Yellow River, Machu Picchu, Peru

Hi. We're Yellow River, a Peruvian, family-run hostel, campsite, restaurant and café in the cloud forest a few hours walk from Machu Picchu. We're a perfect choice for travellers who want to get to Peru's most famous tourist attraction but don't want to pay for the train or who simply want to experience something different and perhaps see a bit of the real Peru.

Our idyllic location in the lush tropical vegetation in Peru's cloud forest is something you won't easily forget. A stay with our family is a chance to take a break from the crowds and tour guides and take time for yourself. Our organic farm provides us with our excellent coffee and much of the food we serve and we offer tours for those who are interested in knowing more. We offer deals for dinner,bed and breakfast packages at $26 or 65 soles and we can advise you on your onward travel to Machu Picchu, the local hot springs and any other excursions you may wish to take. There is also an exciting and beautiful Inca trail that leads to our village from Santa Rosa near Santa Maria. In fact, there is enough to do that you may wish to arrange a stay before and after your visit to Machu Picchu. We offer home-cooked meals, a fully-stocked bar, hammocks, satelite TV (but it's not on all the time so if you're more into your books you won't be disturbed), everywhere you look there's a plant you won't have seen or fruit you won't recognise. We offer you the opportunity to roast your own coffee or cocoa and if there are bananas ready for picking you might be able to cut them down with a machete. We can provide workshops on just about everything so let us know what you're interested in. However, we are also just a hostel if that's what you need, you can do nothing or do everything and we'll answer any questions you have about local life if you're interested. A stay with us is what you want and what you make it. The nearby towns of Santa Maria and Santa Teresa are only 25 minutes away and there's a fantastic walk to the nearby hot springs along the river (dry season only: may - november).

The three open-plan, interlocking rooms are perfect for families or groups of friends. We have a total of 4 singles and one double bed throughout the rooms and they are all comfortable and near the family bathroom, our outdoor bar and all of our facilities. We do also have a pretty little campsite a hundred yards from the main house. It has an adobe oven, a grill, toilet and shower. Prices for our hostel are 30 soles for the night or you can opt for a "dinner, bed & breakfast" deal for 55 soles (about $20).

From "Terminal Santiago" in Cusco take a minivan (called "starex" locally) to Santa Maria. This journey takes around 4 to 4 and a half hours and takes you up through the mountains and down into the tropical cloud forest. From Santa Maria take a taxi to Quellomayo (20 minutes) which is where you will find us. If you like hiking and are adventurous there is a stunning old Inca trail from Santa Rosa (just outside Santa Maria) that climbs above the river and offers unforgettable views. This trail will eventually lead you back to the road and then Quellomayo. We have advertising on the road about 800 yards before the left-hand turn to our village down by the river.