From canyons to deserts, hills, mountains, volcanoes, lakes, falls, and flats, the world boasts an almost limitless plethora of awe-inspiring wonders that you can travel to and enjoy. Of course, the more spectacular sceneries you can visit, the better you can see how beautiful the world is. But if you don’t know where to start, take a look at these top natural landscapes you can experience while traveling around the globe. Add them to your bucket list and say hello to lots of memorable experiences with nature!
Ngorogoro Crater, Tanzania
Created after a massive volcano erupted 2 to 3 million ago, the Ngorongoro Crater is a UNESCO World Heritage site dubbed as the Eden of Africa. The caldera offers dramatic views and serves as the home of the big five: elephants, rhino, leopards, rhino, and buffalo, plus almost any other species you can see in East Africa. Situated 55 kilometers from Kilimanjaro International Airport, you can drive or fly to Arusha. Either way, what you can expect are incredible sights inside or outside the 300-square kilometer crater.
Antelope Canyon, Arizona
Located in Page, Arizona, the Antelope Canyon is a picturesque slot canyon, which has a Navajo name “Tsé bighánílíní,” which means “the place where water runs through rocks,” pertaining to how the canyon’s majestic beauty was formed. While Antelope Canyon is good to see on postcards or posters, it’s a different feel viewing its otherworldly spaces and patterns and natural beauty in person.
Mud Volcanoes, Azerbaijan
If you’re looking for a wicked, Martian-like landscape, head about 65 kilometers south of Baku, Azerbaijan’s capital, to see Gobustan’s mud volcanoes. These are not real volcanoes, however, as they do not originate from magma. Instead, they resulted from underground gases that found their way to the surface of the Earth. The mud is said to have medicinal qualities, so don’t hesitate to join other tourists in bathing and lathering in the goo for a messy and bubbling experience.
Uluru / Ayers Rock, Australia
Australia’s Uluru or Ayers Rock is a massive sandstone, standing 350 meters high, with a perimeter of 9.4 km. Not only is this a magnificent natural landscape, but also a sacred site for Anangu, an Australian aboriginal group. While you cannot climb the famous landmark, seeing it from afar is already majestic to the eyes.
Avenue of the Baobabs, Madagascar
Madagascar is renowned for its thriving wildlife and unique biodiversity, scenic views of nature, and beautiful rainforests. Some of its best secrets include the Tsingy de Bemaraha Reserve, Isalo National Park, and Ile Sainte Marie. But, one unforgettable you shouldn’t miss is the Avenue of the Baobab, where giant, centuries-old, dry-season deciduous trees line both sides of the road. See these trees during sunrise and sunset for a surreal encounter.
Uyuni Salt Flat (Salar de Uyuni), Bolivia
Salar de Uyuni or Uyuni Salt Flat is the largest salt flat on the planet, spanning over 10,000 sq. km. It was formed after a prehistoric lake drained and dried, resulting in a bed of bright-white salt desert, accentuated by rock formations and cacti-brimmed islands. However, at the beginning of the year, the vast salt desert gets covered by water brought by the rainy season. Thus, transforming it into a giant mirror reflects light and produces some of the most fantastic optical illusions.
Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada
Banff National Park is easily one of Canada’s most beautiful locations, thanks to its amazing wildlife and striking view of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Adding to that, it is home to beautiful lakes, Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, with crystalline blue waters, which mirror the Rockies, pine forests, and the sky, creating a natural paradise.
Isle of Skye, Scotland
Brimmed with rugged landscapes, undulating hills, fairy pools, and sea lochs, the Isle of Skye offers one of outstanding scenery everyone would love to hike and enjoy – being in the area feels like your another world!
Mt. Everest, Nepal
Being the world’s highest summit, there’s no reason not to see the 29,032 ft Mt. Everest’s magnificence in Nepal. Fortunately, you don’t need to climb its entire height. Trekking to Kala Patthar is already an accomplishment, which will also provide you with a breathtaking view of Everest and its surrounding forests and valets.
Iguazu Falls, Argentina-Brazil Border
A jaw-dropping sight in the Argentina-Brazil border is the astounding and massive Iguazu Falls. It is actually a chain of hundreds of waterfalls that spans almost 3 kilometers and boasts remarkable power and cascading noise. Adding its distinct flora and fauna and remarkable rainforests, it is a natural landscape that should never be out of your bucket list.
Jeju Island, South Korea
Another UNESCO World Heritage Site, Jeju Island, possesses beautiful mountains, impressive rock formations, and one of the world’s most stunning lava tube systems. It stretches 36 kilometers, which homes well-preserved rimstomes, stalagmites, stalactites, and cave corals that are supremely alluring. It can be a wonderful place to try out caving (spelunking) as a hobby!
Milford Sound, New Zealand
There’s no debate about New Zealand being home to many of the most spectacular landscapes on the planet. If you want to experience it yourself, travel to Milford Sound, a spectacular fjord in the country’s South Island. Enjoy its extraordinary wildlife, towering peaks, and impressive waterfalls that will all bring you closer to nature.
That’s the rundown of some of the top natural landscapes in the world. There are limitless options you can travel to, providing how beautiful Mother Nature is. All you need is to take that first step, travel, and experiencing all the magnificent sights the world has to offer!