This guide contains everything the walker needs to plan and enjoy hiking the Inca trail to Machu Picchu in Peru, choosing from three routes taking from two to seven days. It includes advice on how to prevent and manage altitude sickness as well as background information on Inca culture, the ruins and modern Peru.

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.

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.

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?

The third edition of this popular guidebook contains everything the walker needs to plan and enjoy hiking the Inca trail to Machu Picchu in Peru, with three routes taking from 2-7 days. It includes advice on how to prevent and manage altitude sickness; background on Inca culture and the ruins; and advice on planning in the light of new Trail regulations. This 2011 edition has been released for the centenery of Bingham's "discovery" of Machu Picchu. It contains everything you need to plan and enjoy hiking a choice of three Inca Trails to Machu Picchu in Peru. Step-by-step sections cover the Classic trail (4-5 days), the longer, more strenuous trek from Mollepata (6-7 days) and the Shortest option (2 days). The book includes a drop-down map showing all three trails (three panels), plus a detailed site plan of Machu Picchu ruins (two panels); detailed description of Machu Picchu, with side-trips and photographs; background on Inca culture and stonework, Andean wildlife and modern Peru; advice on planning and preparation, including packing checklist and updated Trail regulations; medical advice on how to prevent and manage altitude symptoms; and a phrasebook in Spanish, Quechua and English. The book is in full colour, with over 80 photographs, printed on waterproof paper.

"The builders were not in search of fields. There is so little arable land here that every square yard of earth had to be terraced in order to provide food for the inhabitants. They were not looking for comfort or convenience. Safety was their primary consideration. They were sufficiently civilized to practice intensive agriculture, sufficiently skillful to equal the best masonry the world has ever seen, sufficiently ingenious to make delicate bronzes, and sufficiently advanced in art to realize the beauty of simplicity. What could have induced such a people to select this remote fastness of the Andes, with all its disadvantages, as the site for their capital, unless they were fleeing from powerful enemies."

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

"The best all around guide for those who've been or who are going to Machu Picchu . . . . Absolutely indispensable!"--Don Montague, president, South American Explorers. This revised edition includes newly discovered sites and full-color illustrations of real-life scenes from "National Geographic."

Moon Travel Guides: The Trip of a Lifetime This jewel of Peru and heart of the lost Inca empire makes for a once-in-a-lifetime trip. Moon Machu Picchu is a comprehensive, honest guide to making the most out of your adventure. What You'll Discover in Moon Machu Picchu: Strategic trekking guides, including two or four days on the Inca Trail, five days on the Salcantay trek, and the Inca Jungle Trail Essential information on agencies, tour guides, porters, dining, accommodations, deciding when and where to go, and making reservations A guide to hazards, precautions, and gear, and tips for avoiding altitude sickness Focused coverage of stopovers in Cusco, the Sacred Valley, and Lima Unique ideas beyond the beaten path: Explore seldom-seen ruins like the Ollantaytambo Temple, and visit remote Quechua-speaking villages. Go horseback riding on a caballo de paso in the Sacred Valley, mountain biking to the hilltop fortress of Sacsayhuamán, or set up camp on the wild river banks after a day of rafting on the Río Apurímac Transportation advice: tips on finding the best airfares and getting around by bus, train, taxi, car or motorcycle rental, and even hitchhiking Thorough background information on the landscape, wildlife, plants, culture, history, and customs Handy tools including a Spanish phrasebook, visa information, volunteer opportunities, and tips for seniors, families with children, women traveling alone, and LGBTQ+ travelers Expert perspective from Lima resident Ryan Dubé A full-color foldout map of the region, with vibrant photos and additional maps throughout With Moon Machu Picchu's expert insight, practical advice, and insider tips, you can forge your own path. Exploring the rest of the country? Try Moon Lima or Moon Peru. Doing a tour of South America? Try Moon Colombia or Moon Patagonia.

An explorer searches the Peruvian Andes for a lost ruin in “a gem of a book [that] transcends the travel writing genre” with fascinating Inca history (Los Angeles Times). A New York Times Notable Book With the backdrop of the ever-intriguing Andes mountains, Hugh Thomson explores the intoxicating history of the Inca people and their heartland. The author, an acclaimed documentary filmmaker and explorer, expertly weaves accounts of his own discoveries and brushes with danger with the history of those who preceded him—including the explorer Hiram Bingham, who discovered Machu Picchu; the twentieth century South American photographer, Martín Chambi; the poet Pablo Neruda; and the Spanish conquistadores who destroyed the Inca civilization—and the eccentric characters he meets on his travels. Following in the footsteps of the explorers Gene Savoy and Hiram Bingham, Thomson set off into the jungle to find the lost city of Llactapat. This is the story of his journey to discover it via the interconnecting paths the Incas laid across the Andes.