TOP 20 OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL NATURAL LANDSCAPES IN THE WORLD (part 2)

The Viñales Valley is located in western Cuba, about 150 km from Havana. This valley, listed as World Heritage by UNESCO, offers a particular relief, with these millenary mountainous mounds called Mogotes. 25 meters high and generally with a diameter of 10 to 200 m, these monumental limestone hills covered with vegetation, surrounded by fruit trees, flowers and plantations, offer an unforgettable natural landscape and will delight hiking and climbing lovers.

The lands of the seven colors of Chamarel are located in the south of Mauritius, near the village of Chamarel. These lands rich in volcanic ash and minerals have 7 shades of colors, varying between ocher, brown, red and purple. On this private estate, you can also access to a beautiful view of the Chamarel waterfall. If you visit Mauritius, do not miss to discover this magnificent natural landscape, one of a kind, which has become one of the symbols of the island.

Pico do Fogo is a volcano located on the island of Fogo in Cape Verde. With an altitude of 2,829 meters, it is the highest point of the ten or so islands that make up the country. This volcano, which the last eruption dates from 1995, has formed over time with its recurrent lava flows. I highly recommend you to climb Pico do Fogo, preferably with a local guide, to discover the splendid panorama from its summit. You will discover its crater, about 500 m in diameter and 150 m deep, as well as the view of Pico Pequeno, a second volcano, 1920 meters high, and the Chã das Caldeiras. Finally, a visit to the island of Fogo is also the occasion for many other discoveries such as the pretty town of Sao Filipe among others.

The island of Jamaica has many beautiful natural waterfalls as you can see. To name just a few, I recommend that you explore at least YS Falls and the Dunn River Falls. “YS Falls” is a seven-level waterfall located on the south coast of Jamaica. These waterfalls are further surrounded by pretty gardens and have natural pools ideal for swimming. The Dunn’s River Falls are located on the north coast of the island. Measuring 55 meters high, having a terraced shape like steps, and with a final spill into the Caribbean Sea, these falls will certainly conquer lovers of splendid natural landscapes.

The canyon of Blyde River is located in the province of Mpumalanga in South Africa. Composed mainly of red sandstone, it is the third largest canyon in the world with a length of 26 kilometers. This natural site has many breathtaking views like the one on the Three Rondavels (the three huts in Afrikaans), as well as magnificent waterfalls like Berlin falls or Lisbon falls. Finally, take advantage of the superb hikes in the Blyde River Canyon nature reserve.

Kakum National Park is a beautiful national park located in the south of Ghana. This park has the particularity of having a prodigious and rare infrastructure to observe its tropical forest called “Canopy Walk”. It is a long circuit of suspension bridges which allows you to cross and observe the canopy (upper layer of a forest, considered as a separate ecosystem, especially in tropical forests where it constitutes a habitat rich in biodiversity and biological productivity). These vertiginous walkways, over 50 meters from the ground, will allow you to contemplate its incredible flora like sapeles, irokos, frakés, as well as its fauna such as its birds, monkeys and butterflies.

It is also possible to visit the park with a guide from the mainland for a safari. You will find elephants, buffaloes, hyenas, antelopes, warthogs and even leopards if you are lucky.

The Sibayak volcano is located in the north of the island of Sumatra in Indonesia. This active volcano, which rises to 2,181 meters above sea level, is relatively accessible. However, I advise you to climb it with a guide, for safety, to learn more about the place and to help the local economy.

After crossing a path in a kind of the jungle, a small bamboo forest and rocky paths, you will discover a sublime panoramic view up there, as well as its crater of 900 meters in diameter with its small lake. All your senses will be aroused, since you will also be able to hear the volcano rumble or whistle, smell the odour of sulfur and touch its hot stones. You will also feel the geothermal activity of the volcano through its fumaroles and its hot springs in which it is possible to bathe. Finally, I strongly advise you to climb it at the sunrise to take advantage of the calm and beautiful morning lights.

Ik Kil is a superb cenote located in Mexico, in Yucatán not far from the famous Mayan temple of Chíchen Itzá. There are nearly 10,000 cenotes on the Yucatan Peninsula, due to the porous nature of the soil in this region. In fact, the cenotes are formed following the collapse of the ceiling of a cave filled with water. Although very touristy, this great cenote is worth a visit to contemplate its turquoise waters, its indoor waterfall and lush vegetation.

Bryce Canyon National Park is an American park with an area of ​​145 km², located in southern Utah. This magnificent natural site, considered to be one of the most beautiful national parks in the United States, is known for its special geological formations of conical shapes made up of colored rocks, called fairy chimneys or “hoodoos”. Formed tens of millions of years ago by the erosion of the Paunsaugunt plateau, you will be able to see them from different perspectives, from above and below. Finally, be aware that this natural landscape particularly reveals its splendor in the light of sunrise and sunset, during which you will see its long shadows and its most intense orange gleams.

The rice fields are an integral part of the landscapes of Madagascar and offer magnificent natural panoramas with their many shades of green and their geometric lines, sometimes going as far as the eye can see. For my part, I was able to discover the rice terraces located near the village of Faratsiho, southwest of the Malagasy capital Antananarivo. In addition to the rice fields, the colorful little houses, the peasants and their buffaloes often complete these picturesque scenes.