Scaring Jake Part 49: The Star Lodge.

    A couple in colorful traditional ponchos sitting in a glass capsule overlooking the Sacred Valley in Peru, with mountains visible through the transparent walls.

    Let’s Get This Thing Started!

    Sky Lodge and its sister property Star Lodge are unique experience based hotels located in the Sacred Valley, Peru and it was BY FAR my (Kristi’s) favorite part of the entire Peru itinerary! Who doesn’t want to sleep 2900 meters up hanging from a cliff side?!!!

    Let’s start with the options:

    • Sky Lodge – Must be over 15 to stay overnight + Restaurant is also Cliff side
    • Star Lodge – Minimum age of 12 + Hot Tub Time! (Restaurant is ground level)
    • Via Ferrata + Zipline
    • Combo Activities +Overnight

    Then once on your overnight stay you are asked about a photo package of the activities, and then a photo + drone video of your stay in the capsule.

    We chose Star Lodge overnight stay with Via Ferrata and Zipline, and we bought both photo packages. And I don’t regret one thing!

    Two climbers posing for a photo in harnesses and helmets, ready for an adventure near a rocky terrain.
    Four people in climbing gear, including helmets and harnesses, pose together in front of a rocky background and greenery, smiling at the camera.
    Two individuals wearing climbing helmets and sunglasses, smiling for a selfie in a lush outdoor setting.

    On Jake’s first step up he says “Oh no, how did I let you talk me into this kind of thing again?!?!” Hahahaha!

    We are still new to the whole Meta-Glasses thing and decided I should wear the glasses and record some of the climb. Keep in mind if you are considering getting them they run out of battery fairly quickly so be choosy when deciding what to video! I made the mistake of using up the battery before we got super high! The views will be saved in our memories only!

    If you haven’t already been following along on our adventures IRL then let me catch you up to speed. Jake = Big fear of heights. Kristi = Big fan of heights. Conner = honestly very good at bouldering (climbing low walls no ropes) but panics over 20 feet. Liam = well, have we told you that his middle name is Danger yet? That pretty much tells you what you need to know about him!

    It would be my dream to be a climbing family, or even a climbing couple, just us two, a van, and some ropes traveling the country for rocks to conquer… There is nothing like the feeling of freedom when hanging off a giant slab of rock. I haven’t had as many opportunities to do it outside as I’d like, but the exhilaration that I feel when given the opportunity is unmatched. Oh man, nothing like it. Now the flip side of this is that genetically my body hates altitude. We have now been on numerous trips with all kinds of acclimatization days, and no matter the speed of incline, I tend to show symptoms of altitude sickness. Despite everything, we freaking love the mountains, so we torture each other at least a couple of times each year, and Jake gets the chance to conquer that fear over and over and over again… and I get to grab a bottle of diamox and push myself. Nothing like a Type 2 fun couple!!!

    A few years ago we came across the concept of Via Ferratas. They’ve been around for a long time, especially in Europe but the Krajicek’s only became privy to them 5-6 years ago. The great compromise between extreme hiking, rock climbing and a ropes course. Its perfect for our family of various fear levels!

    Group of climbers wearing helmets and harnesses ascending a rocky cliff in Sacred Valley, Peru, with supportive climbing gear visible.
    Close-up view of a rocky cliffside with metal handholds installed for climbing, accompanied by a rope secured to the rock.
    A climber in a helmet and gloves attaching a safety carabiner to a via ferrata route on a rocky cliff, with mountains in the background and bright sunlight illuminating the scene.
    A person wearing an orange climbing helmet and sunglasses smiles for a selfie while a second person in the background makes a funny face, both surrounded by rocky terrain and greenery.

    It took 2-2.5 hours to make it through the via ferrata, pausing along the way to wait for friends, get some pics and of course just take in the beautiful scenery of The Sacred Valley… It was jaw dropping. I would get caught up in watching for my next move and then suddenly remember “oh yeah, look back, take it in..” One day I’ll make a list called “Could Be Real, Could Be a Screensaver” and I will definitely add this view to the list. Pinch me, I can’t believe this is real… and I’m here!!!

    A breathtaking view of the Sacred Valley in Peru, featuring rolling mountains, lush green fields, and a winding river under a bright blue sky with the sun shining.

    The Via Ferrata is located on the cliff side that Sky Lodge uses, so if you book your accommodation there you actually reach your capsule along this climb!

