I climbed a terrifying 1,200 feet to stay in a transparent pod suspended off the side of a cliff in Peru

I climbed a via ferrata to the Starlodge hotel. Victoria Leandra

• My dad and I stayed in a Starlodge hotel pod in Peru, which hangs off the side of a cliff. 
• We climbed up 1,200 feet on a via ferrata to reach the capsules.
• The climb was terrifying but worth it for the once-in-a-lifetime experience. 

The first time I saw a photo of the transparent hotel pods overlooking Peru’s Sacred Valley, I added them to my travel bucket list.

The Skylodge and Starlodge pods were suspended off rock like ethereal cocoons, and I knew I had to visit.

A stay at Skylodge is for the adventurous soul and requires taking a more difficult via ferrata (a climbing route with metal rungs in the side of a mountain) to get to the pods.

Its sister property, Starlodge, offers more opportunities to relax and enjoy the views. It still requires a lighter climb but also offers beautiful jacuzzi facilities.

When my dad and I made our reservation, Skylodge was fully booked. Because we wanted a more rigorous climbing experience, we chose to climb to Skylodge and then head to Starlodge for our stay.

For just under $500 each, we purchased a package that included a personal guide while climbing the via ferrata to and from Skylodge, private transportation to Starlodge, dinner, breakfast, and a one-night stay in Starlodge.

Getting started was scarier than I had imagined

The trek to the top was intimidating. Victoria Leandra

When we were handed the releases of responsibility to sign, my dad hesitated and asked if I realized what we were doing.

To be honest, I hadn’t given it too much thought. If I had, I probably wouldn’t have done it.

After signing the releases and completing a quick safety chat, we were on our way to climb up 1,200 feet to reach the capsules at Skylodge.

We climbed the via ferrata on the side of the mountain. Victoria Leandra

My heart raced as I donned the harness and clipped onto the via-ferrata cables. I’d never been so focused in my life.

I didn’t let fear stop me from experiencing this once-in-a-lifetime adventure

My dad took in the views along the way. Victoria Leandra

My dad and I weren’t alone. Our guide, a seasoned mountaineer, was with us every step of the way. And believe me — we needed him.

At one point, my father forgot to secure one of his hooks to the via-ferrata cable.

Our guide calmly alerted him, emphasizing the importance of not moving until he rectified the oversight. Skipping this crucial step could’ve been extremely dangerous.

For most of the journey, I didn’t look down. I was too scared to do so. But then I asked myself, “When else will I do this again?”

When I finally stopped to look down, I realized what we were accomplishing. Victoria Leandra

I stopped to take it all in and noticed the cars on the road below stopping to see what we were accomplishing.

I waved, feeling on top of the world.

Conquering the climb brought me to tears

I crossed the suspension bridge with a mixture of fear and determination. Victoria Leandra

After hours of ascent, we reached a suspension bridge — a narrow pathway over a roaring river.

As I crossed the swaying bridge, I felt my adrenaline surge, the fear of heights waging a silent battle with the determination to reach the mountaintop. But I endured.

I was filled with pure joy as we reached Skylodge. Victoria Leandra

Unlike me, my dad didn’t flinch when crossing the bridge.

Witnessing him, a man in his late 50s, conquer the mountain head-on was one of the happiest moments of my life. The tears that followed were tears of joy.

After climbing 1,200 feet to reach Skylodge, we took a zipline to the bottom. The hotel staff then drove us up to the base camp at Starlodge.

When we finally reached Starlodge, we were able to enjoy the amenities

I relaxed in the jacuzzi and took in the breathtaking views. Victoria Leandra

Upon arrival at Starlodge, we headed to the jacuzzi area to finally take in the views without the fear of falling. As the sun set, we had a chance to clean up in the shared shower area near the jacuzzi.

Within the hour, our guide contacted us via walkie-talkie to tell us that dinner was ready.

We were treated to a four-course meal at dinner. Victoria Leandra

We made the five-minute climb back down to base camp for a four-course meal, including wine and coca tea, which is used to help prevent altitude sickness.

It was finally time to head to our pod for some rest

It was finally time to relax in the pod. Victoria Leandra

As the night turned pitch-black, we grabbed headlights and climbed up to our capsules with our guide.

Starlodge had transformed into a celestial observatory, and as I lay inside the pod, suspended in the cliffside haven, the fears accompanying the climb melted away.

Our suite had three beds (two singles and a double) and was equipped with a toilet and lavatory.

Each pod had its own bathroom. Victoria Leandra

If we needed anything, we had a walkie-talkie to connect us to our guide, who was sleeping at the base down below.

It was hard to fall asleep while suspended off the mountain’s edge.

In the morning, our guide escorted us to the jacuzzi once more, then we descended to base camp for breakfast.

Staying at Starlodge was an experience I’ll never forget

My dad and I enjoyed every second of our trip. Victoria Leandra

The trip was worth every penny.

The hanging pods at Skylodge — and its sister property, Starlodge — are not merely accommodations; they are a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that demands more than just physical stamina.

The experience marked me as a fearless traveler, so much so that we returned to Lima that week and tattooed matching stars on our bodies to remember our journey to the mountaintop.