Machu Picchu, Peru
Where you’ll fly into is Cusco, the former Inca capital of the region. Machu Picchu is about 50 miles north of there. It’s also about 8,000 feet above sea level. The Incas built Machu Picchu around 1450, at the height of their civilization, and it remained hidden from the Spanish conquistadors until later archeologists “discovered” it in 1911. Pack your hiking boots, though. There is no cable car to the top of Machu Picchu. Helicopters may not even fly over. Getting to the mountain from Cusco, however, is as easy as taking the train. Most guides recommend one acclimate to the altitude by spending a night or two in nearby Aguas Calientes. Then, you’ll want to connect with a tour outfit to decide the best trail up for your abilities. Some folks take days, camping along the way, and others endure the day trip. None of them regret a single step when they get to the top.