    Living on the edge! LOL
    A group of climbers preparing their gear on a rocky cliffside in the Sacred Valley, Peru, featuring safety harnesses and climbing helmets.
    Three climbers in helmets and harnesses pose on a rocky cliff in the Sacred Valley, Peru, with the sun setting behind them and a river flowing in the valley below.
    Three climbers posing on a rocky ledge during a Via Ferrata adventure, with the Sacred Valley and a river in the background under a sunny sky.

    This tight rope -also known as a bridge was made to face your fears…

    Oh hello there!
    Three people smiling for a selfie while wearing orange climbing helmets, standing against a rocky cliff in a sunny outdoor setting.
    View of a transparent pod hotel, known as Skylodge, perched on a cliffside in the Sacred Valley, Peru, surrounded by mountains and farmland.
    A close-up portrait of a young male climber wearing an orange helmet and smiling, with sunlight illuminating his face against a rocky background.

    Once we finally made it to the top of the cliffs it was time to come down in style! We took a series of gorgeous ziplines to get back down to the base. What a peaceful way to enjoy the end of an adventure, hook up to the line and just ride… and hook up again and ride.. and again… and a few more times and now we are ground level! LOL

    A group of people wearing climbing harnesses and helmets, resting on a rocky cliff in the Sacred Valley of Peru, with mountainous terrain and blue skies in the background.
    Group of four climbers posing on a mountainous path in the Sacred Valley, Peru, with the river and fields in the background.
    A climber with an orange helmet and gloves stands on a rocky path with lush vegetation, overlooking the Sacred Valley in Peru, with capsule accommodations visible on the cliffside.
    A climber navigating a rocky cliff while secured to a safety line, wearing a helmet and harness, with two other climbers visible in the background against a clear blue sky.
    Two climbers are seen preparing to ascend a rocky cliff, one wearing a helmet and harness while the other is holding climbing equipment. Sunlight filters through the canyon, illuminating the scene.
    A climber navigating a rocky cliff using a via ferrata system, secured with harness and ropes in a scenic mountainous area.
    Two people in harnesses preparing for a zipline descent, with a mountain backdrop and river below in the Sacred Valley, Peru.
    Two people ziplining across a scenic valley with mountains and a river below, bathed in golden sunlight.
    Three individuals enjoying a ziplining experience against a backdrop of mountainous terrain and a valley with a river.
    Two people ziplining over the Sacred Valley in Peru, with mountains and a winding river visible below.
    A man ziplining over the Sacred Valley in Peru, with mountains and agricultural land visible in the background.

    Once at ground level of Sky Lodge we load up in a van with our whole group and take a short ride down the road to Star Lodge. Its getting dark about the time we are pulling up to the base where our dining hall is setup and we enjoy a good tasting dinner seated with all the people from our adventure. Our guide came in and gave us another quick safety briefing and then we harnessed back up to via ferrata IN THE DARK to the hot tubs! Again, this is winter in Peru so I’m basically climbing up this cliff side in the dark in the cold with my poncho on tucked into the harness and then I have to change into my swimsuit once we get to the landing area?!? Yikes! It was cold! But the hot tubs were very nice and we really enjoyed this way of winding down after an adventurous day, little did we know there was still adventure to be had…

    Okay so just imagine you are tired, have totally unwound and feel ready for bed. Okay, now that you’ve got that cozy feeling in your head imagine then getting out of your cozy hot tub into the cold throwing your clothes back on and all your safety equipment and doing THE SCARIEST PART OF THE WHOLE DAY in the dark, with all your belongings on your back – something we didn’t have with us during the daytime climb on the sketchiest steps/rebar/rocks that you’ve “seen” all day. There were parts where you had to turn, put your back against the wall, which now has a backpack attached, duck and re-clip without being able to see where your next step is. I enjoyed the adrenaline dump but oh my my! That part was extra scary even for me!

    Here’s just a quick snippet of what it was like in the dark! My camera light was doing most of the work lighting it up!
    A person wearing a helmet and gloves prepares to enter a glass capsule on a cliffside at night, surrounded by safety equipment.
    Interior view of a cozy sleeping capsule at Starlodge in the Sacred Valley, Peru, featuring beds with blue linens and several guests relaxing.

    We checked the place out, didn’t take long since it was so tiny and then tucked in for the night! We were all pretty tuckered out by then!

