Hike the iconic Machu Picchu, Peru

The crown jewel of the Sacred Valley and one of the world’s most captivating “lost cities,” Machu Picchu is on most travelers’ bucket lists.

Rediscovered in 1911, accessing it by a hike on the Inca Trail is a life-affirming journey that takes four days, with the reward the chance to pass through the Sun Gate at sunrise after tracing the footsteps of the Incas. Or, if you’re not up for such a challenging adventure, you can also visit by riding a train the follows the Urubamba River in which squeezes through dramatic canyon walls. Once there you’ll be surrounded by majestic mountain peaks that sit at nearly 8,000 feet above sea leave. To witness the marvel of the great Inca Ruins is an amazing experience that can’t really be put into words. The Sacred Valley was a sacred region for Incan Emperors, and there are countless ruins throughout.