Natural wonders arrest us. Few
experiences rival standing toe-to-toe with majestic canyons, vast ice flows, or
banded deserts that remind us just how remarkable this planet is. Natural
wonders predate humanity and resist human efforts to tame them, leaving their
mark on every generation.
The most interesting places in
the world are not just pretty pictures. They are homelands, inspirations, and
launchpads of adventure. We haven’t completed our circuit around the world yet
(still working on it), but we’ve covered five continents and though it was
worth the effort to share ten outstanding destinations that challenged us,
moved us, and left lasting impressions. Seek them out. We have suggested
distinct, engaging and helpful ways to experience each wonder actively and
meaningfully.
Of course, no list can capture
every worthy corner of Earth. We’ve had to omit several, like Peru’s Paracas
Reserve, Spain’s cliff-hugging Ronda, and Wyoming’s Devil’s
Tower—each unforgettable in its own right. You can learn and see more about
those elsewhere, by reading our stories and journals.
Our selection reflects only a small portion of what we’ve seen over 700 days of
adventuring across five continents.
Ride
Horseback Through Monument Valley
Standing in front of a location
that seems almost otherworldly has a certain magic. The sandstone buttes of
Monument Valley is one of those places. But if you really want to see the
valley at its most spectacular, find a local Navajo guide to take you through
its massive spires on horseback. There’s no better way, especially since
Monument Valley became famous in the 1930s as the location for some of the most
iconic cowboy movies ever made. Get on a horse and canter with a Navajo shaman
in the same way the Navajo themselves have for hundreds of years. Take your
time. You’ll feel a part of something timeless, and you’ll never forget the
experience. If you want to know more, you can read Chip’s description of Chip
and Cyndy’s exploration
and ride through Monument Valley, with Jameson, the Navajo shaman who
showed them the way. It’s quite a story.
The sun glows through the clouds
over the ocean at cape horn where a tiny estuary is protected by the land
Sunrise
at Cape Horn
It’s not every day that you find
yourself sitting at the precipice of South America. But it’s beyond
exhilarating. You not only feel like you are standing at the edge of the world,
at Cape Horn you are at its edge, and it is wild and beautiful beyond
imagining. Three oceans converge at these wild waters – the Atlantic, the
Pacific and the Southern. Beyond that land there is nothing but wind-whipped
seas and Antarctica itself, 300 miles south. Should you be lucky enough to find
yourself in this place, you’ll notice a small mailbox. From there you can pen a
letter and drop it into the box near the tiny chapel at land’s end. Eventually,
some good friend will get the word that you made it to the very bottom of the
world.
Before you leave, make sure to
salute to the Albatross Monument that sits amidst the wild wind at the top of
plateau. It was constructed as a remembrance to the uncounted sailors who
didn’t make it through those waters into calmer Pacific seas. Should you make
it to Cape Horn and climb its 200 foot precipice at dawn, you’ll be among a
small group of humans who have seen the sun rise upon one of the planet’s most
spectacular locations.
Recommendation:
If you’re looking to make the most
of a Patagonian adventure, here are 10
Great Things to Do in Patagonia.
Go
Dog Sledding in Finland’s Lapland
Snow covered pines rise from the
snowy tundra and light reflects off the trees in this winter wonderland
Winter wonderland in
Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park
In the far north of Finland, not
too distant from the rumored location of Santa’s workshop, is the arctic
expanse of Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park. This snowy landscape is home to a
large taiga woodland that, at the right time of year, becomes a winter
wonderland, empty of humans, and as untouched as the Antarctic mountains on the
opposite end of the world. Except here reindeer, elk, and bear, roam rather than
penguins, leopard seals and penguins.
Before the polar night steals
away the sun for a few weeks, the region is ideal for winter hiking, skiing,
ice fishing, and other popular snow sports. But we were interested in a
something more exotic, a dog sledding camp in nearby Kittilä.
Huskies are winter dogs, born to
run. The snow-covered, wide open spaces in Lapland are perfect for them and
kennels abound. It took us some time, with misadventures along the way, but we
eventually found our camp (with some help from new friends) and met the pups. These
are happy animals, and well treated. When harnessed, they are anxious to move.
Our only regret is we could not spare the two hours needed to ride with them.
Important: Budget enough time to ride when you visit.