    …and then the sunrise…

    A close-up selfie of a man and woman in a cozy, glass capsule, smiling and enjoying their morning together.
    A woman sitting on a bed inside a transparent accommodation capsule with a mountain view, smiling and raising her arms in excitement.
    Two young men sitting inside a unique capsule accommodation at Starlodge, wrapped in blankets, with a view of the Sacred Valley visible through large windows.
    A couple sleeping peacefully in a transparent capsule hotel, nestled against a cliffside, surrounded by nature.
    Two people in bed inside a transparent capsule hotel, joyfully stretching their arms in the air, surrounded by white bedding and a scenic view through the windows.

    Another bathroom with a view for my collection!

    I kind of wish we would have set our alarm for a little longer because we didn’t have much time to just snuggle in bed with the view before the photographer came in to do our photo shoot but I don’t regret the photoshoot at all! Look at these fun pics we have!

    A couple sits inside a cozy capsule hotel high in the Sacred Valley, Peru. They are wrapped in colorful blankets, enjoying warm drinks, with scenic mountain views visible through large windows.
    A couple enjoying a cozy moment inside a transparent capsule hotel, both wrapped in colorful blankets while holding mugs.
    A couple sitting on a cozy bed inside a transparent capsule hotel in the Sacred Valley of Peru, wrapped in colorful blankets and holding warm mugs.
    A couple sitting in a capsule hotel in the Sacred Valley, Peru, wearing colorful ponchos and smiling at the camera.
    A couple enjoying a cozy moment inside a transparent capsule at Starlodge in Peru, wearing colorful ponchos and blankets with scenic mountain views outside.
    Two people playfully having a pillow fight inside a transparent capsule room with stunning mountain views in the Sacred Valley, Peru.
    Two people playfully interacting inside a transparent capsule room with mountainous scenery in the background.
    Two young men playfully engage in a pillow fight inside a transparent capsule at Starlodge in the Sacred Valley, Peru, with stunning mountain views in the background.
    Two young men sitting on beds inside a transparent capsule-style hotel room, draped in colorful blankets with a scenic mountain backdrop visible through the windows.
    Two young men wrapped in colorful blankets, sitting on a bed in a unique capsule hotel with large windows showcasing a scenic view of the Sacred Valley, Peru.
    Family enjoying a cozy moment inside a unique capsule hotel in the Sacred Valley, Peru, wrapped in colorful blankets.

    After he got all the shots he needed we geared back up and headed down for one more soak in the hot tubs! This time early morning views from the cliff side!

    We’re outta here!!!
    Aerial view of four people standing on a glass capsule hotel attached to a cliff in the Sacred Valley, Peru, with steps leading to the ground.
    A group of four climbers standing on a transparent, pod-like accommodation suspended on a cliffside in the Sacred Valley, Peru, with rocky terrain and a staircase leading up the mountain.
    Climbers ascending rugged steps on a cliffside, with glass capsules suspended above, near Skylodge and Starlodge in the Sacred Valley, Peru.

    Man stepping out in the daylight and going back down everything we did the night before was crazy. We had been so high up in the pitch black. Wild. Liam and I got to the bridge first and had a little fun before the rest of the family caught up! We were really impressed with the drone video and view of it all! If you’ve got a minute please watch!

    A young man relaxing in a wooden hot tub surrounded by natural rock formations.
    A woman enjoying a hot tub with a mountain backdrop, holding a glass and smiling.
    A young person relaxing in a wooden hot tub with a scenic view of the countryside in the background.
    A woman and two boys relaxing in a hot tub with a scenic view in the background, smiling and enjoying their time together.
    A young boy relaxes in a hot tub overlooking a cliffside in a mountainous area.
    Four people relaxing in a hot tub with scenic mountain and river views in the background.

    And after all that fun it was time for one last meal with our group of new friends and off to our next destination! Breakfast was great and coffee was a bonus!

    A hand holding a slice of bread topped with jam, paired with a bowl of sliced bananas and green grapes, and a cup of coffee on a dining table.
    Group photo of adventurers in the Sacred Valley, Peru, in front of a van, with mountains in the background and clear blue skies.

    So now the question is for YOU! Are you ready for a thrilling stay at The Star Lodge?!!!

    Thanks for joining along on our shenanigans, until next time…!

    Logo featuring the text 'Krajicek's Take the World' with a stylized path and airplane graphic.

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