Considered the heartland of the Inca Empire, the author gives a detailed account of the valley's history, geography, spiritual traditions, mythology, and much more. Profusely illustrated with color photographs.

First published in the 1950s, this is a classic account of the discovery in 1911 of the lost city of Machu Picchu. In 1911 Hiram Bingham, a pre-historian with a love of exotic destinations, set out to Peru in search of the legendary city of Vilcabamba, capital city of the last Inca ruler, Manco Inca. With a combination of doggedness and good fortune he stumbled on the perfectly preserved ruins of Machu Picchu perched on a cloud-capped ledge 2000 feet above the torrent of the Urubamba River. The buildings were of white granite, exquisitely carved blocks each higher than a man. Bingham had not, as it turned out, found Vilcabamba, but he had nevertheless made an astonishing and memorable discovery, which he describes in his bestselling book LOST CITY OF THE INCAS.

Fully rewalked, revised and rewritten 4th edition Machu Picchu – Lost City of the Incas and one of the world’s greatest sights Cusco – where to stay, where to eat, and what to see in the ancient Inca capital The Inca Trail, the Vilcabamba Trail, the Choquequirau Trail, the Santa Teresa Trail and hikes around Cusco and the Urubamba Valley – ten hikes from two days to two weeks with 34 detailed route maps showing walking times, camping places and all points of interest. Best known is the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, which follows part of the old Inca highway over passes of 4200m (13,750ft). Also included is the Vilcabamba Trail, a fascinating four-day hike to the ruins at Espíritu Pampa, last Inca capital; the trek to Choquequirau and the trail to Santa Teresa. Lima – street plans, what to see, where to stay and getting to Cusco Practical information – planning your trip and getting to Peru from North America, Europe and Australasia History of the Incas – plus ground plans of 14 Inca ruins Green hiking – how to minimize your impact on a fragile region Flora and fauna – full-color section Language – Spanish and Quechua 50 maps and street plans

"In How the Incas Built Their Heartland R. Alan Covey supplements an archaeological approach with the tools of a historian, forming an interdisciplinary study of how the Incas became sufficiently powerful to embark on an unprecedented campaign of territorial expansion and how such developments related to earlier patterns of Andean statecraft."--BOOK JACKET.

The Inca Trail from Cuzco to Machu Picchu is South America's most popular hike. This guide includes 20 detailed trail maps, plans of eight Inca sites, plus guides to Cuzco and Machu Picchu.

The ceque system of Cusco, the ancient capital of the Inca empire, was perhaps the most complex indigenous ritual system in the pre-Columbian Americas. From a center known as the Coricancha (Golden Enclosure) or the Temple of the Sun, a system of 328 huacas (shrines) arranged along 42 ceques (lines) radiated out toward the mountains surrounding the city. This elaborate network, maintained by ayllus (kin groups) that made offerings to the shrines in their area, organized the city both temporally and spiritually. From 1990 to 1995, Brian Bauer directed a major project to document the ceque system of Cusco. In this book, he synthesizes extensive archaeological survey work with archival research into the Inca social groups of the Cusco region, their land holdings, and the positions of the shrines to offer a comprehensive, empirical description of the ceque system. Moving well beyond previous interpretations, Bauer constructs a convincing model of the system's physical form and its relation to the social, political, and territorial organization of Cusco.

"Celebrated traveler and photographer Jessica Nabongo-the first documented Black woman to visit all 195 countries in the world-shares her journey around the globe with fascinating stories of adventure, culture, travel musts, and human connections"--

A guidebook to 40 day walks, short treks and mountain bike rides in Peru. Exploring the Inca Trails in the Sacred Valley, the routes are suitable for walkers and riders with a good level of fitness. The day walks range from 2 hours to a full day, the treks from 2 to 9 days and the rides from 1 hour to 7 days. Routes range from easy outings to strenuous high-altitude treks and rides, some involving glacier travel, and are graded by difficulty, allowing you to select the routes that are suitable for you. Sketch mapping is included Advice on travel, accommodation, bases, equipment, money, health and safety, permits and guides Notes on Inca history, the culture of the Andes and local points of interest Highlights include Machu Picchu

THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING TRAVEL MEMOIR What happens when an unadventurous adventure writer tries to re-create the original expedition to Machu Picchu? In 1911, Hiram Bingham III climbed into the Andes Mountains of Peru and “discovered” Machu Picchu. While history has recast Bingham as a villain who stole both priceless artifacts and credit for finding the great archeological site, Mark Adams set out to retrace the explorer’s perilous path in search of the truth—except he’d written about adventure far more than he’d actually lived it. In fact, he’d never even slept in a tent. Turn Right at Machu Picchu is Adams’ fascinating and funny account of his journey through some of the world’s most majestic, historic, and remote landscapes guided only by a hard-as-nails Australian survivalist and one nagging question: Just what was Machu Picchu?