One of the world’s most spectacular sights, Machu Picchu may be a victim of its own success, so says David Rich in this article over at GoNomad. Now, roughly 100 years from the day it was discovered, over 400,00 visitors a year make the 28-mile trek along the Inca Trail to set eyes upon this . . . remote village, presidential retreat, prison, virgin lair — no one really knows, but what everyone is keenly aware of is the fact that current conditions won’t allow the site to stay preserved for much longer.

My suggestion: severely cap the number of visitors allowed each year and charge a high entrance fee that would go towards preservation and to the people of Cuzco. That or one huge dodgeball game every April. The last 100 standing: welcome to Machu Picchu.

Posted on February 26, 2009 by Matt Stabile