Tambo del Inka, a Luxury Collection Resort
peru, peru · ★★★★★
The Verdict
Worth it for your honeymoon?
Tambo del Inka is the Sacred Valley's most logistically smart honeymoon base — a 128-room riverside Luxury Collection resort outside Urubamba (2870m) with a single, decisive feature no other hotel in Peru can offer: its own private PeruRail station on the property. While other guests pile into vans and shuttle to Ollantaytambo to catch the train to Machu Picchu, Tambo del Inka guests stroll across the lawn, board the Vistadome at the resort's own platform, and arrive at Aguas Calientes 90 minutes later. That single perk transforms the day at the citadel from a hectic transfer-marathon into something close to a romantic boat trip. Beyond the train, the hotel is a thoughtfully designed riverside lodge with a heated indoor-outdoor pool that lets you swim from a glass-roofed wing into the open mountain air, alpacas grazing on the lawns, the Hawa restaurant serving refined Andean tasting menus, and a serene spa with eucalyptus steam rooms. For honeymooners who value comfort and ease over historic patina, this is the most relaxing valley address.
- ✓Trust couples-verified reviews
- ✓Prioritise spa & wellness
- ✓Are willing to invest in once-in-a-lifetime
- →Need a strictly adults-only resort
- →Want a direct beachfront
- →Prefer boutique & intimate properties
Score Breakdown
89/100
Book Your Stay
Check availability
We compare Tambo del across partners and redirect to the cheapest option.
At a Glance
Room Recommendation
Which room to book
Book a Junior Suite Mountain View — these 65-square-meter suites have a separate sitting area, soaking tub with a view of the Chicón peak, and a private balcony overlooking the Vilcanota River. The Tambo Suite is the largest in the resort and worth the splurge for its corner position and panoramic windows. Avoid garden-side rooms on the lower floors if you want the river soundtrack.
No Surprises
True cost breakdown — 7 nights for two
Based on mid-range rooms, premium-economy flights from Europe, full dining and signature experiences. Adjust for your actual travel profile.
| Item | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Room (7 nights avg $900/nt) | $6,300 |
| Flights (2 pax, economy/premium) | $1,800 |
| Airport transfers / seaplane | $200 |
| Dining & drinks (beyond room) | $9,450 |
| Excursions & experiences | $700 |
| Spa / signature treatments | $600 |
| Tips & service (8%) | $1,260 |
| Total estimated | $20,310 |
Day by Day
Your 7-night honeymoon itinerary
Lima arrival
Land in Lima, overnight at a Miraflores or Barranco hotel. Cliffside walk, ceviche dinner, early night for the Cusco flight.
Fly to Cusco, descend to Sacred Valley
Morning flight to Cusco. Skip the city night and drive 90 minutes down to the valley. Check in to Tambo del Inka, slow lunch riverside, gentle afternoon at the pool.
Pisac market and ruins
Drive to Pisac for the artisans' market and the Inca ruins on the cliffs above. Lunch in Pisac, afternoon back at the resort for a couples massage at the spa.
Ollantaytambo and Maras-Moray
Morning at Ollantaytambo's terraced fortress, lunch at a hacienda, afternoon at the Maras salt pans and Moray's circular agricultural terraces. Sunset cocktails on the Tambo lawn.
Train from the resort to Machu Picchu
Walk across the lawn to the resort's private rail platform, board the Vistadome, arrive at Aguas Calientes at midday. Bus up the switchbacks for a full afternoon at the citadel. Overnight at Sanctuary Lodge or Inkaterra.
Sunrise at Machu Picchu, return to Tambo
Pre-dawn return to the ruins for golden-hour light. Late-morning train back to the resort's own station. Final candlelit dinner at Hawa.
Alpaca breakfast, depart
Final breakfast on the lawn surrounded by grazing alpacas. Transfer to Cusco airport, Lima connection for international departure.
Honest Assessment
What to know before you book
The Sacred Valley sits at 2870m — gentler than Cusco's 3400m but still high; hydrate and ease into activity day one.
The private train station departs only the Vistadome (not the luxury Hiram Bingham) — confirm which class you want when booking.
Avoid February and March — wet season, slippery ruins, Inca Trail closed in February.
At 128 rooms it is the largest of the luxury Sacred Valley properties — quieter, more intimate stays exist nearby (Sol y Luna, Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba) if a smaller hotel feel matters.
Pre-Arrival
Email to send the hotel
Subject: Honeymoon booking inquiry — Tambo del Inka Dear Tambo del Inka team, We are honeymooning in Peru for [DATES] and would like to stay at Tambo del Inka for [X] nights, ideally a Junior Suite Mountain View. Could you share availability, rates, and pricing for the Vistadome train from your private station to Machu Picchu plus a couples spa package? A private Sacred Valley tour and Maras-Moray excursion would also be appreciated. Thank you, [Names]
Send 2 weeks before arrival. Fill in names, dates, and preferences. Hotels respond to personalised requests.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is Tambo del Inka good for honeymooners?
Yes — the riverside setting, the heated indoor-outdoor pool, the spa, and especially the private train station make it the easiest Machu Picchu base in the valley. It's slightly less intimate than Sol y Luna but compensates with seamless logistics.
Train or fly to Machu Picchu?
There is no airport at Machu Picchu — fly to Cusco, drive to Tambo del Inka, then board the Vistadome at the resort's own station. The train ride takes about 90 minutes to Aguas Calientes.
Will we get altitude sickness?
Less likely than in Cusco — the valley sits 500m lower and most guests feel fine after a slow first afternoon. Hydrate, sip coca tea, skip alcohol on day one.
What's special about the private train station?
Tambo del Inka is the only hotel in Peru with its own PeruRail platform — guests walk across the lawn to board, eliminating the 30-45 minute transfer to Ollantaytambo that every other valley hotel requires.
When is the best time to visit?
May to September is the dry season with clear skies; April and October are quieter shoulder months. Avoid February and March.
Are alpacas really on the property?
Yes — a small resident herd grazes the riverside lawn and is a fixture of the morning experience. Children and adults alike love the alpaca breakfast scene.
Same Vibe, Different Destination
