Does immersing yourself in nature at its finest, reconnecting with the environment, or witnessing the jaw-dropping sights our Earth has to offer sound up your alley? All of these come in the form of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World…
The Northern Lights
The ‘Aurora Borealis’, or as it’s more commonly known ‘The Northern Lights’, is an incredible display of glowing colours that light up the night sky. All you really need to know, for those who are scientifically challenged like me, is get yourself up north to the Scandinavian countries, Canada, Alaska or Scotland, to witness this magical sight of a lifetime.
RELATED: A COMPLETE GUIDE TO SEEING THE NORTHERN LIGHTS
Mount Everest
While Mount Everest may be one of the most famous wonders, there is really no ‘wonder’ as to why it is perhaps the least visited of them all. The tallest peak on the planet is said to have over 200 bodies on it, from years of failed attempts to conquer under its harsh conditions at an altitude of over 8,800m. Needless to say I don’t recommend (summiting) it; there are other ways to get a glimpse of that magnificent mountain located in the Himalayas.
The Grand Canyon
If the deep blue sea ain’t your thing then head to that deep, dry, gravelly gorge in all shades of warm browns, reds and oranges as far as the eye can see. You know the one – The Grand Canyon. Reaching 18 miles wide and over 270 miles long, the canyon is truly a sight to behold – whether it be from above on a helicopter, below on a mule or river raft tour, or by exploring its outer rims by foot or the glass Skywalk platform (don’t look down if you’re afraid of heights).
The Great Barrier Reef
There are a ton of reasons why Australia’s Great Barrier Reef makes the list. The reef is HUGE. One of the most popular tourist destinations ever, this wonder boasts over 900 tropical islands, beautiful beaches, scenic helicopter or boat trips, and some of the best snorkelling and diving in the world. With its crystal clear waters teeming with colourful coral and tropical sea life it’s not hard to see why.
Parícutin
Another of Mother Earth’s creations making the list is the Paricutin Volcano located in Mexico, recognisable by the huge crater at its top that looks as though it’s been carved out by a ginormous ice-cream scoop. Paricutin erupted in 1943 where it then rose to four-fifths of its final 424m height in that first year alone. The volcano remained active for the following nine years before its death in 1952. This was the only occurrence in history where mankind was able to witness the birth and lifespan of a volcano, making Paricutin unique.
Harbor of Rio de Janeiro
Fun fact: Rio de Janeiro means ‘River of January’ – a name given to it by the explorers who discovered it in, yep, you guessed it: January. These explorers were astounded by the large, odd-shaped mountains that surrounded the balloon-shaped bay, and the great granite peak on the peninsula; what is now famously known as ‘Sugarloaf Mountain’ at the mouth of Guanabara Bay.
Victoria Falls
Ignore what TLC said and do go chasing waterfalls. Particularly Victoria Falls – the largest waterfall or greatest curtain of falling water in the world. Located on the Zambezi River in Africa, the falls were once called ‘the Smoke that Thunders’ by local tribes and it’s not hard to understand why. The noise produced from the masses of falling water at a height of over 100m can be heard from a distance of 40km. What better display of beauty is there than the lush African rainforest surrounding the powerful majesty of Victoria Falls?
Have you seen everything on your nature travel bucket list? Share your stories with us here and you could see your work published on six-two…
