If there's one destination guaranteed to upset your parents, it's Afghanistan. Yet some intrepid over-landers occasionally travel down the Bamiyan Road to visit this chain of six mountain-rimmed lakes perched high in the Hindu Kush.
Band-e-Amir Lakes, Afghanistan —
If there's one destination guaranteed to upset your parents, it's Afghanistan. Yet some intrepid over-landers occasionally travel down the Bamiyan Road to visit this chain of six mountain-rimmed lakes perched high in the Hindu Kush.
courtesy Õnne Pärl
Recently one of the world's more intimidating destinations, Colombia's improving security situation has doubled its annual influx of tourists. Tours to Ciudad Perdida ("Lost City") in Sierra Nevada have soared, leading some to anoint it the next Machu Picchu.
Ciudad Perdida, Colombia —
Recently one of the world's more intimidating destinations, Colombia's improving security situation has doubled its annual influx of tourists. Tours to Ciudad Perdida ("Lost City") in Sierra Nevada have soared, leading some to anoint it the next Machu Picchu.
courtesy Turcol
Standing 5,671 meters (18,605 feet) at the heart of the Alborz range, Mount Damavand is the highest volcano in Asia and a ubiquitous Iranian icon, gracing everything from bottled water advertisements to the 10,000 rial banknote. It's also one of the planet's great trekking peaks.
Mount Damavand, Iran —
Standing 5,671 meters (18,605 feet) at the heart of the Alborz range, Mount Damavand is the highest volcano in Asia and a ubiquitous Iranian icon, gracing everything from bottled water advertisements to the 10,000 rial banknote. It's also one of the planet's great trekking peaks.
courtesy Mohammad Hajabolfath
Despite its reputation, intermittent bouts of violent protest and a large military presence, around 20,000 foreign tourists -- and upward of 500,000 Indians -- visit Kashmir's Heavenly Valley each year. Gulmarg is the only ski resort in the Greater Himalayas.
Kashmir, India/Pakistan —
Despite its reputation, intermittent bouts of violent protest and a large military presence, around 20,000 foreign tourists -- and upward of 500,000 Indians -- visit Kashmir's Heavenly Valley each year. Gulmarg is the only ski resort in the Greater Himalayas.
courtesy Mountain Tracks
Armed conflict in Congo has closed Virunga National Park to visitors. But the park will eventually reopen, enticing adventurous travelers back to its forested volcanic slopes to view its resident mountain gorillas, and the world's largest lava lake, a roiling 250-meter wide cauldron of steam and smoke.
Mount Nyiragongo, Congo —
Armed conflict in Congo has closed Virunga National Park to visitors. But the park will eventually reopen, enticing adventurous travelers back to its forested volcanic slopes to view its resident mountain gorillas, and the world's largest lava lake, a roiling 250-meter wide cauldron of steam and smoke.
courtesy Virunga National Park