Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail Feature

Discover Ancient Kingdoms: Hiram Bingham "discovered" Machu Picchu in 1911. Your first glimpse of the fabled city from the Guardhouse will be your own discovery, and every bit as exciting.

The Trail: The four-day hike of the Inca Trail from near Ollantaytambo to Machu Picchu is Peru's best-known outdoor expedition. Spaces fill up quickly, but never fear: tour operators have opened up some alternative treks.

Ye Olde Technology: It was the 15th century, yet the Inca made the stones fit perfectly without mortar. The sun illuminates the windows perfectly at the solstice, and the crops grow in an inhospitable climate. And they did it all without bulldozers, tractors, or Google Earth.

Mystery: Mystics, shamans, spiritualists, astrologers, and UFO spotters, professionals and wannabes, flock to this serene region. Even the most no-nonsense curmudgeons find themselves contemplating history's secrets.