another advantage is that you’re so close to Ollantaytambo. You can easily visit the village and its famous Inca ruins, while choosing when to go and avoiding the busiest times of the day. At the same time, you have plenty of time to explore further afield. This gives you the opportunity to visit places you might not get to see during a short stay in the Sacred Valley, such as Pumamarca, Cachicata, Naupa Iglesia and Perolniyoc. Or you can spend a day exploring on foot and follow one of the hiking trails through the mountains.
You can find more information about Las Qolqas Eco Resort in Ollantaytambo on its de website and instagram. Would you also like to stay at Las Qolqas Eco-Lodge & Spa in Ollantaytambo? Here you can find the latest prices and availability. Looking for more hotels in the area? Take a look here.
Planning a trip to Peru or just starting your research? In the next travel guide, you’ll find everything you need to know about traveling to Peru, including practical tips, essential travel info, and inspiration for where to go and what to see. Hopefully, my articles will help you get the most out of your trip, or convince you to add Peru to your travel bucket list.
Did you enjoy reading this article about Las Qolqas Eco-Lodge & Spa in Ollantaytambo in Peru? Let me take you on a further journey along the most beautiful destinations and attractions in Peru in the next articles.
Disclaimer: I was invited to stay at Las Qolqas Eco-Lodge & Spa in Ollantaytambo in Peru, but this review is based on my personal view and is independent from the invitation.This article may contain affiliate links. If you purchase something using one of our links, we may receive a commission at no extra cost to you, which helps us keep this blog alive. Thank you for your support! Please see our disclosures for more information.
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As a travel reporter, producer and tour guide, I have been traveling around the world for the last 20 years, looking for the most scenic places and stories that are worth sharing. In Passport the World, I am guiding you along scenic and cultural places, cities, art, viewpoints, hiking trails and unique experiences. To help you get the most out of your travels or to just get to know a country and culture better!
Are you interested in the world? Do you want to learn more about a country and its culture? Let me take you on a journey with Passport the World.
As a travel reporter, producer and tour guide, I have been traveling around the world for the last 20 years, looking for the most scenic places and stories that are worth sharing. In Passport the World, I am guiding you along scenic and cultural places, cities, art, viewpoints, hiking trails and unique experiences. To help you get the most out of your travels or to just get to know a country and culture better!
