Thursday, June 5, 2008

Top Ten Travel Wonders of South America - Rank 1 - 5

This entry represents my top five South American travel wonders list. Numbers six to ten of the South American travel wonders appear here.

South America holds a staggering array of travel wonders both natural and cultural. Boasting the world’s greatest rainforest, the world’s most spectacular waterfall, the world’s highest waterfall, the world’s greatest river, cosmopolitan cities and remarkable ancient cultures, there is something in this great continent for everyone.

As with my African top ten, it is near impossible to nominate a top ten travel wonders list without omitting a number of “must see” sights. Here is my list. How many have you seen?

1. Machu Picchu and Inca Trail (Peru)

Having trekked for a few days along the famed Inca Trail, South America’s greatest experience is standing at dawn at the Sun Gate as the early morning light unveils the evocative grandeur of South America’s most famous archaeological ruins. Perched on a grassy mountain saddle surrounded by dense forest and with the steep-sided mountain Huayna Picchu overlooking, the perfect forms of the Incan stonework and large number of religious sites makes Machu Picchu a truly significant ceremonial centre.

2. Iguazu Falls (Argentina / Brazil)

From the thunderous, awesome power of Devil’s Throat to the most delicate wispy falls, Iguazu’s 275 falls provides the world's most spectacular national border dividing the two mighty South American nations of Argentina and Brazil. Iguazu Falls are simply the world’s most mesmerising and awe-inspiring waterfalls.

3. Galapagos Islands (Ecuador)

As might be expected in the birthplace of Darwin’s theory of evolution, the Galapagos contains a diverse variety of unique wildlife that has adapted to the warm oceans and barren volcanic islands provides one of nature’s greatest wildlife shows.

4. Amazon River and Rain Forest


Providing around half of the world’s rainforest, around one-fifth of the world’s river flow, one-fifth of the world’s oxygen and home to around one-tenth of the world’s species of fauna and flora, time spent walking the trails of the extraordinary Amazon ecosystem and forest, relaxing in a small forest village or spending time on the river is one of life’s most treasured experiences.

5. Easter Island (Chile)

The enigmatic stone statues (moai) chiseled from the local volcanic rock stand in testament to a remarkable past civilisation on this remote Pacific island.


This completes my list of top ten South American travel wonders. What sights make your list?

3 comments:

eunice said...

These wonders are on my wishlist now! Nice!

~eunice~

Investinternals said...

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Anonymous said...

The Northwest of Argentina--the Andean Province of Salta:

My wife and I lived in Salta for several months about a decade ago and have been back a few times since then and know the region. We just published a mystery novel set in Salta and the surrounding areas, which should have all the background information anybody might want to have read before visiting the area, at a very affordable price. The book, "The Empanada Affair" is available from Amazon as an E-book for $0.99. Go to www.amazon.com and search their book section for "empanada affair". Click on the picture or title to get to the page where you can buy the book and at the same time you can download a free Kindle reader application. The book has chapters that describe Salta, Cafyate, Jujuy, Purmamarca, Cachi, Humahuaca, and much of the rest of the region. You can also get descriptions of food, wine, and artisanal crafts from the novel. There is a lot more detail than you will find in the typical travel blog. And you'll also get a nice book to read during the long flight(s) or bus rides to B.A. and Salta from wherever you start your trip.

 
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