Turn Right at Machu Picchu (2011) by journalist Mark Adams is a blend of historical exploration and personal travel memoir. The book retraces Hiram Bingham III’s controversial 1911 journey that brought the Incan city of Machu Picchu to global attention—though it was never truly "lost." As Peru prepared to reclaim artifacts from Yale University a century later, Adams set out with Australian guide John Leivers to follow Bingham’s route and investigate his legacy. The narrative alternates between Bingham’s historical expeditions and Adams’ own grueling but humorous trek, reflecting on Peru’s culture, the commercialization of heritage tourism, and the enduring mystery of Incan civilization. Ultimately, the book is as much about Adams’ personal transformation and his bond with Leivers as it is about uncovering historical truth.
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