Unforgettable experiences

Two stories from Peru: hotel Sol y Luna and guide Nick Santander

5 June 2026

A journey that goes beyond Machu Picchu

Anyone travelling through Peru will soon discover that the country is much more than just Machu Picchu or colourful postcards of llamas in the mountains. Peru is a land of contrasts and stories: from ancient Inca traditions to bustling markets, from mysterious mountain passes to quiet villages where Quechua is still spoken every day. At the heart of this world lies Cusco, once the capital of the Inca Empire and still today the cultural heart of the Southern Andes. For guide Nick Santander, it is precisely this combination of history, nature and human connection that makes Peru so special.

Peru through the eyes of Nick Santander

Nick grew up amidst mountains, traditions and stories. From a young age, he sensed how deeply the culture of the Andes is interwoven with everyday life. Here, the mountains are not merely landscapes; they are seen as living guardians. Rituals, music and age-old customs are still an integral part of life in the small communities around Cusco.

“For me, guiding has never just been a job,” says Nick.“It has become a way of sharing the Peru I love with people from all over the world.”

Anyone travelling with him soon realises that he shares not just facts, but above all a sense of the place. Of course, he talks about the history of the Incas, hidden temples and the meaning of ancient symbols. But the most precious moments often arise unexpectedly.

Cusco: the start of an unforgettable encounter

Travelling to experience, not just to see

High in the Andes, you’ll join a local family for lunch. A little later, you’ll strike up a conversation with residents of a village where the hustle and bustle of the modern world seems a world away. As the morning sun turns the mountains around Cusco golden, the realisation dawns that travelling is about more than just ticking off sights. For Nick, it’s all about the moments that move you, such as that first glimpse of Machu Picchu, when everything stands still for a moment.

Cusco is the perfect starting point for this. The city is steeped in history. Narrow streets wind past ancient Inca walls and colonial buildings, whilst music fills the squares and markets are brimming with colourful fabrics, cocoa, coffee and dozens of varieties of potato. Just outside the city lies the vast world of the Southern Andes: valleys, snow-capped peaks and remote communities where traditions are still passed down through the generations.

It is in this region in particular that Nick feels most at home as a guide. He loves trips where culture, nature and genuine encounters come together. Not a superficial checklist of sights, but experiences that bring people closer to Peru.

Grateful to be part of Peru

Over the years, Nick’s work has not only brought him closer to his own culture, but also to people from all over the world. Every encounter leaves a lasting impression. Every journey tells a new story. Peru often stays with people long after they’ve left, and that is precisely what makes Nick’s work so special. He feels grateful to be part of those experiences and memories that travellers carry with them for years to come.

Perhaps that is ultimately what distinguishes a good guide from someone who merely shows the way. Nick Santander doesn’t just show travellers Peru; he helps them experience the country. Through the aromas of local dishes, the silence of the mountains, age-old traditions and the warm encounters along the way. And that is precisely what transforms a trip through Peru from a holiday into a memory that lingers long afterwards.

Avila Travel’s Nick with clients at Machu Picchu

Avila Travel: Nick and traditional customs

The story of Sol y Luna

Trips that bring together culture, nature and genuine encounters also fit perfectly with the atmosphere of Sol y Luna. Tucked away in the Sacred Valley, this special place combines luxury with authenticity. Amidst gardens, mountains and local art, a sense of tranquillity emerges that harmonises with the spiritual energy of the Andes. For many travellers, a stay there feels not just like a hotel experience, but as a way to experience Peru at a slower and more intense pace.

The history

Unique rooms

Culinary delights

Sol y Luna Foundation

In the Sacred Valley of the Incas, amongst the rugged peaks of the Andes, the idea for Hotel Sol y Luna was born from a simple yet powerful dream.

Marie-Hélène Miribel, who left her life in the business world behind, came to Peru and was moved by the circumstances of local children. Many had to walk long distances to attend school. What began as a commitment soon grew into a mission: to bring about real, lasting change.

That mission took shape in the year 2000 with the founding of Hotel Sol y Luna. It was no ordinary hotel, but a place with a purpose. The proceeds were used to support educational projects in the region and to give children more opportunities.

What began as a small number of casitas grew into a special boutique hotel set amidst nature. Later, its impact was further enhanced with the establishment of the Sol y Luna school, where children from the valley gained access to education, care and development.

