This full-color guide to Machu Picchu includes vibrant photos and helpful planning maps. Dawn reveals ancient stonework backed by the towering Andes--the fusion of natural and manmade beauty, built in perfect harmony with the earth and skies. This is Machu Picchu, center of the lost Inca empire. And it's yours to explore. This is the trip of a lifetime. It will leave you with a new sense of wonder--and some great stories to share. In this book, expert traveler Ben Westwood tells you everything you need to know to make this trip possible: How to choose guides, tours, and means of transportation How to plan a trek in the Andes--including deciding which of the Inca trails is right for you How to get there, how long it will take, and where to stop along the way--including information on Cusco, the Sacred Valley, and stopping over in Lima