Meet
some of Finland’s sledding dogs, the most affectionate canines you may ever
see.
Wander the Desierto Florido, then Stargaze in the Atacama
Low clouds float over the low
green Elqui Valley, surrounded by desert mountains
The Atacama is almost too dry to
comprehend, less than one inch of rainfall per year, thanks to the unique
interaction of ocean and air off the coast of Chile. What little natural
moisture Atacama receives comes mostly from the fog. Despite that, the desert
sustains a thriving ecosystem of flora and fauna mostly residing in the less
arid regions.
These environmental conditions make life a challenge, but it is also one of Earth’s best places for stargazing. The high altitude, barren cloud cover, and freedom from light and radio interference makes the perfect location for scanning the night skies. Numerous observatories scatter radio dishes across the landscape all aimed upward. In Vicuna, we joined a handful of stargazers, humbled as we gazed through a 14 inch telescope.
From time to time, Atacama offers visitors one more wonder. From September to November, coinciding with El Nino years, visitors are treated to the Desert Bloom, a phenomenon where more than 200 flowering species germinate across the landscape, bringing vibrant color to the earth. The perfect day in Atacama is a breathtaking Desert Bloom at dawn and an explosion of starry night after sunset.
We had the pleasure of spending a
week in Atacama on our way to Patagonia and the desert did not disappoint. We
didn’t catch the Desert Bloom but had a fantastic time navigating the terrain
and stargazing
in Elqui Valley.
Our
experience meandering the Atacama region begins here in San Pedro.
Step
Ashore as a Viking at L’Anse aux Meadows
When Leif Eriksson led his thirty
seafarers ashore in Newfoundland 1000 years ago, he became another newcomer who
“discovered” the New World, following in the footsteps of migrants that had
been arriving for 15,000 years. His unique twist? Being the first to come the
other way, arriving from Europe instead of Asia.
L’Anse aux Meadows, site of his
landing, is an alien landscape; flat, treeless, layers of lichen atop ancient
granite rock. But there is civilization to be found. The Meadows’s visitor
center and museum celebrates the arrival. Guests can find exhibits of replica
Viking ships and long-houses, documentary films, and storytelling programs. If
you really want to fit in, come in costume and wander around as a true Norse
emissary.
The weather is unpredictable (as
we discovered), particularly in the offseason, but the grounds are always open
if you’re willing to brave the winds. We visited in the fall and had the site
to ourselves. With some advanced planning and correspondence, we were able to
visit the museum and enjoy a private tour. But that’s not always the case.
Read our story Vikings! to learn what a visit to L’Anse aux Meadows is like. You might also be interested in the ride along the Viking Trail and the stunning Gros Morne National Park too.
Camel
Your Way to a Sunset in the Moroccan Sahara
It is hard to believe that the
bright orange Sahara was once a lush green paradise filled with palms, rivers,
and giraffes. Today, 100º F is about normal summer temperature and water is
scarce, except when the seasonal rains resupply the shallow aquifers. This is
the vast, stunning land where Lawrence of Arabia and Antoine Saint-Exupéry
created legends.
The Sahara extends thousands of
miles, from Morocco to Egypt, distant bookends we have been privileged to
visit. Its inhabitants are nomadic, Arabs, Berbers, Tuareg, and others,
managing livestock near oases scattered across the landscape. It does not seem
to be an enviable lifestyle, yet it has persisted for millennia.
When the sun descends and temperatures drop to double digits, the desert transforms. Oranges and yellows saturate, the shadows add texture, and the western sky begins to glow. The scene is mesmerizing as the sun melts like a magnificent molten ball and disappears one more time into the darkening sands.
We joined our guides on camelback
to take us into these dry lands outside Merzouga, Morocco, near the Algerian
border. The camel, efficiently adapted to this harsh wilderness, tolerated us
as we rocked and rolled our way to the sunset. Our kufiyyas (light cotton wraps
tied around the head) made us feel like sultans. Our mounts were surely amused.
Make your way to Morocco, and
don’t neglect the desert. We have a great
collection of stories from Morocco that you shouldn’t miss. But our desert
journey astride a camel rates high.
Recommendations:
If you’re looking to make the
most of a Moroccan adventure, we think this is how
to spend two perfect weeks in Morocco. You can find more of our
Moroccan recommendations here.
