Stay on Top of the World with Our High-Altitude Escapes

Mother Nature is known to amaze and she does some of her best work in the mountains. In honour of International Mountain Day on December 11, we have scoured the globe to present six high-altitude getaways that will literally take your breath away.

Hacienda El Porvenir – Cotopaxi, Ecuador (3,600 metres)

Set in a traditional Andean house with adobe walls and thatched roofs, Hacienda El Porvenir is one of the highest altitude hotels in the world. The property is only 4 km away from Cotopaxi National Park and thanks to the hotel’s tour desk, guests can enjoy horseback riding, mountain biking and excursions to the surrounding area.

The Lodge at Breckenridge – Breckenridge, USA (3,109 metres)

Perched on a bluff in White River National Forest, in a beautiful mountainous setting adjacent to Boreas Pass, this boutique hotel overlooks the Rocky Mountains and Breckenridge Ski Resort. Guests can indulge in some natural aromatherapy, thanks to the pine forests which surround the property, while they relax at the hotel’s outdoor hot tubs facing the mountains. 

3100 Kulmhotel Gornergrat – Zermatt, Switzerland (3,099 metres)

The 3100 Kulmhotel is the highest hotel in the Swiss Alps and serves as the base camp for ambitious climbers that want to scale one of the surrounding mountains. Situated in Gornergrat, this secluded hotel offers stunning views of 29 Alpine peaks that are over 4,000 metres high. It even features its own planetarium, a library and a shopping centre. The viewing platform of Gornergrat and the areas around the hotel are only reachable by train, which takes 40 minutes through a scenic countryside, from car-free Zermatt. 

Belmond Sanctuary Lodge - Machu Picchu, Peru (2,350 metres)

Landscaped ponds, direct views of the Huayna Picchu Mountain, aromatherapy massages and trips to Machu Picchu citadel are only some of the things travellers can enjoy during their stay at Belmond Sanctuary Lodge. Before getting ready for a unique mountain adventure, guests can dine at the hotel’s restaurant which boasts panoramic views of the lush jungle.

Wildflower Hall Shimla - Shimla, India (2,434 metres) 

Set high in the Himalayas amongst pine and cedar forests, the Wildflower Hall Shimla is a luxurious property with heated indoor and outdoor pools, spa facilities and an open-air terrace with panoramic mountain views. Jakhoo Hill, Simla’s highest point, is about 11 km away from the hotel and is an ideal spot for peace and relaxation.

Panorama Lodge and Restaurant - Namche Bazaar, Nepal (3,440 metres)

Perched atop Namche Bazaar Hill, along the trek to Mount Everest, Panorama Lodge is only 500 metres from the National Park Museum. This eco-friendly lodge is located at a major stopping point for people heading to the Mount Everest Base camp and is only a five-minute walk from the Saturday Market. Featuring its own restaurant, electric bed warmers, wardrobes and private bathrooms in the rooms, this property is a great place to charge your batteries before conquering the tallest peak in the world.