Massage after Machu Picchu
A calming console with candlelight welcomes guest at the Aqlla spa in the SUMAQ Machu Picchu hotel.
Overview
Spa: Aqlla Spa at the SUMAQ Machu Picchu Hotel
Location: Av. Hermanos Ayar Mz 1 Lote 3, Aguas Calientes, Perú
Visit: February 2026
Recommend: For those making the hike to or from Machu Picchu, I recommend the Foot or Body Massage.
Session:
After arriving in Aguas Calientes by PeruRail, I scheduled the Body Massage, a 50-minute session. If I had more time, I would have chosen the Maras massage which uses pink salt from a town near Cusco. It would have been nice to experience the local products.
The therapist took this photo, with my permission, before starting the session.
The therapist understood my plans to document the visit with photos and a longer review. She kindly assisted by taking a photo before starting the session and patiently waited for me to capture images for this post. She did an excellent job providing a relaxing Swedish massage.
Facilities
The SUMAQ, a member of “Small Luxury Hotels of the World”, is a boutique hotel with a small footprint. It is easy to reach the different areas (e.g., guest rooms, restaurant, hotel lobby bar, spa). The Aqlla Spa entrance sits at the bottom of the staircase of the main lobby.
At the time (5:00 pm), I was the only person in the spa. The space holds several private changing rooms and a wall of personal lockers with keys for storing items. After completing the intake form, I stepped into a private changing room where I found a welcoming bundle - spa robe and slippers.
An area set off to the side housed two plush lounge chairs for relaxing after the session. With the guest rooms being a short walk from the spa area, it would be easy to take a leisurely walk back to a guest room if other guests were using the space. I got a photo of this area but didn’t have time to stay after the massage.
The spa area also holds a large jacuzzi and a yurt-like structure with some type of light treatment. I didn’t use these two amenities. From reading the website, I can’t tell what service includes using the yurt. Due to my time constraints, I didn’t ask the therapist about use of the yurt.
TIPS FOR Planning a VISIT to SUmAQ
1. UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) lists Machu Picchu, a 15th century, Incan city on the slopes of the Andes, as a World Heritage Site. Standing roughly 8,000 feet above sea-level in a tropical mountain forest and covering the upper Amazon basin, any visitor who lives at sea level may feel the impact of the altitude. I stayed hydrated to avoid altitude sickness.
2. You can book a three-day/two-night Wellness Journey. I didn’t do this package; I booked only a massage.
3. Schedule your visit to Aqlla Spa to start after seeing Machu Picchu (especially if you hike instead of riding the bus). Because access to Machu Picchu is restricted, make sure you get your ticket to enter the site on the desired route for the date and time you need. Access to the site has limited routes with timed entries which are enforced at the entry gates.
If you take the motor coach to reach Machu Picchu, you’ll find the SUMAQ hotel to be a short walk from the bus stop.
3. Consider enjoying a meal in SUMAQ after your session. The hotel offers gourmet meals in a quiet setting.
RESULTS: INFORMING SERVICES AT FIBRE
Aqlla Spa asks each guest to wear SUMAQ branded slippers before entering the treatment area. A similar practice is used at fibre: A Homespun Spa. We use rubber slippers which are cleaned and sanitized after use.
Aqlla Spa burns real candles which create a relaxing ambiance. At fibre: A Homespun Spa, we use tea lights and pillar candles.
Please use the code SUMAQ for 10% off any regular priced service at fibre: A Homespun Spa. Expires 31 July 2026.