Machu Picchu — Peru

 Machu Picchu — Peru 

Quick facts:

Full name: Machu Picchu, means "Old Peak" in Quechua

Where: In the Andes Mountains of Peru, above the Sacred Valley near Cusco

Built: Around 1450 AD by the Inca emperor Pachacuti

Why: Thought to be a royal estate and religious site for the Inca

Height: About 2,430 meters above sea level

Rediscovered: 1911 by explorer Hiram Bingham, though locals always knew about it

UNESCO: World Heritage Site since 1983

Also called: One of the 7 Wonders of the Modern World

It was built with huge stone blocks cut so precisely that no mortar was needed. Terraces were made for farming on the steep mountainside. The Incas abandoned it during the Spanish conquest and the jungle covered it, which is why it stayed so well preserved.

The views are incredible — misty mountains, deep valleys, and the classic shot with Huayna Picchu peak behind it.

To visit: Most people take a train from Cusco to Aguas Calientes, then a bus up. You need to book tickets in advance and go with a guide. April to October is the dry season and best for clear views.