Machu Picchu

Built around 1400, Machu Picchu sits in the Andes Mountains of Peru at 8,000 feet above sea level. The development was abandoned and forgotten for centuries until its rediscovery in 1911, when local farmers led Yale University Historian, Hiram Bingham, to the site.

Most visitors reach Machu Picchu by train -- either the Backpacker train, the Vistadome, which offers panoramic views, or the luxurious Hiram Bingham. Another option is to hike the Inca Trail, an ancient 25-mile route winding through breathtaking mountain scenery.

Highlights of this UNESCO World Heritage Site include the great Temple of the Sun, the House of the Priest, the Sacred Plaza and the Intihuatana, an intricately carved rock likely used by the Incans as a sundial. Visitors who stay overnight can see the sun rise over the mountain peaks as the morning mist disappears to reveal glorious Machu Picchu.

Many escorted tours of Peru, which include accommodations, transportation, most meals and guided sightseeing, visit Machu Picchu. There are also independent vacations with hotel stays in multiple cities and, in some cases, local hosts to help you plan excursions to Machu Picchu and other Peruvian attractions.