The Mysterious Machu Picchu

I hiked the Inca Trail 2 years ago and on the 5th day, finally arrived at the world wonder just in time for sunrise.  The place is absolutely amazing.  It’s a hidden, stone walled city perched on top of a large peak that traditionally only could be accessed by foot.  According to legend, when the conquistadors invaded the Incan tribes in modern day Peru, they were never able to overcome the elevation and the vertical trek to actually make it to the Incan capital city.  Most of the city of Machu Picchu is still intact.  You can visit the various temples on the city’s grounds and if you’re lucky, you’ll get to hang out with several llamas and alpacas that roam the city’s cliffs. 


About the author:


John Kim is a medical student at Michigan State University, College of Human Medicine.