Machu Picchu (Peru)

One of the New Seven Wonders of the World, the pre-Columbian city of Machu Picchu is the most outstanding symbol of the Inca Empire. Perched atop a tropical mountain forest and soaring up to 7,000 into the clouds, the city remains quite intact with giant stone walls, old temples, and luscious green terraces.

Built by Emperor Pachacútec during the peak of the Incan Empire in the 15th century, this glorious man-made city is the most breathtaking and enigmatic ancient sites in the world. Machu Picchu was rediscovered in 1911 by Yale archaeologist Hiram Binghamcity.

The site of Machu Picchu is located about 75 miles from the city of Cuzco, overlooking a canyon on the Urubamba river and the Andes Mountains as well as plenty of greenery from the Amazon basin. Separated into three areas - agricultural, urban, and religious - the structures are arranged so that the function of the buildings matches their surroundings.

For those who love hiking, the Incan trail takes about 3-5 full days and is definitely a challenging experience. Be sure to carry adequate camping equipment. A view from the Funerary Rock Hut with all the temples, fields, terraces, and baths takes one to another period in time. The gorgeous mountains add to the beauty of this place.

If you have the time, you can climb Huayna Picchu-the mountain overlooking Machu Picchu. This is where the Temple of the Moon is located. It's about an hour's climb up the original Inca path. The view from the top is worth the effort as you'll see the entire Machu Picchu and its valley.