Kiwi Curated
Seeing the 7 Natural Wonders
by Joy PecknoldMother Nature is astonishing, to say the least. No artist or architect could compete with the flora, fauna and formations she’s dreamt up, so fittingly an alternative list to the classic, human-centric Seven Wonders of the World was created. From sky-high Mount Everest to the undersea Great Barrier Reef, herein are the best ways to see our blue and green globe’s most notable natural wonders.
Seeing the 7 Natural Wonders
Mount Everest
The highest mountain in the world is also the highest border crossing—the dividing line between Nepal and China runs right across Everest’s peak. Although summiting is the ultimate bucket list item, you don’t have to commit to a two-month, $40,000 expedition to appreciate it’s grandeur. There are moderate one-day treks to base camp available from the northern Tibetan side which leave out of Lhasa. Pre- and post-adventure, seek solace at The St Regis Lhasa Resort. The hotel faces the Potala Palace, a World Heritage Site, so it’s a much shorter walk to take in a cultural site.
Seeing the 7 Natural Wonders
Victoria Falls
Neither the highest or widest, Victoria Falls’ combined numbers of 354 feet tall by 5,604 feet wide are what make it the most spectacular, with its 1,300-foot spray visible 30 miles away. Like Everest, this natural wonder borders two countries, Zambia and Zimbabwe. On one side ahead of the first gorge, The Royal Livingstone, named for Scottish explorer David Livingstone, commands 17 colonial-style buildings on the banks of the Zambezi River. On the other side near the second gorge, The Victoria Falls Hotel and its tranquil courtyard look onto the Victoria Falls Bridge.
Seeing the 7 Natural Wonders
Great Barrier Reef
Covering approximately 133,000 square miles off the coast of Queensland, Australia, the Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef system. Visible from space, the area includes 900 islands, including Hamilton Island which is home to qualia Great Barrier Reef and its 61 waterfront suites. From here, there are many ways to explore the Coral Sea including sailing, boating, snorkeling and diving tours.
Seeing the 7 Natural Wonders
Aurora Borealis
Put simply, particles precipitating into the atmosphere are what cause Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights. Their ionization and excitation create varying, undulating light shows near the Arctic. Catching a glimpse of them varies on location and time of year, but northern Sweden between September and March is a good bet. In Swedish Lapland, the Treehotel is well set-up for watching the sky go off. Their recently completed 7th Room especially so as it’s 32-feet off the ground with north-facing panoramic windows and skylights in the bedrooms. There’s also a large net on the patio to lay on and star gaze.
Seeing the 7 Natural Wonders
Harbor of Rio de Janeiro
Also known as Guanabara Bay, Rio’s harbor is the world’s largest bay by volume. Stretching 20 miles inland it’s surrounded by granite monoliths, including Corcovado Peak—home to the Christ the Redeemer monument—and Sugar Loaf Mountain. Visitors flock to the peaks to look out over the bay, but helicopter tours and hand gliding provide even more of a bird’s-eye view. Away from the fray, in the foothills of the city’s Santa Teresa neighborhood, Casa Marques’ 12 suites also offer views of all of the above—some right from bed.
Seeing the 7 Natural Wonders
Paricutin
There are bigger, crazier volcanoes, but Paricutin, in Michoacán, Mexico, gets on the list because its birth was witnessed by humans. Rising up from a cornfield in 1943, the scoria-cone volcano reached three-fourths of its size within the first year and went dormant in 1952. Nearby in Patzcuaro, five-room boutique hotel Casa de la Real Aduana arranges tours to Parangaricutiro, one of the towns buried in lava and ash, and a Paricutin ascent by horseback.
Seeing the 7 Natural Wonders
Grand Canyon
Carved out by the Colorado River, Arizona’s Grand Canyon is 277 miles long, and in places 18 miles wide and a mile deep. There are many ways to explore the canyon, including hiking, river rafting and even skydiving. There are camping sites on the north and south rims, but staying just outside Las Vegas is a more comfortable and provides easy access to both natural and unnatural wonders (i.e. The Strip). On the water and cocooned by a golf course, The Westin Lake Las Vegas Resort and Spa is a Moroccan-inspired refuge, and their concierge can arrange Grand Canyon expeditions—a helicopter tour being one of the most breathtaking options.
