If there was ever a beaten path to take, it's that of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in Peru.
Often referred to as the Lost City of the Incas, it consists of more than 150 buildings and is steeped in mystery, as no one can quite agree on what it was and why it was abandoned.
Rediscovered by historian Hiram Bingham on July 24, 1911, Machu Picchu is now one of South America's most famous tourist attractions, with about 1.2 million visitors a year.
Here are 26 photos that show why the ancient Incan city has remained one of the most popular tourist attractions in the world for over a century.
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Welcome to the Inca Trail, one of the most famous hikes in the world.
It's recommended that you hang out in town for a few days (common starting points are Cusco and Ollantaytambo) before attempting the hike in order to get acclimatized to the altitude.
The Inca trail actually consists of three overlapping trails, each of which varies in duration and level of difficulty.
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