12 Things To Do in the World Before You Die
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One of the best things about the planet we call home is its variety. The world has countless wonders, cultures, experiences, and mysteries to explore and enjoy. As such, whether it be snorkeling in Australia or visiting Machu Picchu in Peru, we all have a bucket list of things we’d love to do before we die.
However, deciding what to do first isn’t easy, with so much to do. That’s where we come in. To help you decide what to do first, we’ve compiled a list of 12 things to do in the world before you die. These activities should be at the top of your bucket list.
Hike to Machu Picchu, Peru
We’ll start this list with one of the world’s most iconic historical landmarks. One of the New Seven Wonders of the World, Machu Picchu is a 15th-century Inca citadel located 7,970 feet (2,430 meters) in the Peruvian Andes. Due to its remote location, Machu Picchu was only discovered in 1911.
A visit to the citadel, best known for its highly sophisticated architecture, is a must. Taking in the impressive verdant surroundings and wandering through the ancient site is breathtaking and fascinating. While you can take a bus to the citadel, the Inca Trail hiking route offers the best experience. The 23-mile (43-kilometer) trail takes four days to complete and culminates with a sunrise view of the citadel.
Read also: Visa-Free Countries in South America
Stay in the Amazon Rainforest
While you’re at it, you may as well journey to the Amazon Rainforest, the world’s largest and most famous rainforest. Approximately 11% of the Amazon Rainforest lies in Peru, so you can tie Machu Picchu and the rainforest into one trip. However, you can also visit the Amazon in several other countries, including Bolivia, Brazil, and Colombia.
Staying in the Amazon Rainforest is an adventure like no other. A blood-pumping experience, you’ll hike some of the world’s most remote trails, discover incredible wildlife species, and learn more about the world. When I visited the Peruvian Amazonia near Puerto Maldonado, I spotted species like capybara, macaws, and howler monkeys and saw the Milky Way at night.
Read also: Exotic Jungle Resorts
See the Northern Lights
The Northern Lights, commonly known as the Aurora Borealis, is a mesmerizing natural light display that occurs in the Earth’s sky, predominantly in the Polar Regions in the Northern Hemisphere. The Northern Lights display impressive patterns of bright lights that appear like rays and spirals. Unfortunately, spotting the lights is very difficult.
As a result, the further north you can travel to see them, and the more remote you are, the better. Some of the best places to view the Northern Lights include Iceland, Norway, Finland, and Greenland. Your best chance of spotting them is in the middle of the night in an area that doesn’t have much or any light pollution.
Read also: Spectacular Northern Lights Viewing Spots in the US
Drive Along Route 66, United States
It could be argued that the pinnacle of road-tripping is a drive along the iconic Route 66 in the United States. A bucket list destination for RVers and van lifers, this panoramic road spans more than 2,448 miles (3,340 kilometers) from Chicago, Illinois, to Santa Monica, California.
Route 66 is best known for its diverse landscape, which features canyons, deserts, coastal paths, towns, and cities. However, you’ll also find many famous attractions along the road, including Cadillac Ranch, Pops 66, and 66-Drive-In Theatre. If you simply want to complete the drive, you can do it in three to five days. However, you should allow ten days to two weeks to see the main attractions.
Read also: The Best US Road Trips
Release Baby Sea Turtles Into the Wild
If you love wildlife, releasing sea turtles into the wild has to be on your bucket list. Releasing baby sea turtles lets you get close to one of the world’s most adorable species. However, more importantly, it gives you the opportunity to do your bit for the planet because sea turtles are an endangered species.
According to SEE Turtles, only 1 in 1,000 hatchlings survive to adulthood. By helping release turtles into the wild, you’re helping to increase those numbers. You can release baby sea turtles in many places, including Bali, Sri Lanka, and Mexico. One of my favorite places to release them is the Bali Sea Turtle Sanctuary in Kuta, Bali.
Read also: Amazing Wildlife Sanctuaries To Visit
Snorkel in the Great Barrier Reef, Australia
Wildlife enthusiasts should also include the Great Barrier Reef on their bucket list. Likely the most famous underwater destination in the world, the Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef. It features almost 3,000 individual reefs and 900 islands and spans over 1,429 miles (2,300 kilometers).
