When it comes to travel, some destinations offer more than breathtaking views. They evoke a sense of wonder as if you’ve stepped onto another planet. It could be due to their unique landscapes, historical oddities, or surreal natural beauty, but we know these places offer us an out-of-this-world feeling.

For this week’s travel guide, we will highlight five places that offer experiences that feel far from ordinary.

Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia

Imagine walking on what seems like a giant mirror, with the sky perfectly reflected beneath your feet. Salar de Uyuni, the world’s largest salt flat, offers this ethereal experience during the rainy season. Spanning over 10,000 square kilometres, the flat creates an illusion that blurs the boundary between land and sky. Visitors often describe it as stepping into a surreal, dream-like world.

Waitomo Glowworm Caves, New Zealand

Just beneath the rich landscapes of New Zealand lies the mystical Waitomo Glowworm Caves, where thousands of glowworms illuminate the dark, cavernous spaces. As you float along an underground river, the tiny creatures light up the caves like stars in the night sky. The glowing blue hue, combined with the eerie silence of the cave, makes it feel as if you’ve been transported to a magical underground galaxy.

Glowworm Cathedral at the end of Waipu Cave in New Zealand

 

 

Antelope Canyon, USA

The Antelope Canyon is located in the Arizona desert, a natural marvel that seems almost too stunning to be real. The narrow passageways, carved by wind and water over millions of years, feature rippling sandstone walls that change colour as the sunlight hits them. The mesmerising blend of shadows and light creates a kaleidoscope of colours, from warm oranges to cool purples, giving the canyon an otherworldly vibe. It’s no surprise that this spot is a favourite among photographers and adventurers alike.

The Door to Hell, Turkmenistan

In the heart of Turkmenistan’s Karakum Desert lies a blazing crater known as “The Door to Hell.” This fiery pit has been burning for over 50 years since a Soviet drilling operation accidentally released natural gas in the 1970s. The crater was set on fire to prevent the spread of methane and has been continuously burning ever since. The sight of flames licking the edges of the massive crater at night is both awe-inspiring and eerie.

Socotra Island, Yemen

Often dubbed the “most alien-looking place on Earth,” Socotra Island is home to bizarre flora and fauna found nowhere else in the world. The island’s famous Dragon’s Blood Trees, with their umbrella-like canopies, look like they belong in a science fiction movie. Isolated from mainland Africa for millions of years, Socotra’s unique ecosystem has become remarkable in different ways as it offers a glimpse into an untouched, otherworldly environment.

These wonderous places remind us that our planet is filled with places that seem to defy explanation, and these destinations will leave you in awe as if you’ve travelled far beyond the ends of Earth.

 

Johnson Chukwueke
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