Bamyan is one of Afghanistan’s most visually stunning and historically interesting provinces. From ancient Buddha niches carved into sandstone cliffs to ruined fortresses with mythical backstories, there’s no shortage of things to do
In a region known equally for its beautiful geological formations and its local legends, Bamyan’s Dragon Valley offers both. The narrow gorge is filled with white travertine formations, natural springs, and otherworldly rock
Before my visit to Band-e-Amir National Park, I suspected that a lot of the photos circulating online must have had their saturation heavily boosted. But now having seen the deep blue hue of
Kabul doesn’t have the best day trip options compared with other Afghan cities like Mazar-i-Sharif. But if you’d like to escape the city without going too far, choose the place most locals go:
Gilgit-Baltistan is Pakistan’s northernmost territory and is home to some of the world’s highest mountain ranges. Simply put, this is one of the most breathtaking places on the planet. And this Gilgit-Baltistan itinerary
Northern Pakistan’s Gilgit-Baltistan territory is home to some of Asia’s most striking mountain scenery. And the Hunza Valley is one of the easiest places to experience its dramatic landscapes from up close. But
Passu may just be a small village, but it’s one of the most scenic sections of the Hunza Valley and of Gilgit-Baltistan as a whole. It’s known for its turquoise Hunza River and
There are a myriad of epic hikes in the Gilgit-Baltistan region. And the hike to the Rakaposhi Basecamp is gradually becoming considered a ‘must-do.’ With that said, given its remote location near the
Fairy Meadows is one of northern Pakistan’s most popular destinations. And as discussed in our ‘How to Get to Fairy Meadows’ guide, getting there is arguably the highlight of the whole experience. But
Fairy Meadows, located at around 3,500 m above sea level, is one of northern Pakistan’s most talked-about destinations. It’s the best place from which to view the Nanga Parbat, the 9th highest mountain
Nestled in the heart of Gilgit-Baltistan at around 2,500 meters above sea level, Skardu is one of the world’s most breathtaking places. The city is surrounded by towering mountains of the Karakoram range,
Skardu’s Mansur Rock (confusingly also known as Marsur Rock) is one of Gilgit-Baltistan’s most photogenic natural formations. The arrow-shaped boulder juts dramatically into the sky, overlooking the Hussainabad Valley and Indus River. In
Skardu is one of the major towns of the Gilgit-Baltistan territory, a region that’s fast becoming recognized as one of the world’s most beautiful. There’s quite a lot to do around the area,
Experiencing a Desert Safari is often touted as one of the can’t-miss experiences in Jaisalmer, if not Rajasthan as a whole. The tour consists of a jeep ride out to the Thar Desert,
The 3 Dune Challenge is arguably the top hike in the Indiana Dunes region. As the name suggests, it takes hikers up and down three large sand dunes situated near Lake Michigan. They’re
Indiana Dunes National Park is a unique and biologically diverse park that’s just one of only several National Parks in the Midwest. While many visitors come mainly to relax on its beaches, the
Northeast Iowa is home to one of the largest concentrations of ancient mounds in the US, many of which are now located in Effigy Mounds National Monument. Established as a protected area in 1949,
Known for their remarkable badlands, massive sculptures, and ample wildlife, the Dakotas are gradually becoming known as must-visit destinations for both nature and history lovers. But if you’ve never been to the area
At over 11,000 acres, Makoshika State Park, located just outside of Glendive, is Montana’s largest state park. ‘Makoshika’ is the Lakota word for ‘badland,’ and the park accordingly shares a lot in common
Theodore Roosevelt Park is easily one of the country’s most underrated parks. And even among those who do make it out to this remote part of North Dakota, not everyone ends up visiting
The Caprock Coulee Trail is Theodore Roosevelt National Park’s flagship hike. Though I didn’t embark on it with any special expectations, its ever-changing scenery continued to amaze me throughout, and I’d even go as
There’s no shortage of things to do at Theodore Roosevelt National Park – easily one of America’s most underrated parks. And it’s in the South Unit that you’ll find the Scenic Loop Drive,
North Dakota’s Theodore Roosevelt National Park is easily one of America’s most underrated parks. And the Painted Canyon area, which serves as many visitors’ introduction to the park, is a great way to
Not many people would expect the highest point of a particular state to be a hidden gem. But that’s exactly the case with White Butte, North Dakota, a geological formation located in the
Located just outside the city of Sturgis and an easy drive from Deadwood, South Dakota’s Bear Butte State Park is part outdoor, part cultural experience. In addition to learning about Native American history
Situated along a 19-mile stretch of South Dakota’s Highway 14A, the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway is fast gaining a reputation as one of the state’s top scenic drives. Much of the area’s beauty can
The ominously-titled Devils Tower, known for its unique vertical stone columns, was declared the first-ever US National Monument by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1906. But being located at the opposite end of Wyoming
Most visitors to Badlands National Park stick to the easily accessible Badlands Loop Road. But who wants to come out to such a remote landscape only to be surrounded by crowds? Fortunately, there
Despite its remoteness, Badlands National Park attracts around 1 million visitors each year, who are drawn by the park’s rugged terrain, unique formations and wildlife. And for most visitors, the sights and hikes
Mount Rushmore was originally conceived of as a way to boost tourism to South Dakota’s Black Hills region. And with over two million people visiting Mount Rushmore National Memorial each year, the effort
