Sol y Luna

Spanish conquistadores burst into the Americas in the 16th century, and what are now Mexico and Peru were never the same again. But there were places they never got to — places they didn’t know about. One of them was the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu. The Spanish never found it, so the magnificent mountaintop stronghold, and the lush valley around it, remained untouched during colonial rule.

A number of great resorts and hotels have popped up in the Sacred Valley of the Incas in recent years, and the very best ones honor the natural landscape and native culture. Take Sol y Luna, a small hotel set on 25 oasis-like acres outside the village of Urubamba on the road between Cusco and Macchu Picchu. Not only are the flora and fauna indigenous — exotic flowers flourish in the rich red earth, endangered trees cast deep shade over garden walkways, giant hummingbirds flit overhead — but the architecture pays homage to ancient Inca constructions. The hotel consists of a series of low-lying bungalows built with clay walls, native stone, and locally made beams and bricks.

Inside, of course, the amenities are thoroughly contemporary — marble-tiled bathrooms stocked with L’Occitane products, Bose sound systems, LCD TVs, free wi-fi, and so on. But the furniture is handmade, and the framed paintings were made by local artists. And those cozy sheets you’ll sink into after a long day of hiking? Those are Peruvian high-density pima cotton. At Sol y Luna, the high-end room category isn’t a suite, but a “casita” (little house) — they come with extras like outdoor Jacuzzis, wood-burning fireplaces, and underfloor heating.

Partake of ancient grains and unusual fruits at the hotel’s lavish breakfast buffet. The chefs at Killa Wasi restaurant, of course, source ingredients from their own gardens and from local farmers and producers. Pisco sours, Peru’s citrusy national cocktail, are shaken to perfection and served at Chicha Wasi, the bar, or delivered directly to your poolside chaise lounge. There’s also a spa and fitness center, tennis courts, yoga classes and onsite bike rental. The Sol y Luna staff happily arrange countless activities in the immediate surroundings, from hiking and horseback riding to rafting and kayaking on the Urubamba river to side trips to the traditional markets of Pisac and Ollantaytambo. Whether you’re on your way to the area’s main attraction or recuperating after an adventure, a stay in the Sacred Valley is as active or as restful as you want it to be. A holiday, after all, should be sacred.