Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu ruins were rediscovered in 1911 by Yale archaeologist Hiram Bingham. The Inca turned the site into a small (5 sq miles) but extraordinary city. Sitting 2,000 feet above the rumbling Urubamba river, the area is invisible from below and completely self-contained. The ruins are surrounded by agricultural terraces cascading down the mountain to feed the population. This area is watered by natural springs that collect from the cloud shrouded ruins where palaces, baths, temples, storage rooms and some 150 houses that were discovered. It is an extremely picturesque place, with clouds obscuring and then opening up to display the green terraces and magnificent ruins.