Machu Picchu: The Lost City of the Incas

Machu Picchu is a 15th‑century Inca citadel perched at 7,970 feet (2,430 m) on a mountain ridge above the Urubamba River in Peru's Cusco Region. Built around 1450 and abandoned a century later during the Spanish conquest, it remained unknown to the outside world until American explorer Hiram Bingham brought it to international attention in 1911.

The site comprises roughly 200 stone structures—houses, temples, palaces, and agricultural terraces—showcasing masterful dry‑stone construction. The iconic Intihuatana stone likely served as an astronomical observatory. Today, Machu Picchu is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of South America's most visited destinations, accessible by train from Cusco or via the multi‑day Inca Trail hike.