<p>Get a reverse angle on Machu Picchu from the 8,920-foot summit of Huayna Picchu, the looming peak in all those memorable images of the Inca site. Only 200 hikers a day are permitted to make the two-hour round-trip trek. Go slow while descending the notoriously steep “stairs of death” near the top.</p>
Peru: Machu Picchu
Get a reverse angle on Machu Picchu from the 8,920-foot summit of Huayna Picchu, the looming peak in all those memorable images of the Inca site. Only 200 hikers a day are permitted to make the two-hour round-trip trek. Go slow while descending the notoriously steep “stairs of death” near the top.
When asked why he wanted to climb Mount Everest, English mountaineer George Mallory famously replied, “Because it’s there.” For those of us who need a little more motivation, we’ve chosen 15 celebrated places—including Machu Picchu, Pisa, and Provence—worth the trek or climb. Whether you’re a Sunday stroller or a Sherpa, you’ll find an adventure to match your stamina. The ultimate reward waiting at the end? An inspiring perspective on the world.
Maryellen Kennedy Duckett lives, writes, and drives the backroads in East Tennessee where she wakes up curious every day. Follow her on twitter @mekd.
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