The
king of fjords
Sognefjord, Norway’s proudest
fjord and dubbed the “king of the fjords,” twists and turns inland over 100
miles, splitting into smaller fjords along the way. These channels, some deeper
than they are wide, are dotted with settlements like Skerjehamn with its
vibrant-hued stucco buildings surrounded by vivid green pastures.
Activities abound in the
Norwegian fjords. Biking and hiking, by land, kayaking by sea. And each village
has its own offerings: farms, Viking-styled architecture, nearby glaciers. For
those interested in natural landmarks, the Aurlandsfjord branch splits into
Nærøyfjord, a UNESCO site rated as the number one natural world heritage site
by National Geographic Society. It has become a top visitor destination. Manage
your time well to do it all.
Our own trip through Sognefjord
came by ferry. Our destination was Flåm, where we could enjoy one of the most
scenic railways in the world. Just 20 miles in length, the hourlong ride
completes one of the world’s steepest standard gauge climbs, passing through
forest, waterfalls, tunnels and more, up 865 meters on the way to Mrydal. Read
about the ferry ride from Bergen to Flåm. You might also enjoy this video of the falls at
Mrydal, where we were serenaded by a lady in red.
Recommendations:
If you’re looking to make the
most of a Norwegian adventure, we think this is how to spend
two perfect weeks in Norway. You can find more of our
Norwegian recommendations here.
One
resident flock of Gentoo penguins on Petermann Island
It was 30°F in the middle of
summer and we could not be happier. We were surrounded by an endless spectrum of
grays, blues, and whites. The only other colors were those we brought with us…
and the red beaks of the Gentoos.
An expedition to Antarctica is a
special voyage, unlike anything you are likely to encounter. The white
continent is an ancient land and a patient place. The glaciers are thousands of
years old, slowly calving into icebergs that litter the water around us,
immense floating islands of ice. We navigated these obstacles in our zodiacs to
step ashore, standing on land lit by an unworldly, ghostly, primeval sun.
All around Gentoos flocked and
squawked, sometimes molting and quite in their exhaustion. Soon the young would
mature and take to the waters. We searched for other wildlife, notably humpback whales, who were
sometimes kind enough to sound a greeting and put on a show. We found
orcas, sea lions, and the occasional snow petrel hunting above.
Antarctica is part of Planet Earth, yet it feels otherworldly.
Petermann Island was the first
visit after crossing the turbulent Drake Passage aboard the Ocean Diamond, four
days into our 10 day Antarctic excursion. Read
what it’s like to visit Antarctica starting with Petermann Island. Please
enjoy the
entire Antarctic expedition here.
Recommendation:
If you’re thinking about your own
Antarctic adventure, we
recommend you look at Quark Expeditions.
Read Grimm’s Fairy Tales at
Triberg Waterfalls
A waterfall with multiple streams
crashes into a pool before running down a vivid green hillside
The
falls at Triberg. Bring a copy of Grimm’s Fairy Tales to read.
The Black Forest is a place of
haunting beauty, inspiring stories born from superstition, folklore, and a
healthy dose of (somewhat morbid) imagination that have become some of the
west’s favorite fairy tales. The Grimm brothers derived their famous stories
from local lore, creating something less child-friendly than the G-rated
versions that Walt Disney later adapted.
Throughout the thick forest are
ancient villages, rivers, great trees, and the Triberg waterfalls, sometimes
called “Germany’s most beautiful natural wonder.” These waterfalls are formed
by the Gutach river, plunging 163 meters until giving way to a small valley and
the town of Triberg. Visitors can access the falls by hiking above the town,
admiring the seven major stages as they go. It’s an easy, beautiful hike. When
you visit, be sure to bring your copy of Grimm’s Fairy Tales, sit by the water
and recite your favorite.
On our visit to Triberg, we
stopped in at the Black Forest museum and the world’s largest cuckoo clock. For
those who love clocks and German engineering, The House of a 1000 Cuckoos is
perfect for you. Read
about our visit to the Black Forest here. Visitors should also make time to
enjoy the (Baden) Black Forest scenic railway.
