ANTARCTICA
The natural wonders of Antarctica are actually pretty diverse though it is safe to say there will be plenty of ice and snow no matter when you are there. The scenery is mainly snow and ice. The purity and clarity of the untouched snow is amazing, and the huge formations of ice can be found nowhere else. Blue-white icebergs float by regularly, making the landscape an ongoing series of views. There is even a good supply of wildlife, providing you stay near the coasts. Penguins are the most abundant with seals coming in at a close second. During the right seasons, there can be loads of water birds overhead as well. The water can be home to pods of blue whales and Orcas (killer whales). Don’t get your hopes up to spot some majestic polar bears who are northern Arctic animal who don’t actually live on Antarctica at all. Every Antarctica cruise will be different, but you can usually expect to have the chance to go hiking, kayaking, ice climbing, whale watching, camping out on land and more.
NORTHERN LIGHTS
Though watching the sky may not seem too adventurous at first glance, considering the remote northern locations you need to get to in order to find the best Northern Lights views, I think this counts as an adventure travel activity. Also known as the Aurora Borealis, this amazing shimmering light-show is something few people get to witness first hand.
Want to see the Northern Lights for yourself? First you need to head north. There are basically 3 main regions where you can find good viewing:
1. Northern Canada
2. Scandinavia-the northern parts of Norway, Sweden or Finland
3. Northern Russia
ICELAND
Fire and Ice offers a stunning portrait of this island of extremes, where some of Europe’s biggest glaciers cozy up to some of the continent’s hottest volcanic springs. Every season has its own unique charm and there are always opportunities to experience new things, discover beauty and be mesmerized by the freshness and colours of nature.
THE CAVE OF CRYSTALS, NAICA MINE, MEXICO
The Naica Mine of the Mexican state of Chihuahua is a working mine that is best known for its extraordinary selenite crystals. The Cave of Crystals (Cueva de los Cristales) is a cave approximately 1,000 feet (300 m) below the surface in the limestone host rock of the mine. The chamber contains giant selenite crystals, some of the largest natural crystals ever found. The selenite crystals were formed by hydrothermal fluids emanating from the magma chambers below.
ANGEL FALLS, VENEZUELA
Angel Falls is a waterfall in Venezuela. It is the world’s highest waterfall, with a height of 979 m (3,212 ft) and a plunge of 807 m (2,648 ft). Angel Falls is one of Venezuela’s top tourist attractions, though a trip to the falls is a complicated affair. The falls are located in an isolated jungle, and a flight from Puerto Ordaz or Ciudad Bolívar is required to reach Canaima camp, the starting point for river trips to the base of the falls. River trips generally take place from June to December, when the rivers are deep enough for the wooden curiaras used by the Pemon guides. During the dry season (December to March) there is less water seen than in the other months (this can be clearly seen in the photos of the falls above).
TIANZI MOUNTAINS, CHINA
Hundreds of waters and thousands of peaks are in the Tianzi Mountains. What an uncanny work of art by Nature. The highest peak of the mountains is 1262.5 meters above sea level. Around it is rolling ridges and peaks and high picturesque rocks. On the top of the mountains, one can have a bird ‘ s eye view of numberless inter winding hills and deep valleys of the Wulingyuan area as well as downpouring waterfalls and lofty old pines in drifting mists and clouds. There are different sights when seasons and weather change, Sometimes it is fine with blue sky, which gives one a sense of strength and vastness. Sometimes it is full or clouds and mists, which gives one a sense of mystery of if in fairyland.
SALAR DE YUYNI, BOLIVIA
Salar de Uyuni (or Salar de Tunupa) is the world’s largest salt flat at 10,582 square kilometers (4,086 sq mi). It is located in the Potosí and Oruro departments in southwest Bolivia, near the crest of the Andes, and is elevated 3,656 meters (11,995 ft) above the mean sea level. The Salar was formed as a result of transformations between several prehistoric lakes. It is covered by a few meters of salt crust, which has an extraordinary flatness with the average altitude variations within one meter over the entire area of the Salar.
IGUAZU FALLS, ARGENTINA & BRAZIL
Taller than Niagara Falls, twice as wide with 275 cascades spread in a horsehoe shape over nearly two miles of the Iguazu River, Iguazú Falls are the result of a volcanic eruption which left yet another large crack in the earth. During the rainy season of November – March, the rate of flow of water going over the falls may reach 450,000 cubic feet (12,750 cubic m) per second.
PERITO MORENO GLACIER, ARGENTINA
The Perito Moreno Glacier is a glacier located in the Los Glaciares National Park in the south west of Santa Cruz province, Argentina. It is one of the most important tourist attractions in the Argentine Patagonia. The 250 km2 (97 sq mi) ice formation, and 30 km (19 mi) in length, is one of 48 glaciers fed by the Southern Patagonian Ice Field located in the Andes system shared with Chile. This icefield is the world’s third largest reserve of fresh water.
WAITOMO GLOWWORM CAVES, NEW ZEALAND
The Waitomo Glowworm Caves attraction is a cave at Waitomo on the North Island of New Zealand, known for its population of glowworms, Arachnocampa luminosa. This species is found exclusively in New Zealand. They are around the size of an average mosquito. This cave is part of the Waitomo Caves system that includes the Ruakuri Cave and the Aranui Cave. The attraction has a modern visitor centre at the entrance, largely designed in wood. There are organized tours that include a boat ride under the glowworms.
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