Hey, nature lovers. I love museums, cathedrals, and city tours—but sometimes it’s better raw. These are my top 7 nature travel experiences, chosen not just for beauty but for uniqueness. Ranking them was hard and obviously, subjective but hopefully, this list gives you some inspiration for how you might want to experience the world’s wild places.

7. Banff National Park, Canada

Banff is iconic for a reason. The Canadian Rockies offer world-class hiking, glaciers, turquoise lakes, and mountain scenery. What makes Banff especially attractive is its accessibility, it’s well-developed but still wild. You can drive your grandma to Lake Louise or head deep into the Banff backcountry with a friend and a tent. Banff is also very accessible from the United States. In another blog, I ranked it as my favorite international trip (for Americans) for 1-2 weeks. I drove from Washington State to Banff National Park and camped in designated sites. Van camping in Banff was harder than expected, but we may not have searched hard enough.

Recommendations: For a great intro to the area, visit Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, they’re quick, easy, and beautiful. Then use AllTrails to find Banff hiking trails. I enjoyed Emerald Lake, Parker Ridge, Hector Lake, Bow Lake, and Sentinel Pass. If you have extra time, nearby Yoho National Park and Jasper National Park are also worth a visit and offer incredible hikes and photo spots.

What to Know: Banff can be expensive, especially if you’re flying in and renting a car. Also, there are bears. The bear risk in Banff depends on your activity; a short day hike is very different from solo backpacking in the backcountry. Carry bear spray, follow trail guidelines, and educate yourself based on your plans.

6. Northern Vietnam

Northern Vietnam is magical. Its landscape is dominated by wild karst hills, think Dr. Seuss meets limestone. The locals are friendly, the food is great, and the costs are refreshingly low. I explored the region by motorcycle, heading from Sapa through the Ha Giang Loop, then east to Ban Gioc Waterfalls and Dong Nguom Ngao Cave. If you’re considering doing Vietnam by motorcycle, Vietnam Coracle is a great resource.

Recommendations: The Ha Giang Loop is the crown jewel. You can either drive it yourself by motorcycle (be careful, accidents are common) or hire a local driver. Sapa is like a Vietnamese mountain town, complete with beautiful rice terraces that change color with the seasons. Ban Gioc and the Dong Nguom Ngao Cave are remote, but seeing that cave was the best $15 I’ve ever spent. Hanoi, Ninh Binh (where King Kong was filmed), and Phong Nha–Ke Bang National Park are also worth it—Vietnam is a cave lover’s paradise. I plan to go back just for the caves.

What to Know: The rainy season runs from May to October, and even in the dry season, I had light rain. Prepare accordingly. Also, if your travel experience is mostly Europe or beach resorts, Vietnam might feel raw, but that’s part of the charm.

5. Fitz Roy, Argentina

Fitz Roy is one if Patagonia’s main attractions and the literal inspiration behind the Patagonia clothing logo. It’s as epic in real life as you’d hope. I flew into Puerto Natales, Chile, then took a bus into Argentina to see it.

Recommendations: While I didn’t get to explore much else in Parque Nacional Los Glaciares, seeing Fitz Roy alone made the trip worth it. If you have suggestions for what else to explore in the park, drop them in the comments.

What to Know: Timing is everything. The best season is November to March, but even then, Fitz Roy is often cloud-covered. I had to stay an extra two days in El Chaltén just to see it. Build flexibility into your schedule so you don’t miss the view you came for in case of bad weather.

4. Iceland

Iceland delivers drama: mossy canyons, massive glaciers, thunderous waterfalls, and black sand deserts. Much of it feels untouched, even with growing tourism. I rented a car and circled the country on the Ring Road before backpacking the Laugavegur and Fimmvörðuháls trails.

