THE # 1 tourist destination in the WORLD !!

The mountain saddle upon which Machu Pichu is perched may have been 14,000 odd feet 60 million years ago, but I think it had eroded some over the interim :B

"17. Guatemala. Ixchiguán San Marcos Department 3,185 10,449 highest town in Central America"

...this was a fun trek, despite profuse warnings from some of my Quiche Maya friends "....that I wouldn't make it back alive...most dangerous region in Guatemala...". Well, I went...and stayed....for 5 months :B So much for local advice ;)

Silver-

Almot wrote:

Supercharged wrote:
You won, don't know what, but you won.

#1 in the "Landmarks" category of the Tripadvisor (not in Destinations category), selected by the number and length of "wow" reviews. I sometimes use Tripadvisor for hotels planning, and it's a hit and miss with approximately 70/30 probability, i.e. out of 100 it's 70 hit and 30 miss.

I was up your way three weeks ago, took the ferry over to the gardens for a day.

Supercharged wrote:
You won, don't know what, but you won.

#1 in the "Landmarks" category of the Tripadvisor (not in Destinations category), selected by the number and length of "wow" reviews. I sometimes use Tripadvisor for hotels planning, and it's a hit and miss with approximately 70/30 probability, i.e. out of 100 it's 70 hit and 30 miss.

pulsar wrote:
The listing in the article - URL from first post - is for Attractions or Landmarks, not destinations.

It is based on a "self-selecting" and should be understood in that context; i.e., the statistical significance is lacking.

From Trip Advisors press release: The Travelers’ Choice Attractions awards were determined based on the quality and quantity of traveler reviews of attractions, featured on TripAdvisor, in each of the categories.

If you are interested in their top destinations for 2013, here is the Trip Advisor's Press Release The top three, in order, are Paris, New York City, and London.

That list was also from a "self-selecting" survey.

None of the above is to distract from the fact that Machu Picchu is a wonderful place to visit.

Tom

You won, don't know what, but you won.

The listing in the article - URL from first post - is for Attractions or Landmarks, not destinations.

It is based on a "self-selecting" and should be understood in that context; i.e., the statistical significance is lacking.

From Trip Advisors press release: The Travelers’ Choice Attractions awards were determined based on the quality and quantity of traveler reviews of attractions, featured on TripAdvisor, in each of the categories.

If you are interested in their top destinations for 2013, here is the Trip Advisor's Press Release The top three, in order, are Paris, New York City, and London.

That list was also from a "self-selecting" survey.

None of the above is to distract from the fact that Machu Picchu is a wonderful place to visit.

Tom

352 wrote:

tepetapan wrote:
In the world??? Surely you jest.

What the he!! does that mean?

Sorry, did not mean to be rude. I just don't think the #1 ranking is correct.
There are lots of places in the world.

Check the link out--the have mahal in India is #2. This is this years info...it may change next year. Crossing from Panama to Columbia is by ship ....no road yet. Anyway we on doing it to get off the rocker. Lol

Machu Picchu or Machu Pikchu is a 15th-century Inca site located 2,430 metres above sea level. It is located in the Cusco Region, Urubamba Province, Machupicchu District. Wikipedia
Elevation: 7,972' (2,430 m)
Area: 5.019 sq miles (13 km²)
Address: Machupicchu, Peru
Management: Government of Peru

1 Peru ….La Rinconada Puno 5,100 16,728 [1] The highest in the world according to National Geographic Magazine (May 2003)
2 China….. Wenquan Qinghai 5,019 16,467 [1] Highest city in the world according to The Guinness Book of World Records.[2]
3 Argentina…. El Aguilar Jujuy Province 4,895 16,062 (Mining company town, with 3,655 inhabitants- 2001 census). [3]
4 Bolivia…. Colquechaca Potosí Department 4,692 15,393 http://www.pueblos20.net/bolivia/pueblo.php?id=2684
5 India…. Hikkim Himachal Pradesh, Lahaul and Spiti district 4,572 15,000
6 Chile…. Parinacota Arica-Parinacota 4,400 14,435
7 Nepal…. Dolpa Karnali Zone 4,360 14,301 Gorakshep (with an elevation of 5,100 m - 16,728 ft) is a base camp near Mount Everest. Gokyo, at 4750 metres (15,583 ft), and Dughla, at 4593 metres (15,075 ft),[4] are higher, but likely not permanently inhabited as they cater to trekkers during season. Chharchung, at 4502 metres (14,770 ft) however, appears to be a permanent settlement, with an area under cultivation.
8 Kyrgyzstan…. Chatyndy Osh Province 4,013 13,166
9 Bhutan…. Laya Gasa District 3,820 12,533
10 Tajikistan…. Murghab Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region 3,650 11,975
11 Mexico…. Raíces Mexico 3,531 11,919 [2]
12 Venezuela…. Apartaderos Mérida 3,505 11,502
13 Ethiopia…. Mizma at Ras Dejen 3,500 11,483 [citation needed]
14 Colombia…. Vetas Santander 3,350 10,990 [5]
15 Ecuador…. Papallacta Napo 3,300 10,827 [citation needed]
16 Pakistan…. Shimshal Gilgit-Baltistan 3,200 10,449
17 Guatemala…. Ixchiguán San Marcos Department 3,185 10,449 highest town in Central America
18 Lesotho…. Khalahali Mokhotlong District 3,158 10,361
19 United States…. Alma Colorado 3,156 10,354 [3]
20 Costa Rica…. Villa Mills Cartago Province 3,100 10,173 Near Cerro de la Muerte, Talamanca Range. Permanent population: 65

1. Glade Park-Gateway, Colorado (10565 feet)
2. Leadville, Colorado (10152 feet)
3. Eagle-Vail, Colorado (10078 feet)
4. Blue River, Colorado (10020 feet)
5. Mount Crested Butte, Colorado (9960 feet)
6. Fairplay, Colorado (9950 feet)
7. Victor, Colorado (9695 feet)
8. Breckenridge, Colorado (9602 feet)
9. Mountain Village, Colorado (9600 feet)
10. Cripple Creek, Colorado (9508 feet)
The historic Town of Alma is a Statutory Town located in Park County, Colorado, United States. The town population was 270 at the U.S. Census 2010.
At an elevation of approximately 10,578 feet (3,224 m), it is the highest incorporated municipality in the United States with permanent residents.

bgum wrote:
What makes it number 1? Clearly not most visited. Bangkok is most visited for 2013. Right at 14 million. London is second. Also right at 14 million.

Every where is number 1 with us, we have done 42 counties, all the states many times, most of North America and South America. As a single site Machu Picchu is one of the top, the Great Wall is one, Ming Tomb, Pyramids, many more, there is dozen, but not hundreds.

Wife and I were there last fall. A great trip, but the major facts in this story are wrong, as others have pointed out. I went on a tour and the guide only stayed with us in the Machu Picchu site about 2.5 hours, which is RIDICULOUS! The site should warrant about a day inside so you can see everything. Should also have your own guide to tell you what you're supposed to learn as you look at major features of the site.

I loved it, but would have loved to have stayed at the site longer!!!