There are many ways to experience the reef, but snorkeling is the best. If you participate in a snorkeling tour, you can get much closer to the marine life on the reef. The vibrant coral alone is enough to impress, but species like manta rays, clownfish, and green turtles are guaranteed to blow your mind. Oh, and don’t worry; there are no great white sharks in the Great Barrier Reef.
Read also: Colorful Coral Reefs Across The World
Visit the Egyptian Pyramids, Egypt
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There’s a good chance you already know the Egyptian Pyramids. In fact, you likely already have them on your bucket list. If you don’t, something must change quickly because the Pyramids are one of the world’s greatest treasures. They’re also the last remaining Wonder of the Ancient World.
There are well over 100 ancient Egyptian pyramids, approximately 80 of which were built within the Kingdom of Kush, now known as Sudan. However, the most famous pyramids are found at the Giza Pyramid complex near Cairo, the Egyptian capital. Here, you’ll find the iconic Great Pyramids, the Pyramid of Menkaure, the Pyramid of Khafre, and the Great Sphinx. The Great Pyramid is approximately 4,600 years old.
Read also: Iconic Places Across the Globe
Walk Along the Great Wall of China, China
The next activity on our list of things to do in the world before you die is to walk along the Great Wall of China, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. An incredible feat of human engineering, this extraordinary landmark is a staggering 13,000 miles (20,921 kilometers) long.
The wall was officially completed in 1879, but some parts of the wall date back to the 7th century BC. You won’t be able to walk the entire length of the wall, but you can walk a small section of it in Badaling. Here, you can view China’s lush landscape and get a sense of the sheer size of the wall. In some parts, the wall reaches 46 feet (14 meters) tall.
Read also: Architectural Marvels Across The Globe
Attend a Major Sporting Event
Even though it helps, you don’t have to be a sports fan to enjoy one of the world’s major sporting events. It also doesn’t matter what sport you like. Whether it be the World Cup, Wimbledon, the Super Bowl, or the Olympic Games, attending a major sporting event is an experience everyone should embrace.
Sporting events like these often see millions of people across the globe come together to enjoy a feast of sports’ best athletes competing. While you can join the millions in watching the events unfold at home, nothing beats the excitement, entertainment, and fun of experiencing them in person. You can expect many laughs, tasty food, and an electric atmosphere.
Read also: Amazing Destinations for Extreme Sports
Go on an African Safari
For many wildlife enthusiasts, animal experiences don’t get much bigger or better than an African safari. On safari in Africa, travelers have the opportunity to get up close and personal with some of the world’s most treasured species, including lions, rhinos, leopards, and hippopotamuses. So, what are you waiting for? Buy your flight tickets to Africa.
There are many fantastic places to go on safari in Africa, but some countries offer better opportunities than others. Botswana and Kenya are generally considered the best African countries for a safari. These countries are home to epic animal reserves, such as Chobe National Park, Okavango Delta, Amboseli, and the Serengeti.
Read also: Exciting Safaris Beyond Africa
Spend Christmas in New York, United States
Admittedly, it doesn’t matter when you visit the Big Apple because it’s pretty spectacular year-round. However, there’s just something extra magical and special about New York during the festive period, so plan your trip for then. Trust us, you won’t regret it, especially if you love Christmas-related things.
With the coming of the Christmas holidays, you’ll find an even greater range of events and activities in the city, including ice skating in Central Park, the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting, Bryant Park Winter Village, and the many Christmas markets. Of course, you can also hit up the city’s most famous attractions. Don’t miss the Empire State Building, Times Square, and the Statue of Liberty.
Read also: Must-Visit Cities Around the World
Explore Rome’s Historic Sites, Italy
Rome, the Italian capital, is a breathtaking city famed for its delicious cuisine, beautiful architecture, and fascinating Roman history. It’s a big hit with history buffs and romantic couples, but we believe everyone should visit the city at least once during their lifetime if not just to eat a delicious Italian pizza and sip Aperol Spritz overlooking the Trevi Fountain.
Of course, the main draw to Rome is its Roman architecture, of which the Colosseum is the crown jewel. This iconic landmark is a joy to behold, as is the Roman Forum that sits alongside it. Other notable attractions in the city include the Pantheon, Palatine Hill, the Arch of Titus, and the Flavian Palace.
Read also: Most Beautiful Cities Across the World
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