July 24, 1911.<br />Searching for the famous "lost" cities <br />of the Inca empire in Peru, American <br />archeologist Hiram Bingham and his team laid eyes upon the ancient settlement for the first time.<br />Guided by locals and an 11-year-old boy, <br />the team scaled the mountain ridge of <br />Machu Picchu ("Old Peak" in the <br />Quechua language).<br />The multi-level site <br />extends over five miles.<br />Thought to have been a summer retreat for <br />Inca leaders, its many levels are connected <br />by more than 3,000 stone steps.<br />Since its "discovery" by the <br />American team, Machu Picchu <br />has become one of the world's <br />top tourist destinations.<br />More than 300,000 people travel to the ancient marvel every year.
