One of the most iconic sites in South America is the Incan ruins of Machu Picchu in Peru. It is relatively easy to access the ruins, but many tourists decide on a whim to try the Incan trail that goes up to Huayna Picchu, which overlooks the ancient citadel. The full trail, as noted by The Only Peru Guide, requires hikers to scale up one story ladders, ascend steep stairs, and use their hands. Obviously, Peru's version of OSHA did not design this trail. Outside reports that this path is known as the "Hike of Death." If you don't die by an accident, it might very well be from cardiac arrest, which happens often enough. The Incan stairs climb 1,000 feet in under a mile.
There have been a number of deaths at Machu Picchu. For example, as reported by the Washington Post, in 1997, an American tourist fell to her death. Then in 2004, a Russian tourist was struck by lightning. In more recent incidents, in 2013 a rock fall killed a German tourist and three more that year expired from heart attacks. It was so bad that the Peruvian government limited visitors to 2,500 per day for safety and to preserve the ruins.
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