Ancient Ruins

Peru is home to the largest collection of Inca ruins and temples in South America. Perhaps its most famous is Machu Picchu, now one of the ‘new’ 7 wonders of the world, but there are other lesser known ruins that give you a better understanding of this time and are no less impressive.  Exploring the Inca fortress of Pisac with its colourful local market below and the strategic ruins of Ollantaytambo are not to be missed.
 
Central America was home to the Mayan Empire, a civilisation that mysteriously disappeared in 900 AD and what has been left behind are mystifying pyramid temples located in remote regions, most of which are still covered in the jungle canopy.  Tikal is probably the pick of them, located in northern Guatemala it covers an area of 570 sq miles of which only a fraction has been excavated. Mexico also holds monuments to the past and the impressive temples at Chichen Itza and Uxmal are not to be missed.