You may discover how varied our globe is by doing a quick web search. But you can’t really understand their beauty and unbridled force unless you see these bizarre places for yourself.
One of life’s greatest joys is travel, and there are several ways to stamp your passport. However, seeing some of the most distinctive places will result in more than simply Instagram-worthy photos.
This tour will demonstrate why you should never stop exploring, from arid lakes and deserts to lush high-alpine forests and all in between.
Namibia’s Deadvlei
Deadvlei (Dead Marsh), one of the biggest sand dunes on earth and home to a petrified forest, is a bizarre but amazing location. Due to clay in the subsurface, the dunes have corroded over time. As a consequence, the petrified trees, some of which are thousands of years old, remain immovably in place while others rot beneath the scorching heat.
When you’re not gazing at the skeleton trees, you may look up at the 1,300-foot-high sand dunes. However, some life still remains; salsola plants may be seen surviving on morning dew. Deadvlei’s enormous red sand dunes are located in Namib-Naukluft National Park.
Indonesia’s Kelimutu Lakes
The Kelimutu Lakes are a group of three alpine lakes on Flores Island that are surrounded by lush vegetation and granite that has been scorched by ancient lava flows. These lakes, however, are not your typical bodies of water. The water’s hue may change up to six times each year as a result of frequent chemical changes.
The Twin Lakes are located on Mount Kelimutu, which is not difficult to reach. A morning climb adds even more memories to an already memorable location. There are hiking routes that take you to a natural balcony with breath-taking views of the lake and the horizon.
Ethiopia’s Danakil Depression
The Danakil Depression, the hottest spot on earth, is located in Ethiopia’s northernmost portion of the Afar Triangle. You’ll see one of the most unusual and alien-like sceneries on your excursions below the surface thanks to continental drift.
The Danakil Depression has a maximum temperature of more than 130 degrees Fahrenheit. It is one of the most hazardous and isolated places on earth, with lava lakes, volcanoes, and corrosive springs dotting the terrain.
However, there are still traces of mankind, such as the abandoned town of Dallol and the nomadic Afar who have long lived in this bizarre place.
Whitehaven Beach in Australia’s Whitsunday Island
Whitehaven Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches on earth, is situated along the well-known Great Barrier Reef. And with good cause. The dazzling white dunes lead to tranquil waters with a vivid world below, which are eco-friendly and constantly immaculate.
Although an isolated paradise like this is unusual, Whitehaven is merely a 30-minute drive from the reachable Whitsunday Island. The unimaginably white sand welcomes you with open arms as you make your way back to the surface, and the crystal clear water, which is as blue as the sky above, makes for superb diving.
Brazil’s Lençis Maranhenses
The dune and lagoon combination found at Lençóis Maranhenses is beyond description. The collaboration is seamless despite the fact that they are both sharply contrasted. You won’t comprehend unless you’re standing on the golden dunes and gazing at the blue waves.
The bulk of dunes is dispersed across an impressive undulating area. Each mountain descends into a lagoon inside the national park, one of its more than 1000. The surreal site is shockingly off the usual road and best seen alone, away from a crowd of other intrepid travelers.
Antelope Canyon, Arizona, United States
Antelope Canyon is a small corridor that is impeccably sculpted by thousands of years of rain and wind. It is home to some of the most breathtaking scenery on earth. The slot canyon drops up to 100 feet and is just three feet wide at its narrowest point.
You will feel a world apart from the dry Arizona terrain the instant you enter either the Upper or Lower Canyon, with the canyon skillfully leading you along. An already beautiful location is enhanced by the beams that extend to the canyon’s bottom.
Mexico’s Yucatan Cenotes
Beautiful cenotes that provide some of the best diving opportunities are dispersed across Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. Cenotes, which are subterranean swimming holes with fresh water, marine life, and plants, are often found in areas with a lot of limestone.
Whether a cenote is an open-air cave or completely underground with enormous stalactites hanging from the ceiling, each one has its own individuality.
Many are regarded as sacred locations, with underwater tunnels abounding with historical relics and stories about legendary gods, like the Sacred Cenote at Chichen Itza. Others, like Case Cenote, are excellent for diving and feature dancing light and fossils.
Bolivia’s Salar De Uyuni
The biggest salt flats in the world are officially known as Salar De Uyuni, however you may know them as the Bolivia Salt Flats. The world’s largest mirror is a phenomena found at the well-known natural marvel, which is situated on high desert plains in the southwest of the nation.
The salt flats provide visitors amazing reflections that make it difficult to tell what is up and what is down. An item in the distant may seem to be right next to you yet really be immeasurably smaller due to the distortion of perspective caused by the horizon.
Greece’s Meteora
Meteora, one of Greece’s greatest archaeological monuments, is a group of monasteries from the ninth century that are encircled by ancient monoliths. Six magnificent monasteries in all provide a spectacular window into life in ancient Greece.
The cliffs in Meteora were meant to be revered as holy ground. It is a secluded, serene location that is inherently spiritual. The monasteries were built on massive sandstone cliffs that had been sculpted over many years by wind and weather. Monks must use ladders and ropes to access some of these sacred retreats, some of which tower as high as 1,500 feet above the valley level.
China’s Honghe Hani Rice Terraces
The Honghe Hani Rice Terraces resemble a Jackson Pollock abstract painting when seen from above. But in reality, it’s a sophisticated network of rice terraces that cover a million acres in the Ailao Mountains’ foothills.
The terraces, which date back more than 1,200 years, have been used to catch the flowing water as it descends to the valley below. The 82 charming villages that make up the four counties that make up the Honghe Hani Rice Terraces also include a variety of fish, ducks, and cattle.
The technological cooperation is amazing, but the terraces that resemble rainbows will stick in your mind the most.
Venezuelan Mount Roraima, second
Experiencing Mount Roraima firsthand is a visceral sensation. It was a well-known screensaver called the renowned plateau above the clouds, so you may have seen it before. The mountain is encircled by angular cliffs that rise 1,300 feet above the surrounding terrain to an open peak with a flat summit.
Because of its unusual topography, which controls weather on a micro scale, the plateau’s edge is often covered in clouds. You may hike from Gran Sabana to the top over the course of many days, through a damp, lush, and breathtaking scenery from valley to peak where a whole new world awaits.
Cappadocia, Turkey
Cappadocia in Central Turkey is like something out of a fairy tale. It’s a stunning location that blends man-made and natural beauty. Five provinces make up the area, and its breathtaking desert vistas are filled with rock chimneys, undulating hills, and deep valleys that mirror the dawn light.
Visitors to Cappadocia come to view the region from above. The openness of the landscape complements the gradual rising sun’s rays, which create a dancing mass of light and shadow. Its size is underestimated, nevertheless. There is a lot to see on the ground, including picturesque villages, ancient caverns that formerly housed residents, and an area bursting with mouthwatering cuisine.
Mauritius’s Underwater Waterfall
Few vistas are more bizarre from above than Mauritius’ Underwater Waterfall. The waterfall cascades into a deep chasm in the midst of the Indian Ocean, right off the edge of the lush island.
It’s just an optical illusion, so don’t panic if you’re still having trouble seeing it. It would be the highest waterfall in the world due to the 2.5 mile drop. But the sand and silt that flow over the island’s ocean shelf are what give the cascade its appearance.