Kayak
in Torres del Paine
Two riders of a kayak paddle away
on Gray Lake in Torres del Paine. Tall rock walls border the lake to left and
right
Kayaking
on Gray Lake Torres del Paine
You may never see a sight as
arresting as Torres del Paine. Three stony claws extend angrily to the sky,
textured by the competing forces of tectonics below the earth and the glaciers
above. These great blue towers are omnipresent. Even when obscured by the
massive clouds formed from the collision of peaks, glaciers, lakes and rivers,
they never fully disappear.
Parque Nacional Terres del Paine
straddles the Chilean-Argentine border, with access points via both countries.
(Our
entrance took us through Chilean territory, via Cerra Castillo, a town known
for its bronco busting festivals.) The most distinctive feature are the
three granite towers that give the park its name. Torres is a popular hiking
destination boasting numerous rivers, lakes, and glaciers for sightseers to
marvel over.
For a different kind of
adventure, explore the park by water the way we did. Armed with kayaks, we
entered Gray Lake, fed by spill from Gray Glacier, and glided towards the blue
Rio Serrano. The only catch … button up tight. You don’t want to get caught in
the wrong end in those frigid waters. Wet suits are necessary, even if it makes
you look like a pregnant bug. Our ride that day was calm, the waters forgiving,
but you can never be sure what you’ll get.
Read
what the Kayaking experience in Torres is like. Adventurers who prefer dry
land might want to try
Torres del Paine by horseback. Pedestrians might be curious about the
hiking experience in Torres. The ‘O’ and ‘W’ hikes are the most popular
circuits. They are rugged and take several days each to complete.
Recommendation:
Read our Perfect
Patagonian Itinerary as a guide to planning your own adventure. You can
find more recommendations
for visiting Patagonia here.
FAQ
Q1:
How should Monument Valley be explored?
A: The most genuine way to see
Monument Valley is on a horseback ride or if necessary a drive though the park.
A guide on horseback can lead you through famous buttes and mesas, and share
you stories about their culture.
Q2:
Is it safe to travel to Cape Horn?
A: Yes, but the weather can
change at any time. The majority of visitors to Cape Horn take a cruise, and
landings are contingent on the state of the sea. Traveling to the "end of
the world" is an exciting adventure. We
took an Australis ship called the Ventus from Punta Arenas to Ushuaia.
Q3:
When is the best time to see the Northern Lights and go sledding in Lapland?
A: The best months for dog
sledding and other snow sports are December through March. The period from late
autumn to early spring is when the skies are clearest and darkest for the
Northern Lights. (That’s when we went.)
Q4:
How frequently does Chile's Desierto Florido occur?
A: Only in years with unusual
rainfall—usually from September to November—does this natural wonder come to
life. The Atacama landscape is transformed as the desert blossoms with vibrant
wildflowers. On average it rains in this, the most arid place on earth, less
than one inch per year. Visitors beware, the Chilean government has instituted
protection programs to maintain the delicate ecology during the bloom.
Q5:
What is unique about L'Anse aux Meadows?
A: A UNESCO World Heritage site,
it is the only known Viking settlement in North America and offers living
history tours and tours of restored Norse homes.
Q6:
Is it possible to ride a camel in the Moroccan Sahara at any time of year?
A: Although camel treks are
possible all year round, the best times to go are in the spring and fall when
the weather is milder.
Q7:
What is the best way to experience the Sognefjord?
A: It’s hard to choose poorly in
the Norwegian fjords. But for variety of experiences, consider a circuit from
Bergen by ferry to Flåm, making the return trip to Bergen via the Flåm railway
to the Bergen Railway at Myrdal station. Or try it in reverse!
Q8:
What wildlife can I see on Petermann Island in Antarctica?
A: You will see seals, whales,
and penguin colonies. Because humpbacks frequently breach near boats, whale
watching near Petermann Island is particularly rewarding.
Q9:
What makes Triberg Waterfalls so well-known in Germany?
A: The Black Forest is home to
Germany's tallest waterfalls, and some of the world’s most famous fairy tales.
Many tourists combine their trip with fairy tale activities, such as reading
“Hansel and Gretal” or “Sleeping Beauty” by the waterfalls.
Q10:
Is hiking the only activity in Torres del Paine?
A: Not at all! You can kayak,
ride horses, or go on scenic drives in addition to the well-known W Trek. It's
among the top locations in Patagonia for a variety of adventures.
Resource: https://vagabond-adventure.com/library/most-interesting-places-in-the-world-part-one-natural-wonders
