It’s broadly identified that sustainability and luxurious journey are actually wholly entwined in 2026, and but few accommodations have absolutely embodied the magic that comes from reflecting an eco-conscious perspective all through the onsite expertise. This immersion in native storytelling and regeneration are what provides company a way of non-public transformation that’s then mirrored again into superlative worth to the resort.
Simply because the phrase ‘genuine’ has grow to be so typically overused in recent times, it’s a shimmering beam of pleasure to our hearts to expertise a resort that really embraces this phrase to its core. That resort is none apart from Sumaq Machu Picchu Resort whereby we had a chance to attach with Proprietor and Basic Supervisor, Angie Clavijo.
Perched atop this New Surprise of the World with sweeping river and mountain views, Sumaq has 62 spacious rooms and suites, with all of the facilities one would anticipate from a luxurious resort to function a tranquil base whereas one visits this monumental website. Moreover its proximity to its namesake, although, what attracted us to this resort is the way it’s stewarding Peruvian tradition.
Whereas the guestrooms and public areas characteristic textiles, arts and different crafts drawn from group artisans, one other highly effective touchpoint that company can really feel is Sumaq’s dedication to regenerative farming and a lesser-known idea referred to as agrobiodiversity.
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The phrase ‘regenerative’ is simpler to know because it primarily means leaving a spot higher than once you discovered it, as achieved by soil high quality upleveling and supporting native communities or small-time farmers. Agrobiodiversity is interconnected with the follow of regenerative tourism whereby it implies the cultivation and commercialization of meals crops that aren’t generally discovered within the common grocery store or traded internationally.
The Andes is famend for its agrobiodiversity, with a whole lot of potato landraces (wild cultivars) and different pseudocereals like amaranth. However even these distant mountain areas are threatened by the relentless march of globalization, therein making the noble struggle to protect our culinary heritage all of the extra essential.
That is the place Sumaq shines by way of agricultural stewardship, and the place vacationers don’t simply get a heat meal however a meals expertise that transcends. Altogether, its an instance of sustainable journey at its zenith with loads to study from the folks behind the resort.
Let’s begin with the historical past of Sumaq Machu Picchu Resort. What does ‘sumaq’ imply in Quechua and the way does the property embrace this high quality?
Sumaq Machu Picchu Resort was based in August 2007 by the enterprise group Clabe Andina, led by my household, the Clavijo Begazo household. From the very starting, our intention was not solely to construct a resort, however to create a spot that honors and preserves Inca tradition and the Quechua language.
The phrase ‘sumaq’ in Quechua means nice, lovely and harmonious. We selected this identify deliberately to have a good time and maintain alive the language of the Incas. The whole property was impressed by this imaginative and prescient – from the Andean patterns in our décor, the place the chakana is a central component, to the cultural immersion experiences we provide.
Immediately, the resort is managed by the second technology – my brother Aníbal and myself – persevering with the legacy of our father, Don Aníbal Clavijo, who has greater than 35 years of expertise in Peruvian boutique hospitality and deep ties to native communities. For us, ‘sumaq’ is just not solely visible magnificence; it’s cultural, moral and emotional magnificence that company can really really feel.
Peru has such a robust sense of place whereas Machu Picchu is a literal marvel of the world. How are you bringing this storytelling into the resort from design, service and experiential angles?
Sumaq is situated on the highway to the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, simply eight minutes from the practice station, surrounded by ample Andean vegetation that looks like a pure prelude to the citadel. Our objective is for Sumaq to really feel like an extension of Machu Picchu itself.
We weave this storytelling into the resort in 3 ways:
Design: Pure supplies, Andean textiles and Inca symbolism create areas that really feel rooted in place moderately than staged for tourism.
Service: Our group members act as cultural ambassadors; many are from native communities and share their traditions and tales with company.
Experiences: Via ceremonies, rituals, gastronomy and curated cultural actions, company join emotionally and spiritually with the Andes earlier than and after visiting Machu Picchu.
Having lately been accepted into the Thoughtful Assortment of Small Luxurious Motels of the World, what are the factors for becoming a member of this sustainable journey assortment? What upgrades or variations did you need to make?
Being accepted into the SLH Thoughtful Assortment was very significant for us as a result of it acknowledges accommodations which can be genuinely dedicated to sustainability, group and cultural preservation – not simply as a advertising and marketing label, however as a method of working day-after-day.
We had been very fascinated about becoming a member of this assortment as a result of we had already been strolling this sustainability path for a number of years. After we discovered extra about it, we instantly felt that the Thoughtful Assortment was the right match for Sumaq – each in values and in imaginative and prescient. SLH additionally inspired us to extra visibly showcase and promote the sustainability work we had already been doing, which helped us higher articulate our affect and function to the world.
We had been already on this journey (together with holding a Rainforest Alliance certification till 2020 which we needed to exit as a result of pandemic), however the SLH course of inspired us to go even deeper. We strengthened our partnerships with native farmers and artisans, improved our waste administration and energy-efficiency programs, and made our sourcing and provide chain extra clear and traceable. We additionally expanded our group packages to create extra tangible affect for the individuals who stay round Machu Picchu.
On the similar time, since final yr we now have been working towards B Corp Certification with B Lab, and we are actually in our remaining steps. It is a very rigorous course of that evaluates how an organization performs not solely financially, but in addition socially and environmentally. It requires us to take a look at our affect on employees, group, clients and the atmosphere, rating at the least 80 factors on the B Impression Evaluation, make a authorized dedication to stakeholder governance, and publicly report our progress – with recertification each three years.