Recommendations: Skip the Blue Lagoon and Golden Circle if you’re short on time. Laugavegur takes you 55 km from geothermal mountains to glacier valleys, and Fimmvörðuháls adds 25 km over lava fields. I preferred Fimmvörðuháls. Þórsmörk is great for a day trip. Don’t miss Mulagljufur and Fjaðrárgljúfur canyons, and Jokulsarlon Lagoon offers awesome iceberg boat rides.

What to Know:  At least when I went, you need a debit card with a PIN to buy gas. Losing my debit card mid-road trip almost stranded me. Iceland is raw in a good way, but be self-reliant. Save locations ahead of time, there’s minimal signage. Hornstrandir Nature Reserve is remote and rewarding, but requires extra planning. If short on time, check out the East Fjords instead.

3. Atacama Desert, Chile / Southwest Bolivia

If you’re into surreal desert scenery, the Atacama Desert and Southwest Bolivia are musts. I motorcycled from Uyuni, Bolivia to San Pedro de Atacama, Chile. The terrain features alien landscapes, colorful lagoons, high-altitude deserts, flamingos, and llamas.

Recommendations: In Chile, rent a car to avoid rigid tour schedules. Piedras Rojas and Laguna Tuyajto were my favorites. In Bolivia, don’t miss Laguna Blanca, Verde, and Colorada. Valle de la Luna is an easy and rewarding trip from San Pedro. Also, spend a night stargazing, this region is home to ALMA, the largest ground-based astronomical project in existence.

What to Know: The Chilean side can be pricey. San Pedro is touristy, but renting a car helps you find solitude. The Bolivian side feels more wild but is harder to navigate. If you’re riding a motorcycle, the Bolivian roads are mostly deep sand. If you insist on riding them, bring extra gas and download Maps.me. Google Maps is inaccurate out there.

2. Lençóis Maranhenses, Brazil

This is one of the most unique places I’ve ever visited. Imagine vast white sand dunes filled with rainwater, forming mini lagoons, like a beach trip on Mars. I flew from Rio de Janeiro to São Luís, then took a five-hour bus to Barreirinhas and later a boat to Atins.

Recommendations: Barreirinhas is more developed, while Atins is remote with no paved roads. Either way, the lagoon tours are stunning. I recommend doing at least two. Don’t worry too much about which exact ones to choose, they’re all beautiful.

What to Know: Season runs from May to September. Reaching Lençóis Maranhenses requires effort, two flights and a long bus ride. English isn’t widely spoken, so learn some Portuguese or bring a Brazilian friend. While I love solo travel, I think this experience is better shared; it’s a chill, slow-paced place that’s great with company.

1. Cordillera Huayhuash & Huaraz, Peru

The Huayhuash Trek is the most beautiful hiking I’ve ever done. Every day of the 8-12 day loop delivers high-altitude, mind-blowing views. I motorcycled from Huaraz to the trailhead and solo-hiked for 7 days, carrying all my food and gear.

Recommendations: Near Huaraz, Laguna 69 and Paso del Zorro stand out. On the Huayhuash trek, don’t miss Grangrajanca viewpoint, Paso del Trapecio, and Paso Yaucha. The alpine route offers jaw-dropping views but can get sketchy, especially if you’re solo and the weather turns. In my blog Travel Reflections: Appreciating Predictability and Embracing Change, I wrote about a sketchy circumstance while on the alpine route. If using AllTrails, beware when dotted lines become even smaller dotted lines.

What to Know: Most people hire a guide, and for good reason, they carry your gear and handle logistics. If you go solo, you’ll need all your supplies, including food and cash. Each community along the trail charges a fee to cross their land. Getting there usually involves a 9-hour bus from Lima and a 5-hour van to the trailhead. Come prepared, and stay flexible if the weather changes your plans.

Final Thoughts

I hope this list sparks your next big adventure. If you have questions or want more details on any of these trips, drop a comment. I’d love to help. And if this post helped you in any way, let me know what worked and what could be better. I’m learning as I go and would love your feedback as I keep creating more travel content. Happy exploring.