Turn Right at Machu Picchu

Summary:

What happens when an adventure travel expert-who's never actually done anything adventurous-tries to re-create the original expedition to Machu Picchu? 

July 24, 1911, was a day for the history books. For on that rainy morning, the young Yale professor Hiram Bingham III climbed into the Andes Mountains of Peru and encountered an ancient city in the clouds: the now famous citadel of Machu Picchu. Nearly a century later, news reports have recast the hero explorer as a villain who smuggled out priceless artifacts and stole credit for finding one of the world's greatest archaeological sites.

Mark Adams has spent his career editing adventure and travel magazines, so his plan to investigate the allegations against Bingham by retracing the explorer's perilous path to Machu Picchu isn't completely far- fetched, even if it does require him to sleep in a tent for the first time. With a crusty, antisocial Australian survivalist and several Quechua-speaking, coca-chewing mule tenders as his guides, Adams takes readers through some of the most gorgeous and historic landscapes in Peru, from the ancient Inca capital of Cusco to the enigmatic ruins of Vitcos and Vilcabamba.

Along the way he finds a still-undiscovered country populated with brilliant and eccentric characters, as well as an answer to the question that has nagged scientists since Hiram Bingham's time: Just what was Machu Picchu? (Summary and book cover courtesy of goodreads.com)

Review:

This is a book that couch- and world-travelers alike will enjoy.  Adams does a fantastic job weaving history with his personal experiences in Peru.  When wanderlust strikes, even the most unprepared are willing to start a new adventure – often with hilarious results.  I particularly enjoyed reading this novel in advance of my own trip to Machu Picchu.  There were many things on my trip I remembered from the book and it was neat to see contrast of the old/new.  I had learned a little about Machu Picchu in school, this book does a good job explaining why many assumptions are wrong.  Most of all, this book will give you a sense of wonder and awe at the ancient architects who designed the ancient city and the surrounding area.

Rating: 4 stars!

Who should read it? Lovers of couch-traveling or anyone planning to go to Machu Picchu one day!