Between Mountains and Stars: The Best Nights to Observe the Andean Sky

When night falls over the Andes, the Cusco sky turns into a natural planetarium. At over 2,000 meters above sea level, the air is crisp, the silence profound, and the stars seem within reach. Stargazing here is more than astronomy—it’s a spiritual experience. The Incas once read messages from the heavens, seeing divine guidance in every constellation.

At Casa del Sol Machu Picchu Boutique Hotel, surrounded by mountains and river, every clear night offers a moment to reconnect with the universe.

The Andes—A Natural Observatory

Cusco’s geography makes it one of the best regions on Earth for stargazing.
Low light pollution and high altitude allow for exceptional visibility of the Milky Way, planets, and southern constellations invisible from the northern hemisphere.

From April to October, the skies remain dry and clear—ideal for meteor showers, planetary alignments, and deep-sky viewing.

The Inca Constellations

The Incas looked not only at stars but at the dark spaces between them, recognizing “dark constellations” formed by cosmic dust clouds in the Milky Way.

Yacana (the llama): symbol of fertility and life.
Atoq (the fox): balance in nature.
Mach’acuay (the serpent): rebirth and transformation.
Hanp’atu (the toad): bringer of the rains.

These constellations guided farming, ceremonies, and timekeeping, showing the Incas’ harmony with the cosmos.

Best Places to Stargaze in the Andes

Sacred Valley: wide, open areas between Urubamba and Maras.
Pisac: high viewpoints with little to no light pollution.
Machu Picchu Town (Aguas Calientes): surrounded by mountains, offering dramatic, reflective skies over the Vilcanota River.

At Casa del Sol Machu Picchu Boutique Hotel, guests can enjoy guided stargazing or simply relax on terraces where the Andean sky takes center stage.

Tips for the Perfect Night Sky Experience

Choose moonless nights for a clearer Milky Way.
Dress warmly, as temperatures drop after sunset.
Bring binoculars for better celestial detail.
Stay silent for a few minutes to immerse yourself in the natural soundscape.

Stargazing in the Andes connects you to a timeless universe. The same stars that once guided the Incas still illuminate the Cusco sky.

At Casa del Sol Machu Picchu Boutique Hotel, each night invites you to pause, look upward, and rediscover wonder—between mountains and stars.

Wonderful stay

The hotel is beautiful, elegant, and decorated very tastefully. The atmosphere very nice. Very comfortable, spacious room with terrace, jacuzzi, and river view !!Spectacular! The shower a delight. All the staff is very friendly and helpful. Congratulations on having such dedicated and cordial staff. The dinners were delicious, very thoughtful, and original dishes. Our stay at the hotel was memorable.

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1/5

Excellent

We stayed one night there and really the service has been exceptional. I have nothing but good words for the establishment. We stayed in a suite which was excellent! It had a jacuzzi. Breakfast very good. The staff is always attentive. And the restaurant is a luxury. We took the 4-step menu and it has been spectacular. I would definitely go back and recommend it.

Lola L

2/5

Beautiful hotel and wonderful breakfast!

We enjoyed our stay here while visiting Machu Picchu. The hotel was very clean, the staff very friendly and polite, and the breakfast was amazing! Seriously, the breakfast was really a beautiful spread of so many options. It is in a nice location and easy to explore from there.

Overall a really nice and would recommend it!

Martin

3/5

Unforgettable

I went to Machupicchu with family and stayed at the Casa Del Sol hotel again. The hotel is just beautiful. There have been renovations since I was last there, the dining room is beautiful and crisp! An absolute delight to dine in. But the best part of the hotel is the people. The staff really goes above and beyond to make sure we have every need attended to! The staff welcomed us back like old friends, and even helped us celebrate my mother's birthday with a bottle of wine! We stayed for 2 nights, but we could have stayed longer just to enjoy the rooms and the spa.

Chrissy

4/5

Beautiful Hotel in Aguascalientes

I loved staying at the hotel so much! As soon as we got off our bus we were greeted by very friendly staff and walked less than 100 meters to the hotel. Their food is amazing and staying in this hotel is so relaxing, especially after a day spent in Machu Picchu. Every single one of the staff is so friendly and makes sure you are as comfortable and happy as you can be. I especially loved how the hotel was just next to the river and the beautiful rooms they provided. I hope I can go back someday!

Mikenzie T

5/5