Located just 75 minutes from the hubbub of Cusco, it feels worlds away. With an onsite llama and alpaca herd, Insta-worthy luxury glamping huts complete with hot tubs and jacuzzis, and an exceptional onsite Peruvian restaurant, there’s a reason this small boutique lodge is inundated with five-star reviews. I first discovered this place on Instagram, so naturally I was cautious it wouldn’t live up to expectations, but those expectations were completely blown out of the water. One of my favourite and most unique stays I’ve ever experienced.
Location and How To Get There
Set in the countryside outside Cusco, Mountain View Experience feels far removed from the crowds despite being easily accessible from the city. If you’re flying into Peru from another country, you’ll most likely arrive at Lima International Airport first. The airport is large and can feel a little confusing, but entry into Lima was fairly straightforward and we were through customs and immigration quickly.
From Lima, you’ll then need to take a short flight to Cusco Airport, which takes under an hour. There are several airlines that operate this route, including JetSmart and LATAM, with multiple flights per day, and prices are very reasonable.
I arranged a private shuttle to pick us up from the airport, and our driver messaged us on WhatsApp when he arrived and sent a photo showing where he was waiting. You may notice people inside the Cusco airport holding signs with names on them who offer to help with bags and escort you outside, but they are generally expecting a tip. All official drivers will meet you outside the terminal, so it’s something to keep in mind.
At the time of writing, our private transfer cost $69 for three people to the lodge from Cusco airport, a ride that took about 1h 15 minutes. The front staff can also assist with organising transportation if you’re coming from another area of Peru. It’s a huge country with so much to see, and this lodge is easy to fit into a longer itinerary.
Check In Process
Our driver dropped us off right outside the front entrance of Mountain View Experience, carried our bags inside, and showed us to reception where we were greeted by the front desk staff. Our flight out of Lima was delayed, so unfortunately we arrived after dark and couldn’t immediately see just how beautiful the property was, but we instantly fell in love with the atmosphere.
We handed over our passports for copying, which is commonplace for most accommodations and tours in Peru for tax reasons, and then sat by the fire while they called one of the staff members to take us by UTV to our cabin. It was a short ride up the hill, but we would never have found it on our own in the dark.
Main dining area 
Main building
Once in the cabin, our driver walked us through the fireplace and basic room details. Having reception available via WhatsApp made everything much easier, especially as messages automatically translate to Spanish on their end. My knowledge of the Spanish language leaves a lot to be desired! We didn’t spend too long settling in before heading back down for dinner. After a long travel day we were ravenous, and with the kitchen closing at 8 pm, we wanted to be sure to place our orders in time.
Rooms
There are around 12 cabins on the property, and as we were a group of three, there were only two options if we wanted to stay together. We ended up choosing the Ancestral cabin, which came with the most insane outdoor space – a hot tub, cold plunge pool and a sunken firepit for late night marshmallow toasting! Plus inside had an upper level with an extra bed, making it easy to comfortably accommodate three people.
The cabin is a traditional A frame, but it feels luxurious in every way. There’s even a wood burning fireplace stove in the corner, which can be used every evening to heat the room once the sun goes down and temperatures drop. The best part is that the staff will come and light it and set everything up for you, so there’s no guesswork involved. A quick WhatsApp message to reception and they’ll be there in a jiffy.
Our cabin had plenty of glass windows, which helped warm the space during the day, as nights can get quite cold. There are blinds for privacy, and guests are asked to walk along the paths behind the cabins to help preserve that privacy for everyone. Inside, there’s an empty mini fridge for any drinks or water bottles you pick up along the way. A bottle of fresh filtered water is supplied daily and can easily be refilled by messaging reception.
Robes and sandals are provided for use both inside the cabin and in the outdoor areas. The bed had more than enough warm blankets to keep us toasty at night, and there were electrical outlets everywhere, along with dimmable reading lights by the bed. We also had WiFi in our cabin, which was a very welcome surprise, especially since the bar and kitchen close at 8 pm. It was nice to be able to wind down and watch a show after dinner.
