If you’ve caught the travel bug and want to explore some of the world’s most beautiful locations, you’ve come to the right place. Simply continue reading to discover the seven natural wonders of the world.

You’ll be able to start planning once in a lifetime trips, to each natural wonder, as each of the seven natural wonders of the world, should feature on every traveler’s bucket list. 

The Seven Natural Wonders of the World

What are the seven natural wonders of the world? The seven natural wonders of the world are The Aurora Borealis, Rio de Janeiro, The Grand Canyon, The Great Barrier Reef, Mount Everest, Victoria Falls, and Niagara Falls.

1. The Aurora Borealis

The Aurora Borealis is a natural phenomenon, which is best described as a 100% natural light display that has to be seen to be believed. Imagine staring up at the dark, night sky and seeing bright colored lights swirling through the sky.

Typically you’ll see green and pink lines, that seem to be dancing in the sky above you. The Aurora Borealis is a direct result of disturbances in the Earth’s magnetosphere, which is caused by the solar wind.

In order to tick viewing Aurora Borealis off your bucket list, you’ll need to travel to a high latitude destination. Some of the best spots in the world to view the Northern Lights or the Aurora Borealis include Alaska, Canada, Greenland, Finland, Norway, and Iceland.

The best time to view the Aurora Borealis is from September to April. When the sky is dark enough to see the Aurora Borealis in all its glory.

Viewing the Aurora Borealis is a special event as you can’t predict when you’ll be able to see it. Even if you visit high altitude destinations such as Alaska or Canada at the right time, there is a chance that you may miss out on seeing the Northern Lights. 

2. Rio de Janeiro

While Rio de Janeiro is not the capital of Brazil, it’s the most visited city in Brazil. Rio de Janeiro will take your breath away as it’s nestled between majestic mountains and some of the world’s most picturesque beaches.

On a trip to Rio de Janeiro, it’s worth sunbathing on Copacabana Beach and Ipanema Beach. Where you’ll spot locals playing beach soccer as soccer is by far, the most popular sport in Brazil.

For the best views of Rio de Janeiro, choose to catch a scenic cable car to the top of Mount Corcovado. Where you’ll also find Rio de Janeiro’s most iconic landmark, Christ the Redeemer, a massive art deco statue. It’s also well worth taking a second cable car to the top of Sugar Loaf Mountain. That is one of Rio de Janeiro’s most distinctive natural landmarks. 

3. The Grand Canyon

Nothing will prepare you for the first time that you look over the edge of the Grand Canyon. The largest canyon in the world. Not only is it a mile deep, but it’s also 18 miles wide, and 277 miles long. In fact, it’s such a monumental sight, that each year 5.5 million individuals visit the Grand Canyon.

I highly recommend hiking through the canyon as well as taking a once of a lifetime, helicopter trip through the canyon itself. You can even take a cruise through the Colorado River, which snakes its way through the Grand Canyon. As by gazing up at the canyon, you’ll enjoy a unique perspective of the canyon, that not many tourists get to experience.

To experience one of the most spectacular sunsets or sunrises of your life, head to Liplan Point. Where you’ll be able to enjoy panoramic views of the canyon and the Colorado River.

4. The Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef in Australia is the largest coral reef in the world. The Great Barrier Reef features over 2,900 reefs and covers 2,300 square kilometers. As well as being one of the greatest seven natural wonders of the world, it’s also a designated World Heritage Site. 

To explore the Great Barrier Reef, head to the state of Queensland, in Australia. You’ll be able to book a boat trip to the Great Barrier Reef, where you can swim, snorkel and scuba dive. I also highly recommend booking a seaplane flight over Heart Reef. Here you’ll spot a natural coral reef, that is shaped like a love heart.

If you’re a keen scuba diver, make sure to visit Agincourt Reef. Agincourt Reef is one of the most spectacular spots in the Great Barrier Reef and boasts 16 distinctive dive spots. 

If you enjoy traveling the world in style, the Whitsunday Islands, which are located within a stone’s throw of the reef’s most popular dive spots, offer plenty of luxurious, oceanfront resorts.

5. Mount Everest

Mount Everest is the tallest mountain in the world, above sea level. It’s located in the Himalayas. A breathtaking, mountain range in Nepal. You may be surprised to learn that the international border between China and Nepal runs across Mount Everest’s summit.

Mount Everest’s summit is located 8,848 meters above sea level, while K2, the second-highest mountain in the world is 8,611 meters above sea level.

Mount Everest is seen as one of the most challenging mountains to climb in the world. Climbing to its summit is a dangerous feat and over 300 people have lost their lives in the process. However, the first men to successfully reach its summit were Edmund Hillary, a New Zealand mountaineer, and his Sherpa guide, Tenzing Norway.

While you may not make it to Everest’s summit, it’s well worth hiking several days to Everest’s base camp.

6. Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls can be viewed from two different countries. Zimbabwe and Zambia. As it happens to be located on the border, between the two countries. Avoid trying to view the falls from Zambia between September and December, when the Zambia side of the falls dries up completely.

While Victoria Falls is not the tallest waterfall in the world, it has been deemed the largest waterfall in the world. It’s approximately 1,708 meters wide.

The first European to discover Victoria Falls is thought to have been David Livingstone. Who came across the falls in 1855. Livingstone was a Scottish explorer, who decided to name his discovery after the current British monarch, Queen Victoria.

However, Victoria Falls is also known by a local name Mosi-oa-Tunya, which translates to “the smoke that thunders”. Due to mist which is created by the massive waterfall.

7. Niagara Falls

Niagra Falls refers to three distinct waterfalls, that are located at the southern end of Niagra Gorge. The most visited is Horseshoe Falls. Horseshoe Falls is located on the border between Canada and the USA and is 167 feet tall or 51 meters tall.

When all 3 waterfalls are combined, they have the highest flow rate, of any waterfall in North America. During daylight hours, tourists can expect to see six million cubic feet of water, cresting over Niagra Falls, each minute. 

Instead of viewing Niagara Falls from an observation deck, it’s worth booking a Niagara Falls boat ride. So that you’ll be able to get as close as possible to Horseshoe Falls. Just be prepared to get wet. Boats leave from the American side of Horseshoe Falls, every 15 minutes and each cruise lasts 20 minutes. 

Q&A

In Conclusion

If you’re passionate about exploring our spectacular world, make sure to add all seven of the stunning natural wonders which are listed above to your bucket list. I guarantee that each of the wonders that are listed above will take your breath away and will show you just how beautiful the world is. 

So what are you waiting for? Pick the natural wonder that inspires you the most and start planning your next overseas adventure. After all, life is far too short, to put off your dreams.

More Reads:
https://www.mapthememories.com/amazing-things-to-do-in-new-zealand-in-june/
https://www.mapthememories.com/5-amazing-things-to-do-in-mongolia-in-january/