Macchu Picchu

Machu Picchu, an Incan city of sparkling granite precariously perched between 2 towering Andean peaks, is thought by scholars to have been a sacred archaeological center for the nearby Incan capital of Cusco. Built at the peak of the Incan Empire in the mid-1400s, this mountain citadel was later abandoned by the Incas. The site remained unknown except to locals until 1911, when it was rediscovered by archaeologist Hiram Bingham. The site can only be reached by foot, train or helicopter; most visitors visit by train from nearby Cusco.

Although equatorial South America is known for steamy rainforests, the high altitude of Machu Picchu makes for much milder temperatures. The average temperatures range between 50 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit with only slight variations throughout the year. The subtropical region has an annual rainy and dry season, but Machu Picchu is almost always surrounded by fog in any weather. November to April is the rainy season, although daily short showers are common most times of the year. Peak tourist season corresponds with the dry season in July and August when the nights are cool and the days are generally dry. January and February are the rainiest months, and many people visit the area in November and April to avoid the heaviest crowds.