Today, Sol y Luna is more than just a place to stay. It is a place where travel and purpose come together, where every guest, perhaps without realising it, contributes to a better future for the children of the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

Hotel Sol y Luna comprises an exclusive collection of luxury casitas, designed to allow guests to experience the beauty of the Sacred Valley in an intimate and refined way. These are not traditional hotel rooms, but private villas that blend seamlessly with nature, lending every stay a sense of seclusion and serenity.

Each casita has been carefully built using local materials and refined Peruvian details, ensuring that authenticity and elegance go hand in hand. Warm textures, handcrafted interiors and large windows literally bring the Andes indoors.

The Superior Casitas offer a stylish and comfortable base, with a private terrace and panoramic views of the mountains and gardens. Inside, you’ll find Peruvian art and handcrafted details that give the space a local feel. Perfect for a peaceful and elegant stay.

The Deluxe Casitas take comfort to a whole new level with extra space, a cosy sitting area and a fireplace that creates an intimate, luxurious atmosphere. They feel more like a private retreat than a hotel room.

For those seeking the very highest level of exclusivity, the Premium Casitas offer an exceptional experience: spacious living areas, a private terrace with a jacuzzi and complete privacy amidst nature.

The philosophy is the same everywhere: tranquillity, space and refined simplicity. Here, luxury is not about excess, but about the experience. No standard rooms, but individual cottages set amongst the gardens, where you literally wake up to views of the mountains and the sound of the Andes in the background.

Avila Travel Peru: the Sol y Luna casita

Avila Travel Premium Casita Hotel Sol y Luna

At Hotel Sol y Luna, gastronomy is elevated to a refined experience in which the richness of Peruvian cuisine meets the elegance of Relais & Châteaux.

At the heart of the hotel lies the restaurant, where seasonal ingredients from the Sacred Valley and beyond are transformed into dishes that are both authentic and contemporary. Each creation is rooted in Peruvian culinary tradition, yet features a modern, international finesse that fits perfectly with the world of luxury hospitality.

Here, the culinary story revolves around purity and provenance. Local produce, freshly harvested from the Andes and surrounding valleys, forms the basis of a cuisine that shows respect for nature and its producers. From refined ceviches to delicately grilled meat and vegetable dishes: every plate tells a story of landscape, tradition and craftsmanship.

The experience is enhanced by the setting itself. Dining under the starry sky of the Andes, surrounded by silence and soft lighting, turns every meal into a moment that goes beyond gastronomy alone; it becomes a memory. As a member of Relais & Châteaux, Sol y Luna also upholds the highest standards of culinary excellence and hospitality, where attention to detail and genuine service are paramount.

Culinary delights at Sol y Luna are therefore not merely part of the stay; they are an essential part of the experience.

The Sol y Luna Foundation is at the heart of Hotel Sol y Luna, the driving force behind the beauty and hospitality that guests experience in the Sacred Valley.

What once began as a personal commitment on the part of the founders has grown into an enduring dedication to the local community. Driven by the belief that true luxury goes beyond mere comfort, the foundation was established to give something back to the region that gives the hotel its soul.

The foundation’s core mission lies in education. Year after year, the Sol y Luna School offers children from the surrounding villages access to high-quality education, personal development and care – opportunities that would otherwise often remain out of reach.

But the impact extends beyond the classroom. The foundation supports families, invests in local initiatives and creates employment, fostering a sustainable cycle of growth and solidarity within the Sacred Valley community.

Every night spent at Sol y Luna contributes directly to this work. In this way, a stay becomes more than just an experience of luxury and tranquillity. It becomes part of a bigger story of opportunity, the future and connection.

Why we recommend travelling to the Sacred Valley

Wonderful memories

We select our experiences with great care. Hotel Sol y Luna is a prime example of this: a place where refined hospitality and timeless beauty come together in the Sacred Valley, and where every night’s stay contributes to the education of local children.

That is why we are delighted to include Sol y Luna in our tours of Peru. Not only for the hotel’s exceptional quality, but also for the story of meaning and connection that it embodies. Guide Nick enhances this experience with his local knowledge and personal stories, bringing the destination truly to life.

Take a look at our Peru trip with Sol y Luna here