Plitvice Lakes, Croatia

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• Located in central Croatia is the spectacular Plitvice Lakes National Park, a forest reserve that is known for its series of sixteen (16) remarkable terraced lakes. Each of the lakes are connected by waterfalls, and they stretch all the way to an equally amazing limestone canyon. Paved walkways wind around these lakes and sometimes right across them, creating stunning views. <How to get there>

• The best time of year to visit Plitvice Lakes isn’t just the summer. It’s a stunning place to visit any time of year as the different seasons see the Park take on different hues, whether that’s lush greenery in spring/summer, rich colors in autumn, or magical scenes in the snow and ice in winter.  <Learn more>

Jotunheimen, Norway

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• The Jotunheimen mountains are located in Eastern Norway. Jotunheimen is one of world’s most alpine areas with sharp peaks and deep valleys. The dramatic landscape is made up of snow, ice, rocks and vegetation. The mountain range is Norway’s most popular national park. The most iconic hikes in Jotunheimen are Besseggen, Galdhøpiggen and Glittertind – the latter two are Norway’s highest mountains. <Read more on spectacular hiking and walking>

• Jotunheimen is ideal hikers, skiers, cyclists, and climbers who enjoy the experience of basically undisturbed nature and fresh air. Other popular activities in Jotunheimen include glacier walking, rafting, climbing, caving, canyoning, and horseback riding.

• <Learn more>

Gran Paradisco National Park, Italy

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• The park is located in the Graian Alps in the regions of Piedmont and Aosta Valley in north-west Italy. Altitudes in the park range from 800-4,061 meters (2,624-13,323 ft), with an average altitude of 2,000 meters (6,561 ft). A park of forests, Alpine pastures, meadows, high mountain peaks, stark ridges, pure white glaciers, lakes and bogs

• Learn more about the Park.

• Valle di Cogne - is the most accessible to visitors and the most popular with walkers. <Learn more>

• Gran Paradiso is the only mountain entirely within the boundaries of Italy that is over 4,000 meters (13,123 ft) high. Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn can be seen from its summit.

• <How to get there>

Lake District National Park, England

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• One of the most beautiful destinations in England is the Lake District National Park. As the name implies, the park is home to countless lakes. Other appealing aspects are the many mountains and called fells— a high and barren landscape feature, such as a mountain range or moor-covered hills that dot the landscape.

• The park has the highest mounting in England, Scafell Peak, and the longest lake, Windermere. 

• Learn more about the park.

• <Walking vacations> Best time is May through August.

• Visitors come to enjoy long walks among the fells and to soak up the views, and there is no shortage of accommodation located within the park itself. <Plan your visit>

Goreme National Park, Turkey

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• Goreme National Park and Cappadocia is a unique design of nature with slopes full of fairy-chimneys, rich water resources at the base of the valley, abundant flora, and numerous rock cut, frescoed churches. <Learn more>

• Cappadocia, which was sculpted out of the mountains through millions of years by sand and water erosion, became the seat of several civilizations. Cappadocia also covers underground cities. They are believed to have deeper levels awaiting exploration.  

• Best known for the “fairy chimneys.” These natural wonders are complemented by the cultural heritage of the region’s people, who hewed homes, churches and entire underground cities into the landscape.

• The underground cities, for long periods used as sanctuaries, were recently renovated and made available to visitors.

Salar de Uyuni National Park, Uyuni,Boliva

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• The Uyuni Salt Flats, also called Salar de Uyuni in Spanish are located in southwest Bolivia. This white expanse at the feet of the Tunupa volcano is the world's largest salt desert, around 11000 square kilometers. <Learn more>

• How to get there: Uyuni—the most popular jumping-off point for salt flats tours, Uyuni is a small, dusty town packed with tourism agencies in Plaza Arce, its main square. Travelers can book tours in advance online, through tour offices in La Paz, or they can simply arrive in Uyuni and peruse the options in town. Since Uyuni is so close to the salt flats, tourists can easily book day trips.

• Information guide about Uyuni.

Ao Phang Nga National Park, Thailand

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• Ao Phang Nga National Park is in Phang Nga Province in southern Thailand.  <map> Most of the park consists of an area of the Strait of Malacca studded with numerous limestone tower karst islands. The best known of these islands is Khao Phing Kan, popularly called "James Bond Island" because it was used as a location for the James Bond movie ‘The Man with the Golden Gun'‘.

• Learn more about the park.

• The cool months are from November to February. The other months constitute a hot or rainy season. The cool months are the best time to visit the park as all kinds of activities can be enjoyed. It doesn’t get very cold, and the waters too are perfect for exploration during this time.

• The park includes around 40 different islands, surrounded by the azure waters of the sea with limestone pillars.

• The most  popular activities are canoeing, caving, snorkeling and scuba diving, to even rock climbing. 

• Planning your trip.

Katavi National Park, Tanzania

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• Home to the largest herds of buffalo on the planet, Katavi National Park is a relatively untouched wilderness paradise, situated in the western area of Tanzania. <Learn more>

• The park boasts a wonderful array of habitats, which range from flood plains of thick reeds and dense waterways that teem with hippo and crocodile to woodlands, open grasslands, forests and pristine seasonal lakes

• Getting there: Katavi's isolation has helped it to remain untouched and largely unvisited; by light aircraft it takes four or five hours to reach here from Dar es Salaam or Arusha.

