MACHUPICCHU - one of the most important places to visit in south america   peru is machu picchu which was discovered 1911 by professor hiram bingham machupicchu in quechua language means 'old peak" is a pre columbian 15th century inca site located 2430 metres (7 970 ft) above sea level machupicchu is located in the Cusco region of peru which is 80 kimetres (50 ml) northwest of cusco