Outside on the terrace, we had two chairs, plus another two a little further down by the fire pit. You can even buy marshmallows at reception for toasting, which was a fun little touch. A few steps led down to our hot tub and cold plunge pool, and with just a quick WhatsApp to the front desk, the staff will handle it—your only job is deciding which one to jump into first.
The bathroom was modern but still in keeping with traditional Peruvian design. There was a large stone sink in the centre, a western flushing toilet tucked behind a curtain to the left, and a modern rain shower behind a glass door to the right. The bathroom wasn’t super private so bear that in mind when picking your travel companions!
Upstairs on the upper level was a chair and a large bed with the same cosy bedding as the main bed below, along with electrical outlets and a light. One thing worth noting is that this area is accessed via a ladder and there is no banister upstairs, so it isn’t really suitable for children, or anyone after a few too many pisco sours!
Food and Drink
The food at Ancestral, the onsite restaurant at Mountain View Experience, was exceptional. There’s a reason people travel from miles around just to taste it. In our three nights there, we didn’t have a single meal that wasn’t 10 out of 10. Presentation was always on point, and the staff were incredibly aware and diligent about dietary restrictions and allergies, asking us before every meal if there was anything to note. A huge relief for me as a celiac. Their menus also clearly indicate which items are gluten-free or vegan, which was a pleasant surprise, and honestly there were only a few dishes I couldn’t eat. This meant I got to sample a huge portion of the menu during my stay without feeling left out.
The dining room!
On the first night, I ordered the pork dish, and it was some of the best pork I have ever had. Not just because we were tired and hungry from a long travel day, but because it was cooked to perfection and presented beautifully. I paired it with a pisco punch, which was deliciously fruity with hints of pineapple. Peru is of course known for the pisco sour, but having tried that before, I wanted to see their spin on the classic cocktail, and I was not disappointed.
Breakfast the following morning, which is included with your stay, started with a choice of three juices, orange, pineapple, or papaya, followed by a delicious fruit salad with yogurt. It blows my mind that in the middle of nowhere Peru, the fruit is already better than anything I can find in Oklahoma. This was followed by a huge plate of bacon, ham, two types of cheese, tomatoes, scrambled eggs, sliced avocado, French toast, and sourdough. They left out the bread for me to make it gluten-free, but the plate was more than enough to fill me up.
Pisco Punch 
Quinoa Ice Cream
Lunch had a different menu each day, with dishes ranging from Sacred Valley trout, to crispy pork belly, and we thoroughly enjoyed sampling it all. During our stay, we also booked a classic picnic, which included an impressive spread of fruits, nuts, breads, and cheeses, complete with a bottle of wine. You could choose either red or white, which made deciding which to drink a very serious first-world problem.
For our second and third nights, I opted for the Chicken Ancestral Curry with rice and sautéed vegetables, which was absolutely delicious, and the Grilled Sacred Valley Trout on the last night, which was fresh and perfectly cooked. Between our group, we tried every dessert on the menu, the apple fritters, tartlet with quinoa ice cream, and chocolate mousse. They were all as fabulous as they sound, and again beautifully presented. Honestly, we left the restaurant slightly heavier, slightly happier, and completely convinced that Ancestral deserves every single one of its rave reviews.
Facilities
The onsite bar and restaurant is definitely the main attraction here, with multiple visits from the llama and alpaca pack throughout the day. With the exceptional menu, it’s easy to see why most guests spend a lot of time here or just relaxing in their cabins.
There are a few items you can purchase from reception, like snacks and marshmallows for making s’mores by the fire pit—an activity we definitely took advantage of on our last night. They also have a hamper full of colorful ponchos and a hat stand with different fedoras that you can borrow during your stay or for photos. It’s one of the most Instagram-worthy places I have ever stayed, so I loved this little touch.
There’s also an onsite boutique store selling souvenirs like ponchos, hats, handmade items, and snacks. The staff there are lovely, and they even have a selection of homemade ice creams to taste. They take credit cards too, which was a welcome surprise after I nearly emptied my wallet trying to grab all the gifts I wanted.