Haleakala National Park, Maui, Hawaii

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• Towering over the island of Maui and visible from any point, Haleakala Crater is a force of nature in every sense. At 10,023 feet above sea level, this dormant volcano is the stage for a breathtaking range of landscapes and skyscapes. <Learn more>

• What to wear: The temperature will be around 40 degrees with a chance of rain and wind. Most people get by with a sweatshirt, long pants and closed toe shoes. Hat and gloves also are of benefit.

• Many visitors wake up early to drive to the Haleakala Visitor Center, the best spot to watch what may be the most spectacular sunrise on earth. As the sun peeks over the horizon, the swirl of color and light dance across the vast sea of clouds. <Reservation required>

Galapagos National Park, Ecuador

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• The best way to experience the Galápagos Islands and see all the plants and wildlife they offer is by a cruise. It is best to book months in advance especially during peak season. Scuba and snorkeling are also very popular.

• The majority of the islands are only accessible with a guide, so its best to book with a tour operator-click here.

• Galápagos National Park regulates the number and type of tourist boats that are allowed to operate in the area to avoid overcrowding and to lessen the environmental impact. Most tourist boats offer 5-day, 4-night or 7-day, 6-night all-inclusive itineraries which are strictly monitored by Galápagos National Park officials. <Important facts>

• Galapagos Islands Visitor information map.

• FAQ’s

Iguazu National Park, Argentina

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• The Park covers an area of subtropical rainforest in Argentina on the border with Brazil. Within the park on the Iguazú River, the renowned Iguazú Falls encompasses many separate cascades. The surrounding park features diverse wildlife including coatis, jaguars and toucans, plus trails and viewing platforms. The Iguazu Falls stretch in width for 2,700 m (1.7 mi), and vary in height between 60 m (200 ft) and 82 m (269 ft) with 80% of the falls, falling on the Argentinian side. <Learn more>

• How to get there:  The Argentine Cataratas del Iguazu International Airport (IGR) is 25 km (16 mi) from the city of Iguazu.

  • You can also fly into Brazil at Foz do Iguacu airport located in between the falls and the town. 

• When to visit: The months of September and October provide the best opportunity to experience the falls, as the temperature is more moderate, hotel prices are more economical and there are fewer people around. During the summer, (January & February) the water volume is high, and the sky tends to be bluer. However, the heat, humidity and hotel occupation are at their highest. 

Fiordland National Park, New Zealand

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• Located on New Zealand’s South Island, Fiordland is the country’s largest national park, encompassing rugged mountain ranges, 14 gorgeous fiords and a world-renowned collection of waterfalls. Two of its most famous sights are Milford Sound--whose carved peaks, especially Mitre Peak, are iconic--and Doubtful Sound. <Learn more>

• Activities here include bird watching, kayaking, diving and mountain biking and hiking.

• Milford Sound is known has a photographer’s dream.

• Winter is the best time to visit – from June to August you often get clear, crisp days, but dress warm.

• A cruise on Milford Sound is a MUST. 

Namib Naukluft Park, Namibia

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• The Namib-Naukluft is one of Africa’s largest parks. The desert scenery is amazing ! <Learn more>

• It is home to the Sossusvlei area – an ocean of enormous red dunes and one of Namibia's main tourist attractions. The desert habitat doesn’t support many large animals, but do take time to absorb the spectacular scenery. <Read more about the Dunes>

• Best time to visit is the dry season (May to October).

• The park is 5-6 hours from Windhoek. <directions>

Sagarmatha National Park, Nepal

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• The park is situated in the Himalayas in northeastern Nepal. Sagarmatha National park is characterized by striking mountains, sweeping valleys and impressive glaciers. Many know this national park because it's home to Mount Everest, the world's highest peak. <Learn more>

• It’s home to rare species like the snow leopard, musk deer and red panda. Many Sherpa people live here, praying at Buddhist sites. 

• There are plenty of villages to explore and guided tours and treks that can take moderate to advanced hikers through the national park to admire its beauty.

• The best time to visit the park is during the autumn months of October-November and from March-May in spring/summer.

• Tour operators are listed in Lonely Planet Nepal Guidebook.

Guilin and Lijiang River National Park, China

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• Guilin and Lijiang River National Park features the Li River, also known as Li Jiang, of the Pearl River Basin. The river flows a total of 102 miles (164 km).

• Located in southeastern China, this park is renowned for its karsts, limestone cones, cylinders and hills with colorful names like “Elephant Trunk,” “Dragon Head” and “Five Fingers”. The best way to enjoy this breathtaking scenery is to take a 30-mile boat trip along the Lijiang River, from Guilin to Yangshuo.

• Best time to visit: the summer for misty peak views after the rain and the fall season for drier, cooler weather.

• Trails. Make sure you download the All-Trails app.

• Learn more about the Park.

• Photo gallery of the park.

Komodo National Park, Indonesia

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• Located between in Indonesia,sits the vast and impressive Komodo National Park. The park encompasses a total of 29 volcanic islands (including the 3 major islands Rinca, Padar and Komodo) and is home to approximately 2,500 Komodo Dragons and other terrestrial fauna such as various species of reptiles, birds, and mammals.

• The park’s terrain consists of a mountainous hillside, tropical rain forests, grass-woodland savannah, and pristine white sandy beaches. The marine environment is one of the world’s richest in flora and fauna and is still relatively undiscovered.

• The climate in the Komodo National Park is one of the driest in Indonesia. The national park experiences little to no rainfall for approximately 8 months of the year and is heavily impacted by monsoonal rains.