Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu is one of the “New 7 Wonders of the World,” a list that includes the Great Wall (China), Petra (Jordan), Christ the Redeemer (Brazil), Chichen Itza (Mexico), the Colosseum (Italy) and the Taj Majal (India).

Scholars believe that Machu Picchu (“Old Mountain” in Quechua) was a refuge for the Inca Pachacutec, a sort of “Camp David” perched atop a mountain and surrounded on three sides by water.

We were awestruck by the sight of this magnificent place and the entire group — 21 students, 2 directors and 4 children — hiked to the top of Huayna Picchu (“Young Mountain”) to take in the view from above.