Aside from its hikes, the Custer State Park and Black Elk Wilderness areas are equally known for their scenic drives. And popular drives like the Wildlife Loop, the Needles Highway and Iron Mountain
For those who’ve already seen Custer State Park’s famous landmarks and are looking to experience more but without the crowds, consider hiking the Sunday Gulch Trail. The thrilling yet relatively short trail takes
Custer State Park is arguably South Dakota’s top attraction for hikers – perhaps even outshining the state’s two National Parks. The massive 71,000-acre park is known for its spiky granite outcrops, forests, lakes,
As its name suggests, the most popular activity at South Dakota’s Wind Cave National Park is visiting its caves. But as the caves were closed for renovations at the time of my visit,
Tucked away in a remote corner of northwest Nebraska are some fascinating badlands that will change the way you think about the Cornhusker State. Many of Toadstool Geologic Park’s highlights can be explored
To most outsiders, Nebraska isn’t particularly known for its geological formations. Quite the opposite, in fact, as most of the state is covered by seemingly endless flat plains. But a visit to sites
With a population of just 65,000, Cheyenne is the capital of the country’s least-populated state. And given its position at the opposite end of Wyoming from Yellowstone, one would be forgiven for thinking
Out of the United States’ most popular parks, Rocky Mountain and Glacier are often compared with one another due to their breathtaking mountain scenery, scenic drives, and unforgettable hikes. But if you could
As one of America’s most popular and crowded parks, proper planning is essential for getting the most out of Rocky Mountain National Park. In the following Rocky Mountain planning guide, we’ll be covering
Rocky Mountain National Park has no shortage of thrilling hikes, though Mount Ida is rather unique among them. After a short forested section, this hike is mostly above the tree line, giving you wide-open
The Chasm Lake hike is one of Rocky Mountain National Park’s most popular longer hikes. Hikers can enjoy beautiful views of the alpine tundra along the way, while Chasm Lake itself is the
Known for its ever-changing scenery, breathtaking mountain views and picturesque lakes, many consider Sky Pond to be Rocky Mountain National Park’s flagship hike. Not only was this my favorite hike at the park, but
Rocky Mountain National Park has no shortage of scenic lakes, many of which are located in the Bear Lake Road area. And within 4-5 hours, I managed to visit no less than six
Though Rocky Mountain National Park may be a hiker’s paradise, the park is also home to one of the country’s most thrilling scenic drives. In the following guide to Trail Ridge Road, we’ll
Founded in the late 19th century, the scenic and charming town of Manitou Springs has a bit to offer everyone. Whether you’re looking for historical architecture, cave tours, or thrilling hiking trails, the
Located in Manitou Springs, Colorado, the Manitou Incline isn’t your typical hike. Rather than hiking up a mountain via an ever-changing winding path, the Manitou Incline is simply a massive staircase leading straight
Within easy driving distance of Denver is America’s highest paved road: the Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway. The parking lot at the summit stands at over 14,000 ft above sea level, while the thrilling
Located in Colorado Springs, the Garden of the Gods, a large public park known for its towering sandstone formations, is one of the area’s most popular attractions. Nevertheless, it can be difficult to
The Paint Mines Interpretive Park isn’t quite what most visitors are likely expecting from Colorado. But these colorful badlands, within easy reach of either Denver or Colorado Springs, reveal how geologically diverse the
Iowa isn’t exactly known for its natural beauty, and the stereotype of endless cornfields as far as the eye can see is largely true. But the state is also home to the stunning
The island of Roatán may be Honduras’ main tourism hub, but it’s also somewhat off-the-beaten-path as far as Caribbean islands go. For travelers looking for a tourist-friendly destination that’s not quite as overdeveloped
For most foreign travelers visiting Honduras, La Ceiba is mainly known for being where you get on the boat for Roatán or Utila. But wanting to explore Honduras beyond its main tourism hubs,
Located 50 km northeast of San Salvador, Suchitoto is arguably the country’s most endearing small town, featuring an even mix of charming colonial architecture and scenic views. Not only can the beautiful Lago
The Ruta de las Flores is often hyped up as one of the top day trips from Santa Ana, if not El Salvador as a whole. The region is home to about five
Santa Ana Volcano is El Salvador’s highest volcano, its third-highest peak, and arguably the country’s most popular day trip. In the following guide, we’ll be covering everything you need to know about the
Often touted as one of the world’s most beautiful lakes, Guatemala’s Lake Atitlán is home to nearly a dozen villages, largely inhabited by indigenous Maya. And with so many towns and outdoor activities to
Simply put, hiking up the Acatenango Volcano is one of the most thrilling adventures one can have in Central America. But as beautiful as Acatenango itself is, the real star of the show
Few scenes capture the imagination like Tikal’s towering pyramids looming over a vast and dense jungle. But Tikal’s pristine environment also means that it’s not the easiest place to reach. And with rather
Caracol in southern Belize was one of the Mayan world’s most dominant cities, and is accordingly the country’s largest Mayan archaeological site. But it’s also the most difficult to reach, so most visitors
Tropical Belize is teeming with wildlife, and for many visitors, spotting animals will be one of the highlights of their trip. One of the most ubiquitous animals you’re bound to see (and definitely