The property also has a large event center, which we saw being used on our last night for a big event that looked wonderful. Other facilities include stables for horse riding and a bike store where you can borrow bikes free of charge to explore the local area.
Activities
I was really impressed with all the activities offered at Mountain View Experience. During our stay, we tried almost everything—the horse riding, ATV adventure, Classic Picnic, and even the llama visit to our cabin with the hot tub, which is included with your stay. Most of the activities are reasonably priced and don’t take up much of the day, usually just an hour or two.
We started our first morning with the horse riding adventure. We were given hats with cords to keep them on during the wind. Our guide was fantastic. He led us to the stables, introduced us to the horses, and helped us choose which one we wanted to ride. We were assisted onto the horses and given a brief instruction on controlling them with the reins before setting off on the trail. While we had all ridden before, albeit many years ago, even a complete beginner would have found it straightforward. The horses are very tame and stick to the trails, which makes the ride easy and relaxing. Our guide went above and beyond, taking pictures and videos, leaving us with some amazing memories from the morning. The landscapes along the trails were breathtaking, and there were definitely a few “pinch me” moments. The ride lasted about an hour with stops for photos, which felt just right.
That first afternoon, we had booked the Classic Picnic. It included a huge spread of cheeses, fruits, nuts, seeds, corn, a bottle of wine, water, and a jug of herbal infusion—ours was hibiscus and absolutely delicious. The picnic was set up under a traditional tipi decorated with pom-poms, hand-woven fabrics, and large floor cushions. I was pleasantly surprised by the variety and amount of food provided. After grazing, guests can choose an optional painting add-on, with paints and paper provided to get creative against one of the most stunning backdrops I’ve ever seen. We skipped this part but saw many couples enjoying it. Not long after, a group of llamas and alpacas wandered into the picnic area, providing some very comical photo opportunities as they tried their luck at sneaking fruit from the tables. There’s also the option to have a three-course meal instead of grazing plates, but honestly, the spread we received was more than enough to count as a full meal.
On our second morning, we booked the ATV adventure, choosing the “Landscapes” tour, which leaves and returns directly from the lodge. Other options include car rides to local attractions. We were shown the ATVs, which were in excellent condition, and given helmets. The ATVs were semi-automatic, and we were shown how to use the gas, brakes, and gears. I even found the ATV shifted for me a couple of times before I got the hang of it. Our group of five included a couple who shared an ATV, and we all got a few practice laps around the parking lot before heading out on the trails. The views along the way were stunning, and we stopped a few times for photos and to see a beautiful temple. Even if you’ve never ridden an ATV before, it’s easy to get the hang of. The tour lasted about an hour, leaving plenty of the day to relax or explore further.
That afternoon, we requested our hot tub be filled (guests can do this once per night) and scheduled the llama visit at the same time. We were given a basket of corn husks to feed them. The llamas arrived right on time, eager to be fed. We were told they would stay for about an hour, but they only had three and moved on to the next cabin after about ten minutes. It wasn’t a huge deal—after a few days, we’d already had plenty of chances to interact with the llamas, and we still got some really fun photos.
Service
Every member of staff we interacted with was incredibly friendly and helpful, even with my questionable Spanish attempts. Most of the staff spoke very good English, but what really made our stay easy was having the WhatsApp number for the front desk. This meant we could request things or ask questions without having to walk down to reception. The walk back up to the cabins is a bit steep, and at that altitude it can really take it out of you before you’ve acclimated. We used WhatsApp to request things like hot tub filling, fire starting in our cabin at night, or arranging the llama visit. The staff were always super quick to respond, and we never waited more than a couple of minutes for an answer.
Closing Remarks
Mountain View Experience is hands down one of the most unique places I’ve ever stayed. It wasn’t just the original draw—the onsite llamas—that made the trip so special, it was the whole experience: the excellent food, the fun activities, and the gorgeous cabin with breathtaking views. If you’re coming to Cusco, I highly recommend staying here. And if that doesn’t fit into your itinerary, at least book an activity so you can experience a slice of what makes this place so magical. Trust me, it’s unforgettable.
You can find out more about my stay on my “Peru” Highlights on Instagram @chase.the.rainbows.
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