While other visitors are trekking the tourist-lined Inka Trail this summer, those in search of the truly untrammeled Peru should take advantage of last minute specials at the private eco-boutique Inkaterra Urubamba Villas, tucked into the mountain hamlet of Higuspucro in the Sacred Valley.

The oft-overlooked spot is an ideal Andean headquarters for exploring the area's rich collection of historical sites and Inca ruins, which are enough to keep you busy for a week or two. But you'll also want to check out the area's Quechua-speaking villages, like the charming walled colonial-Inca town of Ollantaytambo. Visitors can stock up on chichi morada (blue corn beer) and fragrant banana-leaf stuffed tamales at nearby Pisac's Sunday food market, or browse the vendors' stands for baby alpaca wares at Chinchero's excellent handicraft market.

The spacious Andean-style villas at Urubamba are regional highlights themselves. Each of the five deluxe casitas is named after its respective female caretaker (choices include the Villa Sonia or Villa Berta), and comes with wood-stocked fireplaces and 24/7 maid service, which includes tea, laundry and breakfasts like home-cooked quinoa hotcakes and eggs, which were ideal on chilly pre-hike mornings. The homey but stylish interiors are decorated with local tapestries, crafts and antiques, and offer breathtaking views of a surrounding stream-flanked garden, back-dropped by area's surrounding arid mountains.

The villas are expertly managed by an English-speaking concierge team that happily arranges excursions to the above-mentioned places. But be forewarned: the property is so comfy and cozy, you'll be tempted to ditch the activities and stay home in front of a crackling fire with a bottle of Tacama Brut (an excellent Peruvian sparkling wine), or at the very least spend your evenings gazing at Urabumba's unparalleled nighttime stars...which is, after all, how evenings should be spent in August.

800-442-5042
Caserio Higuspucro KM 7, Urubamba - Valle Sagrado de los Incas
Dept. of Cusco, Peru

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