Machu Picchu
A breathtaking 8,000 feet above sea level, veiled in cloud atop the mountainous columns of the Urubamba Valley, Machu Picchu is one of the most impressive historical sites in the Americas. Spared by the conquistadores and their plundering that destroyed most other Inca sites, Machu Picchu is unique in its dramatic mountaintop setting and in its excellent state of preservation. Remaining hidden for centuries until it was rediscovered by an American explorer in 1911, the “lost” city of Machu Picchu was a secret local treasure for centuries. The Incas began construction around 1430 but the city was soon abandoned as the empire began to crumble, immediately before the arrival of the conquistadores. Machu Picchu’s original purpose remains a topic of speculation; theories range from a high security prison to a sacred temple (due to its precise astronomical alignment). The site is one of the best remaining examples of the outstanding Inca architecture and stonemasonry. The city was crafted f...