For us, each the SLH Thoughtful Assortment and our B Corp journey mirror the identical philosophy. We didn’t change who we’re; we formalized, measured and elevated what we now have at all times believed in – that luxurious and duty should go hand in hand.
What are the main experiential touchpoints the place company can really really feel that they’re staying at a sustainable luxurious resort?
Company expertise sustainability in very tangible methods:
In Qunuq Restaurant by way of regionally sourced Andean elements
In Aqlla Spa by way of rituals utilizing merchandise based mostly on native elements
In our interiors, that includes handmade textiles from native artisans
In our longstanding relationships with close by communities
Eating at Sumaq is just not solely about meals, however about connection to land and group with sustainability as an integral a part of the luxurious expertise
Farm hospitality or ‘agriluxury’ is a large development for 2026. Are you able to describe the general strategy to the resort’s culinary experiences and the way it drives resort bookings?
Our culinary philosophy is deeply rooted in Andean terroir and was formed by my father’s a long time of collaboration with native producers. We work straight with highland farming communities, honor seasonality and have a good time ancestral elements moderately than world tendencies.
What makes our strategy really distinctive is that gastronomy at Sumaq is experiential, not solely restaurant-based. Company can take pleasure in curated tasting menus akin to Apucc Mikhuna (Flavors of the Andes) and Munay-Ki (Quechua for “vitality of affection”), which each inform a narrative of place by way of multi-course journeys.
We additionally supply hands-on experiences like participatory cooking and bar courses, and cultural demonstrations such because the Pachamanca, the place meals is ready underground with scorching stones – a robust method for company to attach with historical Andean traditions which can be nonetheless preserved on the area. This strategy strongly drives resort bookings immediately. Many vacationers select Sumaq not simply to go to Machu Picchu, however to expertise the Andes by way of meals – as tradition, historical past and group on the plate.
The Andes is residence to some distinctive meals (and superfood) elements that many have by no means tasted earlier than. How does Sumaq assist this agrobiodiversity and empower farmers utilizing sustainable practices?
We work straight with native farmers who domesticate native crops akin to:
Ancestral potatoes
Andean quinoa varieties
Native cacao
Medicinal herbs
By buying straight and paying honest costs, we assist protect conventional agricultural data and encourage sustainable land use. Each ingredient we serve represents each culinary excellence and cultural preservation. For instance, we supply native potatoes from the group of Huatata, the place greater than 350 varieties are cultivated, and we now have proudly represented this work at worldwide occasions .
The wellness remedies and rituals additionally use a few of these similar distinctive Andean crops and herbs. Are you able to describe one or two of those experiences and the way native medicinal elements are included?
One in all our signature experiences is the Andean Cleaning Ritual, which makes use of sacred herbs, smoke and intention to assist company launch stress and reconnect with nature and the mountains. We additionally supply botanical massages incorporating native crops akin to muña and coca leaf, used for hundreds of years in Andean therapeutic traditions. These are usually not simply spa remedies; they’re religious and cultural experiences rooted in native knowledge.
Hardly only for adventure-seeking adults, Sumaq additionally has nice youngsters packages together with the Mini-Chef Lessons. Are you able to describe this and different actions that assist to create a enjoyable atmosphere for households?
Machu Picchu needs to be magical for each technology. Our signature Mini-Chef Program invitations kids into our kitchen to bake cookies made with ancestral Andean grains akin to quinoa, kiwicha (amaranth) and maca. Guided by our pastry group, youngsters put on mini chef uniforms, work with actual elements, and depart with a recipe booklet in addition to their very own creations. Via these actions, they study kitchen abilities and about native vitamin by way of creativity and play.
We additionally supply Adventures with Allco and His Associates, a specifically designed child-friendly go to to Machu Picchu. Youngsters obtain an explorer package – together with a backpack, map, magnifying glass, a luxurious Allco mascot and an illustrated story the place Allco, a Peruvian hairless canine, guides them by way of the citadel. Via storytelling led by a devoted information, the expertise blends Andean historical past, nature and creativeness, remodeling the go to right into a significant journey of discovery for households. For artistic time on the resort, kids can even benefit from the Paint Allco and His Associates Package.
Past actions, households are welcomed with considerate family-friendly facilities and providers, together with:
Youngsters’s bathrobes and slippers
Allco-themed pillowcases for youths’ beds
Customized welcome card within the room
Particular welcome with seasonal fruit juice and almond flour chocolate-chip cookies
Nightly turndown service with chocolate milk and cake of the day
Thematic registration card for younger company
Children’ breakfast
Devoted Sumaq youngsters’ menu
Mortgage of board video games
For households touring collectively, we additionally supply the Sumaq Deluxe Household Room, spacious for multigenerational stays with particular in-room touches that make kids really feel celebrated all through their go to.
Moreover sustainable tourism and gastronomic excellence, what different facets of Sumaq do you’re feeling are distinctive?
Our best differentiator is our soul and household legacy. Sumaq is not only a resort; it’s a cultural bridge between historical Andean traditions and fashionable hospitality. Company depart not solely with images of Machu Picchu, however with an emotional reminiscence that stays with them.
What near-future journey tendencies do you see impacting soulful, unbiased accommodations like Sumaq Machu Picchu Resort?
I see a transparent shift towards purpose-driven journey moderately than mass tourism. Vacationers more and more search:
Smaller, unbiased accommodations with robust identification
Genuine cultural immersion
Sustainable, terroir-based gastronomy
Holistic wellness: emotional, religious and cultural, not simply bodily
Motels like Sumaq – rooted in place, group, and which means – signify the way forward for luxurious journey.