Photo credits: Mount Everest by Joe Hastings
Mount Everest
The highest mountain in the world is also the highest border crossing—the dividing line between Nepal and China runs right across Everest’s peak. Although summiting is the ultimate bucket list item, you don’t have to commit to a two-month, $40,000 expedition to appreciate it’s grandeur. There are moderate one-day treks to base camp available from the northern Tibetan side which leave out of Lhasa. Pre- and post-adventure, seek solace at The St Regis Lhasa Resort. The hotel faces the Potala Palace, a World Heritage Site, so it’s a much shorter walk to take in a cultural site.
Victoria Falls
Neither the highest or widest, Victoria Falls’ combined numbers of 354 feet tall by 5,604 feet wide are what make it the most spectacular, with its 1,300-foot spray visible 30 miles away. Like Everest, this natural wonder borders two countries, Zambia and Zimbabwe. On one side ahead of the first gorge, The Royal Livingstone, named for Scottish explorer David Livingstone, commands 17 colonial-style buildings on the banks of the Zambezi River. On the other side near the second gorge, The Victoria Falls Hotel and its tranquil courtyard look onto the Victoria Falls Bridge.
Great Barrier Reef
Covering approximately 133,000 square miles off the coast of Queensland, Australia, the Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef system. Visible from space, the area includes 900 islands, including Hamilton Island which is home to qualia Great Barrier Reef and its 61 waterfront suites. From here, there are many ways to explore the Coral Sea including sailing, boating, snorkeling and diving tours.
Aurora Borealis
Put simply, particles precipitating into the atmosphere are what cause Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights. Their ionization and excitation create varying, undulating light shows near the Arctic. Catching a glimpse of them varies on location and time of year, but northern Sweden between September and March is a good bet. In Swedish Lapland, the Treehotel is well set-up for watching the sky go off. Their recently completed 7th Room especially so as it’s 32-feet off the ground with north-facing panoramic windows and skylights in the bedrooms. There’s also a large net on the patio to lay on and star gaze.
Harbor of Rio de Janeiro
Also known as Guanabara Bay, Rio’s harbor is the world’s largest bay by volume. Stretching 20 miles inland it’s surrounded by granite monoliths, including Corcovado Peak—home to the Christ the Redeemer monument—and Sugar Loaf Mountain. Visitors flock to the peaks to look out over the bay, but helicopter tours and hand gliding provide even more of a bird’s-eye view. Away from the fray, in the foothills of the city’s Santa Teresa neighborhood, Casa Marques’ 12 suites also offer views of all of the above—some right from bed.
Paricutin
There are bigger, crazier volcanoes, but Paricutin, in Michoacán, Mexico, gets on the list because its birth was witnessed by humans. Rising up from a cornfield in 1943, the scoria-cone volcano reached three-fourths of its size within the first year and went dormant in 1952. Nearby in Patzcuaro, five-room boutique hotel Casa de la Real Aduana arranges tours to Parangaricutiro, one of the towns buried in lava and ash, and a Paricutin ascent by horseback.
Grand Canyon
Carved out by the Colorado River, Arizona’s Grand Canyon is 277 miles long, and in places 18 miles wide and a mile deep. There are many ways to explore the canyon, including hiking, river rafting and even skydiving. There are camping sites on the north and south rims, but staying just outside Las Vegas is a more comfortable and provides easy access to both natural and unnatural wonders (i.e. The Strip). On the water and cocooned by a golf course, The Westin Lake Las Vegas Resort and Spa is a Moroccan-inspired refuge, and their concierge can arrange Grand Canyon expeditions—a helicopter tour being one of the most breathtaking options.
Photo credits: Mount Everest by Joe Hastings