Machu Picchu was originally built by the Inca Empire in the 15th century. It was then hidden until 1911 when an American explorer, Hiram Bingham, found it (Inca Trail Machu). Since then, the Peruvian government made Machu Picchu a protected area, and then later a UNESCO World Heritage site. Currently, the Peruvian Government manages Machu Picchu, specifically the Management Unit of the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu (UGM), with the help of UNESCO.