My Ten Rules for Visiting Machu Picchu Machu Picchu! Famed lost city of the Inca Empire nestled deep in the Peruvian mountains at an altitude of around 7,972 feet above sea level: hidden from the outside world for centuries; patrimony of humanity; mystical destination of hundreds of thousands of tourists from around the world. Who could pass up an opportunity to do this once in a lifetime visit - especially when colleagues were willing to make most of the arrangements and all I had to do was pony up the cash? So I signed up. Rule Number 1: Don’t let others take decisions for you . My ears should have perked up when the word ‘trek’ entered into the plans. A guided trek along part of the INCA trail could be had for just a few dollars more. “Oh, don’t worry” they said “this is the LESSER trail. It will be GREAT!” You get off the train (Yes, you heard me: train. Nice, comfortable engine-drawn cushion-seated coaches that wind gently along the Vilcanota River direct t